Rashad Knight Update

Submitted by TomVH on

I spoke with Rashad Knight tonight, and he was ecstatic about his visit. He said the visit was WAY better than what he expected, and he could definitely see himself at Michigan.

Knight had concerns going into the visit about Rich Rod's job security, and he told me they were more than answered. He feels comfortable now with the coaching staff.

The whole time he seemed in awe. He still has two visits to Rutgers and Ole Miss left, but I think we sky rocketed to the top of his list with this visit.

IfOne

January 18th, 2010 at 11:14 PM ^

IMO, unless we can somehow pull Dorsey, Knight is ours. Can't see the other visits being more impressive. Love Knights style of play though so I'd love to have him

BKFinest

January 18th, 2010 at 11:15 PM ^

tom - since we seem to have made significant headway with knight, where do we stand with parker? this should put some pressure on him too. who's the better of the two, or should dorsey be thrown into the conversation as well? we need all 3, but we're at or near the 26 # RR was talking about. thoughts?

TomVH

January 18th, 2010 at 11:18 PM ^

I don't think we're going to get Dorsey. I just interviewed him, and it didn't sound that great.

If we can get both Parker and Knight, I would prefer that. If I had to choose one, it would be Parker.

Sean Parker has gotten quiet as we get closer to signing day, so I'm not sure right now. He just took a visit to USC this weekend, but I think we're still in good shape.

Jon Benke

January 19th, 2010 at 12:21 AM ^

With the additions of today, we are said to have one spot left, to get to 26 commits, so lets say Parker, Knight, and Grimes all want to go blue, who do you tell with a straight face .... sorry, but we won't be honoring our offer? Can we afford to take such a hit?

For what it's worth, I want Sean Parker, and I hope that last spot is being saved for him (crosses fingers).

2001

January 19th, 2010 at 12:33 AM ^

Tom, if we get both Knight and Parker, do you think that we start off M-Rob at SLB...Furman at WLB!? That would be a nice, complete, class! (aside from no nose tackle)

Jon Benke

January 19th, 2010 at 12:37 AM ^

How can they make room, is my question? I understand that you want to take the 26 best recruits, but going into signing day, we have one spot left (as of right now), and a few well deserving players, and really, a few players that would jump to the top of your class, if they pick UM; Parker and Baxter, among other players...

I didn't know Grimes was all but out, my bad.

umhero

January 19th, 2010 at 7:17 AM ^

I am pretty sure that we could sign up to 29 if we wanted to this season, but it would hamper us next season.

I believe when RichRod was saying we could go to 25, it was because he wanted to save schollies for next season. Now he's saying 26 for the same reason. If we end up with 27, but they are all quality players then he won't mind limiting next years class size.

umhero

January 19th, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^

How many he plans to sign and how many he's able to sign are two different things.

I believe he wants to sign only 26, but is able to sign more. If elite players want to come and Michigan wants them, he can bring them in without having to cut someone else from the class.

I don't disagree with what he said.

Jon Benke

January 19th, 2010 at 12:42 AM ^

I thought the Big Ten had a rule against that. I know, for instance, that this is common practice down here in the SEC, where I am living now, though I thought there was rules against doing this in both the Pac 10 and the Big 10. Now if true, while sad to do to a kid on signing day, I'd really like the 26 best recruits we can get/sign.

Lutha

January 19th, 2010 at 12:57 AM ^

Not accepting a commitment is different than accepting a letter of intent on NSD and pushing the recruit out or asking the recruit to greyshirt.

According to Magnus' E-blog, we've given out 186 offers. Recruits understand that not all 186 will be able to sign and that it is first-come, first served.

MGoJoe

January 19th, 2010 at 12:52 AM ^

Regardless if its legal or not, I'll bet the Free Press will be all over that.

"Rich Rod takes away scholarship offer from deserving 4.0 GPA student to make room for a 2.5 one."

You heard it here first.

SysMark

January 18th, 2010 at 11:23 PM ^

That line is a sign of how intense the negative recruiting must be. Fortunately we have the facilities, staff, program, and academics to overcome it. The competition has a lot of trash talk.

Tater

January 18th, 2010 at 11:53 PM ^

Sadly, the fact that he had a concern about RR's job security indicates that the negative recruiting and bullshit press is working on some level. I'm glad that RR knows about this and is able to "handle the objection."

Huss

January 18th, 2010 at 11:34 PM ^

I doubt meh personalities like Houston Nutt and Greg Schiano, and their likewise meh universities, can do anything to convince him otherwise.

Coffee's for closers, RichRod. Get them to sign on the line that is dotted.

TheVictors97

January 18th, 2010 at 11:56 PM ^

I flew Schiano around last year when he was recruiting guys down here in Florida. We flew him back to NJ.

Super nice guy. Actually wanted to talk football with me when I told him I was a big U of M fan and he seemed impressed that I knew he was on a recruiting trip and I was familiar with the recruits he was visiting. He said, "You and I were almost neighbors" when I told him I was a Michigan fan (in regards to interviewing for the Michigan job).

He is a great guy and a good tipper as well which is always appreciated and definitely not necessary in our business. I was very impressed with Schiano. That being said, I still hope Knight goes Blue.

2001

January 18th, 2010 at 11:45 PM ^

Thank very much for the post Tom. It's starting to sound like a three man race between Knight, Parker and Dorsey. First to commit wins. Though I've got my favorites amongst them, I'd really be happy to land any of the three!! (which usually isn't the case).

MichiganMan_24_

January 19th, 2010 at 12:01 AM ^

I like to get in a nice cup of coffee then go to work .. come home, work out,get cleaned up and then eat dinner .. kiss on my girlfriend and watch a good movie ... but none of that means a fricken thing to me if i cant get a Tom VH update before i go to sleep.

aaamichfan

January 19th, 2010 at 12:05 AM ^

I just went back and watched Knight's video. He seems like he would be a great kick returner at the college level. He isn't very big, but definitely has breakaway speed. Seems like it would take time for him to learn CB position. Would be a great pickup.

MinorforPresident

January 19th, 2010 at 12:09 AM ^

Thanks for the update Tom. I'd be ecstatic to close out the class with Parker and Knight. I can't remember the last time we pulled a class in the secondary like this if we land those two.

Blue_Bull_Run

January 19th, 2010 at 12:12 AM ^

It's great to see that we're in a strong position with these recruits. Not gonna lie though, I do feel like the staff might have mis-managed our available scholarships - just a little, though!

dundee

January 19th, 2010 at 12:49 AM ^

i also think that 2 losing seasons caused RR to think that findinf recruits willing to commit was gonna be a lil tougher, and offered too quickly and often. but here's to a great close on the recruiting season, a winning record, and our picks of the 2011 athletes.

SEAL Fan

January 19th, 2010 at 1:12 AM ^

This is great news. I'm very impressed with this years recruiting class even after having two poor years. I hope Rodriguez turns it around next year and pulls off some impressive wins. I can't imagine what type of recruits he will land when Michigan is back on top of the Big Ten.