Rashad Knight Update
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.
January 18th, 2010 at 11:10 PM ^
How sweet is this!!! I have a feeling this is the start of some wonderful things to come.
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
January 18th, 2010 at 11:15 PM ^
All your Safetys are belong to us
January 19th, 2010 at 12:44 AM ^
nice tagline. fist pump!
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?
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.
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).
January 19th, 2010 at 12:25 AM ^
Well, we won't have to tell Grimes no.
I think we'll make room, or have room for both Parker and Knight, if they want to commit.
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)
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.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:11 AM ^
I'm also confused about the available amount of scholarships. I wish NSD was tomorrow so that all of our questions could be answered.
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.
January 19th, 2010 at 9:20 AM ^
he wouldn't have said that "we will sign 26." I don't see any reason to doubt what he said.
January 19th, 2010 at 9:24 AM ^
But, if Seantrel Henderson came to town right now and said, "I think I'll sign up", they'd find space.
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.
January 19th, 2010 at 12:37 AM ^
Offer letters include language indicating that the scholarship is contingent upon the recruit meeting academic requirements and spots being available in the class. There is nothing shady about not accepting a commitment after the class is already full.
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.
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.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:12 AM ^
Thanks.
I want the 26 best, as we all do!
January 19th, 2010 at 8:38 AM ^
Death Roh!
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.
January 18th, 2010 at 11:21 PM ^
if we get knight and parker, that closes the class of 2010, correct?
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.
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."
January 18th, 2010 at 11:31 PM ^
Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen....
January 20th, 2010 at 8:35 PM ^
fulfill your destiny, and take Kovacs' place in our secondary.
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.
January 18th, 2010 at 11:35 PM ^
Always
Be
Closing
January 18th, 2010 at 11:46 PM ^
Nice guy? I don't give a shit. Good father? Fuck you! Go home and play with your kids. You wanna work here? Close!
(The Baldwin scene will never, ever, ever get old)
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.
January 19th, 2010 at 12:54 AM ^
Hoo boy golly gee whiz.
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).
January 18th, 2010 at 11:49 PM ^
What about that stud DB outta Ampipe, PA - Stefen Djordjevic? Any chance we can snake oil him away from Cal Poly?
January 19th, 2010 at 12:41 AM ^
Coach said that he had a bit of an attitude problem and got into a some trouble off the field. I don't think we should offer him.
January 19th, 2010 at 8:29 AM ^
he had issues covering Caroline in the City, IIRC.
January 19th, 2010 at 11:36 AM ^
Big ups to you and Thrillhouse for the pop culture interlude ...
January 19th, 2010 at 8:40 AM ^
Thank you for that obscure reference.
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.
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.
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.
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!
January 19th, 2010 at 12:43 AM ^
Is Knight someone who could come in and challenge for PT as a freshman?
January 19th, 2010 at 12:46 AM ^
Yes, but does Knight have short stubby arms?
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.
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.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:22 AM ^
Let's hope this means he'll be here next year, playing football and getting a great education.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:35 AM ^
Really? Negged for hoping a kid is here playing football and getting a Michigan education?