Michigan out of the running for Lawrence Thomas

Submitted by Magnus on

"The list remains flexible but features, in no particular order, Ohio State, Florida, Alabama, Michigan State, Notre Dame, USC, Penn State, Oklahoma, Miami and Cincinnati. That group offers a rough outline for upcoming unofficial visits."

http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1059097

brendandavis22

March 4th, 2010 at 9:15 AM ^

just saw the same story. The only hope we have is the fact that the list "remains flexible". I wonder if the NCAA findings played a role in us not even being top 10 for an in-state stud.

David F

March 4th, 2010 at 12:22 PM ^

I guess the big thing is that it seems the talent level delta between U-M and MSU is decreasing. Most of this seems to be that MSU is recruiting better than U-M is recruiting poorly.

Another question would be how MSU is doing against U-M for the kids both programs want. A quick list from this year of kids MSU got over us:

Will Gholston
Mylan Hicks
Skyler Schofner
Max Bullough (Rivals doesn't say U-M offer, but I assume we'd take him)
Marcus Rush (?)

The Other Brian

March 4th, 2010 at 10:32 PM ^

And a quick list from this year of kids we got over MSU:

Devin Gardner
Austin White
Jibreel Black
Christian Pace
Davion Rogers
Terry Talbott

Counting Bullough as an MSU recruiting victory over UM is like counting Jeremy Jackson as a UM win over MSU. It's completely ridiculous.

And Marcus Rush would've been Blue if UM had wanted him. We slow played him, so he picked State.

GOBLUE4EVR

March 5th, 2010 at 8:31 AM ^

is this bullough kid??? scout and rivals both have him as a 4 star... but what i don't understand is he plays in traverse city and i'm guessing that the talent level up there isn't nearly as good as it is in metro detroit... so did put on an awesome show at all of the camps he we to or did he just put up crazy numbers in high school???

Irish

March 5th, 2010 at 9:59 AM ^

He didn't really do any camps I don't believe, he only considered ND or MSU and obviously chose MSU. He made his decision about 14 months before LOI day, was only looking for those 2 offers and decided. I am not sure why he is a 4star and not a 3star or a 5star for that matter.

WolvinLA2

March 5th, 2010 at 3:19 PM ^

Will Gholston lived with an MSU booster/alum. He was fed nothing but MSU 24 hours a day. Max Bullough, similarly, was never going to M.

Outside of those guys, you could count Schofner as a win for MSU, but you can't say Marcus Rush because he only went to State when he found out we didn't want him. Mylan Hicks is a good player, but he chose to be the #1 CB in MSU's class instead of the #3 (maybe) CB in ours. Technically, he had offers from both and chose them, but it was a position group that we aced in that class, and we didn't pursue him hard at all. Dior Mathis was a much more highly sought after CB than Hicks, and I wouldn't say we "lost" him to Oregon because we cooled on him.

ShockFX

March 4th, 2010 at 9:20 AM ^

Oh come the fuck on Magnus. You know that's a dumb statement to make, even if you are currently technically correct.

Also, hard to be out of the running for something you were never in.

Magnus

March 4th, 2010 at 9:29 AM ^

What's with the "come the fuck on Magnus"? What exactly did I say to upset you?

The article specifically states that Thomas has narrowed it down to 10 (not including Michigan)

AND

you even admitted in your post that we're out of the running because we "were never in" it.

So why the dickishness?

jg2112

March 4th, 2010 at 11:22 AM ^

No, we are not all bummed.

Some of us, really, could care less about stuff like this 11 months out from signing day. Again, if the kid wants to go elsewhere, good luck to him. Better for the coaches, so they don't waste time and resources recruiting the kid.

I believe that is the tenor of the post above.

Magnus

March 4th, 2010 at 11:28 AM ^

That is decidedly NOT the tenor of ShockFX's post.

If you interpret that from "Come the fuck on Magnus. What a stupid statement. It's hard to be out of a race that we were never in," then I envy your mind-reading skills.

jg2112

March 4th, 2010 at 12:00 PM ^

I highly doubt Shock is "pissed" or "bummed" that a kid narrowed down his list for unofficial visits and Michigan isn't on it.

I realize you have a vested interest, as a perceived expert, in having everyone's mood on this board rise and fall based on the mood changes of 16 year old recruits, as well as having them listen to your expert determination of where they are going to play in college.

Let's be honest - we're 11 months out. It doesn't matter - the coaches will fill the class and Michigan will move forward. If Lawrence Thomas doesn't want to be a part of it, well, I'll try to cope.

Magnus

March 4th, 2010 at 12:17 PM ^

Actually, at no point in this thread have I offered any kind of emotional reaction to Lawrence Thomas's list. I have no interest in toying with the emotions of people on this board. I simply quoted part of the article and provided a link.

I saw an article about a potential 5-star in-state linebacker and thought it was relevent/pertinent, since it was the first article I've seen where it "officially" eliminated Michigan from his list.

Personally, I DON'T CARE that it's eleven months out. If this article were stating that "Lawrence Thomas just committed to Michigan!" I'm sure you wouldn't be sitting there saying, "Ho-hum, who cares? It's still 11 months away from signing day." You didn't accrue 7781 points by not caring.

The article is relevant. I posted it. ShockFX's response wasn't warranted, and your justification of his post put a bunch of words in his mouth.

If anybody here is showing an emotional response, you might want to look in the mirror, Mr. Who-Cares-I-Only-Want-People-Who-Want-to-Play-for-Michigan.

ShockFX

March 4th, 2010 at 2:08 PM ^

"I saw an article about a potential 5-star in-state linebacker and thought it was relevent/pertinent, since it was the first article I've seen where it "officially" eliminated Michigan from his list.

And next week, when he mentions Michigan interest again, we'll have a-whole-fucking-nother article on it, and a corresponding thread that going to rehash the same fucking nonsense. I mean, fuck Magnus, I'd expect more from you than to join in this cycle.

I can't wait for the next thread accusing evil Renassiance from kidnapping LT and preventing him from joining his childhood favorite team. Will that be before or after the post about the Freep's article about LT going to MSU and Dantonio locking down the state?

Magnus

March 4th, 2010 at 2:15 PM ^

If you don't want to take part in a message board where news about 5-star in-state recruits is reported, then maybe this isn't the place for you.

Regardless, I was reporting news. I did NOT - and still have not - start whining about Renaissance and their coaches, MSU, etc. Since Lawrence Thomas recently visited Michigan, I thought other Michigan fans would be interested in knowing that we're still not in his top 10.

I apologize for littering MGoBlog with recruiting news.

It looks like there are a few threads about women's hoops, Tiger Woods, European footy-ballers, Bucknut's letter about rushing the court, and a new fall show on the BTN. Maybe you should stick to those threads, since recruiting news doesn't seem to be up your alley.

arod

March 4th, 2010 at 12:59 PM ^

don't care about this. That's why you both are pissing on Magnus after all he did was post a summary of an article giving information on a potential recruit. I enjoy following recruiting, although it is silly to take it too seriously. In fact, I'd wager that others here do as well, seeing as Brian just posted a 2011 recruiting overview. So why don't you calm the fuck down.

Smitty D

March 4th, 2010 at 12:47 PM ^

Signing day is ELEVEN months away lol. For all we know there could be a new coach next year ( I hope not personally) and this time last year 90% of the people on this board had no idea who the hell Demar Dorsey was. Two years ago William Campbell eliminated us on signing day only to be bull shitting and pick us.

The swings of recruiting 11 months away from signing day gotta love it

Smitty D

March 4th, 2010 at 12:55 PM ^

I was not disagreeing with your post Magnus. It was actually informative, and you posted a link. It's just that I think it is humorous that he "trimmed his list..." like if Michigan goes 9-3 or 8-4 with a statement win ove MSU are we really going to be off his list?? Doubt it. Kids change their minds alot, especially kids with 27 offers! we have 11 months to make up ground, and it starts with winning in the fall.

Irish

March 4th, 2010 at 9:25 AM ^

I don't know that UM was "eliminated" but it does not look at all favorable for you guys,

EDIT; NM that was a cut down list

Blue in Yarmouth

March 4th, 2010 at 1:19 PM ^

I had heard a lot about Depriest and from what I have seen here (and other places) it seemed there were about as many people who thought Thomas was better than DePriest as thought DePriest was better than Thomas. What are your opinions on the two? While you're at it, could you throw Grant in the comparison as well as I know very little about him, and have no talent at all for breaking down a players skills.

Magnus

March 4th, 2010 at 5:45 PM ^

I think Thomas is the best player of the bunch, but I also think he'll be too big to be a linebacker. He even looks too big now, and he's only in high school. I think he'd be a liability in coverage.

To me, DePriest is the next best player of the three. I think he could play either ILB position, although WILL would probably be best. He's a big hitter, and he seems to be good at staying clean and avoiding blockers.

Grant is the third best of the three. He's not as good of a HITTER as DePriest, from what I've seen, but he's a very solid tackler. Instead of going for the kill shot, he wraps the guy and brings him down with force. The thing that concerns me about Grant is that he doesn't shed blocks very well, in my opinion. He's a solid tackler and can really run, and he "looks" like an ideal MIKE...but if he can't shed blocks, well, that might be another Obi Ezeh in the making.

BlueintheLou

March 4th, 2010 at 9:26 AM ^

Why does anyone even think we're going to get him. He is being "tactfully" steered away from us. He probably thinks the program steals babies, knowing the voice that's in his ear. Don't even waste your time thinking we have a "chance".

TESOE

March 4th, 2010 at 9:27 AM ^

on campus and talked with RR. That was an improvement. Despite the fact this was unlikely, his recruitment and attitude toward Michigan deserves consideration going forward if only to see any signs of possible detente with Watts.

I can't see this Rivals piece...I take it he doesn't mention Michigan at all.

ramverine79

March 4th, 2010 at 9:30 AM ^

Certainly a bummer though not unexpected in the end. A little surprised however that we were elimnated so soon considering he did make the recent trip to campus.

Captain

March 4th, 2010 at 12:08 PM ^

Perhaps this list is, as stated, a summary of "upcoming unofficial visits." If he recently took such a visit to Michigan, it makes sense that we would not be on this list. It doesn't mean we are out of contention for his recruitment.

Then again, I can't read the entire article to give Magnus's quote any context.

Magnus

March 4th, 2010 at 12:23 PM ^

I'm not going to quote the whole article, since it's behind a paywall. But it's not just a list of "upcoming unofficial visits."

The "rough outline" means he's going to visit a few schools on that list, like Florida, Miami, and Notre Dame.

And if that list doesn't include Michigan due to the fact that he just visited here, why would it include MSU, a place with which he's very familiar?

xN8x

March 4th, 2010 at 9:40 AM ^

We pay for MICHIGAN rivals, but they always seem to do these articles on the kids we don't get or even have a shot on getting. I say fuck him, if he goes to a school that steers him away from here, don't give him any attention then. It's not like he wasn't getting any attention from all media at an event he didn't even participate in last week......let THEM stroke his ego.

Blue-Chip

March 4th, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^

It's 11 months from signing day. I wouldn't be too confident in anybody being in or out at this point. Admittedly, circumstances are not going to help UM, but there's a long way to go.

marineblue

March 4th, 2010 at 10:11 AM ^

11 months, a good season, including a bowl game could change the circumstances w/ this recruit. Too be concerned at this point in time that U of M isn't on his list is a bit premature.

I would rather have Depriest and Frost. I realize LT is an in-state 5* but, if he doesn't take a serious look at Michigan, he is cracked in the head. It also leads me to believe that his coaches are purposely steering him away.

When and if RR turns this around, I don't think even the hateful coaches will be able to keep their kids from becoming BLUE...

Irish

March 4th, 2010 at 10:21 AM ^

The previous season(s) are what determine a recruits interest more than the current season most of the time. If a team is eliminated this early it is very unlikely they're legitimately reconsidered in the next 11 months.

spacemanspiff231

March 4th, 2010 at 9:59 AM ^

...That we're at this point where we're not even in the top ten list of an IN-STATE kid at a position of extreme need with the depth chart looking pretty good for playing time. It doesn't matter that his coach doesn't like Rich Rod. It certainly never really used to. Besides, he came up to Michigan for a personal meeting with our coaches with another one of his own coaches. And no, I'm not making a jab at Rich Rod. I'm just saying that this has gotten pretty bad when so many top in-staters are liking Michigan State more than Michigan. First Gholston, then Thomas, and also Arnett. It's not like MSU has such a great program. They went 6-7 last year. So WHY THE HELL is MSU so much more popular with in-state recruits now? It's not that RR isn't recruiting in-state. He's recruited all of the above kids extremely heavily. So what's the x-factor?