Football recruits on hand for win over OSU
I would prefer a football win over Ohio State to get some recruiting mojo back, but Michigan had a bunch of 4-stars on campus for today's basketball win over the Buckeyes. The atmosphere in Crisler Arena couldn't have hurt their opinions of playing in Ann Arbor.
On a side note, 2019 C/OG commit Nolan Rumler earned an invitation to the Under Armour All-American Game today.
February 19th, 2018 at 3:44 PM ^
was no longer able to sell the new program vision and immediate playing time, which helped other schools. Look at Florida State, Clemson, and Ohio State. Most of them had a down recruiting class before it really took off. If you can't sell playing time, you have to prove it on the field. If Michigan wins 10-11 games this year, they'll be back.
February 19th, 2018 at 10:26 AM ^
February 19th, 2018 at 11:56 AM ^
Michigan State has done a much better job of coaching overall, particularly on offense, IMO. They're not getting stellar recruits on offense, but they're getting regular production on the OL, at RB, and at WR. Michigan has done a poor job of recruiting/coaching at those positions, particularly in regards to the OL.
We have been getting good players who haven't panned out, though. Think of Derrick Green, Drake Harris, etc. There's not the same perception with MSU in some ways, because a 3-star who bombs isn't really a disappointment.
Defensively, MSU did a much better job of developing and using their talents. It's a case where scheme and implementation can be very effective, whereas overall talent isn't so much. Think of all the excellent defenses at MSU, and now think about those guys in the NFL. They haven't been drafted very high overall (except for a couple cornerbacks, maybe), and those college stars aren't making a big impact in the NFL.
Don Brown and Co. are doing a better job with the defense.
February 19th, 2018 at 12:35 PM ^
So it sounds like:
A) THey've done a better job overall, and
B) We've had some bad luck with guys who didn't pan out regardless of coaching.
Is that a fair statement?
I guess what boggles me, and this is more of a meta observation, is how sometimes institutions can fall on hard times like that.
(the following comments come with the caveat that I'm 100% in Harbaughs corner, and think he will turn it around for us).
By that I mean Harbaugh and Drev have had success at other stops; but here, we've still had trouble getting the coaching boost I would have hoped for. The line last year was full of seniors who were generally highly rated, but they still made boneheaded plays alot. The improvements we saw, IMHO, was because we were good at scheming around the OL as opposed to coaching it up to be a strength. I think O line is a key aspect of this because if the O line doesn't injure 2 QB's this year by botched blocking I think the year looks radically different.
It's hard for me to watch because when I was at Michigan (early 90's) it seemed like we were O line U. Now it seems we are patchwork line U.
Maybe the game has changed. I fear there is something institutional that has made it harder to develop players at Michigan, despite who the coaches are.
February 19th, 2018 at 12:53 PM ^
Yes, that's a fair statement.
The offensive line issues go back a long way. Think of Chris Fox, a huge guy who tore his ACL toward the end of his senior year of high school - he never stepped on the field at Michigan. Chris Bryant? Huge body, teammates raved about him...and he had injury issues that shortened his career.
Grant Newsome, a potential stalwart at LT...almost lost his leg. Kyle Bosch, an all-conference guard in the Big 12...should be at Michigan, except he had issues.
Every team has flameouts, but Michigan has been EXTREMELY unlucky on the OL.
I don't think it's institutional. In fact, I think there are very few institutions more capable of putting together great programs.
There are only two institutional issues I see as being problems of varying degrees:
1. Michigan's academics aren't the toughest, but they're not the easiest, either. The truth is that Michigan can't/won't accept certain players (including, but not limited to, JUCOs).
2. Michigan is one of the cleaner big-time programs around, IMO. I'm sure there's some dirty stuff happening somewhere within the program, because I think literally every school out there has some "impermissible benefits" being handed down, whether it's from a booster or a coach or someone else. But there's really dirty stuff happening in some places, and Michigan won't stoop to the level of OSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, etc.
For the record, I don't think those things have really affected Michigan's OL recruiting. I think more dirty stuff happens with skill players than linemen. Michigan has just been very, very unlucky up front.
February 19th, 2018 at 2:05 PM ^
Magnus.
Hopefully we can get some things breaking our way. I loved watching some of those O lines in the early 90's from the stands. I swear sometimes it seemed like Wheatley could get 3 yards by just stapping where the O line had pushed the D line.
February 19th, 2018 at 12:54 PM ^
at QB - Peters is Harbaugh's first QB - we have him, Patterson and McCaffrey - we should be in better shape here
on the OL, 2 of 3 from his first class are starting in Bredeson and Onwenu
he has some RS Freshman to choose from to fill out the tackle spots
other than those 2 positions, we're fine across the rest of the offense and entire defense
sadly, QB is the most important position and we're just now getting to his guys, but he did a fine job bridging that gap
February 19th, 2018 at 8:13 AM ^
February 19th, 2018 at 8:39 AM ^
I have also found it harder to get invested as the number of offers has risen. It’s harder to care about 250-300 prospects than it was 120-190.
February 19th, 2018 at 10:10 AM ^
I keep thinking that if I was involved in any kid's recruiting life my advice would always be the same:
Look kid, I love Michigan. But you have to have good chemistry with your school. So if I was you I'd pick a school where:
A) I could get a good degree, where I can get employed afterward if football doesn't work out.
B) The coaching staff would support a good degree, and there are tutors,etc. on hand
C) the school fits my personality, so I can be comfortable and succeed.
To that end, I'd visit campuses. I'd see how the University treats their current athletes, their former athletes, and most importantly the athletes who can no longer contribute for medical reasons. I'd see how they treat their starters, and how they treat their backups. I'd audit some classes. I'd try to visit unofficially and just wander to get an idea of the student body.
Obviously its not possible if the University you are looking at is across the country, but if you are in Michigan you might do it at UM, MSU, OSU, ND, Illinois, and a few others.
February 19th, 2018 at 10:56 AM ^
get better until we start showing it on the field. Even a good offensive showing in the spring game I think will help. Harbaugh needs to pump some life into the offensive side of the ball and the moves this off season points to that in my opinion. The trajectory needs to be pointing up and we need to trust the guys that we have in charge to get us there. Our coach didn't suddenly forget how to coach. Good things are on the way. Go Blue!!!!
February 19th, 2018 at 11:31 AM ^
Stephen Herron trending away
February 19th, 2018 at 11:50 AM ^
That really sucks!! Hopefully it's not true!