TomVH: Darian Cooper Update
I wanted to do a quick update on Maryland DT Darian Cooper, because there seems to be a lot of buzz about him.
He has maintained this whole time that Michigan's coaching situation was too much for him, and he eventually eliminated Michigan. I spoke with him when Brady Hoke was hired and he still felt the same way. I spoke with him the other day when Mattison was hired, and he said the same thing.
I spoke to him again tonight, and he said, "The coach came by the house today. He was cool, but I wish I had met him earlier. I'm pretty solid with my top three." His top three are Iowa, Michigan State, and Georgia Tech.
If he decides to visit then there would be reason for excitement, but I wouldn't get your hopes up. Don't take this as 100% because Brady Hoke could push hard, but as of right now it's not something to get excited about.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:27 PM ^
Thanks for being the voice of reason.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:29 PM ^
Any news on other DT recruits?
January 19th, 2011 at 11:30 PM ^
Thanks Tom.
I spoke to him again tonight, and he said, "The coach came by the house today. He was cool, but I wish I had met him earlier. I'm pretty solid with my top three."
This line kills me. Do what you can Coach Hoke.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:33 PM ^
Yeah, that line does kill. If we had Hoke in here a month earlier (not bashing anyone), I think we would have had an excellent shot at landing him.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:51 PM ^
we also wouldn't have greg mattison as our defensive coordinator, since he'd be prepping for an NFL playoff run while hoke was getting pressure to hire a DC, so i think it might be time to relax on this.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:31 PM ^
Honestly in some cases it's better to hear news like this before false information really starts to surface.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:36 PM ^
At least he's not trying to mess with our emotions by saying that we are in his top 4. But it is kind of strange that recruits tend to stick with odd numbers when choosing between their final list of schools.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:31 PM ^
Come on Brady, keep pushing.
And if we don't get him, please do not let him end up at State.
Go Blue! Darian, Go Blue!
January 19th, 2011 at 11:53 PM ^
It's Michigan STAEE not Michigan State.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:32 PM ^
That hurts. Even Hoke and Mattison might not be able to pull this one off, but I'm optimistic for the recruiting classes of the next couple years. Should be good ones.
Thanks for the update like always, Tom
January 19th, 2011 at 11:33 PM ^
You rock!
January 19th, 2011 at 11:36 PM ^
Push!
January 19th, 2011 at 11:54 PM ^
Pull... him right to AA!
January 19th, 2011 at 11:36 PM ^
...so I can't find fault with Hoke with the "I wish I had met him earlier" quote. The more damning piece was "Michigan's coaching situation was too much for him". That's a nice shout out to DB fiddling around with us in December and early January.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:36 PM ^
If the last 2 months crap hadnt been pulled by DB, maybe a shot at a lot of players that are now off the radar. DB, I am holding you personally responsible for anything that is not perfect in the next three years of UM football. I guess it was a good tactic to use if DB's intent was to take the heat off his coach. Doubt it.......
January 19th, 2011 at 11:37 PM ^
I'm ok with this... as we all know by now, Mattison is not a good recruiter... not a great recruiter... but he is LEGEND-I hope Darian isn't lactose intolerant-DARY. Make it happen, Greg.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:52 PM ^
Oh I see what you did there Barney
January 20th, 2011 at 12:49 PM ^
We have a Head Coach and DC who were both DL coaches for many years and LOVE to teach this position. If I was a DL prospect, I don't know how you could not reconsider Michigan again, with this coaching change......
January 19th, 2011 at 11:41 PM ^
Interesting, you would think Mattison would of had a larger effect on him considering he is in Maryland, where Blake countess' dad basically said it was the best hire for blake. It'll be interesting to see if he sleeps on that and decides to make the trip out here for an official. Thats when magic could happen.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:45 PM ^
Well it's disappointing but not surprising. Hopefully he reconsiders and decides to give Michigan another shot. Isn't the 2012 class loaded with DTs, we can have a pretty good shot with them. Darian either way Go Blue.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:50 AM ^
We've been saying this the past couple of years while all the bluechip DTs avoided us like the plague. Maybe getting Mattison and a move away from the 3-3-5 can change the momentum.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:45 PM ^
January 19th, 2011 at 11:46 PM ^
Like when this hot girl I had a crush on rejected me. To continue the analogy, I just got over it and met another hot girl.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:53 PM ^
As much as I would like Cooper to go blue, you gotta move on to the next one it appears.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:50 PM ^
Wish it wasn't too late for Crawford and Frost...
Lets see what this staff can come up with to close out the class.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:17 AM ^
Durring the Army All-American game Dallas posted: "Blake Countess isn't very good," as his status.
Obviously, his bridges with Michigan had been burnt after that...
January 20th, 2011 at 12:51 AM ^
I'm sorry, I don't like to talk shit about recruits, but if that's actually true, that's kind of a bitch move
January 19th, 2011 at 11:52 PM ^
Think Hoke will make a push for Timmy Jernigan? I know he eliminated us too but now he wont have to deal with the 3-3-5. He seems like an absolute beast. A DT in this class would be very exciting.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:53 PM ^
Just wondered what would happen if Charles Woodson dropped by to tell Dallas Crawford to go Blue... Tell him he'd recommend him for the #2 jersey...
January 20th, 2011 at 12:05 AM ^
Aside from the fact it's against the rules, I cannot think of any reason why we shouldn't do this. Seriously though, I think the rule states there needs to be a prior relationship.
January 20th, 2011 at 12:15 AM ^
When they do the starting lineups in the NFL games this weekend, CWood can say "Charles 'Come to Michigan Darian Cooper' Woodson, Fremont Pop Warner".
The Braylon can say "Braylon Edwards, "Lloyd Carr's 'Please Anthony Zettel, DeAnthony Arnett, Go To' University of Michigan"
I think there's some Freedom of Speech protection there.
January 20th, 2011 at 1:13 AM ^
If the NCAA can't prove Cam Newton knew how dad's new church got built, I'm sure they couldn't link this back to our athletic dept.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:56 PM ^
How about Timmy Jernigan? Did he officially eliminate us?
And how about Christian Heyward. The guy is uncommitted, has pretty solid rankings, is from San Diego and was offered by SDSU... makes me think that he HAD to be contacted by Hoke right?
January 20th, 2011 at 12:35 AM ^
He recently fell out of the top 250 in the rivals ranking. Do we even want someone that is not highly rated.
/s
This is a bummer. thankfully there are other DTs that we can go after. Hopefully WC and QW can provide the depth needed until we can get more DTs. Good thing 2012 is a loaded with both DTs and DEs.
January 20th, 2011 at 1:01 AM ^
Hope all isn't completely lost, but, oh well...
Here's to a decent finish in 2011 and to a strong 2012 class!!
January 20th, 2011 at 7:36 AM ^
Chalk this one up to DB and his fucked up coaching search.
January 20th, 2011 at 7:43 AM ^
Honestly we arent too bad off for depth at DT for NEXT year. If Mattison switches to a 4-3 I can see either Will Campbell (thinking he will benefit from the tutelage of Hoke and Mattison), or Washington, Ash , or Talbott lining up next to Martin. Not a huge issue for this upcoming season to not get a DT, but it is imperative that we get a couple of solid DT's in the 2012 class.
Side note, I am impressed that I used both tutelage, and imperative in this posting.
January 20th, 2011 at 8:48 AM ^
Thanks for the update Tom. I hope we are able to swing his decision a bit but at least we need to pick up a DT or two this class along with a DE.
January 20th, 2011 at 9:20 AM ^
Saw the low number of replies on the thread and knew it was not going to be good news. Go Blue!!
January 20th, 2011 at 11:07 AM ^
Just commenting to get it to the Tom tab.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:41 AM ^
any other more realistic chances at DL?