Wednesday Recruitin' Lacks Witty Subtitle
The 2012 Recruiting Board lives here in its current primitive state. Updates coming soon.
The Harrison Three
Farmington Hills Harrison's trio of WR Aaron Burbridge, DE Mario Ojemudia, and TE Devin Funchess got some press in last week's Detroit News recruiting column by Sam Webb. First, the skill breakdowns by Harrison's coach. On Burbridge (pictured at right):
"He has tremendous explosion and acceleration," stated Herrington. "He is one of those kids that has two gears. He can go out for a pass and it looks like it is overthrown, then suddenly he explodes on the ball. He is a very tough kid, a good blocker, and has great hands. He still has a ways to go in learning all his routes, but he can catch the ball just off his shoe tops, or he can go up and get it if it is way over his head like he did in the state finals."
Ojemudia:
"As far as his game, he has got to get some size. He's about 215-218. If he gets up to college and he gets up to 245, he'll just be amazing. He could be a hybrid. We've never played him (standing) up, but he's fast and he could play an outside linebacker. I think he is better down, but he's always wanted to play up as a linebacker, so we'll see."
Funchess:
"He is going to be a great prospect when he puts on weight. He can be a tight end, an H-back, a split end. He has big hands. I'm not sure what he's going to run the 40 in, but I think he could be around 4.6 or 4.7."
And the recruiting news:
The Spartans have a strong connection with Harrison thanks to decades of mining some of the school's most notable talent. They've placed Burbridge and Ojemudia high on their list of priorities, and the feeling is definitely mutual... The Wolverines' chances with Funchess seem more promising, but he stops short of naming them his favorite.
There is much more in the article, including quotes from the players, so be sure to check it out. In another article, Ojemudia didn't hesitate to name Michigan State his leader. He said Michigan has a lot of work to do if they want to catch up with the Spartans.
All Aboard the Offer Train!
NJ QB/Ath Devin Fuller was offered by Michigan last week ($, info in header). He's more Denard Robinson than Chad Henne, so it's possible the staff is looking at him on defense - though he told Tom he'll get a shot at QB.
He's included on the board, but I didn't mention him in last week's update: PA RB Greg Garmon received a Michigan offer last week ($, info in header).
WI RB Vonte Jackson has picked up a Michigan offer ($, info in header). He had teammates sign with Wisconsin and Michigan State last year.
NC TE/OL Mark Harrell holds a Michigan offer. He plans to visit Michigan soon, and claims to be wide open.
CO TE Evan Baylis was offered by Michigan.
PA OL JJ Denman picked up a Michigan offer ($, info in header). He's a 2-way player in high school, but colleges are only talking to him about offensive line. Notre Dame leads ($, info in header) for Denman.
Though he's an Ohio State commit, OH OL Kyle Kalis picked up a Michigan offer last week. He told Tom he's firm with the Buckeyes, but is willing to visit Ann Arbor with his teammates (TE Sam Grant, OL Tyler Orlosky, and DT Greg Kuhar) should the opportunity arise.
NC OL Brock Stadnik has received a Michigan offer.
Michigan has added an offer ($, info in header) for SC DT Martin Aiken.
NY DT Jarron Jones has a Michigan offer ($, info in header).
MD DT Ryan Watson picked up a Michigan offer ($). He's a former teammate of 2011 CB Commit Blake Countess.
TX DE Devonte Fields has picked up a Michigan offer.
MA LB Camren Williams has a Michigan offer ($, info in header).
TX LB Jeremiah Tshimanga talked to Tom about receiving a Michigan offer, and whether he'll make a trip to Ann Arbor this weekend. Tshimanga plans to be an early enrollee.
Happy Trails
TX LB Peter Jinkens wasn't expecting a Texas offer, so he was open to plenty of schools. HOWEVA, a Texas offer ended Jinkens's recruitment.
Etc.
Elsewhere in potential package deals, Irish Sports Daily employs a record number of one-sentence paragraphs to cover the recruitment of MI LBs James Ross, Royce Jenkins Stone, and Laron Taylor, and CB Terry Richardson:
“When we were little, we wanted to play together, but we know how difficult that may be,” said Ross. “If it works out, it does and that would be great, but we probably won’t make our decisions based off what somebody else does.”
Ross has received a Notre Dame offer, and Richardson got not only Notre Dame, but also Ohio State ($, info in headers).
It's possible that OH QB Maty Mauk will commit to Notre Dame - as soon as he can get on campus.
OH WR Corey Smith has added some bigtime offers lately, including Georgia and Tennessee ($, info in header). He also picked up Notre Dame, as did his teammate, Jarrod Wilson ($, info in header).
CA WR Bryce Treggs holds a Michigan offer, but he doesn't mention the Wolverines and seems to be close to a decision. Cal and Notre Dame are the leaders.
According to Rivals, CA TE Taylor McNamara was close to committing to Ohio State early in the process, but now plans to wait before making a decision. Miami (YTM) and USC are also near the top for him.
IN TE Pierre Aka wants to major in nuclear engineering and has a top 4 of Stanford, Michigan, Northwestern, and Penn State. Though he doesn't hold any offers, he's in contact with Michigan's staff.
IL OL Dan Voltz has made his first cut, and the lucky schools are Auburn, Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and Northwestern. He seems to be really high on Notre Dame following a visit to South Bend. Voltz's junior highlight:
OH OL Taylor Decker received his Michigan offer a while back, and will visit Ann Arbor soon ($, info in header). He also received an offer from Notre Dame, his favorite ($, info in header). Now that the Irish are an option, they may be hard to beat.
FL OL John Theus is leaning toward mostly SEC and ACC schools.
Michigan is in the hunt for WA OL Zach Banner. His coach:
"Michigan is back in with Hoke, going back to the big road graders," Miller said. "Getting the offer from Michigan last week was really exciting for Zach."
The 6-9 behemoth is one of the country's top linemen.
UMGoBlog's Sean O'Connell talked with OH OL Kyle Dodson, who says he grew up a Buckeye fan, but that he's "very interested" in Michigan.
It's not exactly news, but MLive's Kyle Warber expands on Tennesee's lead for MI DT Danny O'Brien:
"I love everything about Tennessee," O'Brien said. "The playing time they have to offer is outstanding. I think they are also on the rise in the SEC and in the nation. If I went to another top school I would probably have to sit for a year. Also, the atmosphere of an SEC team is awesome. I have been to the Big House and everything, and it's great, but it didn't compare to the atmosphere of an SEC game."
His recruiter under the previous staff was Flint-area expert Fred Jackson, and he also had a relationship with Chris Singletary. Both are still around, and O'Brien's family has its share of Michigan fans, so the Wolverines have a chance to swing him. For what it's worth, Rivals says Michigan "may be gaining steam" ($, info in header).
CA DT Aziz Shittu talked to Rivals last week about his Michigan offer:
The more offers Shittu receives the more he’s thinking about delaying his decision but he still could end it if the right situation suits him. “If Michigan ends up being in my top five or my top seven, whatever I make when I make it, if I can’t get out there on an unofficial visit then I’ll definitely take an official visit to see what’s up there,” Shittu said.
He had been considering an early commitment to Stanford, so waiting on a decision is a good thing for the Wolverines. The Cardinal are his favorite ($, info in header).
OH DE Ifeadi Odenigbo attended junior days at Notre Dame and Ohio State over the weekend. He picked up an offer from Notre Dame while he was in South Bend.
OH DE Tom Strobel was also in Columbus, and picked up an Ohio State offer of his own. His quotes seem fairly gushing:
"It was an amazing experience and Coach Tressel is such a great person. It was so nice to sit down with him and just talk. Not even about football, but about my family and Mentor and school and everything. It was a really good day. This has all been very humbling. I am fortunate to be in this position and to get the kind of attention I have received."
He claims that the Buckeyes do not lead, but it certainly sounds like they have an edge. He plans to decide before his senior season.
OH DE Adolphus Washington plans to announce a decision at the Under Armour All-American game.
GA DE Jordan Watkins has been blowing up lately, with offers from the likes of LSU, Florida, and Georgia, but he's still looking forward to hearing from Michigan. He's going to try to make a visit sometime, and says the Wolverines were "definitely a front runner" at the beginning of his recruiting process.
FL S Deon Bush wants to take a Michigan visit ($, info in header).
How many DTs have played as true freshmen? I'm really asking, since you usually want seasoned, big men there.
Here's a couple i can think of from recent Michigan history:
Mike Martin, Will Campbell, and DeQuinta Jones. Also, isn't DT where Brandon Graham burned his redshirt in 2006?
When you are the 13th overall pick in the draft the time to go pro is NOW so screw the red-shirt.
BWC played at DT? I thought he was just on special teams.
DeQuinta Jones didn't play at DT either, if I remember correctly.
Mike Martin is... Mike Martin.
Brandon Graham is an unstoppable beast.
Yes, Campbell played DT a little bit as a freshman.
DeQuinta Jones did play DT as a freshman, and he did quite well...but for Arkansas, not Michigan.
Come on Thunder, you and I both know why DeQuinta Jones is a part of recent Michigan history. That's why I phrased it as such.
...once you realize that my response was to philibuster, not you.
that O'Brien prefers TENN right now. I don't think O'Brien explicitly said playing time was worse at Michigan.
It is curious that he views depth there as good, since the Vols have done pretty well at DT recruiting over the last few years. But so has Michigan if you look at their recruiting classes (5-star Cambell, 4-star Ash, 4-star Washington). Tenn has more bodies in the last 3 recruiting classes, but only two guys were ranked as 4-stars.
I get that we have offered a shit-ton of longshots and high profile guys (the correct approach IMO), I don't get the feeling that we have a lot of early interest from these guys, which is crucial in getting into top 5s rather than being completely ignored, etc.
Yes, anything can happen, it's early, blah blah blah, but it seems like we have had more early interest from big timers at this point in past years (which didn't necessarily turn into committments, I know).
It's sad that I have to put like 350 disclaimers in a post that is a couple sentences but there you have it. Early recruiting returns not looking great so far. (YES I KNOW THIS CAN CHANGE OMG GIVE HOKE A CHANCE)
I agree that the interest from big time prospects is less than I would have expected at this point. The best bet is likely to establish relationships with top guys, then lure them in with good on-field results this year.
Hopefully this will be a year where the team can live up to the early-season hype. If we can pair a quality defense with the superstar that is Denard Robinson, recruits will take notice.
that's all you need to know. It's not like Hoke was recruiting a ton of blue chippers at SDSU so none of these kids know him. I realize he's the coach at Michigan, but would you commit to a coach with a lifetime losing record without seeing any results on the field? I suspect we won't get a verbal for a while unless it's from an in state kid or legacy.
Or from a defensive player who buys into the Matti-YOULOOKJUSTLIKERAYLEWIS-son pitch.
Mattison isn't a no-name coach from a small school, though. Our current situation would be the same regardless of who we hired. Things won't improve until we rid ourselves from the stench of our recent problems. Luckily, this can happen rather quickly, and probably will with a solid defense.
Chris Barnett and Antonio Poole did.
Anybody know, either from the potential recruits' leanings or past experience, when we can begin to expect commitments?
We had Brown and Hollowell by this time last year. Jackson, Miller and J.Robinson the year before that.
It can pick up at any time. Three reasons why we probably haven't gotten any yet: (1)We haven't had a junior day yet. (2)Coaching change meant the staff had to scramble to finish off the 2011 class. They've barely had a month to settle down and work on 2012. (3)A lot of the guys we're going after this early are big-time prospects with national offers. For the most part, unless they absolutely want to go to Michigan no questions asked, they're going to take their time and explore their offers.
I'm looking forward to that. The athletes probably want a lot of individual attention from the coaches to show they're really valued, so I can see how #2 could factor in a lot. All three seem like strong points- appreciate the analysis. #3, I'd think picks up for us with some strong seasons, at least in state? Looking forward to us picking up momentum!
You left off reason (4) which is perhaps the most important: typically early commitments come from players who have built a long-standing relationship with the coaches over the course of 2-3 years. Although Hoke will be able to get it done in the end, the change makes it less likely that we'll secure an early commitment.
I've been an mgoblogger since August 2010, so I've seen my share of "Hello" articles but wasn't here early enough to see all of them for the 2011 class. So when would we be likely to see the first "Hello" article of the year? I don't want to name names for fear of jinxing anything, but it sounded like recent visits would possibly lead to our first "Hello" post of the class. The hoops team is a nice distraction for now at least, but I hope we start getting commits or April is going to be rough.
would be, how many commitments do other national powers have? But, as stated below, it seems we have valid reasons to be a little behind the curve at this point this year. I recall Hoke even saying we're behind in recruiting for this year. I'm sure they'll put a lot in, and I have no reason to believe things won't turn out well.
For comparison's sake, William Campbell was the first commit of the "new regime." He committed in June of 2007, which was several months before Carr even left. But he decommitted from Rich Rodriguez's class shortly into the 2008 season, finally announcing for Michigan again in January 2009.
But the first kids who actually committed to Rodriguez's first full class were Isaiah Bell and Teric Jones at the end of March 2008. So if kids are following the same path as the last time we had a coaching change, you might see a commit in another three or four weeks.
Long way to go, but I would like to hear about an elite kid getting "blown away" soon and committing. This would give us some evidence to support the Hoke and Mattison are 2 of the best recruiters in the country theory the Hoke supporters have been feeding for the last 2 months.
I'm ready to eat what your are feeding, but I don't see anything on the plate yet. I've bought in on the Hoke menu of enthusiasm, recruiting, not such a great schemer so I hire them menu. Kitchen looks busy and the food smells good....."I'm Hungry George"
Don't give me any tic tacs!
steady info... you guys do a hell of a job!
Do we have any idea of when the first junior day will be?
Winning 15 games in 3 years hurts your national perception.
Didn't we see Rodriguez's classes steadily decline?
I think the 2011 class was shaping up rather nicely before the CC.
If this were 2009, that headline itself would have been "Witty"
Surprised Voltz didn't commit last weekend or maybe he did? First commit came last thursday/friday and its not tee shepard who committed today
Denman had a great visit as did Odenigbo
Expect Decker to be a part of this class in the end which probably isn't that far away. Of course a lot can change
I had no idea dan voltz lived in barrington, that's literally one town over from where im at now. I should pay more attention.
a texas offer? hes an athletic freak and is probably #1 on our board. unless u include kwon alexander(sec) or derek david(academics) on the texas board, which i dont for either.
I'd like to see Michigan show some interest in Muskegon's upcoming senior running back Juwan Lewis. He runs hard like a Michigan running back should, and would add to a promising running back group:
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