Monday Recruitin'
Since our fearless leader typically gives recruiting updates each Monday, I'll carry the torch in his absence. My site, Varsity Blue, is a little more recruiting-oriented, and already has updates on many of these guys.
Quarterback
Michigan will probably take 2, at least one of whom is a star. Devin Gardner comes from Inkster Michigan. He will probably be a 5-star prospect, and is one of the Wolverines' top recruiting targets. Malik Stokes is a dual-threat QB from Philadelphia Northeast High School. If the name and school sound familiar, it's because his older borther, Je'Ron, signed with Michigan last week.Running Back
Michigan will probably take 2 or 3 running backs. Austin White from Livonia Stevenson will be among the top prospects in the state, but he comes from a Green-and-White family. Brennan Clay hails from California, and is a high school teammate of Tate Forcier. He is a speedy prospect, but might lok to stay on the west coast. Nick Hill from Chelsea grew up a Michigan fan, and most people predict he will commit if offered.Receiver
Michigan might take 1 tight end, 3ish wideouts, and a couple slots. Ricardo Miller was Michigan's first commit in the 2010 class. The Florida WR is expected to be a 5-star prospect. Jeremy Jackson is the son of Michigan's RB coach Fred Jackson, and was Michigan's second 2010 commit. Jerald Robinson is expected to commit today, and would be Michigan's third in the class. He has potential to move positions down the line. De'Joshua Johnson from Pahokee is a good slot candidate. He is electric with the ball in his hands, and the Blue Devils may slot him in at QB this year. Chris Dunkleyalso comes from Florida, and he is yet another diminutive potential slotman. CJ Fiedorowicz is the #1 TE in the country, an he reports a 40-yard dash time under 4.6 seconds, despite being 6-7.Offensive Line
Michigan loses a couple offensive linemen after 2009, and will likely take 2 or 3 in 2010. Seantrel Henderson is the #1 overal recruit in the nation, and the Minneapolis product may not be a particularly realiztic target for Michigan. Robert Crisp, on the other hand, isn't far behind Henderson, and he is mentioning Michigan as a school of interest early in the process. Jose Jose has a spectacular name and good quickness, which is at a premium in Michigan's scheme. However, he hails from Miami, and grew up a fan of the Hurricanes. Christopher Devezin comes from Cass Tech, but it isn't clear if he has potential to be a Michigan recruit.Defensive Tackle
After missing on a couple of guys in 2009, DT is again a need in 2010. 2 or 3 might be necessary. Jay Guy from Texas has a Michigan offer already, and like the Wolverines. He should be a highly-regarded prospect, and there will be plenty of competition for him. Richard Ash, Doral Willis, and Anotnio Ford are all from Pahokee, and Michigan might change up the pipeline a bit and take a lineman from the school this year.Defensive End
Michigan loses an impact player in Brandon Graham, but they have enough talent in the pipeline that they only need 1 or 2 ends. William Gholston is a near-lock for 5-star status, and will battle Gardner for #1 prospect in the state. Michigan is on him early, battling State (the leader?) and Ohio State (which turned his cousin, Vernon, into an NFL first-rounder). Derrick Bryant from Columbus Brookhaven has Michigan interest, and he's talked about wanting to make an early decision. Darryl Baldwin from Solon Ohio is another prospect that Michigan has taken an early interest in - extending an offer.Linebacker
Michigan doesn't lose any LBs off the 2009 roster, but they need impact players at the position. Maybe 1 or 2. Austin Gray from Warren Fitzgerald is reporting a Michigan offer early in the process, and will be among the top LBs in the state. Jewone Snow hails from Canton McKinley, and knows Jerald Robinson. He is also the son of Michigan great Garland Rivers. VJ Fehoko from Hawaii is expected to be one of the nation's top linebackers. He is reporting early Michigan interest. Daniel Easterly is a bit of an enigma. The Cass Tech product is athletic enough to play corner at 6-6, so if he can fill out his frame well, he could have tons of upside.Safety
Michigan only loses Stevie Brown off the 2009 roster, and probably wants an impact player or two. Marvin Robinson was once considered a Michigan lock, but now is looking to take his time with his recruitment. He is a probable 5-star guy.Corner
Michigan will probably take a couple guys who have potential to make an impact. Lorenza Wood from Orlando has had Michigan near the top of his list for some time. He is also expected to make an early decision, so the Wolverines are hoping he chooses them. Dior Mathis out of Cass Tech is the mighty mite of the bunch. He is reminiscent of Boubacar Cissoko (though perhaps even smaller), but could end up as a slot on the other side of the ball. He grew up a Miami of Florida fan. Cullen Christian from Penn Hills, PA has talked early about Michigan being one of his favorites. He would be a taller complement to a corner group.And?
For a much more comprehensive list of Michigan recruits, and recruiting updates on many of these guys already, head to my site, Varsity Blue.February 9th, 2009 at 12:29 PM ^
Be an upset if we landed him over OSU and Sparty.
But Jose Jose? good god, what parents do....
February 9th, 2009 at 12:30 PM ^
Thanks for the fine work. Never thought that I cared so much about recruiting but finding this blog and others has opened new doors.............I guess I am saying that I am pathetic because this has now become relevant to me.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:45 PM ^
It is a sickness.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:59 PM ^
on that list...any of them have the game of a Jelani Jenkins? We're gonna need a TP destroyer within this class to counter his playing style.
February 9th, 2009 at 1:14 PM ^
Nick Hill is something else. His old man is a real Nazi type taskmaster. My kid wrestled on the Ann Arbor Warriors team few years ago with Nick (different weight--both went to states two years in a row). I used to work out with Nick alot--there and at Crisler--McFarland used to let us use their facilities. I gotta tell you, Nick used to be a handful for me. I could never get him pinned. We got downright brutal with each other, too. Let me tell you, there is NO punk in that kid. None at all.
And, he played on the junior wolverines with my nephew before the old man moved him to Chelsea. Nick Hill for the Touchdown, is about all the announcer ever said. He even kicked off and punted. I'm told he drove the bus, too.
I am guessing, unless his body type changes dramatically, Nick with be a Leroy Hoard type of a back. You know, "i'll just run your ass over" style.
February 9th, 2009 at 1:51 PM ^
Our return game could certainly have benefited from having Nick Davis (from Saline or Chelsea I think) and seeing him do well with Wisconsin was irritating.
How does Hill compare with Mike Hart in terms of size, power, and quickness?
February 9th, 2009 at 1:56 PM ^
reading your title i thought you were being sarcastic about nick sheridan..
February 9th, 2009 at 1:58 PM ^
Nick Davis was from Manchester -- a small town about 15 minutes south of Chelsea.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:50 PM ^
Was from Manchester, I played against him. He was ridiculous. When we played them his senior year he had a broken jaw, so he didn't do as well then.
edit: didn't see the above reply
February 9th, 2009 at 4:15 PM ^
Yeah, he runs with more power than finesse. He's not huge, but he's powerful -- one of his early runs as a freshman on varsity featured him dragging a tackler a few yards. He's not an easy back to bring down; it's not uncommon to see this sort of thing:
http://burrillstrong.com/wordpress/photos/football2008/football20080926…
He broke through that and ran for a touchdown.
As far as speed goes, he's not crazy fast, but he's not slow: he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2008 (one of which was against Inkster in the playoffs; he took the second-half kickoff 81 yards).
February 9th, 2009 at 4:48 PM ^
mmmm maroon (?) and yellow winged helmets. we should look into that
February 9th, 2009 at 1:49 PM ^
I guess I did not realize Devin Gardner was a 5-star type QB. That is great but who is heavy after this guy so far? Also, how do we think he will fit into our system w/ an emerging Tate Forcier and/or DRobinson? Would be try to red-shirt him in order to give him two years after Forcier and DRob graduate? Thanks and go blue!
February 9th, 2009 at 2:04 PM ^
Tressel seems to have a good shot at Devin Gardner. The kid's favorite color is red, and he talks as though he might have to play against Cameron Gordon one day. What about Bolton, from Orchard Lake St. Mary's? He's a highly-rated dual-threat, and about the same size. Didn't rack up as many yards on the ground, but his numbers are still impressive.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:34 PM ^
DG is wide open and has no favorite. The biggest factor is playing time. OSU isn't recruiting him hard, believe it or not.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:43 PM ^
I read somewhere that Gardner was an OSU fan growing up. Have you guys heard that?
February 9th, 2009 at 2:54 PM ^
I'm going out on a limb, but was it here......
http://www.mgoblog.com/diaries/devin-gardner-interview
February 9th, 2009 at 3:29 PM ^
How about Daniel Easterly? The kid is listed at 6-6, but could play corner? He sounds like he might need some serious Barwisizing.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:39 PM ^
looks like we've got a decent shot at a bunch of really good players. nice.
February 9th, 2009 at 4:57 PM ^
The 2009 recruiting period is not over until 1 April 2009. Michgan is kind of short on DT talent right now. Will Michigan continue to recruit uncommited DTs or will RR continue to sign WRs. DOn't get me wrong Ithing it;s great we have three highly rated WR's in the 2010 class, but as stated earlier my concern is quality DT depth
February 9th, 2009 at 5:10 PM ^
Because there aren't any quality DTs left on the board. All but 1 of the Rival's Top 50 DTs are signed, and the lone holdover is from Alabama, a unsuccessful recruiting state. I sure would love to know what prospects you had in mind? Anyone left on the board most likely has academic and/or off the field issues.
February 9th, 2009 at 5:25 PM ^
Some may see these unrated kids as a reach, but there seems to interest.
http://michigan.rivals.com/quicklist.asp?School=44&Sport=1&DPosition=50…
February 9th, 2009 at 5:31 PM ^
We had 2 walk-ons recently for the DT position. The only DL prospect I see them taking a flier on is Tank Carradine, but he's a WDE prospect. I don't see any other possibilites for 2009 recruting.
In other related DT news for the '10 class, Texas' junior day is here, and they just landed 10 commits. 2 of those are top rated DTs, so perhaps this will help us with Jay Guy, a Rivals 250 Watch List member who has a Michigan offer.
February 9th, 2009 at 8:11 PM ^
Nick Davis gave up drinking pop because it hurt the effectiveness of his workouts.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:55 PM ^
Whats wrong w/ that?
February 9th, 2009 at 8:30 PM ^
and not just becuase he's another Robinson but because he's a badass talent with ties to M and could anchor the def backfield if he came...
February 9th, 2009 at 9:18 PM ^
we need a fehoko
February 9th, 2009 at 9:47 PM ^
Gardner is the real deal. I'm looking forward to seeing what this kid can do.
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