Breaking down this class
Just my amateur feeling on this. Maybe someone like Magnus who has broken down all the films can offer better opinions.
QB: I like McNamarma and it seems like a smart pickup. Might be a bridge between Milton and the next great QB we recruit.
RB: Hit a HR with Charbonnet who has the look of a feature back. Keeping Gray would have been great but losing him was not devestating.
WRs: Interesting group. Getting Johnson was huge because we had a real lack of true outside receivers. Very excited about what Giles and Sainristil can bring to the offense, but it also seems like getting 4 smaller type slot guys is a lot. (George Johnson and Kent). Maybe Kent can surprise and be a Roy Roundtree type player.
TE: Erick All will fill the Eubanks role at some point which is great because we have 2 bigger TEs coming off redshirts next year.
OL: We needed them and we got them. Very good 6 man group. A definite strength. Getting Keegan was needed.
DL: Great group even without Harrison and Karliftas. Mazi and Hinton inside and three high potential guys on the edges.
LBs: This is a wait and see group. Thomas was very highly rated and then slid a little and was a bit of an afterthought when he committed early. Hickson, Velasquez and Solomon seem like Viper prospects so some inside LBs are definitely needed next class.
CBs: Perry and Turner is a very solid tandem. Whether or not they develop into the lockdown guys we have come accustomed to will remain to be seen, but they appear to have some talent.
Safeties: A question mark became an emphatic strength when Dax came back into the fold. Can’t wait to see speed at the safety spot.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:41 PM ^
I will eat a small pepperoni pizza with a side of chicken wings and a 20 ounce soft drink if Quavaris Crouch signs with Michigan.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:46 PM ^
I see you have learned your lesson ...
December 20th, 2018 at 1:57 PM ^
I was not part of the lemon-eating Dax Hill doubters. But I was paying attention.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:57 PM ^
I would eat a 6 pack of Reese's Christmas Trees.
December 20th, 2018 at 2:18 PM ^
Yes, if Crouch signs with UM I will join in eating Reese’s Christmas Trees.
I still think Dax is the most important recruit Michigan has had in a while. Boring safeties are fine, but it’s time for a playmaking All-American type and Dax fits that bill imo.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:59 PM ^
I assume those would be lemon chicken wings? :-)
December 20th, 2018 at 5:38 PM ^
Hot wings? Carolina Reaper?
December 20th, 2018 at 12:56 PM ^
December 20th, 2018 at 1:02 PM ^
They sent Crouch that graphic a while back. Nothing to see here.
December 20th, 2018 at 2:29 PM ^
This. If you look at the picture posted, it's captioned with "here's a look at some designs sent to recruits throughout the cycle"
December 20th, 2018 at 12:59 PM ^
Solid breakdown. Upside potential of this kid Ojabo is definitely there. As stated, you can't teach or create raw athleticism and speed.
There are a few legit sleepers to be excited about. With time, and dedication (something no "scout" or pro recruitnik can measure at this point) these guys like Hickson and Velasquez can be legit contributors. 2-sport athletes are, by definition, very athletic and generally coachable and just enjoy the competition of sports. Can it translate into blocking and tackling? We'll see. Both seem high character and high IQ. I just generally like guys who play at high-talent, good competition big schools like our recruits from Ohio, Florida, etc. They aren't going to be easily intimidated by what they see on the field.
Overall a very good class that keeps Michigan firmly in future contention for a spot in the maddeningly "exclusive" playoff.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:01 PM ^
Really dig how versatile this class is. Big for being able to deal with injuries, getting the best players on the field, and preparing yourself in case of attrition.
- 6 OL with as many as 4 who could be tackles
- 3 Viper-types mean second-level speed. 1-2 of those guys will cross-train at SAM or WILL for sure if not move there
- DL: Morris and Newberg seem like Wormley/RVB SDE/3T swing guys. Hinton and Mazi will play both spots inside. Ojabo can be WDE/SDE
- 5 WRs mean they can redshirt and stagger, probably means 1-2 end up at other positions
- Dax can play basically anywhere in the secondary. I bet we see more of the 3 safety look from 2016 next year
Also all those vipers (+fast Charles Thomas), WRs and DBs are great for special teams.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:14 PM ^
Favorite recruit for me?
Gabe Newberg
He goes by #hometown villain
and even made a t-shirt for his signing day ......he even made a t shirt.
The one thing about this class that is incredible, how many great "commit recruiters" there were.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:14 PM ^
Barring an injury, Dax will start from day 1 and immediately have an impact.
December 20th, 2018 at 3:57 PM ^
Word! Dax is gonna be an absolute missile of destruction at safety. Don't know if we have had such a pure athlete on D since Peppers.
Gary I love, but I just never saw him take over a game like I thought he was going to. Maybe thats due to constant double teams, but I never saw him disrupt a game even like Chase could.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:26 PM ^
DE still seems like a big need based on the current roster, the hope we had for ZH or Karlaftis
December 20th, 2018 at 7:01 PM ^
Aidan Hutchinson. Is. going. to. be. a. beast.
The kid got to play enough this year to develop an understanding of what it takes to succeed. By next September he will be ready.
Furthermore, there are number of kids waiting in the wings who are going to take monumental leaps. There are "projects" who are going to be ready to contribute.
I do not know where exactly Ojabo is going to play but I am confident that he will be as good or better than Zach Harrison...both physically and mentally. Edit: I don't know why I keep forgetting about Morris. You know what...Michigan is in as good a place as they have been for a long, long time.
The 2019 Michigan team will be as good or better than the 2018 team...I expect "better".
December 20th, 2018 at 1:39 PM ^
Safeties a ??: Dax will be great, but Quinten Johnson is a tremendous athlete!
December 20th, 2018 at 1:55 PM ^
Who said they are a question mark?
December 20th, 2018 at 1:44 PM ^
Jury is still out on Milton - his performances looked very erratic. Not sure he is a fit in a Harbaugh offense. Personally, I see McCaffery as the perfect fit in JH's offense and the likely heir to Shea whether that is in 2019 or 2020.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:58 PM ^
Mongo - From the little bit I've watched of the Blue this year, McCaffery looked like a future stud when he did come into the game. How do most Michigan fans view him compared to Patterson? Would they rather start the McCaffery era next season, or ready to roll with Patterson one more year?
December 20th, 2018 at 2:29 PM ^
Nobody is in a hurry, or even wants, Shea to depart. He'll be much better next year than he was this past season. That said, if he were to head off to the NFL, not a single Michigan follower would shed a tear knowing that the position would be in good hands with McCaffrey. Although somewhat less experienced...
December 20th, 2018 at 2:34 PM ^
Damn, can't a guy get 12 months before we start writing him off?
The narrative on Milton was "huge upside, really raw, check back in 2 years to see if he activates God Mode". It hasn't even been one year.
So basically, I'm reacting to your second sentence. Everything else I agree with.
December 20th, 2018 at 2:37 PM ^
Milton was always seen as a 2-3 year project, don't hold his scattered first year snaps against him.
December 20th, 2018 at 1:56 PM ^
I'm a B1G > Everything guy, so I was very pleased to see Michigan, and Penn State both land top 10 classes this year. Best of luck in the Peach Bowl, and next season!
December 20th, 2018 at 2:01 PM ^
Need to have West Division step up recruiting so the B1G championship game can actually be a springboard to a CFP birth. Would like to see PSU trade their recruiting class to Northwestern.
December 20th, 2018 at 2:31 PM ^
Personally, I wonder how long the PSU fan base will continue to tell us how great a coach FG Franklin is while he continues to lose to Michigan, OSU, and MSU. He's, what, 3-12 against those three in five years.
But he has a great team, so close to elite
December 20th, 2018 at 1:59 PM ^
Don't forget about Quinten Johnson. I'm really excited about him, too.
December 20th, 2018 at 2:15 PM ^
Been following recruiting closely for a while now. This class excites me more than any other class Harbaugh’s staff has brought in....not to take anything away from those other classes. They were all very good, but this class from top to bottom seems to best fit what Michigan is trying to do. Great talent and very solid young men.
December 20th, 2018 at 2:24 PM ^
Agreed. This is an outstanding class. Hopefully we are singing the same tune 2-3 years from now.
December 20th, 2018 at 2:32 PM ^
Maybe taking a flyer on a couple extra smaller, fast water-bug type creatures isn't such a bad gamble, hoping you can find a DJ or Rondale Moore in the rough.
December 20th, 2018 at 2:54 PM ^
Actually think Amauri Pesek-Hickson might end up a hybrid FB or TE AND ILB. If he is 6’2 or 6’3, 210 pounds already and can jump the way he can, think he has a real shot.
Dude ran for 1000 yards this season after not playing football in 3 years.
December 20th, 2018 at 3:08 PM ^
QB - If you like Shea, you'll like McNamara's film. Very similar player--a bit short, good but not great arm, able to throw from virtually an position with accuracy and touch, excellent escapability, and more of a mobile pro-style QB than a true dual threat, but plenty of spring in his step.
RB - Charbonnet will be the next great Michigan RB. Really like Castleberry as PWO who could contribute down the road in the Tru Wilson mold.
WR - Kent could play outside. CJ is a true #1 type of player. Jackson, Sainristil, and GJIII are all the type of athlete we simply do not and have not had on our roster. Very excited for this group and hoping it signals a change in the passing game, including more usage for playmakers.
TE - All is a true receiving threat and willing blocker; I'm confident he'll add weight and be at least good before he graduates.
OL - Keegan, Jones, and Barnhart give us three good shots at starting tackles, though either Jones or Barnhart are likely to move inside. Rumler looks like the next great Michigan mauler at OG. Carpenter and Stewart will provide more interior options and could turn into starters. OL is very tough to predict.
DL - Hinton is being undersold a bit--he is a beast and should develop into a very good or great DT. Mazi Smith is the real deal as well. The two of them are a likely starting combo inside. Ojabo might have more potential than any other DL recruit, and Morris and Newburg are both guys who could develop into contributors.
LB - Probably the most loaded position on the roster, Thomas is a likely inside guy. Solomon could be inside or VIPER, as could Velazquez. Hickson is more of an athlete and his position is less settled.
CB - Perry could contribute immediately; Turner may be a safety or a nickel. Both are very good players.
S - Obviously amazing to get Dax, but Quintel Johnson is a special athlete that Don Brown will turn into a monster.
December 20th, 2018 at 3:51 PM ^
Who steps up to the Bush role? He was the biggest difference maker I've seen in years, and the hardest to replace.
December 20th, 2018 at 4:40 PM ^
Ross will play the middle linebacker spot, he’s gonna be really good too! You could see McGrone push for some reps.
December 20th, 2018 at 7:34 PM ^
For the first time in many years, I feel like our recruiting class is not WAY behind the big programs (AL, GA, OSU, Clemson). The Dax Hill signing is a game changer, under the circumstances . We’re gonna have several picks in the NFL draft, including 3 or 4 in the first two rounds. If we come back next season and beat OSU at home, we will pass them in recruiting. Love this team and this program right now. Go Blue!
December 20th, 2018 at 9:16 PM ^
You thought the 2016 and 2017 class were way behind those other teams? I think those classes were easily better than this one.
December 20th, 2018 at 9:54 PM ^
I kinda feel like whichever of solomon/Velazquez doesn't eventually win the Viper (!!!) job can put on a good 20 lbs and become the WLB... Keeping the speediest LBs on the field is pretty obvious after the OSU game. I think Velazquez will be the one to stay at Viper, just because he's playing baseball too... Not many 6'0" 225 guys out there in MLB (Mike trout excluded, because that guy is a freak of nature)
December 20th, 2018 at 10:02 PM ^
I have a feeling Erick All will end up transferring, he’s from a trash program in cincy.
December 20th, 2018 at 10:07 PM ^
That is exactly the type of feeling you should keep to yourself.
December 21st, 2018 at 1:32 AM ^
I thought about it...but then I didn’t. Nothing against the kid, I hope I’m wrong.
December 21st, 2018 at 1:03 PM ^
Well, you sure were wrong to call a program "trash". Your logic is completely flawed that a kid would transfer from excellent coaching, especially after "bad" coaching. And, the kid showed out enough with inferior support to be a 4*, so he will probably progress at higher rate in college than most because of the bigger increase in instruction quality.
So ....yeah .... most likely ....probably ........ per usual? ....... U wrong!
December 21st, 2018 at 9:16 AM ^
I believe he is/was poorly coached. His film is very "meh". Clearly the Michigan staff believes he has a nicely employable ceiling...that they can bring up to speed.
December 21st, 2018 at 1:23 AM ^
Not sure if this was posted yet, but here's a really good article in 24/7 Sports about the breakdown of this class.
December 21st, 2018 at 9:12 AM ^
It's a nice chronological summary of the class coming together...very well-written.
December 21st, 2018 at 2:15 PM ^
FWIW Steve Lorenz at 247 gave this class really good grades. B's at DE and LB otherwise all A's.