Remaining 2015 Football Recruiting Class
I'm curious about the remaining spots in the 2015 recruiting class, announcement dates, needs, etc.
There have been positive reports on all of the following recruits (positions have been edited slightly.)
- CB Marcus Lewis
- RB Mike Weber
- DE Darian Roseboro
- LB/DE Jalen Bates
- OLB Keisean Lucier-South
- DE/LB Asmar Bilal
- DE/TE Tyrone Wheatley
I would assume that the coaches would gladly accept commitments from all of these fine young men. Which of these are expected to commit somewhere sooner rather than later? Which are waiting until NSD? How many of these are likely to come here? Are these all still in a position of need (especially DE Roseboro, Bates, and even Wheatley.) Given the 9 commitments thus far, and the spots remaining in the 2015, I would think we can't accept many more than this.
None of us have a perfect crystal ball. As such, there's no way to really predict the likelihood of any of these recruits actually making a commitment, let alone signing a LOI come February. Nonetheless, I am struck by how many solid and well regarded recruits are seriously considering coming to Michigan. In some years past, Michigan didn't have a realistic chance for many offered recruits to actually come and don the maize and blue. That appears to have changed, and much for the better.
Lucier-South is a WDE, I believe, not an OL. I don't imagine we would sign 3 DEs, but I could be wrong.
From what Ive heard, it sounds like KLS is being recruited as an OLB by Michigan.
I could see him as a 3-4 OLB for sure, but not in a 4-3
Michigan Rvials guy said Michigan has recruited him as DE and that is where he would end up if he were to pick Michigan.
The west coast analyst for Rivals seems to think he is better suited at OLB.
has offers from just about everywhere. I don't think he's getting looks simply because of his last name. Rivals Profile
Not sure where to start. Wheatley is a consensus 4*, not just a legacy. He also has the potential to play DE, another position of need.
The coaches specifically turned away prospects at DT because that's not a position of need at the moment.
We have already have 2 OL in the class committed.
A DB, OLB, and DE are definite needs
August 6th, 2014 at 11:05 PM ^
Well, we had to move a defense guy in Heitzman over because our depth has been abymsal at TE. With Funchess 100% receiver now and AJ WIlliams still in limbo as a passable option, we need some help there. As stated, Wheatley has positional flexibility so there's not too much downside.
We've taken 14 OL since '12. so that's right about 1:5. We had to scramble to cover holes early and now we're in a position to fill other needs. If the right guy is available and the numbers work out, I'm sure the coaches would gladly take him, but I don't think we're full court press right now, nor would we take two more.
August 7th, 2014 at 10:29 AM ^
Because we aren't losing a single scholarship offensive linemen after this year. It won't hurt us at all with having 2 OL in this class. Tell me what position group do you think needs more help:
OL in 2015: Mags, Bosch, Glasgow, Kalis, Braden, Cole, Dawson, Kugler, Jack Miller, Bars, Fox, Tuley-Tillman, Samuelson, Bushell-Beatty, Runyan, and Newsome.
TE in 2015: Butt, AJ Williams, Heitzman, Bunting (maybe a TE?), Chris Clark.
AJ Williams has done nothing but get ambushed while blocking. Heitzman is a converted DE that never produced. Bunting is a 6'6ish 220 pound tweener. It definitely would be a welcome addition to get a 6'5 240 pound 4 star that can play DE or TE.
Hoke has always maintained he wants to get the OL depth to 15-17 bodies. He has that. We'll be at 16 scholarship OL next year. Then we only lose Glasgow and Miller after 2015 where they can be easily replaced. Our offensive line is so young its not even funny.
I think these are good points, but we also want avoid a feast/famine mode with our OL.
The raw number isn't the only important metric--it's also the distribution among the classes. Hoke understandably went on an O-Line recruiting binge as soon as he got here. But as tempting as it may be to say, "we've got plenty for the next year or two", we also know that it often takes 3 years or more for a solid starter to develop. So the real question is, what will the O-Line look like in 2018? Let's say our young-but-high-potential O-Line guys do develop into beasts, and we've got the best running attack in the country in 2015 and 2016. Then what? Graduating classes in 2016 and 2017, we start hemorrahaging these guys left & right.
If we want to develop a shark-teeth system of O-Linemen, then it means the solid starters in 2018 will be redshirting in 2015 and 2016.
I know the solution is not all-or-nothing here, but if we ended up taking an extra O-Lineman this year or next year, I would certainly understnad.
August 7th, 2014 at 11:36 AM ^
Because he's a pure athlete. He can play multiple spots and play them at a high level.
Regardless, I agree that this class should have at least another OL, and I'd prefer two more as well. I think they are fine with one WR. I think DE is the highest priority for them, as they need bodies there. At least one more OL and a DE are musts, the rest are preferences IMO. This staff doesn't need another DB, it doesn't need another OLB, those are wants.
DOUBLE THE HARRY POTTER!!!
Roseboro is deciding in a few weeks, either Aug. 22 or 29th. Michigan leads.
KLS is deciding late in the process, either one of the all-star games or signing day. Michigan/UCLA battle.
Bilal wants to decide before his season starts August 22. UM/ND battle but Steve Lorenz and Wiltfong think he'll pick Michigan.
According to 247sports it is the 29th.
Also he is going to be the starting fullback for his high school team this season.
Has to be tough from a coaches perspective and I understand why they try to get thru as much as possible over the offseason.
It seems like there is always a little bit of "bounce" to borrow an election or political poll term after the Big Haus BBQ. Very cool, but I think the other schools courting these players don't take time off and so maybe the bounce subsides a bit.
That said, its also nice to entertain these guys on official visits to include going to actual games, Ann Arbor is positively beautiful in early fall.
I think the fulcrum on how many of these guys are going to Go Blue is going to be pulled either way by our performance starting in 24 days. If we can throw off the chains that bind, if the offense can grind out some rushing yards at times, if the defense looks impenetrable at times, if we appear regularly on ESPN highlight reels for good plays, if we break open the T25 chart and start to lay waste to the early 'puffs then I think we will collect a good number.
If its 2k13 v2.0 then probably kiss them goodbye and don't expect postcards in return.
bound
Sucks to lose out on a talented legacy, but our other targets at the position are higher rated. So, in that sense, times really haven't changed...higher rated kids generally go to Michigan.
He actually picked MSU today.
August 7th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
...and it's "Tyriq."
RB- Weber
TE- Wheatley
DE Roseboro, KLS OR Bates
WR- Grant Perry if he gets an offer
and/or Bates. Either way, that would be a tremendous class, especially given the lack of on-field success recently. Hopefully, we have a decent enough season to keep the momentum going.
I'm pretty sure we're on Osa Masina's top 5 also unless there was an update on him that I missed. He's also in there for OLB.
August 6th, 2014 at 10:57 PM ^
I predict Weber goes UM. Going out on a ledge here.
Roseboro on the 29th seems like a heavy UM lean.
After that it's open season. We all think Wheatley Jr but he has been a closed book. He is 260 lbs so I dont see him ending up at TE. So if he and Roseboro commit do you have room for KLS?
I think we need an OLB to add to this list.
Then an open 1-2 spots I guess.
August 7th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ^
Well I didn't anticipate that Weber would commit that fast. I'm beginning to wonder if a few of the recruits will commit now, instead of taking a chance on having the class fill up! I will admit, I'm really wondering how many recruits we'll have space for . . . Ace said three more, and I've heard others say five more. It makes a big difference. I certainly agree that KLS is someone they'll definitely make room for. I'd imagine they'd also make room for Roseboro. After that it starts to get tight. Lewis and Wheatley seem pretty likely. Would that leave Bates and Bilal on the outside looking in? Hard to say, but a nice problem to have.
August 7th, 2014 at 11:20 AM ^
Michigan can't possibly take all of those guys. Technically, Michigan can probably only take one more without some finagling. If a guy like Bellomy leaves before his fifth year, that opens up one more spot. If you take away a scholarship from a walk-on like Graham Glasgow (which seems unlikely), then you can add another one. It will certainly be interesting to watch how things shake out.
Is that including Yorks open spot?
I'd really like to have another OL in this class. Minimum of three per year unless you are following up a year like 2013 where you took six. We need a center candidate or maybe a JBB-caliber lottery ticket who could end up being a stud tackle. Tackles tackles tackles. Let's stockpile those so that our stocky 6'4" guys can stay at guard where they belong. If we land KLS, then I would take a 3* OT over Wheatley, unless we think Wheatley wil grow into an SDE.