corundum

November 3rd, 2016 at 2:40 PM ^

You watch the ESPN talking heads too much if you think he quit on Tennessee. Hurd was one foot out the door and ready to transfer after last season, but Butch promised him more I-formation packages and inside isolations after Hurd destroyed NW with that gameplan in the bowl game. This season rolled around and DeBord / Jones decide to run every single play out of the shotgun since they haven't developed Dobbs at all. They completely reneged on their promises to him and basically conned him into returning for another year, even though he wanted to transfer. That is not quitting on your team, that's cutting your losses after you are too injured to play and your potential career / livelihood are getting royally fucked by a desperate and incompetent coaching staff.

Joined: 05/10/2012

MGoPoints: 47323

Toasted Yosties

November 3rd, 2016 at 4:46 PM ^

I wonder what will hurt his career/livelihood worse, playing four more games for a team he's unhappy about, or explaining to every NFL GM before the draft why he quit on his team and teammates midseason? A guy who quits because coaches aren't calling the plays the player wants is EXACTLY the kind of player the NFL is looking for. If you're going to pull this move, at least wait until after you've signed a contract. There's no way this doesn't negatively impact his draft stock.

Joined: 06/05/2013

MGoPoints: 9261

corundum

November 3rd, 2016 at 5:22 PM ^

By then he will be able to point to a fired coaching staff that was wasting his talent and health. Also, the NFL doesn't really care about collge drama as long as you are good. I know you want to climb up on your moral pedestal and play Kevin Costner in 'Draft Day', but remember that Manziel and Pacman Jones were still first rounders. Chris Henry was taken in the third. All of them had just as many red flags coming out of college as Hurd.

Joined: 05/10/2012

MGoPoints: 47323

Toasted Yosties

November 3rd, 2016 at 5:54 PM ^

I can't say that I watched Draft Day, all I know is this kid could have finished up the few games left and potentially entered the draft this year. He wouldn't be a first rounder but could be making a fantastic livelihood and at least risk his body while making a salary. Now, he can transfer to a lower division and risk another year of injuries, red shirt and waste two years learning a new position, not getting paid, along with the risk of injury, or enter the draft this year after quitting and look like a primadonna. With what are often such short careers in the NFL, spending a year or two of that limited time picking up a new position at a new school is likely a more risky prospect than finishing up four more games and entering the draft in April. But tell me more about moral pedestals please.

Joined: 06/05/2013

MGoPoints: 9261

Ali G Bomaye

November 3rd, 2016 at 1:47 PM ^

Since Hurd hasn't graduated from Tennessee, but has played parts of three seasons, any team that wanted to take him would have to have him on scholarship for a full year before he played his final year of eligibility. In other words, they'd use up two years of scholarships for one year of playing time.

For a team like Michigan, who has signed a bunch of young promising TEs, I don't think that tradeoff is worth it for a guy learning a new position.

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 17687

SanD

November 3rd, 2016 at 1:28 PM ^

Without discussing specific players, should we raise an eye brow when a player cancels a visit and gives the public/media a half-baked excuse? Something along the lines of "I couldn't get a ride." I always think back to this anonymous quote from the infamous "Bag Man" story.

 

The bag men associated with certain schools pay potential signees one-time bonus payments not to visit a rival school that's offered a scholarship. The going rate is stated to be $2,500. This has become a popular tactic in recent years, as the recruiting process has become more publicized.

"You can have a rival coach who is considered a great recruiter, and he might say, 'We feel great about this kid, if we can just get him on campus.' Well, what if you can't even get him to show up? How great a recruiter are you now?

Joined: 11/02/2009

MGoPoints: 46

MadMatt

November 3rd, 2016 at 1:38 PM ^

I assumed this was the case when he stated out of the blue that he intended to make an unofficial visit to Michigan on his own dime.  Then, mixed signals the week he was supposed to visit, but he never showed.  Then, he signed with LSU just like everyone figured before he mentioned Michigan.  As Woody Allen said, "90% of life is showing up."

Joined: 11/06/2013

MGoPoints: 13935

UMProud

November 3rd, 2016 at 1:32 PM ^

Are you tracking an overall increase in the rated quality of recruits? In other words are we seeing a snowball effect in recruit interest as Harbaugh and Michigan ascend?

Joined: 12/18/2014

MGoPoints: 2705

Champeen

November 3rd, 2016 at 1:41 PM ^

WAY in the future recruiting Q - State of Michigan.

The 2017 state of Michigan class is average to slightly above average.

The 2018 state of Michigan class is is shaping up to be one of the less stellar classes in the state in quite some time.

However, fast forward to 2019 (yes, current Sophmores) - There are 2 promising blue-chip stud OLmen that could both rate top 5 at their position in the entire nation, Devontae Dobbs and Logan Brown.  Have you seen them play live, or watched enough vid feeds to give us an evaluation.  Could you also give us feedback on where they are leaning in the exteme early stages if they have ever given feedback on their favorites?

The 2019 class looks to be an amazing in-state class (unlike next years).

** added **

Do you also think Dobbs would rank #1 in the state NEXT YEAR (2018 class) even though he is a year younger?

Joined: 04/07/2011

MGoPoints: 15000

Elwood

November 3rd, 2016 at 1:42 PM ^

year we saw a ton of movement after the season (Eubanks, Asiasi, McDoom, Hudson) especially with out of region recruits. Who are some out of region recruits who are playing it slow that Michigan could really jump in for after the season?

Joined: 01/16/2010

MGoPoints: 5087

Eastside Maize

November 3rd, 2016 at 1:42 PM ^

How many recruits do you think we get from the Left Coast this year? Darnay Holmes is an EE and will be deciding soon, do you think we have a realistic shot at getting him to AA?

Joined: 06/09/2013

MGoPoints: 48363

JonnyHintz

November 3rd, 2016 at 2:24 PM ^

What exactly are you expecting? we had a FB who decomitted a few weeks ago (rumor is it was related to his grades) and has gotten a visit from an LSU FB commit. I'm not sure your expectations of FB recruiting, but it's not really a big recruiting spot. Walk-ons can be used and be extremely effective at FB.

Joined: 01/11/2015

MGoPoints: 48568

Perkis-Size Me

November 3rd, 2016 at 1:56 PM ^

Who do you see as making the biggest impact in the class once they see the field next year? Let's just assume that guys like Harris, Leatherwood and Browning are on the table as well. 

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 105868

andy19il

November 3rd, 2016 at 1:58 PM ^

Which recruit that we're not the favorite for do you feel we're most likely to get and why?

 

Do you see any more 2017 offers going out at this point?

Joined: 07/11/2008

MGoPoints: 1331

bronxblue

November 3rd, 2016 at 2:08 PM ^

This might be a longer-term question, but how does the conference recruiting look in 2-3 years?  Is Maryland a player for recruits, and does PSU build on some success?  How do Chryst and Riley do in the West?  It feels like MSU is going to take a hit with UM, OSU, and (I assume) PSU all coming back to varying levels of national relevance, but what about the rest of the conference?  

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171849

poppinfresh

November 3rd, 2016 at 2:11 PM ^

Do you make anything of Najee Harris not making his trip to Alabama? The SF chronicle last week pointed to more Michigan momentum.  Will where he actually ends up visiting prior to end of December (early enroll) be the telling factor?  

Joined: 12/06/2014

MGoPoints: 8875

Maul

November 3rd, 2016 at 3:18 PM ^

Harris and his mom got to the airport too late after his game and missed the flight.  His visit to Alabama is re-scheduled.

Sam also said this morning a visit to Michigan is also being worked on, possibly with a mentor.

So looks like he will visit both schools and decide.

Joined: 12/17/2015

MGoPoints: 2837

1974

November 3rd, 2016 at 2:18 PM ^

Semi-serious question: Is Michigan really going to take ten OL and ten DL recruits? There seem to be several in both areas and I wonder how they'll all fit.

Joined: 04/17/2011

MGoPoints: 7799

guthrie

November 3rd, 2016 at 2:25 PM ^

Do you believe Kurt Taylor will be a part of this class? He seems like a great kid but I've watched a few of his games and he appears to be Deveon Smith minus 30 pounds. I'm not sure Deveon minus 30 pounds will have a place on the field.



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Joined: 09/23/2009

MGoPoints: 2322

Indiana Blue

November 3rd, 2016 at 2:44 PM ^

to rank B1G teams on the academic aspect of recruiting ?  It's ofen said that any skilled player can play at osu, whereas at Michigan a player has to meet set academic standards.  

Maybe not a numeric rank, but an easy, moderate and tough standards breakout ?

Go Blue!

Joined: 09/19/2010

MGoPoints: 5677

HateSparty

November 3rd, 2016 at 2:56 PM ^

Thanks for doing this.

 

Aubrey Solomon is bringing his mom along for this visit and we have heard about her survey that Alabama, Georgia and Michigan have received.  Do you sense from your sources that mom is open to Michigan or is this really a closed deal to the North?

 

 

Joined: 12/17/2014

MGoPoints: 27183

umfanchris

November 3rd, 2016 at 2:58 PM ^

Are there any prospects that are new to Michigan's radar mainly because they have had a great senior season? Or have most of the commits been on the radar long term?

Joined: 01/21/2011

MGoPoints: 311

CriticalFan

November 3rd, 2016 at 3:16 PM ^

want to get my moping done early this year: which prospect with Michigan now as their favorite is most likely to get yoinked from the class by 'Bama/OSU/Ole Miss?

more positive: as high school football nears its end, will we see the pace of our targets' commitments speed up, or is everyone just gonna wait till february?

Joined: 10/14/2009

MGoPoints: 1807

StephenRKass

November 3rd, 2016 at 3:25 PM ^

The question was asked above, "what's the worst case scenario?" I'd like to flip the question and ask, "what's the best case scenario?" In other words, the following are listed as possibilities over at 247:

  • Harris
  • Leatherwood
  • Browning
  • Holmes
  • Peoples-Jones
  • Wilson
  • Slaton
  • Tufele
  • Ruiz
  • Singleton
  • Solomon
  • Collins
  • Thomas
  • Anthony
  • Falo
  • Banks
  • Kelly-Powell

Out of that list, how many do you think legitimately would have interest? 10%? 30? 50? 100? How many do you think legitimately would sign with Michigan? 10% 30%? More?

In years past, it seems like the lists were made up of offers that there was no way they would actually have considered coming to Michigan. Right now, it seems like every last person on this list would actually consider coming to UM. Is that really possible? Could virtually everyone above on my list choose to come together to UofM?

Joined: 07/15/2008

MGoPoints: 23101

Elmer

November 3rd, 2016 at 4:15 PM ^

Please help me understand how we can sign such a big class. I thought it was capped at 25, plus three for previous EEs, totaling 28 in all.  The rest would have to be gray/blue shirts.  

Would that many kids really go for a blue/gray shirt?  Seems like wishful thinking.  Wouldn't they already notify some of these kids if they wanted them to gray-shirt and that would leak to folks like you?

Joined: 04/22/2011

MGoPoints: 5418