Time to offer Lucien as a WR? (Edit: UCLA it is)

Submitted by jtmc33 on

We have 20 in this class, and 83/85 spots filled for 2011.  No one is left on the board (as far as we know).  Why not get Lucien in this class as a WR?  Only negative I see is using a spot that reduces our 2012 class to 15 (with 365 days until signing day).

Positive I see is a kid who is desperate to be a Michigan Man in a class that has 0 WRs with 3 WRs graduating in 2011.

EDIT:  UCLA   http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=4353496

Edward Khil

February 2nd, 2011 at 8:16 PM ^

But it's better to just lay out my argument.

2006 (Schilling and Graham) and 2007 (Mallett and Warren) were the last years Michigan recruited more than one 5-star.  I don't blame RR for that, considering the turmoil he dealt with.

And, based on that last statement, you know I was skeptical about BH initially.  But I've long since heard enough to be in all in.

There are 3-4 programs at any given time that attract 3 or more 5-stars for the few years they're on top.  Particularly if we're talking Rivals 5-stars.  (There were only 26 this year.)

Give Hoke a chance to recruit for a full year.  I'm betting Michigan gets at least two 5-stars in 2011.

Shaz0r25W00dson2

February 2nd, 2011 at 8:30 PM ^

Not so fast my friend, Did you just notice what Brady Hoke was able to accomplish in the few weeks he had. Imagine the ELITE and yes I said ELITE talent he and Mattison will be able to bring in with an entire year to recruit. I know that Mattison is by far the best recruiter in the country for defense, look at the talent he brought into Florida while he was there.

NomadicBlue

February 2nd, 2011 at 5:18 PM ^

I wonder if the coaches have contacted any lower level recruits (MAC level) today once they learned about Cooper.  If we don't getone this year, we will need to find a beast for next year who will be capable of stepping up to some playing time right away.  Unfortunately, DT is not the type of position that you see this happening.  Would be even bettter if they find an elite DT that can be an early enrollee. 

MichiganStudent

February 2nd, 2011 at 5:20 PM ^

The only problem with taking a MAC recruit now is that they most likely have sent in their NLI. If they've done that, then we can't get them no matter what. 

Its going to be tough for us to grab any more kids, especially at DT, but I will still hold out some glimmer of hope on that front. 

BlueBird

February 2nd, 2011 at 4:57 PM ^

The one and only spot where true freshmen can come in and be productive in virtually any system. You don't have to be as physically mature and being on offense versus defense is a huge help, I.e. no read and react.

If Hoke doesn't think he fits his ideal mold as a WR, I would rather wait for the coaching staff to find the right guy, even if it is a freshman.

Brightside

February 2nd, 2011 at 5:03 PM ^

He would have taken the CB offer, and just worked his tail off.

It is good that the coaches were clear with him up front, and ultimately it was his choice.

jtmc33

February 2nd, 2011 at 5:16 PM ^

It's not over until he sends in a LOI.  And since we now he wants a UM offer, it's not over until Hoke says so.  

You should have said "It's probably time to move on.  It's probably over."

Otherwise you just sound like the captain of Team Douche.

 

PurpleStuff

February 2nd, 2011 at 5:10 PM ^

I don't think this offense is going to give as many wideouts a chance to see the field.  As such, cutting the overall numbers makes sense from a roster management perspective.  The only reason the coaches should offer Lucien (or anyone else) right now is if they think he can be one of the top one or two pass catchers on this team in a year or two.  Since they don't think he can, it makes sense to save the scholarship for another position or a guy they think can be that player for them.  A scholarship spent on a receiver who you think will end up riding the bench is one that could probably be used more effectively some place else.

MI Expat NY

February 2nd, 2011 at 6:06 PM ^

I don't know.  Losing Stonum, Odoms and Hemingway after this season is going to leave a rather large void on the outside.  Gallon and Dileo are unlikely to ever contribute in Borges' offense.  In two years, that leaves Roundtree and a bunch of young guys to fight for the second and third WR options.  Taking a chance on Lucien (or any WR) wouldn't be a waste of a scholarship.  As it is, we'll be looking to fill two to three contributors at WR from the group of Stokes, Jackson, Miller, Robinson, Williamson plus any true freshman WR ready to contribute.  

It might work out fine, but since Hoke has basically admitted they haven't had time to look at the skills of the guys on the team, throwing one more into the mix wouldn't have been a bad idea.  There are going to be "wasted" scholarships during the transition, but it's more going to be guys like Gallon that don't necessarily fit the mold of pro-style WR.  

PurpleStuff

February 2nd, 2011 at 7:40 PM ^

Just looking at SDSU this year, Borges had two 1,000+ yard receivers, then a TE and a RB before you reached the third wideout who caught 23 balls for 263 yards.  The fourth guy caught 4 balls.  And those numbers are with a pass offense that put up nearly 300 yards a game.  Contrast with Michigan last year where the third wideout (Hemingway) had nearly 600 yards (in just 10 games) while Grady and Odoms (despite missing half the season) both put up over 200 yards.

I just see the focus being different going forward.  In two years you'll have Roundtree (already the 3rd leading receiver in the conference) at one spot and the choice of all those guy you mentioned or a blue-chip freshman at the other spot.  Any production from the third spot looks like gravy and may just be a spot used to give the other team the occasional matchup headache (Gallon/Dileo covered by a linebacker or Jackson in jump ball situations with a DB). 

Unless Hoke/Borges think Lucien can/will be better than pretty much all the guys you mentioned by 2012 or can be an elite receiver as a junior/senior (it appears they don't) there isn't any reason to offer him when the team could better use that scholarship elsewhere.  They didn't lose anybody this year and won't need nearly as many bodies at the position going forward.

 

Mdjohnny5

February 2nd, 2011 at 5:10 PM ^

I'm sure it is too late for Lucien, however I'm not sure I agree with the people saying to "bank" scholarships for next year.  Certainly the coaching staff would have taken all 6 of our last recruits if they could have.  It hasn't happened yet, but there is sure to be some attrition due to coaching change when the depth charts come out (slot ninjas anyone?).

 

Lucien would have been a solid pick up, but if the coaching staff could pick up any D or O linemen that has to be the priority.

 

 

wlubd

February 2nd, 2011 at 5:15 PM ^

I disagree. There's no point in throwing a schollie at someone just to build up numbers if they're going to be an empty uniform. And really most of the quality kids signed today, or there's a reason if they didn't (grades, etc.)

We missed on both Fisher and Cooper which sucks, but that just means an extra focus on those spots in the next class.

PurpleStuff

February 2nd, 2011 at 5:20 PM ^

Every guy you pick up has to be looked at as someone who will take up a scholarship for the next 4+ years.  If the coaches don't think the guy has a chance to make an impact on the field in that time, they should not offer him a scholarship, especially at a position where only 2 or 3 guys will get the bulk of the action/attention. 

WolvinLA2

February 2nd, 2011 at 5:18 PM ^

I said this in another thread, but if Hoke wanted Lucien as a WR, he would have offered him. Since he didn't, this leads me to believe that Hoke isn't that impressed with Lucien. I'd rather hold off and snag an extra guy next year that the staff really likes.

namaste

February 2nd, 2011 at 6:10 PM ^

Will it be too late? We'll see.

 

Hoke offered more kids today, and we're expecting at least one more LOI. Hopefully we'll have some pleasant surprises soon.