Updated Top-20 Michigan recruits in modern rankings era

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

I'm about done with my SuperGuide post-NSD chaos updates after 6 hours of editing and inputting data on our 29 (+1 this weekend) new friends.

I shared with the board two years ago our Top-20 rated recruits in the modern rankings era since 2002, so I figure I would post an updated one since things have changed quite a bit since.

Back in that thread, Peppers was our highest rated guy ever. 

 

Top-20:

Class Player Pos. Rank Caliber Rating
2016 Rashan Gary DT #1 5 star 1.0000
2014 Jabrill Peppers ATH #3 5 star 0.9992
2007 Ryan Mallett QB #5 5 star 0.9976
2003 LaMarr Woodley LB #4 5 star 0.9972
2003 Prescott Burgess S #5 5 star 0.9970
2006 Brandon Graham LB #14 5 star 0.9924
2004 Chad Henne QB #18 5 star 0.9924
2017 Donovan Peoples-Jones WR #12 5 star 0.9922
2005 Kevin Grady RB #21 5 star 0.9914
2017 Aubrey Solomon DT #25 5 star 0.9869
2013 Derrick Green RB #27 5 star 0.9867
2005 Marues Slocum OG #34 5 star 0.9853
2002 Gabe Watson DT #36 5 star 0.9839
2007 Donovan Warren CB #27 4 star 0.9826
2004 Tim Jamison DE #42 4 star 0.9799
2016 Ben Bredeson OT #39 4 star 0.9790
2005 Mario Manningham WR #51 4 star 0.9785
2017 Cesar Ruiz C #44 4 star 0.9781
2006 Justin Boren OG #40 4 star 0.9767
2005 Antonio Bass WR #56 4 star 0.9767

 

  • DPJ is our highest rated WR ever
  • DPJ had an elite offer list and could've went anywhere he wanted, unlike other skill position players on this list. 

Wolfman

February 3rd, 2017 at 5:28 AM ^

The unraveling of circumstances that unfoled, affecting both the No.1 ranked player and Jabrill, ranked No. 2 included an injury, obviously, in J.P' s first season, earning a RS, but his play was so "next level" as we all witnessed, starting basically with the first game he played. I thought, when he bear hugged that QB, picked him up and tossed him aside as if the 230 lber weighed nothing, that before he wa done, we were going to see some major injuries just by the intensity with which he unloaded. And I absolutely loved when the announcers would laugh at opposing teams attempting to throw a screen, "this guy is just unblockable," a truer statement never made.

However, he came in with Leanord, of course, recognized then, and still now, as the generational player he was. Not since Herschel, in my opinion, have I seen a college RB capable of simply using that combination of speed and power to absolutely destroy those poor dbs or lbers, one on one with him in the open field and no place to hide. As wel all know, he simply ran over them in just another display of the amount of unnatural ability contained in one body. And the "generational talent" was a fitting label. If not for Alabama, as wel all know, he probably would have picked up one of those Heisman's, maybe two. 

During that same period, however, we watched who, second to Sir Charles, in most opinions, was the second greatest defender most of us have watched since we've been following the wolverines. He probably - no he did - impacted the game in so many different ways and at different positions that we might never see a close copy. I think - and odd considering Harbaugh's imagination - that he was not somehow featured in the offense as more than most a wolverine qb package that was merely a sweep in one of two directions. 

I really don't know by how much they were separated, but with Rashan getting a perfect score, I imagine the same is true of Leonard. I don't think we will debate at all that Woodson, likewise, was a generation talent,  a combination of his overall greatness and certain plays like the MSU pick that displayed talent that surprised even himself. Jabrill, for two years, gave our offense such great field position either through great returns or, in his inimitable manner, would make a fair catch that required perfect timing and about a 15 yard dash at full speed, after signaling the fair catch and somehow make the grab. 

I'm asking fellow wolverine fans, and it's probably not as easy given that we signed Gary two years later, does Jabrill deserve that same classification as Leonard? Obviously, there were players that played one of his many positions better throughout the season, but damn, he was more than good no matter where he played. What say you?

Yessir

February 3rd, 2017 at 1:04 AM ^

Its late and I'm tired, but 2017 only year with 3 players in top 20?  Ever evolving top 20, but still.

In reply to by Yessir

BursleyBaitsBus

February 3rd, 2017 at 1:19 AM ^

2005 as well. 

 

Now that I'm looking at it... Holy hell did Lloyd Carr waste a shit ton of talent with his dinosaur antics. 2003-2006 recruiting was loaded with top 20 talent. 

JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

February 3rd, 2017 at 1:38 AM ^

2003 - Last Outright Big Ten title, I would take 10-3 win with over every rival and a Big Ten title over having the #1 defense and finishing 4 in the Big Ten like in 2016

2004 - Big Ten title, loss to Ohio State was bad, had a chance to wipe out the ugly 2001 and 2002 losses

2005 -close losses throughout the year, botched lead against Ohio State 

2006 -playing for Big Ten title on final day

2007- (yes it was a debacle, senior 5* QB should be destroying a D2 team), but again Big Ten title final day

2008-2010 - baffling to say the least 

 

MGB

February 3rd, 2017 at 5:09 AM ^

I think it's a little harsh to say Carr "wasted a shit ton of talent" I mean yeah, there were some frustrating losses.. But still 2003-2006 produced 3 rose bowl appearances, 2 Big10 titles, and we were 1 win away from playing for a national title in 06.

j.o.s.e maizenblue

February 3rd, 2017 at 2:31 AM ^

He was 35th overall on Scout and 26th overall on Rivals...http://mgoblog.com/content/2009-recruiting-will-campbell 

I can see why Jordan Anthony (5 star and #26 overall on Rivals https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/1960) wouldnt be included since Rivals was the only one that ranked him that high... Big miss not including Big Will 

JonnyHintz

February 3rd, 2017 at 3:00 AM ^

I'm sure WD uses the 247 Composite, so as to not favor one recruiting site over another (which will cause endless debates). And also because his ranking number used is the same used by 247. Big Will was the #96 player in his class. Had a grade of .9525

So he wasnt a miss by WD, he's just not ranked highly enough to appear on the top 20.

Wolfman

February 3rd, 2017 at 5:49 AM ^

He might have been among the highest ranked. Can't recall. What I most remember about Big Will is watching his h.s. tape and seeing nothing that indicated he was among the  top players in the nation. He merely stood up at the snap and plowing straight ahead, the defenders did the wise thing and got out of the way of this behemoth. I had an argument with Helmholdt from rivals, at the time of his recruitment, it which I stated these views. I had hopes but based on the tape, saw nothing indicating other than massive strength that allowed him to get away from anything close to even acceptable technique. 

Now with all the problems RR and staff had, unlike Hoke, even though they recruited him, was their stated opinion, basically echoing mine. Said the young man was among the most powerful players they had even seen at that age, but needed so much work, they could not make a predicition as to when or if he would become a dominant player. I thought they were exaggeratig when they said, "for every snap he has taken and executed in an incorrect manner, it will take 1,000 snaps to correct it, "such was the level that it had been ingrained.

And we saw what unfolded, three years of switching back and forth from O to D, and all hoping the light would come on soon. i do remember what could have been his collegiate highlight. I think it was a fourth and short for the opposition. Big Will shot off the line at the snap, and keeping his pad level low and in perfect form, simply overpowered two members of the offensive line and met the ball carriet two to three yards deep in the backfield and, of course, ended their chances. It was such an example of "Oh what could have been." 

I'm not trying to paint him in a bad light, just stating the obvious, as borned out by his play in AA. However, up until that point, and still true to a large extent, Cass Tech was known as a db backfield factory for collegiate programs, mostly Michigan. After Bill Wlll graduated, and I'm not certain of the year, but MLK became the first Public School Team to win a state championship. Soon CT and MLK were routinely battling it out for recognition as the state's top team. After inquirining  as to the reason for the dramatic change, I was informed by east siders that Wilcher had hired a significant number of assistants, in the form of position coaches and the improvement was evident. Have to believe if he had played under like circumstances and grasped the correct techniques as second nature, he would have probably been among the greats. 

MichiganStan

February 3rd, 2017 at 2:39 AM ^

I just learned Donovan Peoples-Jones was the fastest player in the entire 2017 class with a 4.4 40 yard dash. And it wasnt hand timed it was legit

This kid is going to be a monster. Speight wont even be able to overthrow that speed

xtramelanin

February 3rd, 2017 at 5:49 AM ^

if you wipe the names/dates away.  that's okay, though.  we're coming.  2017 will be a good season.  2018 will be payday.  

good job WD.  

AC1997

February 3rd, 2017 at 6:57 AM ^

I realize that your first bullet really means "DPJ is our highest ranked WR since 2002" based on your data. But Terrell in 2001 was probably higher than DPJ.

MGoStrength

February 3rd, 2017 at 7:33 AM ^

It's pretty amazing that the top two recruits we've ever had in the modern era played on the same high school team, not to mention Drew Singleton.  I think it's safe to say Coach Partridge was a good hire!

Everyone Murders

February 3rd, 2017 at 7:58 AM ^

Great list, but one minor quibble.  You misspelled Marques Slocum's name, leaving out the "Q".

Here's a mnemonic device to help you remember - "Marques Slocum's given name has a hard "Q", as in "fuQue Lion".

redjugador24

February 3rd, 2017 at 8:56 AM ^

So of these highly rated (247 composite I'm assuming) recruits, who do you think were misses?  Most were very good or better college players, but in my opinion these guys weren't close to reaching their expectations:

2007 Ryan Mallett QB #5 5 star 0.9976 Didn't do much at UM, very good at ARK
2005 Kevin Grady RB #21 5 star 0.9914 Contributor, had injury issues, legal issues, and sent to back burner when RR's spread came to town. 
2013 Derrick Green RB #27 5 star 0.9867 Ughhh. Over-rated.
2005 Marques Slocum OG #34 5 star 0.9853 Couldn't stay eligible, non contributor
2005 Antonio Bass WR #56 4 star 0.9767 Injured, only played as freshman but looked promising

4 "misses" out of 20, plus Mallet who transferred.  Bass looked very promising as a frosh but had a career ending injury.  16/20 = 80%, even accounting for injuries.  Among highly rated guys, ratings definitely do tend to matter.  If 80% of our recruits, top to bottom, lived up to their ratings we'd be in excellent shape.