What are we doing wrong?

Submitted by gater on
I know that it's been said that our record last year doesn't have anything to do with the decommitments, then what is it? One decomit sucks, two is painful, three is the start of a pattern, but we're WAY past that and there's talk about Graves decommiting. Other that this cold ass weather, what's wrong with michigan? Is RR and his staff not following up, are they pressuring too much, are they targeting players that can't make up their minds? Anyone able to shed some light on this? Tom? Brian? God?
MGoBoard

ish

December 19th, 2008 at 9:13 PM ^

the number of decommits is staggering. kids from all over get pressured to stay close to home, negative recruiting, etc. there's something not quite right, frankly. i hope RR and staff admit to themselves that this is a problem and seek guidance - even from lloyd - on how to stop it.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 17404

wingedG

December 20th, 2008 at 3:02 PM ^

I doubt michigan has an image problem those on the inside and fans cant see but maybe it does. maybe michigan doesnt carry the weight it used to. something is happening and I dont think its just the losing season UM had. who knows...........

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 10

mad magician

December 19th, 2008 at 9:27 PM ^

Actually, it probably has to do with distance-- something that helps us with Will Campbell-- and early commitments more than anything. The earlier you commit, the longer you wait, the greener the grass may seem on the other side.

Joined: 11/18/2008

MGoPoints: 636

mhwaldm

December 19th, 2008 at 10:13 PM ^

i think a lot of it has to do with the improving depth charts. wen the recruiting class started, the depth chart was pretty week at a lot of positions: qb, wr, ol, dl, db's. its not farfetched to think that a big reason y many of the early commits picked michigan was because they thought they had an easy road to the starting lineup. as the depth chart begins to fill with recruits, many of them might not want to risk losing out in competition.

Joined: 07/11/2008

MGoPoints: 21

Magnus

December 19th, 2008 at 10:33 PM ^

I do not agree with this theory as it applies to Beaver. Beaver committed after Kevin Newsome was already a member of the 2009 class. Newsome was generally considered to be a superior QB to both Beaver and Forcier, so it was even a more uphill battle at that time. In a way, I don't think the depth chart filling up had anything to do with Beaver's decommitment - he's always been the second-best QB in our class - because it's been full the whole time. I think he just a) lost confidence in his ability to beat out the other QB or b) wasn't sold on Michigan being the right place to further his football career.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166006

GeoTracker

December 19th, 2008 at 10:32 PM ^

This crap happens, it's going to continue to happen, and will get worse for all NCAA schools. The less attention we pay to H.S. kids the better. Otherwise this whole recruiting crap is going to go into middle school like it has in basketball. Might as well start scouting Pop Warner before the pros get there.

Joined: 09/14/2008

MGoPoints: 945

NYWolverine

December 19th, 2008 at 10:41 PM ^

Isn't this the most far-reaching Michigan class in school history? What with all the early recruiting in Florida and Texas particularly, states we've had success with in the past, sure, but not in quite an overwhelming fashion...I'd say attrition was always gonna be a guaranteed issue based on distance from home alone. I may have guessed 3-4 gone. Then the season came and went, and kids are in eachothers' ears. We lose Newsome, Fera and McNeal. We're not doing a damn thing wrong. Over the past several months, we've see what we can do on the national stage recruiting. We have the tools to make the draw, but it will take the reinvigoration of Michigan's winning tradition to retain the verbals. Once we start winning, Michigan will be THE most feared recruiting school for spread players in the country.

Joined: 08/16/2008

MGoPoints: 1018

bighouseinmate

December 19th, 2008 at 10:56 PM ^

After watching tape of both Beaver and Forcier, I thought the job really was Beavers to lose. I, like others, could understand if it was to another BCS school, even if it was a Syracuse or Washington, but Tulsa? Not sure on his reasons for switching, but whatever. I think we will now see one of the other top duals start looking our way now.

Joined: 12/19/2008

MGoPoints: 4958

myrtlebeachmai…

December 20th, 2008 at 12:39 PM ^

making decisions earlier every year. These decisions, likely made out of emotion, have to stand a much longer test of time against A) willingness more and more of other programs going after arleady "commited kids", B) the test of time, some 8+ months or longer, where logic (distance, depth chart, teammates/friends commit decisions, etc) begins to creep in, C) loss of continued recruiting prescence during a long commit, D) more time to evaluate a program's performance. I don't think Michigan's doing anything "wrong" per se. However, it's completely reasonable to think that the "OMG, the hot girl wants me to take her to the prom"-type "shine" of a big-time program telling you, "We want you!", may wear off to a little degree during a down year, changing coaching staff, etc. Nothing to worry about, we'll still get it done.

Joined: 09/02/2008

MGoPoints: 997

Blue Balls

December 20th, 2008 at 9:15 PM ^

Program back on track. It is what it is, do any of us fans like it? no, but it's the real world of getting these young players that Michigan desperately needs to make our program better. Once Michigan's Football program is back on track, things will be easier for everyone(Fans,players and Coaches). So while we all wait for that day, alittle patience and understanding is needed by all those that love Michigan Football.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 226