Your "Way To Early / I Told Ya So" - 2012 Class Predictions

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

On the eve of Signing Day, I'd like to give folks a quick opportunity to shed their thoughts on this year's class (as it stands now).

Will people claim that they called that "sleeper" or that 1st round draft pick? Probably.
Will anyone remember this thread in 3-4 years? Absolutely not.

But still, for those bored and interested enough to give their predictions on this years class - LET'S HEAR IT!

  • Best Player from this class (next year):
     
  • Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
     
  • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com):
     
  • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career):
     
  • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class:
     
  • Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
     
  • Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
     
  • Your Favorite Offensive Player:
     
  • Your Favorite Defensive Player:
     
  • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class (please let us know what it is you're telling us - i.e. Drake Johnson was going to rush for 1,000 yards in one season, Erik Magnuson was going to be the best OL of this class, Amara Darboh was going to win a Heisman...let us know your prediction): 
     

 

Per Scout.com

Pos Nat'l
Rank		 Nat'l
Rating		 Name
School, Hometown		 HT/ WT/ 40 Commit Date
DT 38 Willie Henry
(Glenville HS)
Cleveland, OH		 6-3/273 01/30/2012
WR 82 Jehu Chesson
(Ladue Horton Watkins HS)
Ladue, MO		 6-3/175 12/21/2011
WR 32 Amara Darboh
(Dowling HS)
W Des Moines, IA		 6-2/200 12/04/2011
RB 77 Drake Johnson
(Pioneer HS)
Ann Arbor, MI		 6-1/205 11/08/2011
DT 7 Ondre Pipkins
(Park Hill HS)
Kansas City, MO		 6-3/320/4.90 08/08/2011
DE 21 Chris Wormley
(Whitmer HS)
Toledo, OH		 6-5/250 07/31/2011
FB 5 Sione Houma
(Highland HS)
Salt Lake City, UT		 6-0/215/4.53 07/25/2011
OT 6 Kyle Kalis
(St. Edward HS)
Lakewood, OH		 6-5/305 07/10/2011
S 19 Jarrod Wilson
(Buchtel HS)
Akron, OH		 6-2/190 07/08/2011
OT 58 Blake Bars
(Montgomery Bell Academy)
Nashville, TN		 6-5/275 06/26/2011
S 71 Jeremy Clark
(Madisonville North Hopkins HS)
Madisonville, KY		 6-4/195/4.47 06/24/2011
OT 15 Erik Magnuson
(La Costa Canyon HS)
Encinitas, CA		 6-6/275 06/10/2011
DE 12 Tom Strobel
(Mentor HS)
Mentor, OH		 6-6/265 06/10/2011
S 30 Allen Gant
(Sylvania Southview HS)
Sylvania, OH		 6-2/205/4.60 05/31/2011
CB 14 Terry Richardson
(Cass Technical HS)
Detroit, MI		 5-9.5/165/4.50 05/19/2011
DT 31 Matt Godin
(Detroit Catholic Central HS)
Novi, MI		 6-6/265 05/12/2011
DE 20 Mario Ojemudia
(Harrison HS)
Farmington Hills, MI		 6-2/220/4.65 05/07/2011
OLB 7 James Ross
(St. Mary Preparatory School)
Orchard Lake, MI		 6-1/215 05/02/2011
OLB 4 Joe Bolden
(Colerain HS)
Cincinnati, OH		 6-3/230 04/29/2011
TE 8 Devin Funchess
(Harrison HS)
Farmington Hills, MI		 6-4/205 04/22/2011
OT 27 A.J. Williams
(Sycamore HS)
Cincinnati, OH		 6-6/275 04/22/2011
MLB 2 Royce Jenkins-Stone
(Cass Technical HS)
Detroit, MI		 6-2/215 04/16/2011
MLB 35 Kaleb Ringer
(Northmont HS)
Clayton, OH		 6-1/225 04/15/2011
OT 40 Ben Braden
(Rockford HS)
Rockford, MI		 6-6/319 03/24/2011
 

 

MGoBoard
Mr. Yost

what would Bo do

January 31st, 2012 at 10:55 PM ^

The thing people are forgetting about recruiting is this that you don't need to necessarily get the highest rated or most talented players, but you need to get players who fit your system and fill the future needs of your program.  I honestly think Ohio's class this year is incredibly overrated.  Brionte Dunn does not fit Urban Meyer's system at all, 4 of their top recruits play DE, and the AA game showed that Schutt is overrated (he got dominated by Kalis in practice).      I just laugh when I see people on these boards panicking because we are taking 3 star guys.  Honestly, I will take a motivated 3 star guy who is a Michigan man and fits our system (Mattison knows exactly what he needs to put togethe a defense and I absolutely believe he got it in this class) over a 4 star anyday.  Regardless of whether or not Ohio's recruiting class is ranked higher than ours, I honestly feel pretty good about our chances against them for the next 5 or so years.

Joined: 12/27/2011

MGoPoints: 1152

PhillipFulmersPants

January 31st, 2012 at 9:13 PM ^

 

  • Best Player from this class (next year): Kalis & Ondre get most time; Kalis starter by end of year so vote goes that way. 
     
  • Best Player from this class (5 years from now): A high ceiling player who could play some this year, but has the luxury of a red shirt. Stroebel or Wormley. 
     
  • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Henry, the Jake Ryan who dat of 2012 (minus the flowing locks). 
     
  • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): One of the DLs who will likely RS. Godin, I guess. 
     
  • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Ondre. 
     
  • Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Funchess. 
     
  • Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Wilson. 
     
  • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Darboh. 
     
  • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Bolden. 
     
  • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class (please let us know what it is you're telling us - i.e. Drake Johnson was going to rush for 1,000 yards in one season, Erik Magnuson was going to be the best OL of this class, Amara Darboh was going to win a Heisman...let us know your prediction):  7 draft choices among this crew, 4 in first three rounds, none lower than 5th round, and one who won't finish his career at Michigan. Boom! Predict'd. 

 

Joined: 01/06/2009

MGoPoints: 4222

lhglrkwg

January 31st, 2012 at 9:16 PM ^

Blake Countess, James Ross, Joe Bolden, Jake Ryan and RJS grace the cover of SI going into the 2014 season as we open up as preseason #1 under the headline "FEROCIOUS DEFENSE -Defense leads #1 Michigan into 2014".

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 87818

rob6reid

January 31st, 2012 at 9:20 PM ^

  • Best Player from this class (next year): Pipkins
     
  • Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Kalis & Pipkins
     
  • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Ben Braden (I saw him play against my highschool team. He was a complete beast, had good technique, and showed impressive athleticism, perticularly when he out ran the RB on a downfield block, and looked like he was the fastest player on the field. Also Rockford has some of the best coaches arround, so im sure his fudementals are solid.)
     
  • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): Mario Ojemudia
     
  • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Kalis, Pipkins
     
  • Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Kalis
     
  • Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Pipkins
     
  • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Darboh & Chesson tie
     
  • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Joe Bolden
     
  • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Ben Braden (see sleeper)

 

I know pipkins and kalis are redundant, but does any one really convincingly disagree?

Joined: 01/08/2012

MGoPoints: 327

Wolvermarine

January 31st, 2012 at 9:23 PM ^

 

  • Best Player from this class (next year):  Ondre Pipkins
     
  • Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ondre Pipkins
     
  • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Ben Braden
     
  • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career):  Blake Bars
     
  • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Ondre Pipkins, Chris Wormley, Ben Braden
     
  • Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ben Braden
     
  • Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ondre Pipkins
     
  • Your Favorite Offensive Player:  Devin Funchess
     
  • Your Favorite Defensive Player:  Ondre Pipkins
     
  • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class:  Ben Braden will be the best OL to come out of this class.  

Joined: 04/12/2011

MGoPoints: 257

rob6reid

January 31st, 2012 at 9:33 PM ^

"Ben Braden will be the best OL out of this class" may be a bit extreme, considering the other OL in the class, including an almost surefire 3+ year starter in Kalis, but im glad im not the only one who sees the potential in Braden. Also Wisconsin offered him very early, and we know Wisconsin's history with offensive linemen at least as of late.

Joined: 01/08/2012

MGoPoints: 327

AdAstra

January 31st, 2012 at 9:48 PM ^

Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Darboh will be the next WR to wear the #1 and win the Biletnikoff... and Pipkins will set a Michigan record for number of times as a judge for Mock Rock

Joined: 01/27/2012

MGoPoints: 51

kmaltby182003

January 31st, 2012 at 9:49 PM ^

 

  • Best Player from this class (next year): Pipkins
     
  • Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Pipkins
     
  • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Chesson
     
  • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class: Ojemudia/Henry
     
  • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Pipkins, Magnuson
     
  • Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Magnuson
     
  • Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Pipkins
     
  • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Houma
     
  • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Bolden/Ross
     
  • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Magnuson is two-time All-Big 10 and one-time All-American

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 172

Derelicious

January 31st, 2012 at 10:04 PM ^

Football versions of:

Zach Novak (gritty and always around the ball): Joe Bolden, Tom Strobel

Jordan Morgan (pleasant surprise after a little developing): Ben Braden

Stu Douglass (solid in his role): AJ Williams

Trey Burke (early emerging star): Jarrod Wilson

Tim Hardaway (underrated with star potential): Mario Ojemudia

Evan Smotrycz (tons of potential but just needs time to get it all together): Chris Wormley

 

Sorry, thought it was too easy to pick Kalis and Pipkins so I went a different route

Joined: 07/26/2011

MGoPoints: 253

radfan5

January 31st, 2012 at 10:04 PM ^

  • Best Player from this class (next year):
    Pipkins
  • Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
    Kyle Kalis
  • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com):
    Braden or Willie Henry (sorry i could'nt choose one, even though its cheating)
  • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class 
    Blake Bars
  • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class:
    Kalis and Pipkins
  • Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
    Kalis
  • Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
    Pipkins
  • Your Favorite Offensive Player:
    Amara Darboh
  • Your Favorite Defensive Player:
    Chris Wormley
  • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class 
  • I think Wormley could end up being dominant. First team All Big Ten his Senior year.

Joined: 07/24/2011

MGoPoints: 459

Rather be on BA

January 31st, 2012 at 10:11 PM ^

  • Best Player from this class (next year):  Joe Bolden
     
  • Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ondre Pipkins
     
  • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Jeremy Clark
     
  • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career):  Allen Gant
     
  • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Ondre Pipkins, Joe Bolden, Kyle Kalis
     
  • Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Kyle Kalis
     
  • Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ondre Pipkins/Joe Bolden
     
  • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Drake Johnson
     
  • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Joe Bolden
     
  • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class (please let us know what it is you're telling us - i.e. Drake Johnson was going to rush for 1,000 yards in one season, Erik Magnuson was going to be the best OL of this class, Amara Darboh was going to win a Heisman...let us know your prediction):
    Not to jockey off the example given in this question, but I am going to say that Drake Johnson becomes a prolific all conference/all-american level return man, and a very solid change of pace/flanker style back.

Joined: 08/29/2010

MGoPoints: 1808

MJ14

January 31st, 2012 at 10:24 PM ^

  • Best Player from this class (next year): Ondre Pipkins on defense, Amara Darboh on offense
     
  • Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ondre Pipkins and Kyle Kalis
     
  • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Matt Godin on defense, Drake Johnson on offense
     
  • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): Jeremy Clark
     
  • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Kyle Kalis, Ondre Pipkins
     
  • Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Drake Johnson
     
  • Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ondre Pipkins but not by a bunch.
     
  • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Amara Darboh
     
  • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Ondre Pipkins
     
  • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Drake Johnson and Jeremy Clark
  • Most underrated on Offense (when it's all said and done): Sione Houma
  • Most underrated on Defense (when it's all said and done): Allen Gant

 

I really hope Jeremy Clark shines somewhere after what Tim wrote about him. I also think Drake Johnson is highly underrated. You'll also notice I added two more categories at the end. I think both of those guys will contribute a ton but get overlooked because this is such a great class. They may not end up being the stars or leaders, but I think they'll quietly leave their marks.

Also, no disrespect to any other recruits. There are so many great ones to choose from and it's really hard telling who will do what with so much talent. I don't think I've seen Ringer mentioned, but he could be a beast at linebacker.

Joined: 01/09/2011

MGoPoints: 16192

Wolvermarine

January 31st, 2012 at 10:32 PM ^

Don't really have a place to put this, so I will throw it here.  Josh Helmholdt just said that signing day is going to be more interesting for Michigan, and for everyone to be paying attention early in the morning.  Stated that this would be good news.  

 

Certainly hope whatever he is referring to ends up happening.  

Joined: 04/12/2011

MGoPoints: 257

Salinger

February 1st, 2012 at 8:06 AM ^

 

their predictions on this years class - LET'S HEAR IT!

  • Best Player from this class (next year): Ondre Pipkins
     
  • Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Tom Strobel
     
  • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Matt Godin
     
  • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): Allen Gant
     
  • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Kyle Kalis, Ondre Pipkins
     
  • Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Amara Darboh
     
  • Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Joe Bolden
     
  • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Erik Magnuson
     
  • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Chris Wormley
     
  • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class (please let us know what it is you're telling us - i.e. Drake Johnson was going to rush for 1,000 yards in one season, Erik Magnuson was going to be the best OL of this class, Amara Darboh was going to win a Heisman...let us know your prediction): Terry Richardson supplants Honey Badger as the small, go-to kick returner/nickel DB in the hearts and minds of college football fans everywhere.  And he won't have nearly as annoying a nickname...

Joined: 01/11/2011

MGoPoints: 5409