Recruiting home stretch
Feel like we need some swim lanes here but that’s not my thing. Still going off the assumption that we will take appx 4 more commits. Is anyone NOT signing in 2 weeks? I think everyone last year was signed in December. Anyway...
Offense:
WR: Feel like we will grab someone, just doesn’t feel like we have a clear favorite yet. Cornelius Johnson would be ideal. If we strike out, getting an elite outsider receiver or 2 becomes becomes imperative next year.
TE: Possibly Darius Robinson is a take although I’d like to see this lower on our priority list.
OL: Looks like we might just have Keegan wrapped up, giving us a very good OL class. Trente Jones has shot up the rankings lately as well. Will be interesting to see if Dawand Jones is a take as well. Not highly rated but picking up some big offers late. 3 late crystal balls for UM.
Defense:
DL: Harrison is the prize now that it appears Karliftas is solid to Purdue. Feel like we have a good shot. Late offer to 4 star DT Ellies who appears to have some interest.
LB: Kalen Deloach and Anthony Solomon both appear to be high up on our list. Not sure if we would take both or not, depending how the numbers work out.
Bottom line, looks like we will close pretty strong on an already very good class that has a chance to be an elite class.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:06 PM ^
Yes, MOAR Swim Lanes please!
December 6th, 2018 at 1:08 PM ^
I'm not so sure on Harrison. Still think he ends up at osu just because. Crouch is pretty much a done deal for Clemson. Deloach would be a good get and I think we have a real shot. Brohm is annoying for staying at Purdue. I hope we just get some nice, speedy talent to finish off this class regardless of position.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:13 PM ^
I didn’t mention Crouch because I think everyone feels he’s not coming here. As for Harrison, I’d say we should still feel good until some crystal balls that mean something start flipping the other way. Even without Harrison, it’s a great DL haul.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:18 PM ^
I agree with you, I'm just usually more of a negative guy because it's more fun to be one.
otoh, I really wanted Crouch in this class. I think he would've been a day 1 starter and taken over for Bush. I thought he was more important than Harrison.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:44 PM ^
Sincerely curious here...
Why do you consider it "more fun" to be a negative person?
December 6th, 2018 at 1:49 PM ^
More of scarcasm. If we're being sincere with each other, I don't think it's fun to be negative
December 6th, 2018 at 8:17 PM ^
You can be sarcastic and fun...at least that’s what people tell me...maybe to make me feel better because they think I am a negative person. I don’t know.
December 6th, 2018 at 3:18 PM ^
If you take the answer from John U Bacon, then its probably because “they aren’t happy unless they are unhappy” meaning no matter how good things are going there is still going to be a group in the fan base who is going to the complain come hell or high water about something, no matter how small of a thing it is they are bitching about
December 6th, 2018 at 1:45 PM ^
Why is it fun to be negative?
December 6th, 2018 at 2:30 PM ^
It makes it easier to enjoy songs by The Smiths.
December 6th, 2018 at 4:11 PM ^
I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
But heaven knows I'm miserable now
December 7th, 2018 at 2:06 PM ^
ahh so that's why Morrissey is so insufferable.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:30 PM ^
Agreed - Hinton and Smith will probably contribute to the rotation as true freshman. Of course, Harrison would as well if we can land him.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:52 PM ^
I believe both Hinton and Smith are enrolling early so I can see them on the 3-deep. Harrison though is raw and I wouldn’t be surprised if we decide to redshirt him especially if Vilain can get healthy.
December 6th, 2018 at 2:19 PM ^
I'll eat a lemon if he redshirts anywhere in the country.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:38 PM ^
Harrison helps our DL stay at the elite level. If he goes to the enemy then they are just that much more loaded. Our OL is fine but not world beaters next year. Warriner got us to another level but obviously not to the point where we are imposing our will on great DLs.
December 6th, 2018 at 2:10 PM ^
I expect the OL to improve next year. I think Runyon flips to RT and Mayfield becomes the next great LT at Michigan. I think the interior will also improve as everyone returns and takes the next step. We may. Otbe elite but I expect us to be very good
December 6th, 2018 at 1:48 PM ^
BPONE bro....BPONE.
December 6th, 2018 at 2:48 PM ^
WOTS (per Sam Webb) is that Harrison cooled on Michigan after watching the team get DEEEEEESTROYED by OSU.
December 6th, 2018 at 3:16 PM ^
Cooled is pretty strong in this case. He said that it gave Harrison pause and the coaches have gone multiple times in home to assuage his fears. It also gave the vocal pro OSU crowd in his circle more ammo to talk about. Harrison is also more close with Michigan commits and current players according to Webb. Even with all that, it’s still a bit of a toss up but slight edge to Michigan probably.
December 6th, 2018 at 11:55 PM ^
Harrison will be a tough pull at this point. That game basically proved all of his shit talking family and friends right. Appreciate Sam Webb’s honesty as always. Bottom line, you gotta do it on the field to get elite talent. Sucks, but it is what it is.
December 7th, 2018 at 12:50 PM ^
That's a little strong I think. I'm sure if a 5 star grew up 20 minutes from the Big House, he'd have some friends and family in his ear if he was between OSU and Michigan
December 6th, 2018 at 3:37 PM ^
My understanding is that's an exaggeration of what Sam said which was that the loss raised some questions and concerns that needed to be answered but I thought there might be some optimism that Michigan had recovered. Did I miss some follow up bad events?
December 6th, 2018 at 4:10 PM ^
Nope, you summed it up nicely.
December 6th, 2018 at 8:53 PM ^
Did he cool on OSU after watching them get DEEEEESTROYED even worse by Purdue?
December 6th, 2018 at 5:47 PM ^
Harrison is probably more likely to go to OSU now that the douchebag is gone.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:10 PM ^
Need Harrison so badly!!!!!!!!
Keegan is a great get. Really thought he was heading down south..
December 6th, 2018 at 1:17 PM ^
So Anthony Solomon. Is he a silent commit? Are we waiting on Deloach before his commitment is accepted? His name came out of nowhere, and seems like you don't hear much about him again.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:20 PM ^
Don't forget about Crouch and Eichenberg at LB. Seems like we're gonna take at least 2 more there. Also Danielson Ike at OT.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:29 PM ^
Crouch - Clemson
Eichenberg - OSU (not sure if recent news changes this)
December 6th, 2018 at 2:05 PM ^
Not sure if either are complete locks tho. Whenever you're in the top 2, there's a chance. Certainly worthy of being on the board, but maybe with a disclaimer that Michigan's running second.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:27 PM ^
Over at Rivals, UM's class is currently ranked #8 while OSU is #18. Ryan Day has his work cut out for him ... that is not a strong position going into the Dec 22 signing date.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:32 PM ^
It's because UM's class has so many players? On 247, UM's average rating is 90.1 while OSU's is 92.3 (pretty close)
December 6th, 2018 at 1:54 PM ^
Yes, OSU has only 15 commits ... about 10 short of probable need. Also, there is a dearth of defensive commits - only 4 on the list. It is not a good class so far.
December 6th, 2018 at 2:00 PM ^
Wow. They need to take 25 and are only at 15 as of now? Seems like a lot of ground to make up.
December 6th, 2018 at 2:05 PM ^
yeah urban really mailed it in this year on the recruiting trail.
December 7th, 2018 at 12:23 PM ^
They actually are at 17. They got Eichenberg yesterday, and they also got a punter last week, whom doesn't show on any of the sites, I believe because he may gray-shirt. But it's definitely a weak class compared to the past several years, no doubt. Defense is their biggest need, and as stated, they have few defensive commits, and of the ones they do have, one is rumored as a strong flip candidate
December 6th, 2018 at 11:59 PM ^
They’ll get 7 more 4/5 star types in the next week or two. BPONE is a bitch.
December 6th, 2018 at 6:36 PM ^
True. But one of the drawbacks of a small class is that you have less margin for error. If just a couple of guys disappoint or wash out that can cause some serious problems for a football program.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:50 PM ^
Small class so far. I don’t get why people get so hung up the ranking, the average player rating is more important.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:59 PM ^
Over time it really matters and impacts team depth. They only have one DL commit, that is shocking. Strong indication Schiano is likely out and the rumors on Larry Johnson to Maryland as their new DC could have merit. Recruits are so plugged into this stuff, way better than any of us as their high school coaches have great insider contacts.
December 7th, 2018 at 12:16 PM ^
DT wasn't really a need for them this cycle, it's been rumored they would only take 1, if that. DE is another story, and they definitely are struggling there with only Potter. Harrison of course is the big fish, but I've seen nothing to indicate he will end up at OSU. I'm sure they will find a player or two on the DL still, but more than likely fallback options. It's also rumored that Stover could add weight and move to the DL.
December 6th, 2018 at 2:07 PM ^
In general, it's easier to have a high average rating with a small class. It this specific case, OSU started very strong, like past seasons, but has been stalled for months. They will have a very hard time filling their class while maintaining near that high average. I expect they're going to look to flip some middling ranked recruits.
December 6th, 2018 at 3:21 PM ^
Almost as if recruits had a feeling Urban may bail...Like someone said coaches have pretty good sources.
December 6th, 2018 at 1:28 PM ^
My understanding as of today is as follows:
D-Line: Harrison (50/50 with OSU), Darius Robinson (Not sure if he's a take? Is he being recruited as TE like OP said?), D'Von Ellies (recent offer - playing from behind on this one)
LB: Kalen DeLoach (FSU Commit, battle there with FSU and others), Crouch (all but gone to Clemson), (edit:forgot Solomon) Anthony Solomon
Secondary: Josh Sanguinetti (Haven't heard much about him lately though), Jamal Hill (no CB predictions)
O-Line: Keegan (Lead for his CB), Danielson Ike (in it, not sure where he's leaning yet), Dawand Jones (maybe fall back if we miss on one or both of above?)
RB: Probably done even with Grey decommitting though they did put a late flyer out to the App St commit
QB: - Done
TE - Pretty much out of it for any top guys - looks like done here
WR: Kyle Ford (in his top 5 but likely staying out West), Cornelius Johnson, Jaylen Ellis (Baylor commit, TX has his CB), Trevon Raphael (hold his CB but may not be comittable yet?
I'd bet we take 1-2 on the D-Line, 1-2 on the O-Line, 1 WR, and 1 more from the LB/Secondary level. Likely 4-5 more recruits?
December 6th, 2018 at 1:50 PM ^
Darius Robinson is being recruited as a TE. Also watch out for a kid named Sam Snyder. Low star rating but recently picked up some big name offers because he’s 6’5 and runs a 4.6. He was a OT before his senior year and gave TE a shot in his last year. Coach Moore visited him last week and he has a visit scheduled next week I believe.
DL also includes Jared Harrison-Hunte but he may be locked in for Miami (YTM).
LB also includes Anthony Solomon. Possibly for Viper.
I don’t think we’re recruiting anymore for the secondary.
Agreed on the rest.
I think we are most likely in the mix for Cornelius Johnson or Jaylen Ellis. I think Trevon Raphael may have grade issues to overcome.
December 6th, 2018 at 2:56 PM ^
My take:
top priorities - 5 spots
WDE - Harrison
Viper/LB - DeLoach or Solomon, sounds like DeLoach is getting recruited harder
LB - Crouch
OT - Keegan, others are backup plans, will make sure to take one
WR - want one, several good prospects, but none we're leading for
if there's room - may not be takes until they have an official visit
TE - Late offers to Darius Robinson and the Louisville commit Snyder. Could really want to add one, could be an either/or with WR. Erick All could possibly take the place of a tall WR on the roster. Could just take Robinson and find a place for him. In any case, I think we'll find a way to take one.
DT - Ellies and there is another offer out that's sounds like a long shot
RB - one late offer but Williams has a lot of suitors
I think Robinson is the only one sure to commit out of this group.
Luxuries and probably long shots, but it might be hard to turn down a couple of the prospects they are in on if there's room.
one more of those OTs
one more of the WRs
both DeLoach and Solomon
December 6th, 2018 at 4:54 PM ^
I admittedly don't follow recruiting too closely, especially not during the season. I thought Crouch loved his visit to UM and we had a legitimate shot. What changed? Was it just the OSU game?
December 6th, 2018 at 7:26 PM ^
No he had an official to Clemson right after he came here. Sam Webb and others sort of expected that to put them back in the lead and that the in home visits would maybe turn the tide one way or another. His recruitment is a lot like Harrison even though he’s not growing up in the same town as Clemson. Clemson is king in the Carolinas and while he likes Michigan and his mentor/former coach made a good case for Michigan the easy choice is Clemson and that seems to be more or less the conclusion. OSU game assuredly didn’t help but this was feeling like a Clemson lean before The Game.
December 6th, 2018 at 11:02 PM ^
As hard as it is for me to believe it is so I somehow think Harrison ends up at Michigan. If he was going to OSU he would have said so at or near his original commit date...way back in September-wasn't it?
I am really curious who the OL that is visiting tomorrow is...who is committed elsewhere and does not want to be identified at this time. Is it Trente Jones' 5 ***** teammate Wanya Morris???
I think Keegan, Ike or Jones end up with the good guys.
I think DeLoach is going to end up at Michigan...and that is a very good thing.
I believe there is a very good chance that Robinson gets added to the TE room and Cornelius to the WR room.
Oh! and I would be most happy to get the Williams kid from Miami to run alongside Charbonnet.
That would be a whale of a class...would take it to 27-29 recruits...not sure how that get fleeced out.