Any recruiting updates?
It was awesome that we had so many highly rated recruits here for the Washington game, and great to see the response they had to Michigan.
I just happened to check out the 2022 recruiting board (listed under "useful stuff," for those of you who are unaware.) Seth last updated this board as of July 12, 2021.
I'm wondering if Josh Conerly should be shifted from "Data" to "Happy Teeth." Also wondering if Domani Jackson should be moved from "Nefarious Eduardo" to "Data" or "Happy Teeth." Both of them at least expressed quite a bit of optimism for Michigan after their visit for the Washington game.
Magnus does a great job keeping up with weekly visitors over at his website Touch the Banner. (Thank you Magnus, and check it out if you haven't already.)
At this point, I'm wondering 3 things:
- Beyond Conerly and Jackson, are there any other highly ranked high school kids who have expressed interest in Michigan, given our start to the year?
- How are things going in our areas of biggest need? It seems to me that you can never have enough good guys on the DL, and also at CB. Where else is there significant need?
- Given the performance of the OL and the running game this year, are there RB's and OL who are now considering Michigan?
I'm certainly hoping that Michigan continues to win and win and win, and that this solidifies recruiting for us in this cycle. Coaches are critical, but you're only as good as the talent on the field takes you.
September 23rd, 2021 at 4:19 PM ^
Recruiting update: Winning is good. Cash is good. Beat Rutger.
September 23rd, 2021 at 4:24 PM ^
To get them to come:
September 23rd, 2021 at 4:27 PM ^
I bit and went for one of the discounted VIP subscriptions at 247. The vibe on the three big targets (Conerly, Jackson, and Nolen) is that Conerly is most likely in the class (may even be a silent commit at this point), Jackson is still 50/50 at best, Nolen unlikely to make it.
They're all fluid situations though, and I think they (and many others) are waiting to see how the season plays out for Michigan. If Michigan keeps winning and it becomes apparent that Harbaugh will remain employed beyond this year, then I think we'll start to see some dominoes fall.
Other than that, there have been a handful (4 or 5, I think) of crystal ball projections within the last week for various 3-star recruits.
September 23rd, 2021 at 4:34 PM ^
I think the odds on the first 2 are more than should be. I would not say Conerly is most likely in the class or a silent. But i would say we lead. Jackson is not 50/50. At this point i would say we have a good shot though - probably 33% chance.
September 23rd, 2021 at 4:41 PM ^
Sam Webb, Brice Marich, and Steve Lorenz were discussing on the Michigan Recruiting Insider how Walter Nolen's mom made mention of one or a handful of Michigan fans at the Washington game who were essentially harassing Walter and his family asking them "why are you even here?" since we weren't on his top 3 list. Our fans really can be dumb as rocks
September 23rd, 2021 at 5:45 PM ^
I've listened to Sam describe that situation involving the Nolens at the Washington game on several occasions, and every time Webb has emphasized that it was just one knucklehead who asked Walter why he was visiting Michigan if we weren't in his top 3.
He's also reiterated each time that Nolen's mom stated emphatically that the reception by Michigan fans was overwhelmingly positive.
This doesn't mean that we're in the lead for him, but Michigan fans shouldn't be making more out of one knucklehead than is warranted. If we don't get Nolen, it won't be because of one knucklehead.
All that said, that guy was a knucklehead.
September 23rd, 2021 at 6:59 PM ^
We've got dozens of knuckleheads who regularly post on this message board.
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:02 PM ^
Yes unfortunately even Michigan has its share of knuckleheads for fans
September 24th, 2021 at 8:04 AM ^
I would have to counter this and say we have a way higher allocation of knuckleheads than most schools. How many other fanbases would whine and cry about running the ball at will against an opponent. Every team has armchair quarterbacks but we are by far the leaders with "experts" who couldn't run a middle school team.
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:04 PM ^
Yes unfortunately even Michigan has its share of knuckleheads for fans
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:24 PM ^
Did that same fool ask Domani why he was here when he’s committed to USC? Do simpletons want the coaches to be great recruiters, or do they want them to give up on elite talent when those young men make a commitment somewhere else/make a list and leave us off?
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:52 PM ^
I do think it's notable that she mentioned it though
September 23rd, 2021 at 9:53 PM ^
The probability that 99.9% of their visit was positive , for her to mention that , also says something about her.
September 24th, 2021 at 2:42 AM ^
You have no idea how that came up in conversation w her...nor the accuracy of your 99.9%. Suggesting that any of this says anything about her...is dumb.
September 23rd, 2021 at 5:47 PM ^
Was he wearing green? The knucklehead I mean.
September 24th, 2021 at 3:37 AM ^
That was a perfectly logical question that should've been censored by that guy's social filter which was probably impaired by alcohol.
September 24th, 2021 at 9:37 AM ^
Who you calling rocks?
September 23rd, 2021 at 7:57 PM ^
I've thought about a 247 subscription when they have one of those 75% off sales. But then I read the fin print and you can't press a button to unsubscribe. You have to call them and talk to someone and that's uncomfortable. I'll end up keeping it at a higher price as well as buying into a time share.
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:16 PM ^
You can also just email them to unsubscribe as well
September 23rd, 2021 at 4:32 PM ^
Mason Graham flipped from Boise St.
Multiple crystal balls logged for Conerly, Kenneth Grant, Amorion Walker, and Joshua Josephs to Michigan.
I'd say only get your hopes up for Domani Jackson if USC implodes, Michigan keeps winning, and USC makes a terrible hire or doesn't retain Donte Williams in any fashion.
September 23rd, 2021 at 4:36 PM ^
For Jackson, i would definitely agree with your last sentence. Not retaining him is key.
September 23rd, 2021 at 6:50 PM ^
Sounds like they made him interim HC to keep the class together and Domani in the fold.
September 24th, 2021 at 8:12 AM ^
Sure, but they're not going to hire him permanently just to keep one kid in the class. It buys them time, but time will tell how it plays out.
September 23rd, 2021 at 4:39 PM ^
Damani Dent, safety from Florida, is getting a lot of buzz for Michigan.
A lot of what I've read about Amorion Walker makes him out to be the sleeper of the class, very underrated 6'4 athlete that can play WR and maybe even corner.
September 23rd, 2021 at 5:00 PM ^
Dent is getting a lot of buzz in general right now. His stock is on the rise, just visited UGA and pushed his Oct. 10 commitment date back. He's getting a lot more looks from bigger programs right now
September 24th, 2021 at 6:44 AM ^
With USC's recent history they may just ask Helton to come back (sarcasm I know this won't happen, I'm not an idiot). That dude must have some blackmail material on someone at that University.
September 23rd, 2021 at 4:34 PM ^
CB looks good. Will Johnson is obviously the gem of the class. Then I believe Kody Jones is ticketed for CB as well. Domani would obviously be a boon. Pollard is solid and likely future commit/current ND commit Amorion Walker could play WR or CB.
DL is coming together. Mason Graham just committed and he seems like he'll be a solid contributor. He's tearing up his HS league right now and will rise in the rankings. Kenneth Grant and Deone Walker are two potential NTs that both are assumed to end up in the class. Mario Eugenio is a commit and he looks good. Walter Nolen is the prize of course but unlikely.
Most RBs are committed so if something happens there it's no known right now. Considering we have Edwards and Corum with lots of eligibility its not a huge need in this class.
Ultimately the 2023 class will be more affected by the current results.
September 24th, 2021 at 6:46 AM ^
I think it's important to mention Mason is tearing it up in high school for one of the top ranked in the country playing other California powerhouse programs. He doesn't play for Essexville-Garber. You see what I did there?
September 24th, 2021 at 10:47 PM ^
Well played.
September 24th, 2021 at 9:29 AM ^
Was just listening to Sam’s Recruiting Podcast. They brought up a very interesting point about the RB position. What happens if Corum continues to have a great season and decides to leave early. The same for Edwards next year. There needs to be at least one more RB added to this class and DeAnthony Gatson who just decommitted from USC seem to be high on their list.
September 23rd, 2021 at 5:04 PM ^
My 2cents...
Dillon Tatum -- We are almost certainly going to lose out on Dillon (4* athlete/safety from W. Bloomfield) as he tweeted that he is going to announce next week. It will almost certainly be MSU. My understanding is that M wanted him but cut-ties about 1 month back as they had given him every chance to commit (he may have even been a silent when Mo L. was still on staff) and finally decided to move on. You can tell the approximate date by looking at when all the CBs switched from M to MSU.
High ranked prospects - I think outside of those others have mentioned above, most of the remaining 2022 signees are going to be late-risers or kids the staff feel are under-ranked. Exceptions would be Dione Walker (likely), the 4* WR from KY that was in for UW (less likely), and the high 4* LB from Utah that is like a 4x legacy to UofU (least likely).
Where you ARE seeing positive momentum is with top kids is 2023 and beyond. M is seemingly in good shape with many top kids in '23 and '24 including QB, WR, and RB. - IF M closes out the season well and it is clear that Harbaugh and his new staff are "safe" I think you will see excellent trends next year and beyond.
September 23rd, 2021 at 5:26 PM ^
That's a really good point, Re: The late-risers and under-ranked
Recruiting rankings are going to be even more dubious outside of the clear top tier of players because of last year. So many players didn't play seasons last year there are going to be a lot of diamonds in the rough if schools have good scouting departments.
September 23rd, 2021 at 6:32 PM ^
I do believe that the rankings are going to be less reliable and/or "late" as scouts actually get a chance to see these kids.
My primary thought is that this year was always going to be a difficult class for M to make "elite" (despite likely 2 to 4 5-stars). The new coaching staff had very limited existing relationships AND there was the looming question of Harbaugh's future.
With time to cultivate recruits in '23 and beyond and what appears to be a very positive trajectory for the team/staff things should take-off.
September 23rd, 2021 at 6:52 PM ^
I kinda like Tatum at RB.
Lander Barton is the Utah LB. figured he’d be a hard pull and it seemed like after the dust settles on his official, the Spurlock mentions increased. Sounds like a plan A was a long shot did as well as they could on the visit but dude wasn’t leaving Utah no matter what.
September 23rd, 2021 at 5:53 PM ^
Rundown:
- QB: we aren't happy with just Denegal and are looking to add 4* Cal decommit Justyn Martin, though UCLA and Ole Miss probably lead. He may visit this weekend
- RB: set with CJ Stokes
- WR: Tyler Morris is rehabbing and transferred high schools so he can enroll early in January. Tay'Shawn Trent is a maybe to stay in the class but is working his way back and we'll take him if we can. We now lead for ND commit Amorion Walker and want him at WR. We'd probably like a slot as well but no names stick out
- TE: set with our two commits. Oscar Delp isn't happening and will stay south.
- OL: we lead for 5* Josh Conerly who may be a silent already. Sounds like Connor Jones will stick, and Mark Nabou will go elsewhere.
- DL: New commit Mason Graham is rising (recently received a USC offer), and is now a high 3* on 247. We still lead for Deone Walker who is now a 4* on 247. NT Kenneth Grant is also a 4* on 247 and is expected to commit soon. Chasing Walter Nolen but that's probably unrealistic.
- EDGE: we lead for Joshua Josephs who is now a 4* on 247. Nothing new on Henry or Eugenio. Henry is a boom or bust who on3 has in the Top 150 overall.
- LB: we'll probably strike out on Lander Barton, so we're bringing Deuce Spurlock on a visit, and he may commit shortly thereafter.
- CB: we're still chasing Domani Jackson, but USC and Alabama are compelling options.
- S: we stopped recruiting Dillon Tatum. We currently lead for Damani Dent, but he is delaying his decision and may stay in the SEC. Other options are Austin Ausberry and Zeke Barry, but we will need to bring them in for officials.
September 23rd, 2021 at 6:16 PM ^
We must get Deuce Spurlock.
September 23rd, 2021 at 7:10 PM ^
In other words
No Updates
September 23rd, 2021 at 8:25 PM ^
A rundown of the vibe from that weekend:
Basically. A lot of kids really liked it but few are ready to jump on anything without knowing this staff will be around. That's the vibe (some have outright said it) so winning games is going to matter a lot more than that visit.
Even a kid like JC may be a silent at this point and they may be back in the race for Domani but if Michigan starts to struggle in conference play they'd lose both, IMO. Michigan has to emphatically make it clear that this staff isn't changing and they have to do that by winning.
Even if UM pulls off a really good season, USC's next HC will almost matter more by deciding if he retains Williams. The vibe I still get is that he's USC's to lose. Retain Williams and you get Domani Jackson. If the new HC is hired in time and he keep Williams, I think it's that simple. Really likes UM but the vibe given off is that he likes USC enough to give them every opportunity to keep him. Then Bama is Bama so who knows but as much as they liked the visit it doesn't seem to be a massive game changer for DJ.
Nolen isn't coming. The entire family clearly likes UM but it isn't happening, not even in that "we'll maybe if we have a good season..." way. Not happening. UM might be his 3rd or 5th choice but the time he signs but they won't be the team he signs with.
The rest that's known and assumed is all stated elsewhere in this thread. Most major gains may be in classes down the road as opposed to this one.