Cornerback recruiting
Ohio State just picked up a commitment from 2021 4 star WR Marvin Harrison Jr (sorry to those who now feel old). Between the 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 classes OSU has now signed 10 top-100 WR recruits:
Julian Flemming (#3 overall, 2020), Garrett Wilson (#29 overall, 2019), Jameson Williams (#82 overall, 2019), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (#57 overall, 2020), Gee Scott (#64 overall, 2020), Mookie Cooper (#78 overall, 2020), Marvin Harrison Jr (#54 overall, 2021), Jayden Ballard (#74 overall, 2021), Jaelen Gill (#30 overall, 2018), Kamryn Babb (#73 overall, 2018)
In that same time frame UM's cornerback recruiting has consisted of the following:
Gemon Green (#382 overall, 2018), Vincent Green (#700 overall, 2018), DJ Turner (#400 overall, 2019), Jalen Perry (#200 overall, 2019), Andre Seldon (#221 overall, 2020), and the now departed Myles Sims (#170 overall, 2018)
I'm having a hard time seeing how this is not going to be a major problem going forward in our match-ups with OSU. Michigan has been lucky to sign a string of top rated corners like Jourdan Lewis, LaVert Hill, Ambry Thomas, and David Long recently but that well is almost dried up. Thoughts? Comments? Concerns?
October 31st, 2019 at 12:22 PM ^
Why you gotta bring me down?
October 31st, 2019 at 12:32 PM ^
This is why understanding "rankngs" is key.
Right now the "services" are terrible at WR evaluations as only 1 out of 3 5 * even get drafted lately. On the flip side DB evaluations are right behind DL as the most successful.
Plus lots of 3* and 4* get drafted and Zordich seems to coach them up better than most.
October 31st, 2019 at 12:47 PM ^
I'm having a hard time seeing how this is not going to be a major problem going forward in our match-ups with OSU.
OSU generally has the favorable recruiting ranking for matchups at most positions. It has been and will continue to be a problem unless we can out recruit them. We won't be able to cover their WRs. We won't be able to block their DEs. Our d-line won't be able to generate pressure. And, our safeties and LBs won't be able to stay with their TEs and RBs. Our WRs were able to make some catches last year against their top CBs, but not enough to keep up with their offense. This is what is. We must out recruit them, but it's hard to do that when you never beat them and have less in-state talent. Maybe player compensation will change things idk?
October 31st, 2019 at 1:09 PM ^
One look at NFL CB's having success (sticking in the league) makes you realize that recruiting stars out of HS is not everything. Some even went to Rutgers.
October 31st, 2019 at 1:19 PM ^
It is going to be a major problem and frankly I'm not sure how our CB recruiting has been so poor given historically the last few years we've had some very good CBs in Jourdan Lewis, Channing Stribling, David Long, Levert Hill, and now Ambry Thomas
October 31st, 2019 at 4:10 PM ^
I honestly can't remember the last time I heard a prospect mention Zordich as someone who was recruiting him hard.
October 31st, 2019 at 1:54 PM ^
We can move Sainristil back to CB.
oh shit forgot wr could be a big issue next year too
October 31st, 2019 at 2:11 PM ^
Cornelius Johnson, Sainstril, Jackson, Henning, Bell, Wilson...Yeah, a real problem.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:22 PM ^
And Black, too.
October 31st, 2019 at 4:11 PM ^
Excluding Bell, how many catches do the rest of those guys have? Counting on a bunch of freshman and true freshman isn't a key to success.
October 31st, 2019 at 2:23 PM ^
Winning 5 and high 4 star recruits outside Ohio on a basis consistent with OSU is the one factor our program needs to somehow match going forward if we plan to turn the tide.
Increasingly confident JH has found a college offense that will work for us in a way we haven't had for 20 years, joining OSU in the world of playing 11 vs 11.
Confident Don Brown keeps learning and adjusting and will put our D in the best position to win now.
All we need now to turn the tide on this rivalry is to match OSU on the recruitment trail, and for whatever reason, that third key factor appears now to be the one we are slacking on.
Someone start paying these kids for their likeness in a Michigan helmet.