KO Stradivarius

December 16th, 2021 at 3:40 PM ^

Other than Harbaugh = head coach, why are the fingers only pointed at him?  Don't the other staff members bear some responsibility, maybe some of the same coaches that he thanked, if it is indeed true they moved on from him?  Maybe Jim wasn't that involved in his recruitment, and that's why he did not mention him?  It could be that Jim let his defensive coaches make this decision.  So it seems to me the fact that AA does not seem bitter likely means that this event isn't the disaster that we are speculating about.  

Joined: 12/16/2014

MGoPoints: 30650

Don

December 16th, 2021 at 3:01 PM ^

There's nothing in Alexander's tweet that indicates obvious animosity or anger toward the U-M program.

The program is at a disadvantage in that it can't comment on things like grades or other off-field issues that might have impacted this decision, while the high school side is free to take shots if they want.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148371

FauxMo

December 16th, 2021 at 2:20 PM ^

If it turns out they did process him, and Crowell is livid with UM again, I am going to sit he and Coach Harbaugh down and have this conversation with them: 

"Listen, you two have tried. You have come here every week, talked, and tried hard to find common ground. But it's just not working out. Your differences are too profound. For your own good and the good of the children, I would suggest a trial separation. Take some time apart. Think about what you want out of life. In a few recruiting cycles, maybe you two can talk again. With time, healing, and some patience, who knows?" 

Joined: 06/17/2010

MGoPoints: 137585

FauxMo

December 16th, 2021 at 2:41 PM ^

Naturally, I am joking above. I really hope this isn't what it looks like and/or there has been some kind of misunderstanding that is easily fixable. Not only is it a bad look to other schools and Belleville players in the future, but it's also unethical.

Now, if Harbaugh and company made it clear to Crowell and Alexander that this offer was contingent on other players' actions, and they are nevertheless pulling this crap, then it is on them. 

Joined: 06/17/2010

MGoPoints: 137585

bronxblue

December 16th, 2021 at 3:12 PM ^

I still think you shouldn't give a kid a committable offer then in June if you want to make it contingent, especially if it's Belleville.  Alexander is the type of recruit you could jump back into late and likely snag from Marshall or wherever he was headed if the numbers were different, so I don't see how offering him and seemingly taking his commitment but then say "you know, this is still contingent on a bunch of other guys" makes any sense.  

I know this happens a bunch of places a bunch of times and I don't think the world is ending because of it, but FFS Michigan just started to mend fences with this school and then they pulled this crap.  I honestly don't blame Crowell for being pissed - I'd be if one school kept doing this to me.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171780

trustBlue

December 16th, 2021 at 4:22 PM ^

How can an offer be commitable and contingent at the same time? I doubt that is what happened. 

Michigan, like literally every other major programs gives out probably 4-5x then number of offers as players it has room to take.

Almost everyone knows that offerees have a pecking order, and that if you are Plan B or C guy you might be forced to wait and see how things shake out at your position. Everybody knows this. Its how the entire industry works. 

Most of the evidence suggests that Michigan is usually pretty forthcoming in letting players know where they stand in the pecking order. Notwithstanding, im sure must be dissapointing if you are kid who wants to come to Michigan, receives an offer, and then the Plan A and B guys at your position wind up taking your spot. 

So while some hurt feelings are understandle, there's no evidence here to suggest that Michigan was anything other than forthcoming, or that this anything different than the dozens of other guys that UM offers and subsequenty moves on from in every recruiting cycle. 

 

Joined: 04/14/2014

MGoPoints: 8176

schreibee

December 16th, 2021 at 8:53 PM ^

What's "different" in this case is the history with the school. 

Once you accept his commit you have to honor it in the name of building bridges, mending fences, or whichever construction themed analogy you prefer.

If he just wouldn't qualify, or did something un-Michigan which would preclude his admittance, then the "sources" will leak it.

Otherwise? You follow through on your commitment! 

Joined: 11/02/2009

MGoPoints: 21150

smotheringD

December 16th, 2021 at 3:38 PM ^

It's interesting how even once you've made the team, your position as a starter is never totally secured.  Like Coach says your status is as a renter and being the starter and playing time are competed for and earned.  It's a meritocracy.

The coaches are in a tough position making multiple offers, filling positions of need and doing their best to land the best prospects.  Students do the same, oftentimes committing to one school until a better school comes along with their offer, then decommitting.

And I've heard it explained by coaches this way.  If you get a scholarship offer early in the cycle, if you don't improve, if you don't have a great senior year, you can definitely lose it.  What's not stated explicitly, "If we land a top recruit near signing day in your position, you may be out of luck."

And the school may be doing the student a favor so they don't waste their college eligibility sitting on the bench.

It's the ultimate game of musical chairs.

Life can be a bitch, a whore.

Joined: 09/15/2010

MGoPoints: 7606

DMack

December 16th, 2021 at 2:39 PM ^

So this means we are out on all the Belleville kids until someone patches things up? Its bigger than on recruit that got processed (if that's the case) Not exactly catastrophic either but it means Sparty, Ohio, Iowa  . . . are going to be the favorites to land all the kids from Belleville now.. 

Joined: 06/22/2015

MGoPoints: 2743

DMack

December 17th, 2021 at 9:42 AM ^

I think Keyvon Merriweather is the starting CB over at Iowa. He had a good season and played really well in the Big 10 Championship game. I think it depends on your measure of successful. Is it being a starter, making all league, all American, drafted, making an NFL team . . .  He has a little brother that plays varsity there as a freshman DL. He could be a take in a few years. They did just win a state championship too if I'm not mistaken. They are generally a top 10-15 team in the state every year in recent years. 

Joined: 06/22/2015

MGoPoints: 2743

tigerd

December 16th, 2021 at 7:22 PM ^

Last I checked high school athletes don’t need their high school coaches permission to choose a school. Sure the coach can have influence but parents aren’t going to keep their kids from choosing a premier college strictly because the high school coach has a hard on for a particular coach. If Crowell hasn’t figured out yet that recruiting is a two way street, he never will.

Joined: 11/12/2016

MGoPoints: 6470

energyblue1

December 16th, 2021 at 5:06 PM ^

Processed, also didn’t have another p5 offer,, wasn’t even a Mac offer on the table for him.  He might get one.  

Crowell, if he’s angry at Michigan why didn’t he make Myles Rowser stick to his Michigan Commitment?  If he is angry at Michigan for playing this recruiting game he needs to look in the mirror.  Michigan doesn’t owe an athlete a scholarship, esp if they gave him things to do, work on and he didn’t.  And even if he did, it’s part of the game.  The lack of offers from any other p5 or even group of 5 school tells that tale.  Didn’t see Crowell tweeting to Rowser to live up to your commitments..  

Add to that, how many de-commits did Michigan have or flips away?  Exactly, our staff also flipped a few our way after a great season.  

Joined: 03/19/2010

MGoPoints: 5291