Favorite 2012 recruit position group?
Now that the amazing 2012 class is officially complete, I'm curious which 2012 recruiting class position group is everyone's favorite. I'm lumping the TEs in with the WRs to give them a chance. Here are my thoughts.
OL: Magnuson, Kalis, Bars, Braden
Helps 1st tr: Kalis or Braden, not both
Potential/likely all Big Ten: All of them
Potential star: Kalis, Magnuson
WR/TE: Darboh, Chesson, Funchess, Williams
Help 1st year: Darboh, Funchess, Williams
Potential/likely All Big Ten: Darboh, Funchess, Williams
Potential star: Darboh, Funchess (mismatch against LBs/safeties will be fun to watch)
DL: Pipkins, Wormley, Henry, Godin, Ojemudia, Strobel
Help 1st year: Pipkins, Wormley
Potential/likely All Big Ten: Pipkins, Strobel, Wormley, Ojemudia
Potential star: Pipkins, Ojemudia
LB: Ross, Bolden, Jenkins-Stone, Ringer
Help 1st year: Bolden, Ross
Potential/likely All Big Ten: Ross, Bolden, Jenkins-Stone
Potential star: Ross, Bolden, Jenkins-Stone
DB: Richardson, Wilson, Clark, Gant
Help 1st year: Richardson, Wilson
Potential/likely All Big Ten: Richardson, Wilson (also like Clark)
Potential star: Richardson, Wilson
I've left off the RBs since they don't measure up to the rest of the positions, but it will be fun to see what Borges does with Norfleet.
I think one could make a case for DL, LB and OL given both the talent, depth and need. It's hard to go against the three likely stars at LB, but I'm going with the DL. Pipkins elite talent at such a position of need along with such high end depth with 6 recruits and 4-5 players with All Big Ten or better potential puts the DL at the top. I also think Ojemudia will be awesome after a couple years.
February 28th, 2012 at 9:22 PM ^
Trying to fix formatting.
Got it. Better now.
February 28th, 2012 at 9:21 PM ^
February 28th, 2012 at 9:25 PM ^
toward the whol defensive side of the ball. But linebackers with Joe Bolden's great flowing locks is where I am most excited about posistion wise.
February 28th, 2012 at 9:26 PM ^
all of them are future potential All Americans.
February 28th, 2012 at 9:28 PM ^
The linebackers are stacked Bolden, Ringer, Jenkins-Stone, Ross.
February 28th, 2012 at 9:28 PM ^
The DL/LB groups are by far the most likely to succeed at a high level, but I'll cast my vote for the WRs. Both Chesson and Darboh are pretty fast, with great hands and great size. But what makes them my favorite is their similar backgrounds and top notch character. Theyre guys ESPN will run pregame features on, and have impartial fans say "that's great, I think I'll root for Michigan in this game."
February 28th, 2012 at 9:31 PM ^
WHEN WE WON THE 1997 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WE HAD 3 GOOD TE'S!! THATS WHAT WE NEEDED THE MOST! FUNCHESS COULD BE A STUD!
February 28th, 2012 at 9:38 PM ^
some kid from Fremont Ross, Ohio named Charles Woodson. Love the TE's but Chuck kinda had a lot more to do with the results of 1997.
February 28th, 2012 at 10:21 PM ^
Shhhhhh...
February 28th, 2012 at 9:33 PM ^
I'm just glad this wasn't an easy decision with several position groups looking strong.
February 28th, 2012 at 9:37 PM ^
I love the story of both WRs and I love the versitility of the TEs.
February 28th, 2012 at 9:48 PM ^
Damn was that an impressive class. Forget who we missed on late and look at what we got. The future is looking bright.
February 28th, 2012 at 9:51 PM ^
no doubt about it. The coaches are my favorite group.
February 29th, 2012 at 12:43 AM ^
You hit the nail on the head. It is an amazing class, even without the late additions. And it's scary how good the 2013 class already looks. If Hoke, Mattison, and Borges can pull off 11 wins with last year's roster...am I stupid to believe we actually could upset 'Bama?
February 29th, 2012 at 1:35 AM ^
Optimistic though. The coaches did a great job and really overachieved. That being said, last year's schedule was not very difficult. We did not have to play an Alabama caliber team last season. The only thing that came close were ND, VT and MSU, especially since it was an away game.
February 29th, 2012 at 2:08 PM ^
Just remember that most teams don't have to play Alabama caliber teams. Even next year if we win it will be just because the Tide lost so many players to the NFL. Actually I think we have a good shot at that game because they most likely won't be the same caliber team they were last year with so many new starters.
February 29th, 2012 at 10:58 PM ^
Optimistic for sure. What's crazy is that a month ago, I would never have even considered that we had a realistic shot. Now, I feel like this staff can do just about anything. It was one thing to pick-up that amazing '12 class, but our '13 class looks to be even better, and it's not even March yet.
'Bama will be a very tough game, but like I said, it feels good to even have a glimmer of hope.
February 28th, 2012 at 9:51 PM ^
No doubt, linebackers. Love the potential on all 4
February 28th, 2012 at 9:59 PM ^
For me, definately the LBs. Very talented across the board.
February 28th, 2012 at 10:03 PM ^
This class has some crazy talent. The TEs have some unique skills and should become special players. The OL is the best in a long time and should be fantastic. But those LBs . . . they are going to be scary good. In three years I expect to hear Chris Spielman say that there is just no way to game plan for those guys, his voice cracking and maybe a little tear welling up as he contemplates the beating these men will deliver to his band of felonious nuts.
February 28th, 2012 at 10:08 PM ^
LBs for me, and its not particularly close. Such a strong group top to bottom and at a position of great need. I played LB in high school so I am admitedly a bit biased.
February 28th, 2012 at 10:15 PM ^
Go out and start a thread. Drink some bourbon, make some bad decisions.
February 28th, 2012 at 10:18 PM ^
Hahaha, cheers to that.
February 28th, 2012 at 10:34 PM ^
This is what happens when I watch Unforgiven. The last 20 minutes are as good as it gets. I basically expect this class of LBs to be just like William Munny. They will walk into opposing stadiums, look at the opposing offense and say, "Any man don't want to get killed, better clear on out the back."
(Of course, the are Michigan men, so they will clean up the grammar, but you get the idea.)
February 29th, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^
...on the last 20 minutes of "Unforgiven." William Munny drunk is a hall-of-fame badass. "Deserves got nothin' to do with it"
On topic...the guy in the 2012 class that goes on to the best pro career will be Ben Braden. Book it.
February 28th, 2012 at 10:26 PM ^
I would have to say the strong defensive line group is my choice. While the linebacking group can certainly make a very strong case the deciding factor for me is Ondre Pipkins. If Pipkins can perform like we hope Michigan has a very good shot at the Big Ten Championship, and if not there is a chance for a disappointing season. I also heard he does a pretty good Brady Hoke impression :D
February 28th, 2012 at 10:35 PM ^
the potential stars category too. The kid has the drive and work ethic that can seperate you from the pack. Just looking at his conditioning, his weight gain, and his aim to skip redshirting. That said I'm fired up about them all, seriously.
February 28th, 2012 at 10:40 PM ^
Having said all that, Darboh is my favorite individual because of his story and I hope he becomes an all American.
February 28th, 2012 at 10:46 PM ^
February 28th, 2012 at 10:57 PM ^
February 28th, 2012 at 11:04 PM ^
Gotta go with the 'backers. Looking forward to how fun it is going to be to watch these guys run loose. Ross at WLB.....and the "Flow Bros." (yeah I just coined that) with Bolden at MLB next to Ryan (current SAM) for a couple years. Then, I can see Bolden moving to SAM with his Tremendous coverage skills mixed with his violent blitz abilities and RJS coming in at MLB.
February 29th, 2012 at 8:09 AM ^
February 28th, 2012 at 11:06 PM ^
I'm going with the DL. We could see all four starters from that group in a couple years, and it would be devastating. Strobel, Pipkins, Wormley and Ojemudia with Godin and Henry as subs. That's a DL that could win a Big Ten championship, and they're all in the same recruiting class.
February 28th, 2012 at 11:12 PM ^
I'll rank them in the order I am pleased. But really, I'm pleased with the whole class.
- DL
- LB
- OL
- WR
- DB
February 28th, 2012 at 11:38 PM ^
I think the LB corps will be something spectacular in a couple of years. After that the O-line and WRs are going to be fun to watch especially when Shane M. starts tossing bombs down the sidelines.
February 28th, 2012 at 11:50 PM ^
Brady and Greg M want to rotate 8 players throughout the game. To do that they need a get a lot of frosh playing time from this group. They get my vote.
February 28th, 2012 at 11:58 PM ^
Gut feeling but think Bolden will be a great all-around player and leader, & he Ross and RJS will run the B10 for a couple of (jr-sr) years.
February 29th, 2012 at 12:01 AM ^
I'll keep my vote simple, DL
February 29th, 2012 at 1:16 AM ^
Linebackers. What I like best about that group is that they don't seem like a bunch of guys who are highly rated because they'll eventually develop into top NFL draft picks. They seem like a bunch of guys who are highly rated because they'll be really damn good college football players. In other words, they aren't just athletic freaks who might or might not develop; they're instinctive, smart players with the size and speed necessary to be high impact guys at the college level.
February 29th, 2012 at 1:35 AM ^
Any good team is built from the Inside out. So for me it has to be the O-Line, Additions of Braden and Kalis appear to be looking to skip RS year to help build the depth up front.
Pipkins is the X-factor for me on the D-line, if he steps in like he should I only see him hanging around 3 years so the depth of the rest of the class at D-line is huge in my opinion.
I am quite happy with the class as a whole, addressed many needs!
1. Oline
2.Dline
3.LB
4.WR
5.DB
February 29th, 2012 at 5:23 AM ^
February 29th, 2012 at 7:46 AM ^
I love the LB's. Admittedly, I don't know enough about Bars to truly compare the OL guys collectively, but I love the Kalis, Mags, Braden trio! Obviously, the 13' OL group is stellar but I'm just as excited to see how their being here pushes the 12' OL group. Watching this is going to be fun!
February 29th, 2012 at 8:35 AM ^
I love the background and work ethic of our Darboh and Chesson. I also like that Funchess and Williams are on opposite ends of the size spectrum for TE but I have a feeling they will both have huge impacts on the team (the team, the team!). That said, I don't think you could go wrong chosing any of the position groups. Good luck men. Can't wait to see the early enrollees in the Spring Game.
February 29th, 2012 at 11:04 AM ^
Linebackers. That is all.
February 29th, 2012 at 11:54 AM ^
would like to have a word with you about your feelings on his future potential as a Michigan WR.
February 29th, 2012 at 3:07 PM ^
I don't think we have two All-Big Ten players at each position in this one class. That's absurd optimism. I'm sure there are some breakout talents here, potentially even All-Americans (I'm looking at you, Pee-Wee), but they don't award conference or national honors for best in class. They do it for best in the country or conference.
My favorite position group?....It's a tie- Offense AND defense!! Hoke for President 2012!!!
Linebackers