Gedeon Visiting??
Scout has a header that points to a possible visit this weekend or soon thereafter by Ben Gedeon. Let the speculation begin. One take is that they prefer Ben to McCray (FWIW so do I) and this could head off a McCray committment. With O'Daniel looking good and Levenberry a strong possibility perhaps we take three LBs in this class rather than the presumed two?
A long way to go but McCray's announcement may have speeded up the process for the linebackers. I have total faith in this coaching staff so whatever Mattison decides is OK with me - can I get an Amen?
When I read your username, I wondered if you were sitting there posting either clothed or naked. But since I cannot see, you are both wearing clothes and in the nude right now. You disgust me for that...
Since no one can see me my superposition was perfect. However I think that you already know what state I was in if no one could see me :-D Dirac be damned, some states don't have a superposition! Now how do I go about proving this theory to 5 sigma so that I can get that Nobel....
I remember last year, everyone was in debate over the number Michigan would take .. leaked reports said a higher number than everyone thought, and no one wanted to believe that we'd take a full class. We did, and in fact, we actually had room for more. This year, I have asked a couple of people, Allen Trieu from Scout.com amongst them, that have all said the same number - that Michigan will take 23, so I am guessing they are recruiting with that number. Just like last year... Anyway, that all said, I can't see -- WITH TEN SPOTS LEFT -- that we do have room for all 4 of these LBs - Levenberry, McCray, Gedeon, and O'Daniel. The only glaring need we need is at WR and RB, which would be about 3 spots. That still leaves 3 spots for a DL or a possible DB, but make no mistake about it - even if Michigan takes all four of these guys, some of which I highly doubt stick at LB, we can still get all that we need. Like last year, I tust HOKE!
A Freakin Men
TGIF
Giddy up, Gedeon.
I think the only person presuming only two LB commits in this class is you, OP. The team needs more top-level LBs and it needs them badly. After this year the team will only have 6 linebackers on the team that seem to have the coaches' trust, and four of them will be first or second year players. Three LBs seem to be the minimum needed.
I forgot Sam Webb knows all.
I don't know how anyone can look at the depth chart starting in 2013 and not think this team needs 3 LBs. I count
Ryan, Morgan, Poole, and the four 2012 freshmen
as players, and then nothing else. Paskorz and Beyer have been moved from LB. They need 3 guys just to have players in the pipeline.
Show me in his post where he says Sam Webb knows all. Please.
You said "I think the only person presuming only two LB commits in this class is you, OP," and the response was "here's one other person who thinks so... and it happens to be one of the most respected sources of Michigan recruiting knowledge."
It doesn't mean Sam and the OP are right (thought I happen to agree with them), but it does mean that it isn't JUST the OP.
jg - why do you always have to come off as a jerk when having these discussions? Can't you have an argument/discussion with someone without being so aggravated? Is it possible that your viewpoint isn't always correct?
Anyway, in 2013, we'll have a possible starting group of Ryan, Morgan and James Ross (totally speculating on that). That means we have Cam Gordon (if he doesn't move to O, which I haven't seen comfirmed anywhere), Poole, Bolden, RJS and Ringer as back ups, not counting the true frosh. None of those guys will be seniors either. Adding two 2013 guys to that group is certainly sufficient.
Here's the other aspect - we have, likely at most, 10 spots left. Outside of LB, we probably need a TE, a WR, a RB, 3 DL, and 2 DBs. That leaves room for 2 LBs, and that's if we get to 23 and if we don't take an extra guy at WR or QB.
How's this - in your opinion jg, which position group would you take fewer guys in order to take the third LB?
I get the feeling that jg is a 50+ year old man that is very set in his way. For example, counting walkons when discussing scholarship numbers.
I know they are not big timers but uhhh Cam Gordon, Mike Jones, and Isaiah Bell are LB's that play at Michigan as well. That would be 10 LB's and only 3 play . . . 2 would be fine with me for 2013.
- 1 QB
- 2 RB/FB
- 5 WR/TE
- 5 OL
- 1 DT
- 1 DE
- 2 LB
- 2 CB
- 1 S
- Best Available
Could that mean 3 LB? Perhaps. But it isn't a position of great need in this class.
IMO - we would take 3 LBs if O'Daniel, Levenberry, and McCray wanted to commit. Throw Gedeon in there as well.
Likely not all of these guys will commit before their senior years, though (prove me wrong!). I would say if we already have 2 in the hand, and Hoke & Co. like what they see from RJS/Ross/Bolden, then we'll probably stand pat at 2. Just my theory.
Forget Ringer.
I expect that our class size will be 23 (your list is 20). Even though LB is not a huge position of need, based upon the mutual interest, I'd love to see us take 3. Especially if one of them is a guy like Gedeon who we can keep away from OSU.
And I really hope we can find a second DT.
ONE DT ??? Seriously??? We lose Campbell and only have Washington and then Ash, Pipkins, Godin. Unless Wormley moves inside, we're still very thin at DT.
I'd expect 2 DTs as well. I was just demonstrating that we can't take everyone we want...
10 spots is a nice number.
We also have Henry.
J. Black is also moving inside to play 3 tech this year.
If we operate under the assumption there will be no decomittments our current class (possible but probably not likely), the "Best Available" spot could go to many different position groups.
Possibilities: (base on players who are visiting or has expressed legitimate interest to visit, all rankings Rivals)
OL: Pocic (#27)
DT: Eddie Vanderdoes (#21) or Henry Poggi (#43) if one or the other commits
S: Su'a Cravens (#5)
LB: Anyone past the first two comitted: Mike McCray (#44), E.J. Levenberry (#15), Dorian O'Daniel (#37), Ben Gedeon (#224)
Obviously most if not all these players can eliminate us from contention at any time but there appears to be a few top 50 players who are being branded the "Best Available" for the 1 available schollie.
Which position group has the most need for the (presumed) 1 schollie available?
I'd give up two scholarships to get Cravens. A 5* rating almost seems too low for him.
Su'a Cravens. I have seen and broken down the film on #2-5 of the rivals ranked players and I have no idea how he isn't #2. He is incredible! Not sure I have seen such an impressive safety film ever. And his running back film is on part with every 5 star running back I've ever seen.
He is #1 on my board that we are in the running for, and its not even close.
Here is a quick list of who I like and want most based upon needs:
1) Su'a Cravens
1a) Su'a Cravens
1b) See Above
2) Isaac or Ford (both are awesome)
3) Treadwell
4) Levenberry (my 2nd favorite player but down here for need)
5) Vanderdoes
6) Hargreaves III (huge longshot)
7) Poggi
8) Fuller
9) Tunsil (longshot)
10) Kalambayi
11) O'Daniel
12) Gedeon or McCray
13) Pocic (probably more likely)
14) Willis
Obviously a ton of other players on the board but I just figured I would put a quick list together based on the film I've seen.
I know you guys don't know why the coaches may want Gedeon over McCray, but what's your reason? Just curious because I don't know much about either of them.
...to judge one of those kids over the other. But I am aware of what a high-character, high-intelligence, high-performing student Ben Gedeon is. That will be a big plus for him. I think his school choices are running almost exclusively toward schools of Michigan's academic caliber. I think that is what is reflected in his offer/interest lists.
Mike McCray is currently listed at 6'4" so is it possible they could be looking at him as a DE ala Frank Clark?
If a 4* kid like McCray (Who holds some pretty impressive offers (Nebraska, Oklahoma) wants to come I doubt they are putting up road blocks.
Not taking another OL should lead you to believe we will take 3 LB's and 3 WR's. One elite DT and Isaac at RB, best available after that. I would rather see another QB than a 6th OL. 4 or 5 a class is the way to balance out a roster. Should a Freshman burn a redshirt then maybe the situation changes but even then, I think our depth is back after this class.
ooops... comment deleted.
If 2 guys commit and Levenberry then decides he wants to come to Michigan, I highly doubt the coaches will turn him away.
Why is that post Flamebait? He's probably correct, they would take Leveberry even if a 3rd LB wasn't ideal. A player of his caliber is not someone you turn away.
It is Flaimbait because of the limited choices for moderation. JG is a bit abrasive, usually only posting to tell someone their comment is dumb. That tends to not sit well with the recipient. If there are enough former recipients of previous JG harangues on board, negative moderation occurs. But fret not, more than likely there will be some who agree with JG's pronouncement of the OP's comment being dumb, and the market will correct itself
If one of JG's previous posts in this thread could have been negged beyond -1, it certainly would have. So there's a carryover effect from that too.
Good to be in a situation where so many talented players possibly want to come to Michigan.
Bad because some players may commit just to hold their spot, and could be a danger to switch late in the process.
Sam said he has a playoff game on Saturday and he could possibly get up here on Sunday so we'll have to see if that happens or not.
Ben is my neighbor and I've known him for a quite a while. I actually coached one of his older brothers in Hudson youth football way back in the 90's when he was only 8! He comes from a terrific family and the kid is an absolute beast. He's big, 6'3" and fast and is exactly the type of LB hat OSU has been churning out down here for a while (Hawk, Laurinatis, Carpenter, etc) and OSU wants him bad. He would be a classic "zero sum gain" pull if we can land him.
Or is he more focused on places like Michigan, Stanford, Duke, Cal...?
His brother plays for Harvard....the quality of education is VERY important to the family. I would be shocked if he didn't end up a school with a higher reputation academically than OSU.
Heh. MGoBlogosphere reach is far larger than one could ever imagine.
Gedeon is criminally underrated by the ranking services. His game is top-50 worthy....he'd be a great addition to the class.