Harbaugh and Ohio

Submitted by Detroit Buckeye on

Being a Detroit-based Buckeye, I tend to follow recruiting for both the Bucks and Wolverines.  I am finding it kind of strange that Michigan does not have any Ohio recruits in this class.  I am not even fully aware of any Ohio guys that they recruited heavily.  I am just curious as to everyone's opinion on this.

1) Urban Meyer has a total lockdown on the state of Ohio ? That seems to be the popular consensus amongst Buckeye fans.

OR

2) Harbaugh hates Ohio so much he doesn't want to spend a lot of time recruiting the state or doesnt want a lot of native Ohioans on the roster ? The claim of some of my Wolverine friends.

I personally think the truth lies somewhere in the middle but maybe a little more heavily weighted towards #1.  Harbaugh is no idiot and would take a good player from Ohio if he were to have the opportunity.  However, I also get the impression that with Urban's current success (against Michigan) & popularity  (in Ohio), Harbaugh has easier pickings nationally and doesnrt need to rely on Ohio as much as Hoke did.

 

 

 

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Mr. Yost

January 25th, 2016 at 9:12 PM ^

Maybe it's neither and he just doesn't see any recruits in the state this year that he feels can help his team?

I think we need a larger sample size.

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Mr. Yost

January 25th, 2016 at 9:26 PM ^

Wasn't that kid pretty much an OSU lock (or even a commit) by the time Harbaugh started recruiting this year's class?

I remember once Harbaugh really started getting into recruiting for 2016 OSU had like 3 of the top 7 RBs in the country. A couple of the top TEs.

He was always playing catch up, so why even go after a kid like that? I don't think there's any question he would have recruited him had he shown any interest...however, if you can get a similar talent elsewhere, why wouldn't you?

Now in 2017, Harbaugh will be on a level playing field with 99% of the other coaches in the country as far as relationships go. I think we can start looking at it then.

This was Michigan's first year...a lot of kids had to take a "wait and see" approach and if you're a 2016 kid that wants to commit early, that leaves you out.

I really don't think Harbaugh hit recruiting full swing until the camps over the summer. And really it won't be until the day after Signing Day where we can say "alright, now everything is even...let's see what happens."

Michigan has a season in the books, they have connections with coaches, they have roles and tape that proves what they're trying to do.

It's not like Harbaugh was coming from Stanford, he was coming from the NFL...so he was out of recruiting for a good bit. I think it's fair to assume that all things are equal now.

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m_go_T

January 25th, 2016 at 11:22 PM ^

There are 49 other states that the overwhellming bias is not against "TTUN" or "scUM."  

In Ohio the natural instict is to hate Michigan.  In decades past, when Michigan was beating OSU every year or at least every other year, a kid could go against the grain, go to Michigan, and hopefully play the spoiler role for all his friends.  But because of the past 13 years, Michigan isn't really the cool pick, rather you would probably be setting yourself up to get razzed by your buddies for three or four out of four years (I am sure Kalis gets it a ton).   My guess is that if you are a high schooler and want to play that role, you go to MSU. If I had to guess in Ohio, the pecking order is OSU, MSU, Michigan.  

Same thing goes for Michigan really.  In Detroit, you see a lot more Spartan gear than Michigan gear.  Also, the contrarian Michigander may now go to OSU (e.g., Webb, Weber).  I think one more solid season for Michigan though, and Harbuagh will lock down Michigan.  I think winning the big ten will go a long way to shoring up DPJ from Cass Tech and re-establishing the Cass/Detroit pipeline.

In the other 48 states, Michigan is still a top notch institution that has went through some bad years.  No one notices outside of Michigan and OSU how bad it actually was because there is really no shame in it.  Alabama had bad years, USC had bad years, Oklahoma had bad years, and now we have some bad years.  Everyone outside of Ohio and Michigan knows that things will go back to normal.  To quote, "It's Michigan."  

Thus, the recruiting strategy for 2015/2016 seemed to be:

i) win.  We started off great. 

ii) establish the national brand and to get to know the coaches at the top programs in the top football regions.  So far we have done this and seem in line to potentially land the best recruit in all the land, from talent rich New Jersey, and in particular Parmus Catholic. We've also gained recruits from other top notch high school programs in Cali, Florida, Alabama, New Jersey, and Georgia.   

Starting next year, we have moved to establish the "pipeline 9."  If this doesn't show that we will be committed to restabilishing the state of Michigan next year, I am not sure what will.  I imagine if all goes according to plan and we win the big ten next year, you will see us in play for one of the top three recruits in Ohio for the class of 18.     

Tl;DR, UM isn't rebelious or cool in Ohio anymore, MSU is probably more popular.  2016 recruit nationally, 2017 Nationally + Michigan, and 2018 and beyond Recruite Nationally, Michigan and Ohio

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elhead

January 26th, 2016 at 12:12 AM ^

historically has involved recruiting Ohio. Maybe everything has changed and we don't need to pay attention to any of that anymore. It's not about hate so much as it is about degree to which Michigan can debilitate OSU and add to its roster at the same time. Additionally, there has also historically been a divide in Ohio itself, especially in the northwestern part of the state, between the OSU and Michigan fanbase. Perhaps that doesn't exist anymore, either.

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abcd123

January 25th, 2016 at 9:46 PM ^

 

I walked inside the living room and told both of my parents to sit down. I gulped, and started talking. "Mom, dad, I've made a decision over where to go to college." They were both noticeably excited, and as I sweated profusely, I continued. "I think that it's in my best interest to follow my heart. I've decided to take up Michigan's offer and play for Harbaugh." My mother started sobbing uncontrollably, and my dad bolted upright and got in my face. "MICHIGAN?! HARBAUGH?! SON, HE WAS BORN IN TOLEDO AND GREW UP IN MICHIGAN! HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT TUBERS!" I tried to defend myself, but he just continued screaming. "LOOK AT WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO YOUR POOR MOTHER!"  She then joined in and tearfully asked me "Why are you doing this to us?!"

My father continued, "IF YOU GO TO MICHIGAN YOU ARE DEAD TO THIS FAMILY AND ARE NOT MY SON. THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A DEGREE IN STARCHOLOGY! YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO OHIO STATE, PLAY FOR URBAN MEYER, AND GET A DEGREE IN POTATO! JUST LIKE YOUR FATHER, GRANDFATHER, AND GREAT-GRANDFATHER, AND LIKE EVERY BOY IN OHIO ASPIRES TO DO SOME DAY! YOU'RE GOING TO LIVE THE OHIO DREAM!" I once again tried to get a word in edgewise, defending my decision as the best one for my future, but my parents were having none of it. "NO SON OF MINE IS GOING TO GO TO THAT FANCY, SISSY SCHOOL UP NORTH! YOU PROBABLY WANT TO STUDY TO BECOME A SQUASH SOME DAY, DON'T YOU?! DO YOU THINK YOU'RE TOO GOOD FOR THIS FAMILY, SQUASHBOY?!"

My heart was truly at Michigan, but when it came down to it, I had to make my family happy. I committed to the Buckeyes, and that was that. I knew that I had an aunt that would let me stay with her for sure until it was time to go to college, but I knew even she would look at me funny. I also knew that the rest of my family would talk around me in hushed whispers whenever I was around. Sometimes, I sit down and think to myself what could have been, but then I shrug my shoulders and think to myself: Potato.


Sorry for leaking insider information, I know that it's typically frowned upon, but I feel that it's a story that has to be told, not only because it adds important information to this discussion, but also because I feel that it's important to cast a spotlight on the pressure that some of these recruits are under from their families and those around them.

 

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WestQuad

January 25th, 2016 at 10:16 PM ^

I told my kids (7,5,3) they are only allowed to use the word hate when talking about OSU. Once in awhile the five year old boy will try to rile me up and say he's going to OSU. I told him that Star Wars is illegal in Ohio. He doesn't joke about it anymore. I may be a bad person, but the ends justify the means.

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Ray

January 25th, 2016 at 11:50 PM ^

I know I've related this here before, but I had a yellow lab who resisted house training until I introduced the "magic word," for taking a leak, which naturally (as far as I was concerned) was "Buckeye." See him doing his thing, give him a treat, and say the word. Works like a charm. My daughter (who was 6 when we got the dog) took to the new training enthusiastically. We eventually moved overseas, where people didn't know what a "Buckeye" was--except for their hearing it while a dog took a leak. Now hundreds of people in Switzerland think that's what the word means. I regard this as a triumph. And yes, my daughter is the MGoSophomore.

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Eye of the Tiger

January 25th, 2016 at 9:13 PM ^

There are more quality recruits in Ohio than OSU can take in a year, and not all of OSU's recruits come from Ohio, so it's not #1. And I seriously doubt it's #2 either--Harbaugh was born in Toledo, Bo was a Woody protege, and he played with lots of guys from the state of Ohio.

I think it's more that Harbaugh is pursuing a national rather than regional strategy, and has better connections in other hot spots (NJ, CA, FL, etc.). I imagine he will build those connections in Ohio too.



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East German Judge

January 25th, 2016 at 9:29 PM ^

I agree with your last point, in that this is his first full year recruiting, he wants to take advantage of his California connections and recognition before it gets too long since he's been there, and also for the East Coast ties in terms of both jabrill peppers and chris partridge momentum by truly striking while the iron is hot. Ohio will be there and he can develop those especially once he has more success against urbz.

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Wolfman

January 25th, 2016 at 9:31 PM ^

than OSU is at this time, he will not hesitate to engage in recruiting battles with Urban. As of now, Urban has a decided advantage and its wise, and has a much greater chance for success to target and recruit h.s.players where playing catch up to an already huge lead is not existent.

All previous UM coaches enjoyed great success in that state but they aslo enjoyed equal or greater success on the football field. Going against Tressel changed things, but no way in hell were we going to stoop to his level of NCAA infractions to compete for the very best.

Ohio high school players are just like those from all parts of the nation. When they realize the product is just as great in AA as it is in Columbus, they will decide with an open mind. As of now,, that has to be proven. 

If anything, Jim has proven he wants immediate success when it comes to recruiting. The possibility of getting one out 4, in what always turn out to be hard fought battles, are just not worth building his roster with the same quality player with a much smooter path toward realization of his goal.

It seems to boil down pretty much to common sense right now. He realizes it will take a a few victories over the Bucks before Ohio players will view UM in the same light they do their home state university right now.

That, also will come, but until it does, much wisher to concentrate on areas with a much greater possibility of return on investment.

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BuckNekked

January 26th, 2016 at 7:03 AM ^

Yea I think this is about connections and relationships. Michigan will recruit Ohio but I dont think this staff will ever have a regional focus. They will always be more national. Lock down our home state of MichiJersey then look to the talent rich areas.

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Victor Valiant

January 25th, 2016 at 9:15 PM ^

I'm not sure of his reasoning but I like that Harbaugh doesn't seem to focus on recruiting Ohio. Why duke it out for kids predisposed to picking OSU when you can recruit stud athletes and create new pipelines from talent rich areas elsewhere.

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Double-D

January 25th, 2016 at 9:40 PM ^

Urban has been recruiting those kids much longer and doing it well. Give it some time. The hates Ohio thing is silly. Harbaugh had many teammates from Ohio and understands the legacy there. Winning to him would be much more important. Edit. I have heard he just hates recruiting in general. s/

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kb

January 25th, 2016 at 9:16 PM ^

First, Harbaugh is casting more of a national recruiting net. With his popularity he can pull it off successfully. Two, I think he didn't want to waste time on kids he was unlikely to get this round of recruiting. He just returned to college coaching one year ago, so it was kind of an uphill battle this year. I'm sure he will go after kids in Ohio in future recruiting classes.

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Indonacious

January 25th, 2016 at 9:20 PM ^

I think it's mainly difficult to break into the state for the new state given how well OSU and MSU are doing. ND did very well this year as well in Ohio. 

Also, look at next years situation...pretty deep state but so many of the top kids are already committed to OSU...makes it tough. (6 out of top 12 already).

http://247sports.com/Season/2017-Football/CompositeRecruitRankings?Stat…

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Charles Wood's son

January 25th, 2016 at 9:20 PM ^

I think Harbaugh is trying to establish recruiting relationships nationally. I think he knows the satellite camps might not last too long. He really hasn't recruited Michigan very much either.

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The Mad Hatter

January 25th, 2016 at 9:20 PM ^

If equal or better talent is available, with less effort, in other places? Once we're beating OSU and appearing in the playoffs on a regular basis, it will be a lot easier to cherry pick the recruits we want from Ohio like we used to.

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Danwillhor

January 25th, 2016 at 9:21 PM ^

but I think it's a mix of the state not being very strong (as usual) this year AND it being on lock for any kid that we'd want. There is no ignoring or denying what the last decade+ has done to Michigan recruiting. I grew up in NW OH in the 90s and I knew more UM and ND fans that osu fans. It wasn't even close. Only 2 of my friends were open osu fans in a school in Henry County, OH! Now? Most of them converted to osu fans. No joke. Clearly, many were never hardcore fans of anything and/or very silent osu fans already but many were open UM fans that just.....switched (I guess it's a thing?). The State of Ohio is not friendly UM territory anymore and I think Harbaugh knows that. When we start winning again, that'll change because people are fickle. Until then I wouldn't expect a huge UM presence in OH. When then state has a normal year for talent I think we'll still try but we can't go back to scouring the state until we win again - simple truth, IMO.

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DreisbachToHayes

January 25th, 2016 at 9:22 PM ^

Man, sure seems like a silly strategy to not give any attention to Ohio... especially if he wants that Bengals or Browns job in 2017.  You know... he'd get back to the league of the highest competition and get to coach against his brother twice each year.

(Close your eyes... can't you just picture this coming out of the mouths of NFL assclowns?)

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The Barwis Effect

January 25th, 2016 at 9:23 PM ^

It doesnt have anything to do with reason #2.  It's a combination of reason #1 and Harbaugh showing that Michigan isn't as reliant on the state of Ohio as OSU fans would like to think in order to pull in a top ranked class.

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