Michigan-bound players dominate Detroit News Blue Chip list
This is the way it used to be back in the day, when we had our pick of the state's top players. Trememendous job by the Hoke and the staff this year. The state of Michigan is not FLA, but there's talent in the backyard and it's always been our foundation.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120116/SPORTS0203/201160303/1004/
January 16th, 2012 at 9:50 AM ^
...Ann Arbor; All's right with the world.
January 16th, 2012 at 9:51 AM ^
Article on #1 Mario Ojemudia-
And the rest of the list-
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120116/SPORTS0203/201160320
January 16th, 2012 at 10:40 AM ^
Let me just say -- it is not a bad thing to be compared to Woodley (IS it?)!
January 16th, 2012 at 10:16 AM ^
Trememendous you say?
January 16th, 2012 at 10:27 AM ^
It will interesting how this class ends up. I am really excited about having true blue chip prospects coming in, but I am more excited to see some of the three star guys develop. I think the coaching staff has done a fantastic job finding kids of the three star variety who have big time "potential."
January 16th, 2012 at 11:27 AM ^
I agree. This coaching staff have displayed some top-notch talent evaluation in this class.
Bolden, Pipkins, and Ojemudia all have put on dominant performances in-season and in camps to really raise their stock after Hoke and crew started recruiting them hard and getting commits.
And to me, Chesson, Ringer, Braden and Jeremy Clark are all under-the-radar sorts that could really turn out big time. Braden's huge, Chesson is a big guy that seems to be the Hemingway sort that can go up and get the ball downfield, Ringer seems physically ready and had a reputation for good instincts.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:28 AM ^
I still think Ohio and PA are THE midwestern states for football talent, but it is very important to get the "cream of the crop" in Michigan. This does two things. First, it gives the team a Michigan identity. Most of all, though, it keeps Sparty from getting them.
When it comes to instate recruiting, what's good for Michigan is bad for Sparty and vice-versa. That makes this year's class even better politically than it is on paper.
January 16th, 2012 at 1:53 PM ^
MSU doesn't recruit Michigan... They recruit nationally.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:30 AM ^
of Coach Danantonio taking his recruiting International! Thank God State is so dang successful that they are allowing us to compete in state.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:32 AM ^
He is going to be all world . . . I have watched enough of his video! The nice to thing about the article (for me) was to be reminded about how athletic Drake Johnson is. He could be THE SLEEPER in this whole thing! What an athlete!
January 16th, 2012 at 10:37 AM ^
Keep in mind that I don't know shit. That being said, I don't see him as being a feature back in the offense, but I think he could be a specialist that moves around from back to WR to the slot and gets the ball in his hands a lot. Add to that, I think he could be a great kick/punt returner. I really like the pick up.
January 16th, 2012 at 11:09 AM ^
I think he has the straight line speed and vision (he was a RB, after all) to be a good KR, but he lacks the balance/shiftiness to see a starting spot on offense, imo.
January 16th, 2012 at 12:36 PM ^
Sort of agreed.
Watched his highlight film and looks like he has the opposite of quick feet. He certainly is fast, but he takes really long strides, including when he changes direction.
HOWEVER, he's a hurdles champ and has the leg strength to go with it, plus by the time he is a junior, he'll probably be playing at 225 or so. He may not have the shiftiness, but arm tackles won't be stopping this kid. Behind this offensive line Hoke has recruited, he may be able to pick up a bunch of yards.
Of course, I'm not really sure how he gets ranked above Norfleet.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:35 AM ^
I love reading all the comments from the sour MSU fan's.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:39 AM ^
I was going to say that too. It's funny that they're arguing that their one guy should be the top-rated recruit. As if that would negate our having 7 of the top 10.
January 16th, 2012 at 10:44 AM ^
most of their recruits are from Canada and Mexico. They are big time now.
January 16th, 2012 at 11:08 AM ^
I <3 Hoke... Get the in state (and Ohio) talent and pick up a few from Cali, Texas, and FLA.
January 16th, 2012 at 11:15 AM ^
good thing Sparty recruits nationally as they only pulled in 2 of the top 15 and one of those may have been a gift from us.
January 16th, 2012 at 11:32 AM ^
THey have Ben Braden listed as 6-7 320. Do we know if this is accurate? Rivals still has him at 285.
January 16th, 2012 at 4:43 PM ^
Rumor has it he's been over 300ibs for a while. I've seen as high as 325 before.
January 16th, 2012 at 1:31 PM ^
I think Spartan fans are in denial. Don't get me wrong, they have a reason to be happy, they have a good team. But to see recruiting swing the way it has in just one season. Not to mention we are pulling down some of Ohio's best talent.
They act like their class full of 3 stars are all going to blow up like Worthy and dominate. If I was Sparty looking at Michigan as a whole (program, team, recruiting, etc) I would be shaking in my boots.