Michigan Football Currently #1 Class (Average Stars) - Scout **UPDATED**
Michigan football is again, very quietly, rolling up an impressive recruiting class for 2015. In terms of average stars, it is #1 in the country at 3.91 at Scout. Due to the relatively small number of recruits the overall class ranking is #17.
http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=14&yr=2015#/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=14&yr=2015
**UPDATED**
Information from farther down the thread
Class distribution of players 4* or higher on the roster
2014 - 8
2013 - 19
2012 - 15
2011 - 3
2010 - 1
Total - 46
September 24th, 2014 at 9:30 AM ^
WINS. WE LACK THEM.
September 24th, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
The distribution of 4* and higher on the current roster reinforces my view that we are still one year away from really being able to evaluate this coaching staff.
The bulk of the 4/5* players are redshirt sophomores, sophomores, redshirt freshmen, and true freshmen...with a few true juniors sprinkled in.
It's too early to tell how good these players are going to be...especially on the offensive side, where it can be argued that we are on our 3rd system in the past three years.
The fact that we will return at least nine of this year's offensive starters in 2015 tells you how young the team is on that side of the line.
Despite the debacles against Notre Dame and Utah, I think we should wait until the end of the year to fully evaluate whether the team is moving in the right direction.
Yes, turnovers are a big deal and somewhat indicative of skill and coaching...but if the turnovers are even against Utah we most likely win that game.
We are not getting dominated at the line of scrimmage...receivers are getting open...there are holes open for the running backs...and Gardner is getting time to throw.
His lack of accuracy, though, even on completed passes, is troubling...
I still want to see what this staff can do with a roster full of 3/4/5-year 4/5* players...
September 24th, 2014 at 3:09 PM ^
So THAT'S how you get people to see your post. You reply to the first person who posted a reply to the OP, even though your post is not really a reply to me, rather the OP.
September 24th, 2014 at 5:57 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 24th, 2014 at 9:24 PM ^
How is it my fault that I saw the OP and replied before anyone else? Someone had to be first.
September 24th, 2014 at 8:49 PM ^
September 25th, 2014 at 8:42 AM ^
Yeah, do it all the time. Problem is when you get like six people in a row doing it.
September 24th, 2014 at 9:31 AM ^
ROSE BOWL BABY
September 24th, 2014 at 12:10 PM ^
September 24th, 2014 at 9:33 AM ^
The recruiting is rolling, I agree, now if only the wins would follow.
September 24th, 2014 at 11:03 AM ^
September 24th, 2014 at 11:33 AM ^
Do you really think this will last (highest star rankings) if we can't score against good teams...Fun stat now, but means nothing if we can't win and be competitive.
September 24th, 2014 at 11:37 AM ^
September 24th, 2014 at 9:34 AM ^
Brady is the leading candidate to head coach the where are they now former 4 stars all star football team.
September 24th, 2014 at 9:34 AM ^
September 24th, 2014 at 9:58 AM ^
turnovers..... bad
September 24th, 2014 at 9:36 AM ^
This is pretty much the only thing I'm taking solace in with regard to the program's current state. Maybe Hoke isn't the guy to return us to glory, but he's certainly built the foundation for a killer team with his recruiting. If he ends up being shown the door, the next coach should be in great shape, roster-wise (assuming there are no major defections... big assumption but I think its reasonable).
September 24th, 2014 at 9:44 AM ^
Yup. That is exactly what happened for Meyer, so I don't see why it can't happen for Michigan if we get a new coach.
September 24th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
September 24th, 2014 at 3:19 PM ^
Hoke is Zook.
September 25th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
brian kelly too at ND.. charlie weis was a good recruiter and brian kelly came in and turned the talent into production
ive made a comment like this in the past. we needed brady hoke. he built up the team with great recruits and now we need a coach who can keep the message going in recruiting but also develop the talent.
and i pray that person is harbaugh
September 24th, 2014 at 9:41 AM ^
That we lost fifty-something to 3 to MSU but turned around and beat ND fifty-something to 2. (Maybe the Sandman switched the teams on me...that Sandman with the hidden meanings and all.)
So we got that goin' for us.
September 24th, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^
September 24th, 2014 at 9:40 AM ^
September 24th, 2014 at 1:40 PM ^
Tough to win championships when you don't win games.
September 24th, 2014 at 9:44 AM ^
WHOOO RON ZOOK BABY!
September 24th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^
say Ron Zook?
Age, a cruel mistress...
September 24th, 2014 at 10:24 PM ^
Some sort of shopping cart hand-truck jet ski hybrid
September 24th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^
Speaking of the Zooker, I saw him on the sidelines during last week's Lions-Packers game. Apparently, he is an "Asst Special Team Coordinator."
I have no idea if he's good at that job, but the man does have a magnifcent head of hair -- very easy to pick out in a crowd of coaches.
September 24th, 2014 at 9:45 AM ^
September 24th, 2014 at 9:48 AM ^
assuming for a minute that Hoke is the head coach next year, and they choose to keep Nuss on as the OC, what changes do you make to help player development?
September 24th, 2014 at 9:59 AM ^
There's a couple of position coaches I'd definitely give the firm hand shake too. I'm not really sold on Wellman either. He seems like a great liason and motivator for the coaches during no-contact periods, but our guys seem slow and weak. The S&C staff seems to focus a lot on body composition numbers rather than functional strength and speed/quickness. Since we're a football team and not a bodybuilding team, I'm not sure how much that translates to the field.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^
September 24th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
I thought J. Lewis was our best player last week on defense other than Jake Ryan. So why are we moving Manning away from a position he seems to have developed someone quite well?
Manning took over corners and yes they sucked vs ND but (a) Peppers and Ray were out or left early and (b) they seemed to give Lewis the hook quickly after the 2nd PI and/or went to another scheme that doesnt suit him as well. They did well vs Utah - it was the safeties (Dymonte) who seemed to get lit up in the 2nd half. Let's give Manning a season before we judge his group - he might have 2 bedrock corners in Lewis and Peppers by the end of the year that he had a hand in guiding. By the end of the year he might be viewed as the 2nd best position coach after Hecklinski.
There are at least 3 other position coaches I am a lot more worried about then a guy like Manning who devoted himself this summer to go to pro camps such as the Bears and see how the pros coach cornerback since he was a LB.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:05 AM ^
And put together a solid B1G season, then I think they will have that elusive 'team chemistry' that they have been searching for.
I don't know if its development or just getting together as a team. It was referenced this summer as lacking and I still don't think they have found it. (no captain vote)
September 24th, 2014 at 10:19 AM ^
the previous response is sort of where I was going. What position coaches would you replace, and so forth. To me, the O Line coach needs to be replaced, not necessarily because he isn't good, but Funk may have plateaued with regards to the sort of offense Nuss is trying to install. I'd like to see how they do with one of his guys in there and get the offense on the same page. I've had just about enough of the TFLs this season.
September 24th, 2014 at 9:48 AM ^
I know that this site has shown multiple times that stars matter...but man this Michigan team must be making that other side feel pretty confident that "four and five stars don't matter it's development and finding the sleepers in the class"
September 24th, 2014 at 9:51 AM ^
Is it possible a team needs to have a few more 3* or below guys? not a ton, but just enough to provide an interesting mix.
Does michigan need more jordan kovacs? not walk-ons exactly, but guys who come in and know that there are 2 guys ahead of them and have to work their butts off to see the field?
Would a greater mix provide better team chemistry? and push the stars to work harder in practice (not that they aren't now)?
September 24th, 2014 at 10:02 AM ^
We don't need kids with fewer stars. We need coaches who can evaluate kids and determine how they will fit in our system and where.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:08 AM ^
I mean - should UofM be taking a few kids who are more roster filler and who will work their tails off? Or is that the purpose of the walk on program?
I think team chemistry is still an issue. The team is not really that resilient. we don't have permanent captains, I think not enough has been made of this issue.
September 24th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ^
I think team chemistry is a red herring. Although one way to fix team chemistry issues is to unite the team in hatred/fear of the head coach. I don't see Brady Hoke doing that in between all the clapping, butt slapping, and wrestling around with Frank Clark.
The issue is resiliency like you said. The sideline was stoked after Henry's pick 6. Then after 2 straight scoring drives by Utah with 10+ minutes in the 3rd quarter I knew we were going to lose. I had seen it before and could read the writing on the wall. This program accepts losing far to easily now.
September 24th, 2014 at 12:40 PM ^
Please, not this meme again about chemistry and working hard.
Apparently, you missed the "Big Play" Ray Vinopal era and the "three star mafia" who freaked out around these parts every time a below four star player was recruited. I'm sure Rich Rod's 3 stars on defense were hard workers though...
I don't buy your logic that Michigan should potentially go down a road of recruiting more "roster filler who will work their tails off". Michigan should always compete for elite recruits. I don't think anyone is questioning the effort of the players (and if you are then I think you're way off base). Coaches put kids in positions to be successful. Mattison's 8th ranked defense has done just that with highly ranked (of late) recruits and a few 3 stars sprinkled in...the coaches have not yet put the offensive players or special teams in positions to have success. Ten men on a punt (coaches), offensive scheme (coaches), S&C (if it's really a problem and not a red herring) is coaches.
Devin played a game on a god damned broken foot and ran up 41 on tOSU last fall. JMFR came back off a knee...there is character in that room.
Character doesn't scheme.
September 24th, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^
The question here is who defines which recruits are elite? Is it the coaches themselves through meticulous research and film study or is it an offer list and guys churning out content for large fanbases? I'd rather have the coaches take a 3 star kid because they have a plan for him and know that he fits the system than a 5 star kid because he is a 5 star.
I was as excited about Peppers as anybody but it is ridiculous to say he is the next Charles Woodson before he even shows up for fall camp.
September 24th, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^
that is a fact - there may be tons of leadership and chemistry
but we have not finished games
every team needs stars - but teams also need 'little guys' who do the dirty work
the issue with the team is that they aren't doing the little things or winning the games within the games
that is my point - guys who make plays that don't show up on the scoresheet (or even in the UFR). Its not effort, its just small issues
Maybe it is 5* guys who sacrifice themselves for the team - I honestly don't know
But maybe a 5 * guy needs to learn from an upperclassman, and UofM is lacking in those guys on this roster
September 24th, 2014 at 10:10 AM ^
We have very few 4th and 5th year players. That and coaching is the problem. I'd take a lot of 3-star 23 year-old over most 4-star 20 year-olds.
September 24th, 2014 at 10:18 AM ^
Point is, we don't lack for walk-on grit.
September 24th, 2014 at 1:19 PM ^
if the rankings were correct in previous years, the 4+ star guys coming in next year would know there are two guys ahead of them anyway.