Michigan no longer recruiting Montae Nicholson (may be full at safety for 2014)
Per TomVH TomVH
Will be interesting to see how that phone call goes with Smith. Montae Nicholson was told there is no room as of now w/ Michigan.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) August 27, 2013
Tom then clarified by saying that they're full at that position, not for the class.
.@meddler76 no room for his position, not overall.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) August 27, 2013
So we may be full at safety for the 2014 class, which would not only mean that we not recruiting Nicholson, but we may not be going after Juju Smith as well. It sounds like Smith is going to contact the coaches today, and then we'll see whether or not we are still going after the 5-star California safety
August 27th, 2013 at 12:59 PM ^
What other safeties do we have/are we after for 2014? (Silent commit or just not taking any more?)
August 27th, 2013 at 1:09 PM ^
We don't have anyone who projects to be a safety in this class (although 247 does list Wangler as a S, but he's more likely to play LB).
As for silent commits, I'd be shocked if we had one. We only had a few guys on our radar for this position anyway (Nicholson, and the Smiths (Juju and Erick)). Nicholson obviously is not a silent commit now, and Juju Smith has never visited (which all but guarentees he wouldn't be). The only option would be Erick Smith, but he still seems to be an Ohio lean, and I don't think that drastically yet. Nonetheless, silent commitments are rare.
I'm guessing that we're tight on spots for this class, and we just picked up a safety in our next class. If I had to guess for this class we will treat S like we are treating RB—Five Star or Bust. So essentially we will either get Juju Smith or use the scholarship elsewhere. We'll probably know for sure later today when the Tom hears back from Smith.
August 27th, 2013 at 6:56 PM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 7:27 PM ^
Avery is a senior and will exhaust his eligibility at the end of this season, so his move to safety doesn't really affect the 2014 recruiting at the position.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:00 PM ^
How can we be full at safety for 2014 when we haven't even recruited one?
August 27th, 2013 at 1:04 PM ^
Sounds to me like coach-speak for the old "It's not you - it's me" line when breaking up with a girl.........
August 27th, 2013 at 1:04 PM ^
Is there any chance that they see either Peppers, Canteen, or Wangler as a safety?
August 27th, 2013 at 1:11 PM ^
Thought Wangler was projected to OLB. Peppers could be a safety, but would bet given his size and speed that the coaches will give him every opportunity to become a lockdown CB.
Wonder if this is due to last weekend's 2015 commit of Kinnel.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:10 PM ^
Or Brandon Watson possibly?
August 27th, 2013 at 2:08 PM ^
Oops, that's who I meant. I keep confusing Canteen and Watson.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:18 PM ^
Peppers is probably a little better there, but both could play Safety. Wangler cannot. My guess is below though.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:03 PM ^
Lattimore and Erick Smith from Glenville right? This makes sense because our commits come in pairs.
/s
August 27th, 2013 at 1:04 PM ^
Coaches are happy with the young talent at CB and may be moving some of the other young CBs to Safety, thus the position has been filled and more depth isn't required. I really liked Nicholson and would like to have him in the class. But that's my impression.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:46 PM ^
Seems to me my thought process as well. With both Lewis and Stribling pushing for CB spots as freshmen, we have 5 guys there for 2 slots this year and next year (Raymon Taylor is still a junior). That leaves a lot of players who can push for safety - esp if their alternative is being the 6th CB. You'd expect Peppers to come in and compete for that nickel spot next year for his eventual move to CB in 2015. Did everyone forget about Dymonte Thomas who supposedly is a shoo-in for a starting safety next year? I assume guys like Delano Hill will also be in the 2 deep in 12 months at safety etc. Lots of the 2013 kids can be working to be safeties.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:12 PM ^
Just when I had gotten over the "loss" of Westphal...
August 27th, 2013 at 1:07 PM ^
Silent commit? Only player I could think of being a silent commit would be Lattimore or Smith from when there was some thoughts on an early commit from a BBQ visitor. I doubt it's true, but I wouldn't blame a kid from Columbus who committed to MIchigan keeping it quiet until enrolling early or signing day.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:09 PM ^
Literally no chance of that
August 27th, 2013 at 6:48 PM ^
Misuse of the word "literally" drives me figuratively insane.
August 27th, 2013 at 2:13 PM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 1:10 PM ^
JuJu Smith has apparently not been told the same thing.
Simmer the plot over medium heat until thoroughly thickened...
August 27th, 2013 at 1:13 PM ^
If that's the case then it's definitely going to be Juju or bust for the position (or maybe Erick Smith too)
August 27th, 2013 at 1:19 PM ^
He would likely get a best player available type slot though. Not necessarily reserved for a safety spot.
August 27th, 2013 at 3:03 PM ^
A recruit reduction would hit the spot right now. Dribble it on this week's previews. Serve it up with an opener in Ann Arbor.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:10 PM ^
I thought safety was a place where we didn't have much depth? And none of the commits seem like they would fit there. Or am I wrong on this?
August 27th, 2013 at 1:17 PM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 3:15 PM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 3:30 PM ^
I agree (and wrote very similar things) with much of what you said but I'll disagree on Peppers. A lockdown corner is the 2nd most valuable thing you can have on the defense aside from a terror at defensive end. (or it can be argued THE most valuable thing) A stud safety is always good but if you can "take away half the field" and neutralize the other team's first WR option, it makes for a long day. If Peppers is all he is cracked up to be, he will be a corner. Would you rather of had Ty Law or Woodson or Patrick Peterson or Champ Bailey as a corner or safety? Yes i know Ed Reed etc... but if you have a stud CB you put that kid at CB. I agree 100% with what most are missing - we just had 2 freshman named to the 2 deep. This is a VERY GOOD thing. That mean that those 2 (barring injury) are going to be corners most likely for 2014-2016. You are going to add Peppers - who will displace one of those as a starter (most likely) in 2015. And in 2014 you bring back all 5 guys you currently have as corners in the 2 deep. So the 5 in 2013 are going to be the 5 in 2014 with potentially Peppers sliding in as a nickel in 14. That is 6 CBs next year.
You have Dymonte who is a projected safety and then a lot of young guys who are going to either be vying to be the #6 (or 7) CB next year or the #4 CB in 2015 - so you have plenty of good cover guys who can be converted to safeties if they ball hawk and like to tackle. And they will be higher up the food chain at safety rather than vying to be the backup to the backup at corner.
August 27th, 2013 at 4:28 PM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 1:11 PM ^
I'd think the coaches would make room for him if he does actually want to come here. But it could be Nicholson's time table for deciding was an issue too with the coaches. It sounded like he was taking his time and not planning to commit until after his season sometime. Whether we're expecting another guy to commit or whether we actually are done recruiting the position, I'll assume the coaches know what they're doing.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:26 PM ^
I had seen a teaser tweet last night from Steve Lorenz linking to a post on 247 addressing this but the tweet was soon deleted. I read the post on the 247 board about Montae but when I tried to go back a few minutes later read any reactions to the news, I could not find it. I was hoping that meant it was a premature post and he was still being recruited but looks like that was not the case. Bummer.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:23 PM ^
And the big rush to change the crystal ball prediction is on:
http://247sports.com/Player/Montae-Nicholson-21896/PlayerInstitutionPredictions
August 27th, 2013 at 1:26 PM ^
Perhaps they've made the decision to redshirt one or two of the 2013 safety prospects, which in effect pushes them to the 2014 class.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:31 PM ^
I'm not sure I understand the wisdom of taking 3.5 SAM prospects and no safeties, but I'm sure the plan will be revealed in time.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:54 PM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 2:37 PM ^
You lose 2 of the 3 LBs starting (incl Jake Ryan) in 17 months, along with top reserve Brennen Beyer. You lose Cam Gordon in 4 months. That is 4 of the top 5 in the rotation right now gone in a year and a half. We don't have "plenty of LBers" - it is the "oldest" position in the team right now IMO excl WRs which will be restocked next year. Out of 4 players recruited you have to assume 1 won't pan out and 1 may be an injury, leaving you 2. Over a 5 year cycle that is 10 guys to a 7-8 person core group of players. Some just won't be good enough as well. 3-4 LBs a class is fine.
August 27th, 2013 at 4:16 PM ^
Right. It's the difference between 3 LBs and 4 LBs that seems critical here.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:59 PM ^
The coaches know that all these guys won't stay at SAM, WIL, whatever. e.g., RJS was recruited for MIKE, Morgan started at WIL, Gordon was in the secondary, etc.
Positions are fluid.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:41 PM ^
Are there 4 spots left or 3 for 2014? If 3 then it makes me feel like Hoke feels he is going to pull Hand and McDowell and just leave 1 spot open for best player available sort of thing. I assumed there were 3-4 spots left but I am not sure.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:47 PM ^
I don't really get this. Wasn't he the most realistic shot at a safety (and a good one) in this class?
August 27th, 2013 at 1:50 PM ^
August 27th, 2013 at 2:29 PM ^
Lattimore and Smith are buckeyes all the way
August 27th, 2013 at 8:43 PM ^
I don't think that's true. I'm guessing at least one of them ends up elsewhere.
August 27th, 2013 at 1:57 PM ^
Turst the coaches and all, BUT I really cant see why we would need a 4th LB (a skinny sleeper, no less) over a stud safety.
August 27th, 2013 at 2:45 PM ^
I remember simlar things being said about Stribling, and this lowly 2 star looks to be cracking the 2 deep as a true freshman in our resonably well stocked CB depth chart.
August 27th, 2013 at 3:35 PM ^
Stribling was a guy who fit a specific need, i.e. big corner, and his signing did not force anyone else out that I can recall. Wangler, on the other hand is a 4th LB who is woefully undersized for SAM or slow for WLB and his signing apparently took away a spot for a super talented player at a position of apparent need in Nicholson.
Sorry, but not all sleeper recruits are the same.
August 27th, 2013 at 3:43 PM ^
Wangler is not slow for the Will. He has more than enough speed. Whether he can quickly diagnose plays being closer to the line of scrimmage and hold up as an inside backer are the key questions for me.
August 27th, 2013 at 7:58 PM ^