Recruiting Weekend
There are several articles out there regarding visitors for the Michigan - OSU game. Magnus has the most comprehensive list at Touch the Banner. They include all visitors:
The News also has a recruiting article from Allen Trieu:
No. 1 tackle among visitors for UM-OSU clash
Lastly, there are several brief articles at "The Michigan Insider" (the 247 website) highlighting visitors.
Of course, none of us know for sure, but the coaching changes at Florida, Tennessee, and UCLA open up at least some doors and some recruits to considering Michigan. Highlights, for me:
- Nicolas Petit-Frere, 4/5 star OT from Tampa, in top 5 OT recruits in the country. Change at Florida helps Michigan.
-
Taylor Upshaw, 4 star DE, currently committed to Florida, Michigan offer in October. Currently not listed by
Magnus or247, but highlighted by Trieu with a visit. - Ja'Marr Chase, 4 star WR out of LA, decommitted from Florida.
- Eyabi Anoma, 4/5 star DE out of Baltimore, #41 overall in the country, coached by Poggi, supposedly leaning toward Alabama.
- ?Michael Thompson, 4 star DT out of St. Louis, #58 in country, #2 at position. Not sure he is coming . . . not listed by Magnus.
- 2020 Kalel Mullings, 5 star LB/RB out of MA.
Of course, this list is very fluid, and changes all the time. Still, it is worth seeing that Michigan is still recruiting very hard, and is competing for a solid group of 4 and 5 star kids. I hope to see a more comprehensive recruiting article from mgoblog soon, and I also hope the fanbase doesn't give up,
November 22nd, 2017 at 2:51 PM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:01 PM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:14 PM ^
Gotta be some Rutgers commits in there somewhere.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:19 PM ^
I have talked to one insider who also knows OSU football very well. I am not an insider, but I somehow get the feeling that Michigan is looking for a slightly different kind of kid. Different character, different quality. Michigan is getting their guys, and they are going to be more and more competitive every year going forward. They are pretty much reloading and not rebuilding on defense. Brown and Mattison are awesome, and the rest of the coaching staff is great.
Offensive recruiting is coming. If we add two more solid guys on the OL, and maybe 1 more each of a WR, TE, and RB, maybe FB, I will be completely happy for the 2018 cycle.
2019 is already shaping up to be a monster year for recruiting. We are getting there.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:42 PM ^
"Michigan is getting their guys, and they are going to be more and more competitive every year going forward."
I'm ready for this be true. I can't put a feather in my cap for 2016 - to drop a deuce in Iowa is one thing, but dropping the OSU game, with the NFL talent we had, just plain does not meet the standard of success.
No I'm not going to follow another team, yes I'll be at the game on Saturday, but how much time/money do we have to spend to get this right?
November 22nd, 2017 at 4:07 PM ^
I get the frustration. But if you view losing in OT to OSU in Columbus to a team that went to the playoff as "not meeting the standard of success" then that's a pretty high standard. I will agree that last year's team underachieved in terms of record. From an eye test however, they were definitely a top 10 team and while I would agree that they slightly underachieved, it was not by a long shot.
November 22nd, 2017 at 6:41 PM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 8:24 PM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 9:06 PM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 9:42 PM ^
November 23rd, 2017 at 9:42 AM ^
November 23rd, 2017 at 3:37 AM ^
It should be a big deal to you too
November 22nd, 2017 at 11:18 PM ^
After Year 3, he hadn't beaten UM but had more time to build things.
OSU's best years were '93-'98 under him. 2-4 vs. UM. 2-0 vs ND. Won a lot of games, lots of NFL players.
That's why while frustrated with Year 3 under JH, he deserves the chance to have several more years before I want a change.
November 23rd, 2017 at 9:39 AM ^
November 23rd, 2017 at 9:42 AM ^
Not a good argument in favor of what you're saying. Cooper got 13 years, won a lot of games, lots of NFL players but couldn't beat Michigan, was under .500 in the best stint, and that's why JH needs more time? Huh?
November 22nd, 2017 at 6:45 PM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 8:22 PM ^
like Michigan is going for more pure athletes and talent on defense, while looking more for intelligence and character on offense. Makes sense, Harbaugh had great success with guys like Chris Owusu, Coby Fleener, Owen Marecic, and Stepfan Taylor. Guys who were very underlooked but fit his scheme.
November 23rd, 2017 at 9:58 AM ^
Kass
How would talking to an OSU insider tell you or give you a feeling that Michigan is looking for a different type of kid?
Michigan is like any other decent program. They are looking for the best talent that fits with the system and university. What you are conveying I think is that somehow because we don't get certain guys that OSU may get, that somehow it is becasuse we don't want them. Nah, not buying that. Our coaches are trying hard to get those guys and a lot of times they are picking somewhere else. It happens.
It sounds more like you're trying to convince yourself rather than others. We should be recruiting the same kids that end up playing at OSU, Alabama, Georgia, Stanford, wherever. If they have the grades and they are talented, that's who should be recruited. We have no idea how people will turn out so playing psychologist to get "a slightly different kind of kid" is a recipe for losing. Was Braylon a different kind of kid? I mean, he went to Michigan so he should be a different caliber right? Is his character a different quality? Just recruit the best players and try to win. No need to justify why recruits want to go elsewhere as if we took a pass on every one we miss out on.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:24 PM ^
[In this post, I might accidentally come off as negative toward Michigan, but I feel oppositely -- optimistic in general and possessing sustained enthusiasm about Harbaugh. This is just meant to be realistic]
I shudder to admit this, but given the potential for a blowout if O'Korn plays, I think there's a very reasonable argument, in terms of devil's advocacy, that you should have flipped your rational/lizard-brain assignments.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:26 PM ^
truly, will be happy if no more defections,
that would be a win at this point.
November 22nd, 2017 at 2:51 PM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 2:53 PM ^
Do we have an over/under for the number of people who will be here declaring all recruiting efforts hopeless if Michigan gets poleaxed on Saturday?
I'd expect "MAYS-en" to be in the count.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:14 PM ^
I hate those posts. But I am sure they are coming. I am definitely a "glass half full" kind of guy, not a gloom-and-doom-and-all-is-woe personality.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:18 PM ^
We will be just fine, just like the last two years of Harbaugh with a full recruiting cycle.
Michigan is one of those "gottat go there" elite schools. Plus, we just put a few kids in the NFL and look to keep doing it. Which is nice.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:27 PM ^
please no more.... rather have a prostate exam
November 22nd, 2017 at 2:54 PM ^
Hopefully none of them are down to just Michigan and Ohio State for a decision.
November 22nd, 2017 at 2:58 PM ^
Per Steve Lorenz today, three four-star 2019 St. Frances (Baltimore) recruits are coming with Anoma: LB Shane Lee, OL Darrian Dalcourt and RB Joachim Bangda.
Edit: I see Magnus has these guys on his comprehensive list.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:18 PM ^
Taylor Upshaw is indeed on my list.
I haven't heard that Michael Thompson is visiting, but it's possible.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:27 PM ^
You're very welcome. While I listed a few guys, I don't want to copy and paste the work of others like yourself. Several questions:
- Do you edit your list? (add/delete names you become aware of.)
- Do you have a feel for guys who are just there for the fun of it? Maybe OSU leans who are just coming to see the game, but really not into UM at all?
- Do you see any imminent commitments? Any guys to keep an eye on?
- For your list, what do you consider the 5 most important/realistic?
- You addressed UCLA. Adding TN and FL, any realistic guys we can poach?
- I read a couple weeks ago that Sam thinks we are in the running for several OL guys already committed elsewhere. I am most concerned about the OL. Do you have any reason to believe we can finish with 2 - 3 MORE solid guys on the OL? Anything you can tell?
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:54 PM ^
1. I add names. I cross out (not delete) names of players who cancel. That way people don't wonder, "Wait, didn't I see his name on the list? Am I going crazy?"
2. I don't know of any guys who appear to be OSU leans and are just showing up to see the Buckeyes play, a la Billy Price. I do think Ja'Marr Chase, Talanoa Hufanga, and Mychale Salahuddin are longshots.
3. I don't see any commitments in that group. A few guys I might watch for the future are Michael Barrett, Litchfield Ajavon, and Marvin Grant.
4. 5 most important: Nick Petit-Frere, Alim McNeill, Michael Barrett, Isaiah Williams, and Trevor Keegan.
5. I don't see Michigan really trying to poach anyone from Tennessee. As for Florida, I could see them making a run at Richard Gouraige and David Reese.
6. I think Jalen Goss, Jarrett Patterson, and Petit-Frere are all decent possibilities up front. I don't know who Sam think we're going to poach, except perhaps Patterson. I think a lot of those other guys are real longshots.
November 22nd, 2017 at 4:16 PM ^
Magnus,
Happened to look at your way too early 2018 depth chart. It lists Josh Ross as a RS Fr next year. Doesn't he play special teams this year, so won't he be a SO in '18?
November 22nd, 2017 at 4:22 PM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:26 PM ^
Per Trieu:
Talk about a good fit. Yes. Please!
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:29 PM ^
both Tackle positions are up for bidding..
... if a freshmen can win it... so be it !!!
November 22nd, 2017 at 5:28 PM ^
Our line, without additions or surprises should like mostly like: Newsome - Bredeson - Ruiz - Onwenu - (open competition with the head start going to) Runyan. At least that’s my take. If someone knows better, I’d like to hear.
Also, it makes me wonder if our season would have played out differently if Newsome and Big Mike were healthy for the season, though that’s water under the bridge.
I think next years line looks more solid than a lot of our lines in the recent past, but we could certainly use some commits. Ones that stay committed, I mean. Too soon?
November 22nd, 2017 at 7:57 PM ^
November 23rd, 2017 at 12:36 AM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:28 PM ^
1 OT
1-2 DT
1 WR
to fill out the class
even if Reese flips - LB depth is one of the areas we could stomach a hit
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:31 PM ^
...until the injury bug bites one or two of the LB's...
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:55 PM ^
But Reese is more of a viper prospect, and those guys are pretty rare.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:41 PM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:53 PM ^
Maizen posted that? It must be true! We're not doing what we need to be doing. Smh.
November 22nd, 2017 at 3:59 PM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 4:03 PM ^
November 22nd, 2017 at 4:12 PM ^
I would like McNeill please
November 22nd, 2017 at 4:18 PM ^
So basically it sounds like we still have a chance to move up in the recruiting ranks. Harbaugh's first 2 full classes were elite, and we are seeing it on the field with the 2016 class.
We will see if the final result is in the teens where we are now, or if we can move up to the top 10. All of the coaching changes throws a lot of this into a state of flux, there are opportunities to get a couple of very high end kids.
It sounds like landing Petit-Frere would be a major coup. The fact that he has a shot at immediate playing time should/could/might help our chances.
And with all of the sky is falling discussion going on this week, let's not forget that we are off to a tremendous start for the 2019 class.
For 2018 if we can still wind up in the top 10 then we should be in great shape moving forward.
November 22nd, 2017 at 5:45 PM ^
So...any way we can show them an amazing time away from the stadium and lose track of time until the game is over?
November 22nd, 2017 at 11:25 PM ^
the guy who switched to Bama but wasn't even considered a lock.
A lot can happen when some undecided guys pick spots and the remaining undecided guys or guys who committed to Florida, etc. have to choose.
Jim is going to make some home visits in January and UM is a great selling point.