262 replies to this topic

[sachmoney]

Watching Tate Forcier's (@QBForce) live twitter meltdown has provided me the best online entertainment in a long time. I applaud him for feeling the need to share all of his emotions with the entire world at midnight on a Wednesday.

Besides his backhanded "I never gave up on Michigan, but they gave up on me" bull shit, I'm sad to see him go. I wish him the best of luck (Montana?). At least we will always have this:

Right Domer?

Edited by sachmoney, 20 January 2011 - 07:45 AM.

[Zososoxfan]

Hoke reeled in his first recruit today, DB Tamani Carter of OH. He was sposed to go to Stanford, changed his tune last week and was thinking Minnesota, and now is coming to A2.

Good to see Hoke's OH connections are still intact.

[redinchicago]

Love the Greg Mattison.

[Zososoxfan]

Team Hokeamania pulled in their 2nd recruit today, actually it was a transfer, but former Vanderbilt DE commit Keith Heitzman (Columbus, OH - yes, that Columbus) is now officially a Wolverine. Team Hoke is clearly focusing on the defensive side of the ball, as they plan on switching to a 4-3 defense immediately. D Line depth was a huge concern, with RvB, Martin, Campbell (hopefully), and Roh the starters, and presumably Ash the first off the bench.

One thing that we haven't discussed here yet is that a more pro style offense will probably be better for Devin Gardner, who is more of a pocket passer with legs in the mold of T. Pryor, than a pure runner with an arm like D-Rob. I think we will see Devin on the field a lot this year and that D-Rob will be moved around. To me, that would also maximize D-Rob's talent while getting Devin snaps, which a good thing all around.

Either way, nice to see the Wolverines at least getting some commits with this limited time frame. Mattison's addition, I'd imagine, made some waves among recruits. Dude won a NC at Florida and was coaching Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, et al. last week.

[sachmoney]

And now Raymon Taylor as well.

This is a good weekend for recruiting. Justice Hayes is probably working everyone over. Let's hope this class fills out.


EDIT: Zoso, I don't think they're going to do that. Denard is your quarterback. May be they'll try plays with two QBs but I don't see it happening. Why wouldn't you want the ball in your best player's hands every offensive play?

Edited by sachmoney, 22 January 2011 - 03:00 PM.

[Zososoxfan]

And now Raymon Taylor as well.

This is a good weekend for recruiting. Justice Hayes is probably working everyone over. Let's hope this class fills out.


EDIT: Zoso, I don't think they're going to do that. Denard is your quarterback. May be they'll try plays with two QBs but I don't see it happening. Why wouldn't you want the ball in your best player's hands every offensive play?

1. Preserve a frail player.
2. Give multiple looks to an opponent - time spent defending odd formations, if they prove successful, takes away time from practicing against a base D.
3. Big play potential.
4. Gardner has [hopefully] burned a redshirt year and I'd like to get him some real PT - he's also possibly a better pure passer than D-Rob.
5. ***Might be a better QB for the Hoke system - although even if this is the case, I still think we'll see more of Devin in D-Rob's senior year.

I don't know a lot about Taylor, but it's nice to see Brady can take away players that have shown that their commitments are weak (Taylor + Heitzman). Another big need for this class is a QB, more for depth and a hedge against D-Rob and Devin sucking. Should be interesting to follow. Don't know what else is considered a big need - RB?

[Dick Pole Upside]

And now Matt Wile, Army AA kicker. Lord knows we could use one.

Nice little rally for Michigan.

Productive weekend so far.

[bowiac]

These are 3 prospects with limited offers from elsewhere. They got recruits, but I have no real reason to think they picked up particularly good players this weekend. Meanwhile they pulled their offer from Hakeen Flowers - a guy with offers out the wazoo. I don't really get it.

[Zososoxfan]

These are 3 prospects with limited offers from elsewhere. They got recruits, but I have no real reason to think they picked up particularly good players this weekend. Meanwhile they pulled their offer from Hakeen Flowers - a guy with offers out the wazoo. I don't really get it.

Valid point, but I think this is a good way to approach this 2011 class - get a few quick hit 3* guys who fit the mold so the class isn't totally lost, then go after some reaches (for instance, 4* DB Stefan McClure received an offer and took an official). No one should expect these guys last few signees to be All Americans, but if they can be 2 year starters, it's an accomplishment to get them at this point in the game.

[Dick Pole Upside]

These are 3 prospects with limited offers from elsewhere. They got recruits, but I have no real reason to think they picked up particularly good players this weekend. Meanwhile they pulled their offer from Hakeen Flowers - a guy with offers out the wazoo. I don't really get it.

I don't think Michigan traditionally pulls scholarships, so if they've told Flowers they won't be offering I think it's because they have a surfeit of dwarves, er WRs, and they going to focus elsewhere to try and pick up some serviceable kids.

Apparently headway has been made with a couple of solid LBs and TEs. They're also trying to target DLs as well. With a week and a half to go, getting some solid mid-range talent seems like a realistic goal. 3 commits at positions of need, with (apparently) more on the way mid-week.

Stonum, Hemingway, Roundtree, and Odoms are a solid 1-4 set of receivers. Michigan has a staggering 18 receivers listed on the roster; no seniors. On a roster with 117 listed players, that's a gross waste of resources. Even if Flowers is a 3- or 4-star, there are more pressing problems in 2011 than adding a 19th receiver (not including Shawn Conway, who I believe is a Michigan commit that is on par with Flowers). By contrast, they only have 13 LBs on the roster (6 of whom weigh 220 or less), two of whom are graduating. A couple of years ago, the Pats carried 11 LBs on their 53 man roster.

That's not a knock on your perspective, Bowiac, but I think it representst the practicality of Hoke trying to re-design the roster on the fly.

Of course,we have 7 returning CBs (most of whom are FR and SOs) and we already have 5 CB commits (including Blake Countess), and they are wooing Stefan McClure, who is another highly rated CB. That includes injured returnees JT Floyd and Troy Woolfolk. They've got to sort through the trash with the rest of that bunch.

[Zososoxfan]

Hokeamania rumbles on with now former Purdue QB commit Russell Bellomy now a Wolverine. Most sites have him as a 3*, Rivals has him lower, but I think offer lists are a better barometer and it's encouraging - MSU, Minnesota, Colorado, USF, and some small conference schools. This was clearly a need with only D-Rob and Devin at QB, so more applause for the Hokesters is in order. I'd really like to see the staff reel in some D Line and LBers if possible. After that, it's about quality.

[Dick Pole Upside]

Antonio Poole, a 4-star LB out of Ohio commits tonight.

Commits/re-commits at LB position:

• Kellen Jones: 4-star MLB
• Antonio Poole: 4-star OLB
• Desmond Morgan: 3-star ILB

All have decent size. Jones needs to beef up.

Still out there with a good shot: 3-star LB Leilon Willingham (6-2/240). Big boy.

Puncher's chance at Darion Cooper, monster 4-star DT.

Hoke/Mattison closing HARD.

[Zososoxfan]

Antonio Poole, a 4-star LB out of Ohio commits tonight.

Commits/re-commits at LB position:

• Kellen Jones: 4-star MLB
• Antonio Poole: 4-star OLB
• Desmond Morgan: 3-star ILB

All have decent size. Jones needs to beef up.

Still out there with a good shot: 3-star LB Leilon Willingham (6-2/240). Big boy.

Puncher's chance at Darion Cooper, monster 4-star DT.

Hoke/Mattison closing HARD.

I'm trying to remain objective, but this is a decent, and could become a good, recruiting class. Mattison's presence and recruiting ability, combined with Hoke's recruiting ability, have been a good combo thus far.

I wonder if Brandon planned this to some extent, in other words, once it was clear that Harbaugh was out, felt out Mattison (and make him the de facto primary target) and said he'd coach with Hoke if the Ravens lost early in the playoffs, but not Les. Not to mention Les would've been a more expensive coach.

[Sea Bass Neely]

Antonio Poole, a 4-star LB out of Ohio commits tonight.

Commits/re-commits at LB position:

• Kellen Jones: 4-star MLB
• Antonio Poole: 4-star OLB
• Desmond Morgan: 3-star ILB

All have decent size. Jones needs to beef up.

Still out there with a good shot: 3-star LB Leilon Willingham (6-2/240). Big boy.

Puncher's chance at Darion Cooper, monster 4-star DT.

Hoke/Mattison closing HARD.

Frank Clark is still out there too. I'd say the odds are about 50/50, tough to get a read on Glenville kids without OSU offers.

Michigan will close well enough. Fill out the class with bodies in places they need and get started on 2012 quick. They need to lock down all these kids who favor Michigan at this point and it would be the makings of a hell of a 2012 class:
- James Ross
- Royce Jenkins-Stone
- Terry Richardson
- Chris Wormley
- Danny O'Brien - people might want to see more before an offer is extended.

[sachmoney]

Countess reaffirmed his commitment today as well after Mattison visited him at his house. Joyous news. Michigan jumped on Scout from #41 to #32 today (jumped up to 30th on Rivals). I know a lot of us were anxious when Hoke first signed on, but he and Mattison have been closing like crazy. I'm impressed both with the guys he's got and what a lot of players who've visited have said. I think if they had more time to work on some of these guys, we could have had a truly elite class. I think we're still going to have a solid class now. There are some key announcements coming up in the next week.

Next year's class could be ridiculous. Wormley is a beast.

Edited by sachmoney, 26 January 2011 - 12:01 AM.

[Zososoxfan]

Michigan misses out on 4* CB Stefan McClure to Cal. Can't get em all.


http://insider.espn....greg&id=6064537

[redinchicago]

Michigan misses out on 4* CB Stefan McClure to Cal. Can't get em all.

That was something pretty well known for a week or so. The distance away from California was always an issue.

[Chemistry Schmemistry]

And holding on to Countess made it less likely a position of need. There are now five corners amongst the 16 verbal commits. That's a lot to work with, especially when you consider the youth already at the position here.

Maybe the biggest realistic prize remaining, with several schools in pursuit (Michigan State, Iowa, Georgia Tech) is massive defensive tackle Darian Cooper. He is supposed to visit this weekend.

It looks good on Texas A&M commit Leilon Willingham, a strong linebacker from Denver.

Next is that massive interior lineman from Illinois, Chris Bryant. That looks very likely.

Arkansas commit Chris Barnett, a tight end, is supposed to visit this weekend.

They're in very good shape on defensive end Frank Clark from Cleveland. The interesting thing there is that he's from the same high school as quarterback Cardale Jones and wide receiver Shane Wynn. Michigan is supposedly still in on those two, though I'm not sure they'd take a quarterback whose style differs so much from what they have. Jones is visiting Ohio State this weekend. He and Wynn, in particular, are very close friends.

Local running back Thomas Rawls supposedly has picked it up academically, and will announce for Michigan. He has very good size.

Jake Fisher, a tall offensive tackle who needs some bulk, was a commit under Rodriguez, but is looking elsewhere. Michigan is still on his list.

They might prefer offensive tackle Ryan Nowicki, a Penn State commit who has decided to take a visit here this weekend.

They decided it might be nice to have a real fullback on the roster, so Trayion Durham from Cincinnati is coming this weekend.

I've read they might be in on defensive end Brandon Alexander, who has an offer from Texas and is visiting Arkansas this weekend.

Other names I've read this week are tackle Pat Flavin, an Illinois commit, and defensive end Davon Moreland, an SMU commit. Of course no one knows for sure what will happen in the next few days, but if things break a little for Hoke, he could bring this class on to the fringe of the top 20.

[ethangl]

It looks good on Texas A&M commit Leilon Willingham, a strong linebacker from Denver.

I've read they might be in on defensive end Brandon Alexander, who has an offer from Texas and is visiting Arkansas this weekend.

Willingham's not an A&M commit. I think you will get him. You have no shot at Alexander.

[Zososoxfan]

And holding on to Countess made it less likely a position of need. There are now five corners amongst the 16 verbal commits. That's a lot to work with, especially when you consider the youth already at the position here.

Maybe the biggest realistic prize remaining, with several schools in pursuit (Michigan State, Iowa, Georgia Tech) is massive defensive tackle Darian Cooper. He is supposed to visit this weekend.

It looks good on Texas A&M commit Leilon Willingham, a strong linebacker from Denver.

Next is that massive interior lineman from Illinois, Chris Bryant. That looks very likely.

Arkansas commit Chris Barnett, a tight end, is supposed to visit this weekend.

They're in very good shape on defensive end Frank Clark from Cleveland. The interesting thing there is that he's from the same high school as quarterback Cardale Jones and wide receiver Shane Wynn. Michigan is supposedly still in on those two, though I'm not sure they'd take a quarterback whose style differs so much from what they have. Jones is visiting Ohio State this weekend. He and Wynn, in particular, are very close friends.

Local running back Thomas Rawls supposedly has picked it up academically, and will announce for Michigan. He has very good size.

Jake Fisher, a tall offensive tackle who needs some bulk, was a commit under Rodriguez, but is looking elsewhere. Michigan is still on his list.

They might prefer offensive tackle Ryan Nowicki, a Penn State commit who has decided to take a visit here this weekend.

They decided it might be nice to have a real fullback on the roster, so Trayion Durham from Cincinnati is coming this weekend.

I've read they might be in on defensive end Brandon Alexander, who has an offer from Texas and is visiting Arkansas this weekend.

Other names I've read this week are tackle Pat Flavin, an Illinois commit, and defensive end Davon Moreland, an SMU commit. Of course no one knows for sure what will happen in the next few days, but if things break a little for Hoke, he could bring this class on to the fringe of the top 20.

I imagine that some of the bigger DBs will be tried out at safety, another position of need. With the switch back to the 4-3, I'd also expect the safeties primary responsibilities to be in pass support as opposed to run support.

[sachmoney]

We have a quarterback commit, so I doubt we take Cardale.

I don't think you can be anything less than impressed with the class Hoke and Mattison have put together in the last couple of weeks. Yeah, you're disappointed overall (we're Michigan, we hold ourselves to high standards), but for the time they've had, they've put together a decent-solid recruiting class. I definitely think they will do great things with next year's class, a class, if I'm not mistaken, that is supposed to have more talent.

[Zososoxfan]

We have a quarterback commit, so I doubt we take Cardale.

I don't think you can be anything less than impressed with the class Hoke and Mattison have put together in the last couple of weeks. Yeah, you're disappointed overall (we're Michigan, we hold ourselves to high standards), but for the time they've had, they've put together a decent-solid recruiting class. I definitely think they will do great things with next year's class, a class, if I'm not mistaken, that is supposed to have more talent.

I've been impressed too and I think they'll be able to put a solid class together next year regardless, but nothing will get this team better commits than success on the field and players making it into the NFL.

[Sea Bass Neely]

Neither Jones nor Shane Wynn will be part of the class. Jones is hoping to work out some sort of deal with the OSU staff (lands last spot, greyshirt, etc.) and if not he is going to Toledo. Not totally sure what's happening there. Wynn is likely headed to Oregon.

Edited by Sea Bass Neely, 27 January 2011 - 05:41 PM.

[Chemistry Schmemistry]

Looks like Nowicki and Durham have canceled their visits. Offensive linemen take a couple of years to adjust to the college game, bulk up, so it would be nice to pick up another one in addition to Posada and Bryant. Hopefully Bryant is solid.

It would be a blow to lose Cooper to MSU. Have to think with his final four that he's drawn to the Big Ten. At his size, he can make an impact here. The rest seems to be in place. Not a spectacular class, but Hoke did a nice job averting disaster. At least it will be a little warm this weekend for this time of year. Don't want to scare the recruits with below-zero wind chills.

[redinchicago]

Looks like Nowicki and Durham have canceled their visits. Offensive linemen take a couple of years to adjust to the college game, bulk up, so it would be nice to pick up another one in addition to Posada and Bryant. Hopefully Bryant is solid.

I'm a little worried that Bryant commits to Pitt. From what I read it seems like he enjoys the city of Pittsburgh, the Steelers facilities and most importantly, the coaches.

[unlucky stuntman]

looks like bryant is on board. nice addition.

[Zososoxfan]

MI 3* RB Thomas Rawls qualified academically and has committed to the Wolverines.

http://www.detnews.c...its-to-Michigan

[Chemistry Schmemistry]

That's 18 in the class. The analysts seem to be focusing in on five remaining names:

1. Jake Fisher, OL, Traverse City, MI. Was committed to Michigan, now seems to want to go to Oregon, but Michigan is still in the ball game. Will announce either today or tomorrow.

2. Frank Clark, DE/LB, Cleveland, OH. Michigan seems to be in the driver's seat here. Michigan State and North Carolina close. Will announce Wednesday morning.

3. Leilon Willingham, LB, Denver, CO. Once connected to Texas A&M, Michigan appears to be in the lead. He would add a lot to the linebacking class. Will announce Wednesday evening.

4. Darian Cooper, DT, Hyattsville, MD. Visited this weekend and it went well. A huge position of need for Michigan. Seems a toss-up with Iowa, Michigan State and Georgia Tech in the hunt. Will announce some time Wednesday.

5. Chris Barnett, TE, Hurst, TX. Opened up his commitment to Arkansas and is apparently deciding between Michigan and Arkansas. Will announce Saturday - he's good enough that the schools will make room.

[Zososoxfan]

That's 18 in the class. The analysts seem to be focusing in on five remaining names:

1. Jake Fisher, OL, Traverse City, MI. Was committed to Michigan, now seems to want to go to Oregon, but Michigan is still in the ball game. Will announce either today or tomorrow.

2. Frank Clark, DE/LB, Cleveland, OH. Michigan seems to be in the driver's seat here. Michigan State and North Carolina close. Will announce Wednesday morning.

3. Leilon Willingham, LB, Denver, CO. Once connected to Texas A&M, Michigan appears to be in the lead. He would add a lot to the linebacking class. Will announce Wednesday evening.

4. Darian Cooper, DT, Hyattsville, MD. Visited this weekend and it went well. A huge position of need for Michigan. Seems a toss-up with Iowa, Michigan State and Georgia Tech in the hunt. Will announce some time Wednesday.

5. Chris Barnett, TE, Hurst, TX. Opened up his commitment to Arkansas and is apparently deciding between Michigan and Arkansas. Will announce Saturday - he's good enough that the schools will make room.

I think we get Clark, Willingham, and Barnett, I see Fisher going to Eugene and Cooper going somewhere else. Either way, kudos to the staff. They've put the team in a position to potentially get a top 20 class and considering where they started from, that's one hell of an accomplishment.

[Chemistry Schmemistry]

I think we get Clark, Willingham, and Barnett, I see Fisher going to Eugene and Cooper going somewhere else. Either way, kudos to the staff. They've put the team in a position to potentially get a top 20 class and considering where they started from, that's one hell of an accomplishment.

I agree with that assessment. Fisher has apparently already given a verbal to Oregon. Cooper still seems like a long shot.

[Zososoxfan]

I agree with that assessment. Fisher has apparently already given a verbal to Oregon. Cooper still seems like a long shot.

Official, Fisher to Oregon.

http://michigan.riva...asp?CID=1184155

Also, Clark and Willingham have postponed their announcements due to weather. Cooper is the only known Michigan target expected to announce today (noon).

[thehitcat]

Official, Fisher to Oregon.

http://michigan.riva...asp?CID=1184155

Also, Clark and Willingham have postponed their announcements due to weather. Cooper is the only known Michigan target expected to announce today (noon).

From the Rivals Ongoing NSD Chat

adamgorney: Sounds like Frank Clark has sent his LOI to Michigan #RivalsNSD [via Twitter]

[Zososoxfan]

From the Rivals Ongoing NSD Chat

adamgorney: Sounds like Frank Clark has sent his LOI to Michigan #RivalsNSD [via Twitter]

Official, OH ATH Frank Clark is a Wolverine:

http://mgoblog.com/c...oblog (mgoblog)

While it's unclear where he'll play (websites have him at TE, LB, and DE), I think this is also important to continue the reinvestment to the OH prospect pipeline. In the Destination Jobs thread, posters agree that one of the defining characteristics of a destination job is the recruiting talent nearby. OH is one of the top 4 recruiting states (FL, TX, CA being the others) and getting prospects from there is a must.

Cmon Cooper, Willingham, and Barnett!

[Chemistry Schmemistry]

Willingham will apparently announce tomorrow. But it looks like we lost him to the local team - Colorado.

And Cooper went to Iowa.

Not a good day so far. Barnett supposed to announce any minute now.

Edited by Chemistry Schmemistry, 02 February 2011 - 01:54 PM.

[Chemistry Schmemistry]

And it appears we got Barnett. A very good tight end who may even contribute this year.

[WayBackVazquez]

Willingham will apparently announce tomorrow. But it looks like we lost him to the local team - Colorado.

And Cooper went to Iowa.

Not a good day so far. Barnett supposed to announce any minute now.

Where are you getting that? You really have an unrivaled negative streak.

[Zososoxfan]

Willingham will apparently announce tomorrow. But it looks like we lost him to the local team - Colorado.

And Cooper went to Iowa.

Not a good day so far. Barnett supposed to announce any minute now.

Barnett is official and I agree, we will see him on the field this year.

Losing Cooper hurts, but getting Barnett and Clark is solid. I don't know how at this moment, this kid determined going to Iowa was a GOOD idea - mindbottling.

Willingham isn't official yet, right?

Regardless, adding 4 4* recruits and retaining 2 previously committed ones is exceptional (+ Denard). Our class is ranked #24 prior to the addition of Barnett, so realistically, we're looking at a top 20 class, 2nd in the B1G (OSU). If you told me this anytime between RR getting fired and a few days into Hokeamania, I would've been very, very happy.

[WayBackVazquez]

Angelique Chengelis just tweeted that Mattison slipped on ice and had to have surgery on his leg. Welcome back to A2, Greg!

[Chemistry Schmemistry]

Where are you getting that? You really have an unrivaled negative streak.

I was watching the MGoBlog chat. They are on top of a lot of good sources, including Tom VanHaaren's tweeting. I've also looked through a couple of forums from rival schools.

The mood on Willingham is negative right now. Yesterday, he looked like a lock. He delayed his announcement to tomorrow, but the rumor is it's to decide between Central Florida (where his best friend is going) and Colorado, where they have focused on him as their number-one recruit.

I'm sorry you're taking my commentary personally. I don't like that I was right about Rich Rodriguez. I grew up here and returned to the area four years ago - Michigan football is in my blood.

[Domer]

This was rather awkward:



http://eye-on-recrui...895818/27351095

[WayBackVazquez]

I was watching the MGoBlog chat. They are on top of a lot of good sources, including Tom VanHaaren's tweeting. I've also looked through a couple of forums from rival schools.

The mood on Willingham is negative right now. Yesterday, he looked like a lock. He delayed his announcement to tomorrow, but the rumor is it's to decide between Central Florida (where his best friend is going) and Colorado, where they have focused on him as their number-one recruit.

I'm sorry you're taking my commentary personally. I don't like that I was right about Rich Rodriguez. I grew up here and returned to the area four years ago - Michigan football is in my blood.

I'm not sure why you think I take it personally. I'm a red sox fan as well, so I'm familiar with the personality type.

In any event, VanHaaren hasn't indicated any such thing about Willingham. I've been checking the CU sites, and they all seem just as uncertain. He's choosing between UM, CU, and UCF, and nobody really knows which way he's leaning at this point.

[Zososoxfan]

This was rather awkward:



http://eye-on-recrui...895818/27351095

I didn't think it was too bad. I thought RR fished for a couple of comments and instead of providing them, Hoke took a couple of subtle jabs - "not making excuses." Hoke did say that there was a solid foundation to the class and said that these guys are going to represent UM well, but overall, I thought they were both cordial considering the circumstances.

[thehitcat]

Latest from the Rivals Chat


bperroni: Word is Willingham wants to go to #UCF but parents want him closer to home. Would #Michigan be a compromise? #Colorado also has a shot [via Twitter]


http://footballrecru...asp?CID=1183757

Before that they acknowledged the questions about Leilon and stated that when they had news they would give it.

[Chemistry Schmemistry]

I'm not sure why you think I take it personally. I'm a red sox fan as well, so I'm familiar with the personality type.

In any event, VanHaaren hasn't indicated any such thing about Willingham. I've been checking the CU sites, and they all seem just as uncertain. He's choosing between UM, CU, and UCF, and nobody really knows which way he's leaning at this point.

Whatever. I hated the Rodriguez hire from the beginning and took a lot of shit for it. I'm not the fanboi type. I'm usually quite positive about Michigan football, the last three years have taken quite a toll.

I can only go on what I've read about Willingham. I don't think people around the program believe he's coming here. No one knows for certain, and he's just a kid, he could change his mind ten times between now and tomorrow. The people who have said Michigan is out among the three finalists could be blowing smoke - I don't know them personally. I hope they are, he would be a great addition to the class.

[redinchicago]

Willingham to UCF. Kick in the nuts. Michigan loses a recruit to Central Florida. I understand of the whole best friend thing.

[Zososoxfan]

Willingham to UCF. Kick in the nuts. Michigan loses a recruit to Central Florida. I understand of the whole best friend thing.

It obviously hurts, but I can live with it if they bring in a great class next year. As it stands now, UM has 16 offers to give out to the stacked midwest class next year and has a lot of needs to fill - namely, OL, DT, and WR (the short slot guys days at UM are numbered).

[Zososoxfan]

Some interesting notes on some of the details the Hokesters plan to use in recruiting going forward. A bit long and I had to cut down on it too:

Hoke noted in his press conference that they had started already Wednesday morning on 2012 recruiting, but in reality 2012 recruiting started in January with assistant coaches stopping through the high schools of several top junior prospects, particularly in the Midwest.

What Hoke was referring to about Wednesday's start harkens back to an old Lloyd Carr tradition - sending out a wave of junior offers on National Signing Day. It's a way to get juniors involved in the Signing Day buzz and generate excitement.

...

One event Hoke plans to do on a grand scale is the summer camp. Rich Rodriguez and his staff got away from the one-shot, 2,500-kid weeklong camp that Lloyd Carr and his group would host, instead hosting a series of camps throughout the month of June.

Hoke made it clear on Wednesday, though, that he prefers the big camp, not just for the benefit of evaluating prospects, but also for building relationships with everyone from colleagues to high school coaches to the everyday fan.

"Summer camp will be a big part of it, and we're bringing summer camp back to how it was before," Hoke said. "High school coaches and MAC coaches - all of that helps really sell the camp, enhances the experience for kids and adds tremendous value to the type of kids you have come to the camp."

Junior Days and summer camp are two of the three major categories of on-campus recruiting events. The third, and most important, is official visits.

The greatest atmosphere any major football program has to sell is on a home-game Saturday in the fall. Some coaches, however, discourage in-season official visits because they feel it takes away from their game preparation and they cannot give the time necessary to recruits for them to have a worthwhile experience. Hoke is one of those coaches, but he also recognizes the value a football Saturday in Ann Arbor and will continue bringing in official visitors during the season.

Lots of interesting stuff here, but 2 main things: 1) getting back to things that worked, 2) relationships in the midwest. As for #1, getting some offers out to the juniors today and having a centralized one-weekend camp have worked in the past and it looks like those things are being reinstituted. Hoke and a lot of his staff (read: Mattison) know how to do these things and will probably have it rocking with DB's preference for over the top presentation and modernization. As for #2, getting back the summer camp, you can tell that Hoke has no intention of letting MI players out of his sights, wants to get a lot of the good IL/IN kids, and pick away at the backyards of the of the other B1Gers in WI, IA, PA, and especially OH. In RRs most representative recruiting class ('09 - Tate, Denard, Lewan, Roh, et al.) about half of the 4/5* kids were not from the midwest. I think you'll still see a fair share of kids from other parts of the country, namely TX and CA (Hello, Southern Cali kids!), but you're gonna see an inection of midwestern beef in the next couple years.

[Neonman]

Tate Forcier heading to Miami

ESPN Forcier chooses Hurricanes

"Miami had the best opportunity," Forcier told ESPN. "There is so much positive energy around this program and I really want to be apart of it. I love these coaches an feel like they are the right guys for me. I had a great visit and I really want to be a part of the rebirth at Miami."

[Zososoxfan]

Got to meet Desmond Howard yesterday at a Sports Law event in Miami I was attending. He's not much bigger than me (5'8, 175), but he was really cool and took the time to speak with me and a few other alums for awhile. He came in half way through the meeting where his friend was speaking because he was watching the Mich bball game (how effin cool is that?). He's really excited about the Brady Hoke era and is heading back up there next week. I asked him if he had heard anything about the recruiting in Ohio (Des is from Cleveland) and he said he expects him to hit the whole state hard, but that Hoke isn't from Cleveland, so he didn't know (or my guess want to tell) anymore detail than that.

GO BLUE!

[WayBackVazquez]

Got the offer and just paid for my first year as a non-student season ticket holder. Unreal home schedule this year; hope to make it back for at least ND, Nebraska and OSU.