A week from now, once all the major prospects have signed LOI's, the attention will heavily fall on the 09 class.
Rivals has released its top 100 for that class already.

I hate USC. The class of 08 hasn't even signed yet and USC already has verbal commitments from 5 guys the top 100, a group which includes the #1 overall.

Michigan has a commit from the #11 overall, 5 star DT William Campbell. He committed very early, just like his current teammate and 08 commit Cissoko. Will be interesting to see if he waivers as he gets national attention. UM is recruiting his classmate, RB Teric Jones, as well.

Jones is one of several instate RB's to get early attention. That group is headlined by Larry Caper, and also includes Hersey Jackson and Jordan Jonker.
Another Jackson, WR James Jackson, is on the radar as well. It just so happens that his father is UM coach Fred Jackson. The top ranked WR in the state is Dion Sims from Orchard Lake St Mary's. He will have a decision to make, as he is also one of the top hoops players in his class.

More info later. Maybe a week early to start this thread, but I was motivated by rivals.
http://www.rivals.com/viewrank.asp?ra_key=1936

One other thing you may want to know about James Jackson -
according to scout (who has him as a 4 star) he has RIDICULOUS speed.
4.31 40!
http://michigan.scout.com/a.z?s=162&p=8&c=1&nid=3216722

is 4.31 even possible? lol. i'd like to see him do that with regularity. doesnt matter though, in ncaa football i regularly recruit guys with 4.17 40's that would smoke him.

Barwis can run a 1.4 forty. That kid needs some work.

I believe Teric Jones has run a 4.39. Could you imagine getting those two at UM with Barwis there and a coaching staff that actually takes advantage of speed? We might actually see plays of over 50 yards on a regular basis.
Meanwhile, I'm dreaming of a potential line with Campbell and Martin mauling the middle and Perry coming around the end. Come on Perry, make it happen!

is 4.31 even possible? lol. i'd like to see him do that with regularity. doesnt matter though, in ncaa football i regularly recruit guys with 4.17 40's that would smoke him.

Word homes. I actually recruited a 3 star RB who ran a 4.18 but couldn't do anything else. =(

Addictive game.

NCAA has it set up so that if your 250 pound 6'4 LB's don't run better than a 4.45 you get destroyed because they are too slow.

By the way, I need to correct something I posted. Instate WR James Jackson is NOT the son of Fred Jackson. Yes, Fred Jackson does have a son that is a highly regarded WR in his class and his first name starts with J, but it is actually 2010 WR prospect Jeremy Jackson that is Fred's son. Sorry for any confusion that might have caused. All the stuff about 40 times fits James, the non-son of Fred.

Ok, now that the class of 2008 is almost completely signed and sealed (still waiting on the #1 player) we can really start to turn our focus.
I'm not sure how Teric Jones could possibly fit in at this point. UM just signed FOUR 4-star RB's. It's quite possible that two of them will become slot guys, but I'm not thinking there's a great reason for any RB to sign with UM next season.

The defense will need plenty of help. We got a DT, a real nice group of LB's, and some safeties. If we can keep Campbell committed we are beautiful up the middle. But we seriously will need help along the outsides of the field.

I think we'll be ok at WR, but no reason not to take a couple more.

But with RR wanting to carry 5 QB's, that quite obviously becomes an area to focus on. With Pryor, they still probably sign at least one more if possible. Without, the race is on for a couple names that have been mentioned in other threads - with Newton being the target I would guess they focus on the most.

I guess we better press hard after Teric, and get him to convince his friend to wear green.

Well, you have a huge inside track on Larry Caper. Not sure if you have other RB targets as well, but I wouldn't be shocked if Caper commits within a month or two.
I think if Campbell heads elsewhere it will be out-of-state, to that whore USC or something.

Well, you have a huge inside track on Larry Caper. Not sure if you have other RB targets as well, but I wouldn't be shocked if Caper commits within a month or two.
I think if Campbell heads elsewhere it will be out-of-state, to that whore USC or something.

I think we'll pick up 2 RB's. That wouldn't be unusual, and we only signed one this year.

I could see State getting Caper along with Hersey Jackson or Jordan Jonker. I don't see them getting Jones or Edwin Baker.

I think if State picks up committments from Caper and Andrew Maxwell in the next month they would have the HUGE early momentum in the state of Michigan. I am wondering if many Michigan prospects will wait to see how RR's offense plays out before making any decisions or if our tradition is still enough to bring cats in right away.

I think we can honestly expect to see the "bowl game offense" versus the "West Virginia offense" this year as Threet looks to be in charge barring a TP committment.

Might as well stick this, because it's about time to get this thread rolling.

From Russell Shepherd, ATH/B.A. QB from Houston, Texas.........

Monday, January 28
To was a very interesting day. We went through some intense workouts outside and while we were working out, some man comes close to me. I look at him like I have seen you before. My coach tells me after the man leaves that it was coach Mike Sherman and that he wants me to be the next Texas A&M quarterback.

Today I did a photo shoot for a magazine called Southeast Texas Magazine. It will be coming to newsstands near you. Ha Ha.

A.J. Highsmith, Jacob Karam, Kolby Gray, Kenneth Guiton were all there as well. I think I am going to have to change my number because people have been calling me like crazy for interviews. I have even been getting stuff in the mail for autographs. I just called coach (Urban) Myer and we had a good conversation. He thinks I can come in and compete for the starting quarterback position with Tim Tebow probably leaving early.

Tuesday, January 29
I was in the weight room squatting today and I look up and Texas coach (Oscar) Giles was here. He is my recruiter from Texas he is the D-line coach. It was good to see him again.

But check this out, I was throwing with a couple of my receivers and coach (Rich) Rodriguez from Michigan was out watching me throw. Coach (Fred) Jackson was with him and he is my recruiting coach from Michigan. The head coach up at Oklahoma State was here as well.

I just got off the phone with coach (James) Patton and he is my recruiting coach from Oklahoma. I told him I would not be able to attend their junior Day February 2, but I am still interested in their school. He said it’s fine and that he and Coach (Bob) Stoops will be down tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 30
Today was a good day. I just got off the phone with Tom Lemming. He wants my cousin (Craig Loston) and I to come down to a local TV station on signing day to be on his national TV show. Last year juniors Terrell Pryor and Darrell Scott were on there.

Just got off the phone with coach Rodriguez. That man knows how to recruit and I am serious. That 15-minute talk made a world of difference. If they don’t get Terrell Pryor, I feel I can come and have the job handed to me. I also talked to the head coach at Kansas State. He is a good man and I see them in a BCS game next year.

Thursday, January 31
I just got invited to be on one of our local TV stations down here as one of the top prospects in the Class of 2009. Its called HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS LIVE. Tom Lemming also asked me to come on a local TV station to do an interview by satellite to New York. It’s getting kind of crazy with people calling and sending me mail. I think I am going to have to change my number.

Friday, February 1
The university of Virginia offered me today and I think that is 20 offers now. I didn’t think they would be rolling in like this. If I had to pick a Top 5, it would be Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, and LSU (my girlfriend is a sophomore there). But knowing me that could change any minute. I am pretty excited about going up to Texas. If they don’t offer me while I am there, that will change the way I feel about them a lotttt.

This is now the 2nd time I've heard him give a top 5 and both times he has listed Michigan #1. However, with his bitch being at LSU and Oklahoma and Texas in his backyard I consider this kid hard to get out of Texas. However again, there is a rumor that Texas has already received a committment from one of the top QB's in the nation for '09 already (supposed to be today).

I think his comments toward RR are a very good sign and I think this kid would be a SICK choice to run the spread zone read offense that we will have at some point.

Good stuff Crittle, where'd you get it from?

Love hearing the stuff about the amazing recruiter that RichRod is. How is Pryor not feeling it and jumping at the chance to drive the Ann Arbor Ferrari?

What's with your Av Moodini? I can't understand the grammar in that thing.

What's with your Av Moodini? I can't understand the grammar in that thing.

Internet catchphrase from some '90's game - All your base are belong to us.

This is a play on that.

Good stuff Crittle, where'd you get it from?

Love hearing the stuff about the amazing recruiter that RichRod is. How is Pryor not feeling it and jumping at the chance to drive the Ann Arbor Ferrari?

It's simple: Pryor is retarded.

Good stuff Crittle, where'd you get it from?

Love hearing the stuff about the amazing recruiter that RichRod is. How is Pryor not feeling it and jumping at the chance to drive the Ann Arbor Ferrari?

I found it on the Scout Board and it was actually free so I decided to copy and paste it. Sounds like he is all about this damn recruiting diary so I wonder if he'll draw it out so he can keep giving his wonderful insight.

His girlfriend is a sophmore in college? Is he a couple of grades behind or did she start dating him when she was a senior in high school and he was a freshman? I doubt that the two will still be together for another year while the kid gets to "sample the best that college life has to offer" during his recruiting trips.

It's all over Scout that the Gilbert kid is gonna committ to Tejas any minute now. Shepard may be RR's to lose. RR has GOT to save this poor kid before he gets that chick knocked up and he ends up married by the time he's a freshman in college.

Morgan Newton or Russell Shepherd, thats all I'm going to say. Rich Rod WILL land one of these two QB's if TP doesn't pick U of M (which I expect he won't)

Article on Scout says that J.T. Turner has now said his leader is the Buckeyes. He is a top 50 player and one of the best CB/S recruits in the country and has been a strong Michigan lean for quite a while. It sounds like he was angry about Lloyd retiring and RR has some work to do, but this kid is a HUUUUGE recruit.

Article on Scout says that J.T. Turner has now said his leader is the Buckeyes. He is a top 50 player and one of the best CB/S recruits in the country and has been a strong Michigan lean for quite a while. It sounds like he was angry about Lloyd retiring and RR has some work to do, but this kid is a HUUUUGE recruit.


I don't think he was "angry" about LC leaving, I think he just needs to become more familiar with RR before putting Michigan at the top of his list...

Rich Rod is a charmer, he can lure this kid back to being Blue

Here's and eraly writeup on next year's Michigan High School class. UM has a cimmittment from Campbell (so I'm sure DingDongTonio will not try to recruit him, you know, "Gentleman's agreement" and all) and MSU is lock solid with Norman. The rest seem up in the air. Overall, not a very impressive class.

Michigan State's coaching staff has already begun turning their attention to the bumper 2009 crop of talent in the state of Michigan landing Scout.com's early #6 player Chris Norman, a big, strong productive player with 97 tackles as a junior.

EAST LANSING - Michigan State's coaching staff has already begun turning their attention to the bumper 2009 crop of talent in the state of Michigan landing Scout.com's early #6 player Chris Norman, a big, strong productive player with 97 tackles as a junior.
GSN in concert with MichiganVarsity.com, takes a look at the top players in the state of Michigan and which ones Michigan State is likely to target.

10 Zach Matthias, OT, 6-foot-6, 305-pounds, Hemlock.
Offensive linemen don't usually draw headlines but Matthias is an unusal target who's drawing interest from major colleges across the nation, according to Hemlock coach Adam Clark.

"Currently Michigan is coming at him the heaviest," Clark reported, "Michigan State is there as well, along with Iowa, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Duke, Georgia Tech, Alabama, UConn, Illinois, Indiana and we have recently received inquiries from as far south as Florida, Florida State, and Clemson."

With Michigan being the leader, MSU must get in on this franchise tackle who could lead MSU to the Rose Bowl appearance Mark Dantonio point toward.

9. Teric Jones, RB, 5-foot-10, 195-pounds, Detroit Cass Tech.
One of a group of the top running backs in the state, Jones really emerged with a standout performance in the US Army All American Bowl Combine. After posting a 4.37-40 in San Antonio, Jones may have the most upside of any back in the group. That kind of talent will bring tons of suitors. He has already been offered by Michigan, but is getting interest from Michigan State, Alabama, Penn State, Iowa, Central Florida and Notre Dame. He says he's faster than UM commit Boubacar Cissoko. Now that's fast.

8. Hersey Jackson, RB, 6-foot-1, 215, Allendale.
Jackson is a more physical power back in the mold of former MSU back Jehuu Caulcrick. Jackson likes the Spartans and seems to be leaning towards staying in-state. “Wisconsin is sending me stuff. I’m getting letters from Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Indiana, and some stuff from Ohio State,” Jackson told IrishEyes.com.

A serious student, Jackson says academics is extremly important to him, another factor is how much they're committed to running the ball. “I went to Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State for one-day camps this summer. I like how they all run their programs, and the way they have their players in their weight program in the summer.”

7. Reid Fragel, TE, 6-foot-7, 255-pounds Grosse Pointe South.
Fragel likes Michigan State, but has visited Notre Dame four times and is receiving strong interest from the Irish. He visited Notre Dame with teammate Jimmy Saros and said he was "blown away" by the history and atmsophere of the place. Fragel has offers from Cincinnati and Miami (OH) but lists Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa and Purdue as his favorites.

6. Chris Norman, LB, 6-foot-2, 220-pounds, Detroit Rennaisance.
Give Michigan State a ton of credit for getting an early commitment from one of the top players in State, but their work isn't over. Early commitments continue to get phone calls from other colleges right up to signing day and it appears that new Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez is among those who doesn't view a commitment as binding until the LOI comes in. Still, Norman told GSN he intends to stay strong and that he is truly committed to State. We hope that's the case because he could give MSU the kind of Percy Snow type linebacker they crave.

5. James Jackson, WR, 5-foot-11, 170-pounds, Grand Ledge.
One of the true speed burners of the 2009 class, Jackson is a true playmaker, a game breaker who can turn on the jets and turn a routine slant or dig route into a home run. But even more impressive, Jackson turns down most interview requests because he just wants to be part of the team said his coach Matt Bird. "He doesn’t want to separate himself from the rest of the team,” Bird told GoBlueWolverine.com.

“He always wants to put the team first. They’ve asked for him to do radio interviews and he declines, he’s just a very humble kid.” Already holding a UM offer, Jackson is one of the few juniors with a four-star rating and rising.

4. Dion Sims, WR/TE, 6-foot-5, 230-pounds, Orchard Lake St. Mary.
Michigan State has the inside track on this versatile wide receiver, tight end and big time basketball prospect. Some may liken him to former Spartan and current Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Matt Trannon, but Sims is a better player than that.

One of the top small forwards in the state, he's being recruited by coach Tom Izzo. "I want to try to do both in college and use my abilities to the fullest," says Sims who claims offers from Miami, FL, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Iowa. One has to believe if an Izzo/Dantonio combination would be too much for Sims to turn away from.

3. Edwin Baker, RB, 5-foot-11, 210-pounds, Oak Park.
It's no wonder Baker is listed as one of the top three prospects in the state. He rushed for 1,295 yards as a junior while splitting time with senior Joevall Hoseay one of the top 25 backs in the state a season ago.

Still Baker, who compares himself to former Florida and Cowboys standout Emmett Smith says he wants to get the process over with early so he can concentrate on his senior season. “I hear from Michigan, Michigan State, Florida… all kind of schools,” Baker said. “I really haven’t gotten any offers yet though. Maybe because I’m young.” Don't worry, it won't be too long before the top schools in the state begin offering as Baker will be atop everyone's radar.

2. Larry Caper, RB, 6-foot, 215-pounds, Battle Creek Central.
Caper, a four-star Scout.com junior is the back that the in-state schools will have to fend off interest from the big out of town schools like USC (Ronald Johnson, Nick Perry) and Alabama (Mark Ingram, Jr.) that come into the state and routinely poach the top players.

Caper admits interest in Notre Dame and USC and attended their contest in South Bend last season. Teams love Caper because of his combination of elusiveness, soft hands out of the backfield, toughness, ability to block and run between the tackles. Caper's father says USC, Michigan, Alabama and severl other schools are flooding his home with mail, so the offers will no doubt come soon. Can MSU keep this talented star from getting out of the state? Stay tuned.

1. William Campbell, DT/OT, 6-foot-5, 320-pounds, Detroit Cass Tech.
Campbell moved into the #1 spot after a dominating performance at the Army Junior Combine and figures to help spring teammate Teric Jones to a huge year and make Cass a threat for the state championship. Campbell committed to Michigan and even after the coaching change appears solid. If so, it's the rest of the conferences loss as this young man appears on track to play not only collegiately, but at the professional level.

Others of note: #14, QB Andrew Maxwell of Midland.

Maxwell has been linked to Michigan State but hasn't gone on the record as making any kind of commitment but his arm strength and pocket presence can't be denied. Maxwell help lead the Chemics to a state championship appearance only to be denied by Nick Perry and Co. Still, Maxwell has a style similar to Brian Hoyer, a strong arm, the ability to run a little but needs work on his accuracy.

Michigan State's coaching staff has made recruiting the state of Michigan a priority and with this kind of talent ahead in 2009, it would appear that was a good decision.

Will the relationships that coach Dantonio and his staff forged over the last two years pay dividends with a super state recruiting haul? Stay tuned

THEY SET US UP THE BOMB!!!

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qItugh-fFgg

I don't understand why that group isn't considered a solid class. It seems the top 10 kids are as good as, if not better than, the top 10 kids for 2008. Maybe the dropoff from the top 10 to the next 10-15 isn't as deep, which may be a concern to MSU since that will constitute 6 or 7 of their recruits for next year, but for UM, who usually only looks really hard at the top 10 and a few others, it looks to be a decent class to work with for their 5-6 instate kids.

I bet RichRod will try and "poach" Norman...wouldn't surprise me at all...especially since Johnny Thompson, Brandon Logan, and Austin Panter are in their final seasons, U of M may have a need for LB's...

Well, there certainly is no reason to believe RR will stay away from him just because he's committed, but I don't think the need for LB's is terribly urgent, since they signed 4 in the current class. In addition to that, we have Ezeh and Mouton looking to make an impact.

I bet RichRod will try and "poach" Norman...wouldn't surprise me at all...especially since Johnny Thompson, Brandon Logan, and Austin Panter are in their final seasons, U of M may have a need for LB's...

He is supposed to have already said he will try.

But Norman sounds legitimately committed.

And Fragel better become a Spartan. ND got a 5 star and a 4 star TE this year. MSU uses the TE spot a lot and needs kids.

Seriously, we better get that kid. And 2 of the RB's, no idea which ones though(Caper and ? I would guess).

Caper and Hersey Jackson. Jackson is the one they will for sure get. Caper they will likely get as well, unless someone national can poach him. But I'm thinking he'll see the opening with Ringer leaving and take it.

Question - Maxwell was listed there as #14. What was Schaaf listed at? I think Schaaf has more potential and is the better QB, though he'll likely only play football at a school that lets him play baseball as well, from what I'm hearing.

Here is another question. Morgan Newton is one of the names being thrown around as a top dual-threat QB for the class of 2009. He attends Carmel HS in Carmel, IN.
Does it help UM at all that class of 2008 hoops commit Stuart Douglass also attends Carmel HS?
I think Newton plays hoops as well so they must be teammates. Not sure how they get along or how much knowing Stuart and having him in AA would help, but it's a thought.

THEY SET US UP THE BOMB!!!

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qItugh-fFgg

What happen?

Sounds like Russell Shepherd went to Texas's Junior Day looking for a simple guarantee that he would get a "shot" to play QB at Texas and Mack Brown told him he could be an impact Wide Receiver as a true freshman. OUCH!!!!!

The fact that he didn't commit to Texas is a very good thing, but it sounds like all they have to do is give him the "G" in regards to being a QB and he will commit on the spot. Hopefully this thing goes for a few more months so that Shep has a good chance to see what RR is doing up here and determine whether or not he is right for the system.

I'd have to say that if Texas is offering him as a receiver, they probably don't really want him. They got their guy in Gilbert.

Rumor now has it that Michigan might be the slight leader over Mack Brown and Urban Meyer for the services of Russell Shepherd. If he commits it would easily take the sting out of losing TP to those douche bags to the south.

http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/RUSSELL-SHEPPARD-150.JPG
From the mouth of Russell Shepard-

“I would say Texas is still up there, but Michigan is really at the top of my list, especially if they don’t get (2008 top recruit) Terrelle Pryor,” he said. “I feel like I could go there and play right away. I’m also looking at Florida and LSU. Both of those schools have pretty good depth-chart situations for me.”

Have you guys seen his video? I watched his sophomore highlights on rivals, and I obviously can't post that here, but I would say it was more impressive than Pryor's. It says they both run a 4.4, but Shepard seems faster on film. Here's a youtube highlight reel. It's the best I could do.

I2Zqqz1zSZs

i dont know, at 6'2 hes probably more troy smith than vince young. obviously, either would be great but one is obviously preferable. combine that with the immidiate need THIS year, and its hard to get too excited about this kid.

Russell Shepherd will be a Wolverine before August...he said he plans to commit before his senior season begins, and I can't see any reason to think he will go elsewhere...especially since TP is not going to come here anymore...

I'll take it.

diddy, half the time I wonder if you are about to put a bullet in your head.

Let me also add that if the kid is a 6'2 high school junior, chances are he could grow a bit more, maybe top out at 6'4 or something.
He has what it takes in the HEART: He told Texas he'd comitt if the offered him any shcollie, he just wants a chance to play. I think he's a great kid, and RichGod would do well to lock him up. UM has alot of yoot this coming year. With the yoots on OLINE coming in, if they can get a year of experience, and the rest of the team can get a year running the spread, then whoever RR brings in to quarterback (assuming that Threet isn't the second coming of Vince Young that many are predicting he will be) will have a btter team around him. Hell, maybe the kid they land can do what Stonum did and gruate early and enroll in time for spring ball.

See how this thing works diddy? YOU ask "why?" I ask "How". I make shit happen, you are afraid of Jim Tressel (and maybe even Joe Tiller).

NOTE: All UM recruiting info, and commits, goes into Jethro's thread or you will be banned.
Get it together, Ledezma. We are trying to build the #1 UM Football thread on the intranet. Don't be lazy or your ass wil get Barwissed

I just don't see Mack not saying 'Hey, I'll take a top 5 in the nation kid, even if it means I have to let him try out at QB. Look how Vince did.' So I doubt UM will get Russell.

Maybe the Indiana kid though.

I just don't see Mack not saying 'Hey, I'll take a top 5 in the nation kid, even if it means I have to let him try out at QB. Look how Vince did.' So I doubt UM will get Russell.

Maybe the Indiana kid though.

Just what we like. A fair and balanced assessment of the situation from a Spartie.

Russell Shepherd will be a Wolverine before August...

I'll believe it when twins says it is so.

diddy, half the time I wonder if you are about to put a bullet in your head.

your just upset cuz im down with twins. way down.

anyway, an inch or two would probably help the kid alot, especially for his own sake come draft day.

but a top 2 threat qb would be great. and if this kid is so down with michigan, i might even prefer him to a better talent who needs to be coddled at all times and isnt sure he wants to be here (pryor).

im just worried about barwis's prophecy, from the word of rod, that we would have as many championships as there are stars in the sky after rod's first season in ann arbor. gonna be hard to do without a qb. does barwis have any eligibility left?

BCC's Caper keeping his college options open
Feb 12, 2008
Jeff Karzen
The Enquirer


Battle Creek Central's Larry Caper II, one of the top ranked junior football players in America, said he doesn't plan to pick a college anytime soon.

Caper, a running back, had previously said he wanted to verbally commit before his senior season.

Not anymore.

"I just want to experience the whole process," Caper said.

"I want to get to know the schools and I don't want to cut anything off short."

Caper said he doesn't have a leader and has received scholarship offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Iowa, Stanford and Cincinnati.

The early lists are out for the class of 2009 and Caper is stacking up well. Tom Lemming, a recruiting analyst for CSTV, ranked Caper 33rd overall in the country and No. 1 in Michigan.

Rivals.com, a leading recruiting service, has Caper as a four-star recruit ? 64th overall and third in Michigan.

A 5-foot-11, 210-pound combination of power and speed, Caper rushed for more than 1,400 yards this season despite sharing carries with senior backs Bill Young and James Williams. Caper has taken multiple unofficial visits ? including to Michigan, MSU and Notre Dame ? but he'd like to take the NCAA-alloted five official visits next fall.

While he doesn't have a leader, Caper said MSU is recruiting him the hardest.

"I just like how they come to me," he said of MSU.

"Most recruiters say, 'We have this or we have that.' Michigan State is a more laid-back feeling. They put everything on the table and let me choose my decision. Coach (Mark) Dantonio is a good person."

Caper, who has a 3.8 GPA and has qualified academically for college, has not heard from Michigan since new coach Rich Rodriguez was hired in mid-December.

"I really don't know about Michigan right now," Caper said.

"My running style doesn't really fit their (spread attack) system. I think I could do it, but from a coaches' point of view, they want a scat back."

Caper plans to attend upcoming Junior Days at Wisconsin, MSU and possibly others. Last year, he was the only sophomore at Michigan's Junior Day.

RR will get his guy, he's not going to go 2 full recruiting seasons without landing his prized big-time dual threat QB, he'll land Sheppard...

A boob like Mack Brown shouldn't be anything to worry about...

Caper didn't have a good showing at the Army combine according to Scout. Slow 40 time, and appeared too bulked up.
teric Jones, on the other hand, looked great. Ran a 4.37 40. Michigan will probably set their sights on him and let Sparty have Caper. I'll take that trade.

He's a much better fit at State, and they need to get him. From reports I've heard, they've been in on him enough that it would be a major shock if he leaves the state of Michigan. He'll never end up in Ann Arbor, but the threat is there for him to head out of state. If MSU misses out on Ingram and Caper in successive years, ouch.

Caper should go to MSU, Ringer will be gone, and he will get instant carries...now if a bigger fish comes calling for him (ND, SEC Team, or w/e) than I wouldn't be shocked to see him go elsewhere...

I doubt he comes to Michigan...and I don't blame him

Seeing as to how Michigan has Grady, Minor, Brown, Horn, McGuffie, Cox, and possibly 17 other RB/slot types, there's no need for an RB unless he's really friggin' good.
Jones, yes, or purseue a 5 star or two. No need fro Caper.

I'd be very happy with Jones and Ronnie Wingo, but I have a hard time believing they can sell playing time to 2 running backs in this class. It was reported today that Shaw is a RB/WR that will play RB 75/25. So add Shaw to that list. Technically when football season starts we'll have 3 juniors and 4 freshman and adding 2 guys to that stable would be a very tough sell.

Yeah, to be honest, I don't really know why ANY RB would commit for the class of 09. Just way too much depth. USC still fins a way to sign 4 stud RB's every year in spite of it, but I just don't believe Jones will come unless he digs UM so much that he'll play DB or something. He may even be better than guys on the roster and steal some carries or reps in the slot, but I just don't see it.

T-Rob, M. Shaw and M. Odoms are all slot receivers. Coach Rod will bring in 3-4 more receivers in next year's class I read that he likes to have a lot of WR since he runs 4 wide a lot.

Dont sleep on Forcier. His dad will send another QB to Michigan if he feels like the fit is good. The youngest Forcier is a dual threat and would be a great 2nd QB in this class with any of the top QB. Forcier is top 10 dual threat QBs this coming season.

DL, QB, DB are the major areas that we need to get on next year. Another 2 DT, 2-3 DE, 1-2 CB, 2 QB and 2 S. Add in 5 OL, 1-2 LB, 2 RB and 3-4 WR and that takes you up to 25 or so players. The one position we are pretty much set at and can pass on next year is TE unless a Dion Sims wants to play at UM.

What about Edwin Baker for MSU's radar in 09...He has good times and stuff, on Scout it says he has an offer from Texas and Georgia.

Who does State have lined up to take the carries once Ringer leaves???

Heaven forbid AJ Jimmerson has to carry the load. He's awful. Dantonio needs to make Capers his #1 Priority...

Who does State have lined up to take the carries once Ringer leaves???

Heaven forbid AJ Jimmerson has to carry the load. He's awful. Dantonio needs to make Capers his #1 Priority...

What's so bad about AJ?

But we have a few kids that have some talent, no huge recruits or anything though.

DSC, you know Wil...he hardly says anything positive about MSU.

Fair enough.

Edwin Baker....wow.

IMO a more impressive pickup for Dantonio that even Larry Caper would've been.

Considering their different styles, it would not shock me if MD landed Caper as well. The top RB class for State in a long, long time.

#1 2009 QB in the state of Michigan, Andrew Maxwell verbals to MSU.

Nice start to the class.

No offense, he's good and all, but I'm still trying to figure out why they have him rated higher than Schaaf.

No offense, he's good and all, but I'm still trying to figure out why they have him rated higher than Schaaf.

Mike really isn't going to play college football. His one and only chance was to play at Michigan and compete with Mallett. Look for him to end up at Long Beach State, Cal-State Fullerton, Arizona State or Michigan to play baseball. Some are saying that he'll be picked in the first 5 rounds of the major league draft, but his dad stresses college so I suspect he'll end up playing till his junior year.

BTW, Maxwell is a very good QB and a good get for the Sparties, but he has already reached his ceiling. He will be a 4 year starter that has gotten better every year, but I don't think he is as good as Foles and doubt he'll push for playing time in college.

No offense, he's good and all, but I'm still trying to figure out why they have him rated higher than Schaaf.

Because Schaaf is huge and has a rocket arm, but can't aim and can't move?

Schaaf is more reminiscent of Navarre than Mallet, in that he really isn't that good as a quarterback, despite his raw abilities. Remember, Navarre was actually a TE recruit.

I'm guessing that Schaaf will be the number 3 QB in Michigan this year, actually. Blackport being number 2.

Mike really isn't going to play college football. His one and only chance was to play at Michigan and compete with Mallett. Look for him to end up at Long Beach State, Cal-State Fullerton, Arizona State or Michigan to play baseball. Some are saying that he'll be picked in the first 5 rounds of the major league draft, but his dad stresses college so I suspect he'll end up playing till his junior year.

BTW, Maxwell is a very good QB and a good get for the Sparties, but he has already reached his ceiling. He will be a 4 year starter that has gotten better every year, but I don't think he is as good as Foles and doubt he'll push for playing time in college.

I think that Maxwell will be the favorite after Foles, but Foles will own the spot till he graduates.

I think that Maxwell will be the favorite after Foles, but Foles will own the spot till he graduates.

I think Foles redshirted this year, and has four years of eligibility left???
Maxwell might be ready for social security by the time Foles is done.

Senior year, just like many/most QB's.

Some people give scouting reports on Schaaf that makes it sound like they've never seen him play. His accuracy on the deep ball is amazing, he IS capable of running a bit (it takes athleticism to be the starting center on the #3 basketball team in the state as a junior) and really the biggest thing he would need to work on is not throwing that stupid side-arm pass of his.

True, he more than likely won't play football in college, just like Pryor more than likely won't play basketball, but that doesn't stop people from ranking Pryor in the top 30 nationally.

Fact is, Midland has been good at football for a long, long time and more people followed that school. Arthur Hill sucked for 10 years and didn't have success until this year (and a little last year once they got smart enough to bring Schaaf up as a sophomore, something they should have done much sooner instead of letting James King run the offense - huge mistake).

With Arthur Hill having some expectations this year it will be interesting - though one of the top targets for Schaaf was a mid-year transfer to Saginaw High because he got pissed about JV basketball, DeAnthony Arnett.

Do you think that Navarre couldn't move? He was a TE. And no, it really doesn't. HS basketball, if you are a D1 athlete in any sport, you should be able to start. Only exceptions being the absolute crem de la crem.

And Schaaf is also wildly inaccurate on other passes.

Russell Shepard just committed to LSU.

LSU picked up one of the nation's top athletic quarterbacks Monday evening when Russell Shepard of Houston-Cypress Ridge gave Les Miles his verbal commitment.

"I committed about ten minutes ago," Sheppard said. "I love the school to the max."

Shepard (6-2, 185, 4.4) is being recruited by LSU running backs coach Larry Porter.

"It wasn't a tough decision," Shepard said. "The way I looked at it is why wait if I know where I am going to go.

"It was a hands down easy decision for me."

Shepard says that Miles was taken aback by his commitment.

"They are excited and I just wanted to get it over with because this was getting hectic," Shepard said. "I wanted to be able to focus on my team this year and when I get to LSU focus on LSU."

http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=781626

Son of a bitch. I don't think Threet, Feagin or the Coner are the long term answer.

No one expects them to be, Moodini. There are plenty of QB's out there still, and LSU was a natural fit for Shephard. He's from the south, and his girlfriend goes to LSU. LSU just kicked Perrilloux (SP) off the team (my guess is that this committment probably makes the move permnanent). LSU just won the nC and RR hasn't coached a game in Ann Arbor yet.

I'm not looking for any early recruiting bonanzas for UM. They haven't even offered many kids a scholly yet, and there is some shoring up of the trenches that seem to be a priority in terms of who they've offered (they're moving faster on DL and OL for '09 so far).

UM may have to go with Threet for a year or two so the country can get a handle on what type of Offense Rodriguez will run.

I think it's also time to concede Caper to MSU, though I'm not sure he fits the system. UM is pretty deep with skill players right now (except the big Q of course).

It's early, the coaches have to get homes, get their families up to AA, we gotta go through spring ball, evaluate the team, and then see what's out there. One thing about there early committs is that you can lay off them. They all seem solid, so you can go in another direction.

Trust in Rod. He didn't exactly inherit the kind of talent Saban left Miles, he has to try to convince players to come to a place where they've gotta freeze their balls off for four years, and he is about three months into his new job.

Not so fast Terrelle Pryor :BARWIS:

Not so fast Terrelle Pryor :BARWIS:

Quit reading Scout threads, they'll turn your brain to mush.

I'll I've read lately is he visited Columbus recently and watch a bball game. Is there anything worthwhile on the Pryor front? I don't really follow it at all.

With all the momentum in MSU's corner right now, I'm still incredibly curious to know when UM's Junior Day is. UM could still pull in a great class, in spite of missing on many top prospects in the state.

Instate they need to get James Jackson. It would also be incredible if they could somehow snare Dion Sims. I realize RR offenses don't often use the TE much, but could you imagine spreading the ball and dumping it to Sims 7 yards downfield in space for Sims to build up some steam and crush people? Then as a goalline threat he would be outstanding. Not to mention the major coup it would be in basketball. Adding someone of his ability to the hoop program without using a hoop scholarship would be fantastic.

Back to football, with Shepard commiting to LSU it's time to turn up the heat on Morgan Newton and Tate Forcier. A couple other nice snags would be JY Turner and Craig Drummond. IMO, we need a top CB and a top DE in this class. They're both midwest guys with competition from OSU and/or ND likely to factor in. Marcus Hall from Cleveland Glenville is a freak. It would be nice if we could convince him that OSU is too loaded at OT because of Shugarts and Adams and the mammoth OL class of 08 they hauled in. Put him on the other end from ONeill and UM's line is strong. Schilling may be better off inside at G, with Molk and Boren. Matthias could factor in as well, another key to the class.

Obviously making sure Campbell stays committed and if we pulled in Jones as well would be crucial, in Campbell's case, big in Jones case.

It would be interesting to see if both UM and MSU could manage top 15 classes. For MSU, they'll eventually have to go outside of the state to do it. I haven't seen anything to suggest they're targeting anyone very strong out-of-state.

Jethro:

here's the plan I see dantonio following: Hit Michigan HARD. If he can be successful here, he can target recruit other areas of the country to fill out the roster.
At this point, I am losing my train of thought. Gone.

I'll try to regroup here: Dantonio is not going to get many big timers who aren't from Michigan. But he may snag enough to put him over the top for a once every three or fourth year great run. Dantonio must coach them up, and hope he can get a star from say a florida or texas or wherever here and there. I think he feels Michigan and Ohio can give him a base to build from, and I'm not so sure that's wrong, but can he KEEP up with the success in Michigan? That is where he could get cought with his pants down. As for Ohio, he has to hope that the leftovers after UM, OSU, and PSU are done with them will be good enough.

In other words, Dantonio is being realistic with this. Establish Michigan and Ohio as his base, and make occassional forays out into the real world to pick up a leftover here and there. Again, what will they do if Michigan decides to do the same thing with Michigan high schools?

It's a confusing picture. If you look at Rodriguez, he has a hell of a track record with talent development, and now he's at a school that recruits itself. Right now, RR is probably facing SERIOUS "negative" recruiting tactics. Lots of bad press, lots of shit from the Michigan media, and lots of schools out there who have a jump on him that he'll have to work to overcome.

As Michigan fans, we are going to need patience here. The Barwis Effect will take a year or two to really kick in (though I believe we'll see some results this year); the relationships have to be built. Coahces have to get their personal situations settled. UM has to play some goddamm games.

There is nothing and no one who is urgent right now. UM is a YOUNG team, and sheeeyit, if Threet pans out, this could be interesting.

As hard as it may be, this is one spring, summer, and coming football season where you will have to detach yourself emotionally from completely and just wait for the change to unfold.

Edwin Baker has been moved up by Scout in their new rankings to 5 star status. #2 RB in the nation.

Check DSC's football thread.

From todays Detroit News...

"The father of another top-five in-stater, Orchard Lake St. Mary's junior wideout/linebacker Dion Sims, has certainly taken notice. "Michigan State is very, very strong," Don Sims said. "They're coming at us almost daily. They're at the high school games, they're sending us correspondences and they're inviting us to campus. Dion and I were just talking about the players that are going to Michigan State from Detroit. Being a Detroit kid and being around all of those kids, he is seeing how State is really doing a lot of that -- and that's a factor."

Rivals Pre-Summer Michigan Rankings

1. DT William Campbell, Detroit Cass Tech High School - UM Verbal
2. RB Edwin Baker, Oak Park High School – COMMITTED TO MICHIGAN STATE
3. RB Larry Caper, Battle Creek Central High School – COMMITTED TO MICHIGAN STATE
4. TE Dion Sims, Orchard Lake St. Mary's High School
5. LB Chris Norman, Detroit Renaissance High School – COMMITTED TO MICHIGAN STATE
6. WR James Jackson, Grand Ledge High School
7. QB Andrew Maxwell, Midland High School – COMMITTED TO MICHIGAN STATE
8. WR Cameron Gordon, Inkster High School
9. WR Donald Spencer, Ypsilanti High School – COMMITTED TO MICHIGAN STATE
10. DB Shamari Benton, Brother Rice High School
11. RB Teric Jones, Detroit Cass Tech High School
12. TE Reid Fragel, Gross Pointe South High School
13. LB Jeremy Gainer, Livonia Clarenceville High School
14. OL Zac Matthias, Hemlock High School
15. RB Hersey Jackson, Allendale High School
16. DB Dana Dixon, Detroit Renaissance High School
17. OL Ricky Clemons, Carman-Ainsworth High School
18. QB Mike Schaaf, Saginaw Arthur Hill High School
19. DT Aaron McCord, Detroit Crockett High School
20. OL Charles Chapman, Carleton Airport High School

How come all the Sparties have "COMMITTED TO MICHIGAN STATE" and William Campbell is a "UM Verbal"?

Because I stole it from an MSU site(don't have Rivals anymore), and that's what people do there.

Obviously Michigan State has jumped way ahead of Michigan as far as in state recruiting, and credit to Mark Dantonio for taking advantage of the Michigan head coaching situation to make his mark. However, this state has never been a "powerhouse" for recruiting, and this year is no different. I'm not upset that Michigan State landed outstanding players from the state, because at the end of the day, when all the dust settles next February, Michigan will have a far superior recruiting class to Michigan States...

this state is not a high school football factory for producing premium NCAA football talent...at least compared to most other states...

not to mention, I still think either Baker or Caper will commit elsewhere, not both of them, but at least one, I doubt they will co-exsist, somebody will offer one of them a better opportunity elsewhere...my guess is Baker leaves, Caper stays at MSU...we'll see how it plays out

Yeah, Baker said "Hey, I already have offers to Texas, Florida, UM, and Georgia, and could visited all over through the summer and fall on their coin, but I'd rather not" and he is going to decommit? If Spencer suddenly got offered by Texas and Florida, he could leave. But Baker isn't getting new things to inspire him to go elsewhere. And Baker was one of the keys to bringing Caper in(actually recruiting on MSU's behalf).

So sorry, I'm not seeing that.

One of the things about Baker that is really funny is that he's known as a pathological liar by his team mates, family, and friends.
"If Eddy said it was raining outside, and I saw thunder and lightning, and I saw big huge droplets of rain pelting the window, I'd still go outside thinking it was sunny" said his friend Lorenzo (The Big Wheezer AK 47 Shooter Killah Big Dog Cat Yo Ho Bangin' Pimp Ass Cash Money Gatt Slingin' Mafia Godfather) Johnson. "Eddy", he continued, "Always likes to lie about how many people he's killed for our gang. Yeah, he a killah, but he's only nabbed about six mothafuckas. I'm sure he'll kill some more people in college".
WOW! Sounds like Baker and MSU go together!

Zip that was stupid.

Zip that was stupid.

Very Zip 1.0, not new and improved Zip de la Goshboots.

Just saying, wouldn't shock me to see somebody decommit, theres about 11 months til' signing day, and it's not as if Michigan State is in the "upper class" of quality recruiting...

Not to mention, Pete Carroll will have a say, just like he always does to the best of the instate talent...

I'd have to disagree with you Will. These guys seem solid. The DingDong is out there, waving his bible, and just generally being his asshole self. Some kids are gonna appreciate that. Dantonio is a phony, and phony sells. I gotta believe that some of these kids are going to committ to sate, that some of them just want to go there, and class to class a school can gain some momentum and lose it.

But the Sparty still has to peek his head out from under the couch in Michigan, and no one out there really gives a fuck about him or knows he is alive.

Zip that was stupid. And I should know. My middle name is stupid. And my Unlce is named Stu Pidasso.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Read Post #93 Zip.

Can we start talking about Thursday and maybe Michigan can get a verbal from a kid and stop some of this momentum that the Sparties have. The one kid I want to commit on the spot would have to be Justin Turner from Ohio. He is a huge Michigan fan, but recently got his tO$U offer and that could sway him to stay in-state.

what do you think zip any signing today or this weekend? Maybe James jackson Dion sims? any suprises signings? just wondering what your thinking about this junior day?

what do you think zip any signing today or this weekend? Maybe James jackson Dion sims? any suprises signings? just wondering what your thinking about this junior day?

From what I can gather from Scout, the junior day was what we all thought it would be: A rousing success!

There is an energy about UM football that I can feel all the way to Nebraska.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?id=3293269

I have this sneaky suspicion that this better be the year that Sparty and the other shitbirds get it done. RR and BARWIS are going to have this thing cranked up big time by year two or three. Shit, if they find a QB who just doesn;t completely fuck things up, UM will probably be in a New Year's day bowl.
I hate Sparty, and look forward to Rodriguez driving DingDongtonio AND Tressel straight into retirement.

Twins: From now on, all this BS is going to Jethro's UM Football Thread. I'm too lazy to chase your ass all around the intranet.

Not sure if it's been posted yet, but J.T. Turner, scouts #12 CB from Massilion HS in Ohio (4 star), has just committed to Michigan...

apparently he likes the fact that he should see the field quickly since Trent, Harrison, and Dutch will all be graduating after this year, and Donovan Warren figures to be 3 and out (with one of those years already over)...

Whatever. Quality pick up by RichRod...

He was going to visit Ohio State, and had an offer from the Buckeyes, but has officially cancelled his visit...

Not sure if it's been posted yet, but J.T. Turner, scouts #12 CB from Massilion HS in Ohio (4 star), has just committed to Michigan...


Check Jethro's thread.

Check Jethro's thread.

How many times do I have to tell these kids, Douche?

You know how kids are all about rebelling nowadays.

Not sure if this has been posted or not, but Michigan received a commit from RB Teric Jones this morning. He came to watch practice/scrimmage and received his offer from coach Rodriguez and then committed on the spot. Jones was at the Army All-American Bowl Junior Combine last year and posted the fastest time of any player down there.

Check Jethro's thread.

The redundancy is both entertaining and frustrating.

Indeed. Every time it happens, it's like a script being played out. The word-for-word nature of it makes me think it's done very intentionally sometimes.

I don't know why everyone else does it, but I do it for the sole reason of seeing Zip have a pure meltdown. I was hoping he would get frustrated and go on a long rant that we could all get a big laugh out of .

It's just not worth getting Jethro mad as well.

4-star WR Cameron Gordon from Inkster HS is expected to commit to MSU very soon.

4-star WR Cameron Gordon from Inkster HS is expected to commit to MSU very soon.


The next Terry Love/Deon Curry.

WTF? Instate WR James Jackson, who many thought was the perfect slot receiver for RR's system and was surely an instate battle between UM and MSU, has apparently committed to O$U.

You've gotta to be freaking kidding me.

Thank goodness snake oil doesn't honor any gentleman's agreement and will continue to recruit this kid.

WTF? Instate WR James Jackson, who many thought was the perfect slot receiver for RR's system and was surely an instate battle between UM and MSU, has apparently committed to O$U.

You've gotta to be freaking kidding me.

Thank goodness snake oil doesn't honor any gentleman's agreement and will continue to recruit this kid.


Watch him fade into oblivion. Just like Taurian Washington did.

Watch him fade into oblivion. Just like Taurian Washington did.

Actually I think Washington may be a decent WR there after guys like Robiskie, Hartline and Small leave.

Actually I think Washington may be a decent WR there after guys like Robiskie, Hartline and Small leave.



did he RS last year?

He played sparingly in the first few games, even caught a TD in the opener. Did not play in the last 8 or so games.

Bryce McNeal is Blue!

Any other commits? Sounds like we're the leader for Corey Brown. Any word on a decision timetable for him?

lil help pls...Wasn't there a kid from Midland that was getting looks by college scouts? Just wondering what happened to him. thx

QB Andrew Maxwell. He's a Spartan Commit.

QB Andrew Maxwell. He's a Spartan Commit.

I've decided to not follow him.

Thx

4-star WR Cameron Gordon from Inkster HS is expected to commit to MSU very soon.

Did he? I refuse to check SpartanMag.

There is a list on GoBlueWolverine.com that has the Top 200 Seniors in the State of Michigan ranked. I was wondering if anyone with a membership wouldn't mind spilling the beans on the list so I can check out the kids in the area that they think warrant going to college possible.

FYI - I'm a football coach in Saginaw so I know most of the kids around here, but its nice to see how many stack up with the rest of the state in their eyes.

New Commit for Michigan...


http://michigan.scout.com/a.z?s=162&p=8&c=1&cfg=null&nid=3573748


another Slot, WR...

Jeremy Gallon....Another slot receiver/running back Rich Rod? Really? He's a top 100 guy, and a 4 star, so I'm not complaining, but how many scat receivers do we need to run this offense? How about some blocking or maybe tackling?

http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/Camper/PHOTO/JEREMYGALLON2NA08200.JPG
This guy just committed to Michigan. Hell has frozen over.

Jeremy Gallon....Another slot receiver/running back Rich Rod? Really? He's a top 100 guy, and a 4 star, so I'm not complaining, but how many scat receivers do we need to run this offense? How about some blocking or maybe tackling?

http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/Camper/PHOTO/JEREMYGALLON2NA08200.JPG
This guy just committed to Michigan. Hell has frozen over.

A) You need about 10-12 guys to run this system.

B) Are we EVER going to turn down a top 100 player? I don't think I'll ever see a team in the position to turn down guys.

I don't mind getting top 100 skill players, it's just... when are we going to get some offensive/defensive linemen you know??

I don't mind getting top 100 skill players, it's just... when are we going to get some offensive/defensive linemen you know??

To be honest, if you were a 300 pound 17 year old kid how excited would you be about the legend of Mike Barwis. His summer motto is "We run so much that we make Forrest Gump look lazy."

To be honest, if you were a 300 pound 17 year old kid how excited would you be about the legend of Mike Barwis. His summer motto is "We run so much that we make Forrest Gump look lazy."


Well, I know Michigan is probably a tougher sell to O-Linemen than it was before, but still...

Hopefully we can steal a guy like Marcus Hall...doubt it, but I'll keep my fingers crossed...

average rated ohio prospect patrick white commited to state

Well, I know Michigan is probably a tougher sell to O-Linemen than it was before, but still...

Hopefully we can steal a guy like Marcus Hall...doubt it, but I'll keep my fingers crossed...

If depth charts meant anything anymore, the kid would be a Wolverine in a heartbeat. Ohio State is clearly the team to beat and he might not even get a practice squad jersey there for 3 years with the O-Line class they brought in last year. Meanwhile, it's UM's most desperate position need. But he'll end up a Buckeye.

average rated ohio prospect patrick white commited to state
i`d say is a little better than average.

This son of former OSU and West Virginia defensive back Terry White is one of the elite athletes in the class. Where he plays is the question.

A lot of schools, including Ohio State are in contact and he has offers from Akron and Cincinnati at this early stage.

He has the best hands I have seen this year, and that is saying something. White could be even better as a cornerback. Some players seem to have an almost unnatural attraction to the football. We call it instinct and White is one of those players. No matter where the ball is on the field, White is there. He attacks the ball in the air no matter if he is on offense or defense. The best skill players have that mentality - the ball is theirs. That is especially the case with White, who has an explosive leaping ability and catches anything he can reach. He is a very combative player.

White had an impressive 27 passes defended and three interceptions, but the most telling stat might be his 49 tackles. That is why I see him on defense. He has a solid body and can get bigger and he comes up in run support like a safety. In my first rough draft I had White a top ten player but I need to see him run. He has the skills of a top ten player but he needs to show he can run like a top ten player this spring and summer in the athlete season.

If he does that, he is going to have his pick of schools.

who the hell is terry white...?

Why would you say that White has the "best set of hands you've ever seen." How many 17 year old's hands have you seen Bukky?

So his dad went to OSU and transferred to WVU? I'm guessing that was in the 80's. Was WVU any good? His dad couldn't cut it in the Big Ten? If so, why even bother mentioning that his dad played?

He has the best hands I have seen this year, and that is saying something.



[smilie=handjob.gif]

[smilie=handjob.gif]
Hey, goofballs I didn`t write that. This guy did, JJHuddle's Ohio High - Ohio High School Sports Stuff

So his dad went to OSU and transferred to WVU? I'm guessing that was in the 80's. Was WVU any good? His dad couldn't cut it in the Big Ten? If so, why even bother mentioning that his dad played?
Seriously, Jethro, just shut up. Your posts are like those of the kid who is always picked last.

And this from ESPN,

Quote:
White is a great athlete who excels as a two-way player at the high school level and possesses some skills that project well on both sides of the ball in college. At this time we feel he will start his career off at defensive back and likely transition from corner to safety particularly if his taller leaner frame continues to physically develop. Possess great instincts in coverage. Soundly reads the quarterback anticipates throws and shows good route awareness. Positions himself correctly to make plays on the football. Flashes good closing speed breaking on underneath balls in his perimeter flat and an extra gear while the ball is in the air closing on intermediate-to-deep throws.. Excellent hands, concentration and arm extension high-pointing the football. Ball skills are outstanding. Plays with proper leverage riding the hip and staying between the ball and receiver on vertical routes. Shows above average recovery speed. While he has good straight-line speed and acceleration, he lacks good hip-fluidity and lateral quickness when trying to mirror receivers in and out of their breaks. We would like to see better bend and sink in his pedal to improve his transitional quickness which is not a strong area. Could struggle pressing bigger receivers off the line until he builds adequate upper-body strength. Increased bulk could precipitate a move to safety as well, a position where his physical skills maybe better suited. Wide receiver is not out of the question with refined route running. Overall, White is a fine athlete with a nose for the football and the size and speed measurables to mold into a solid player at the next level.

So you rip other people for not understanding that you plagiarized? Nice.

Also, you have yet to actually dissect a post of mine as to why it isn't a quality post. I have torn yours apart repeatedly, and when I do you simply go away for a couple days, never to reply. Then you rip me and I seek clarification, you have none. The court of public opinion has convicted you of stupidity and bullshit over and over again. There is a running comic strip about how much of an assclown you are. That's not a compliment.

3rd party individuals, with no tenuous connections, think you're a bitch. Your dictionary literary skills (wikipedia cut-and-paste) grew old the 2nd time you used them, and the efforts to explain in a way you can understand just how worthless you are have grown tiring.

Thankfully I gave up being a mod long ago and I can simply put you on an ignore list. It's kind of like pesticide. Use it and the gnats go away.

By the way, did you notice the person who first mentioned White and called him average is a multiple personality State fan? Yep, that's right. He didn't even show up on UM radar, so you're core argument is to convince fellow State fans that he's not just Jaren Hayes-redux.

And with that, ignore (you know, that thing you do to common sense arguments).

Yikes, you really brought ESPN into the equation when trying to hype a football recruit? Everyone knows that ESPN is easily the worst of all the major recruiting sites and gets laughed at on a national level for their piss poor coverage of all things recruiting.

You need to bring a bigger sword to the fight Buk.

So you rip other people for not understanding that you plagiarized? Nice.

Also, you have yet to actually dissect a post of mine as to why it isn't a quality post. I have torn yours apart repeatedly, and when I do you simply go away for a couple days, never to reply. Then you rip me and I seek clarification, you have none. The court of public opinion has convicted you of stupidity and bullshit over and over again. There is a running comic strip about how much of an assclown you are. That's not a compliment.

3rd party individuals, with no tenuous connections, think you're a bitch. Your dictionary literary skills (wikipedia cut-and-paste) grew old the 2nd time you used them, and the efforts to explain in a way you can understand just how worthless you are have grown tiring.

Thankfully I gave up being a mod long ago and I can simply put you on an ignore list. It's kind of like pesticide. Use it and the gnats go away.

By the way, did you notice the person who first mentioned White and called him average is a multiple personality State fan? Yep, that's right. He didn't even show up on UM radar, so you're core argument is to convince fellow State fans that he's not just Jaren Hayes-redux.

And with that, ignore (you know, that thing you do to common sense arguments).
Jethro, you are such a whiney little ass. You can stomp your feet and try and get attention until the cows come home, but it will not change the fact that you are a grossly deluded boot-lick. You are childish beyond description and SVSU-complexed beyond what is healthy for a human being. Go away, you are ridiculous. Just another tier IV wannabe.

I implore you to put me on "ignore". Not having to put up with your petulant self-rationalizations thinly veiled as being a "UM fan" would be a blessing.

Jethro, you are whacked in the head.

Yikes, you really brought ESPN into the equation when trying to hype a football recruit? Everyone knows that ESPN is easily the worst of all the major recruiting sites and gets laughed at on a national level for their piss poor coverage of all things recruiting.

You need to bring a bigger sword to the fight Buk.
You are nearly as bad as Jethro.

You might want to mix in the quote function when you post things that you don't write, buk.

You might want to mix in the quote function when you post things that you don't write, buk.
Understood. I just thought it was obvious.

Whatever happened to AJ Jimmerson?

Whatever happened to AJ Jimmerson?
He gets his chance this year. If you are trying to insinuate that not all players pan out, I agree. Happens everywhere.

My original point was that this latest recruit appears to be a better than average high school prospect. Will he end up being an impact player? I don`t know. However, he seems to have the ability.

I'm staying out of this argument, but back on the recruiting front, Michigan's # 17 RB/slot WR commit, Fitzerald Toussaint, is now recognized as a 4 star by rivals.

The OL from Hemlock (where I used to coach) committed to Wisconsin today and that is a big ass deal for a small-town kid. Not a huge deal in the scheme of recruiting, but pretty sweet that I benched a Big Ten Lineman when he was on JV............ha ha ha.

I'm staying out of this argument, but back on the recruiting front, Michigan's # 17 RB/slot WR commit, Fitzerald Toussaint, is now recognized as a 4 star by rivals.
Rumors are that the kid is a huge academic risk (why OSU backed off) and won`t qualify. I am hearing the same thing about the Gallon kid.

The OL from Hemlock (where I used to coach) committed to Wisconsin today and that is a big ass deal for a small-town kid. Not a huge deal in the scheme of recruiting, but pretty sweet that I benched a Big Ten Lineman when he was on JV............ha ha ha.

Rumors are that the kid killed a guy

What are you talking about Wizzle?

I knew you were going to come back with that.....It was a poor attempt at making fun of bukdow's "rumors" about players

It would be a laugh riot if UM has more non-qualifiers than MSU.

I gotcha...........

Is anyone starting to wonder what Bukdow does in real life? He has time to break down tape of 17 year old's and evaluate their "hands" and also he has time to report that 17 year old's are having a difficult time passing tests in which the results are not published unless the student realeases the information.

Maybe it's a time for a Bukdow poll? Is he Bobby Bowden? Is he Sonny Vicario? Is he O.J. Mayo's new agent? Who will ever know.

I think all's we know is that he doesn't have a neck tattoo.


or does he?

I gotcha...........

Is anyone starting to wonder what Bukdow does in real life? He has time to break down tape of 17 year old's and evaluate their "hands" and also he has time to report that 17 year old's are having a difficult time passing tests in which the results are not published unless the student realeases the information.

Maybe it's a time for a Bukdow poll? Is he Bobby Bowden? Is he Sonny Vicario? Is he O.J. Mayo's new agent? Who will ever know.
Goofball, I already posted the source of the "hands" observation and it wasn`t me, it was an Ohio high school football site which I cut and pasted.

As far as the two UM recruits being academic risks, its pretty well known in the Rivals circles. Of which I am not a member, but hear things from. More specifically, the Touissant kid has a 1.7 GPA and the Gallon kid has to take two full sessions of summer school to catch up on his credits. Thus, why all the major Florida schools aren`t touching him. And, neither has taken the ACT yet. But, UM was able to get Mario "Wonderlic score of 6" Manningham eligible, so I imagine, in the end, these two will also end up in General Studies.

What do you care? The Wal-Mart Wolverine contingent of the blue and yellow world doesn`t care, as long as Coach Hillbilly wins. However, the UM alumni do care and having non-qualifiers, etc. will not wash.

Welcome to blue and yellow a la Dick Rod.

He gets his chance this year. If you are trying to insinuate that not all players pan out, I agree. Happens everywhere.

My original point was that this latest recruit appears to be a better than average high school prospect. Will he end up being an impact player? I don`t know. However, he seems to have the ability.


I wasn't 'insinuating', I was just wondering. He came into East Lansing with such high regards, and I just didn't know if he was even on the team still.

Hopefully, he takes advantage of Caulcrick leaving...

Times are a changin'.

Big news from the south. 5 star CB Darius Winston has de-committed from Arkansas and is allegedly a UM lean.

He would be great to have with Warren and Cissoko.

Seriously though, we need to start getting some OL commits. It seems like we've got tons of momentum at every position BUT offensive line. Hopefully a kid like Chris Watt could get it going. Names I'm following are him, Andrew Carter, Chris Freeman, and Michael Schofield. Sadly I don't think we have any shot at all with Marcus Hall, but if we were able to somehow pull that off I think it would certainly send momentum in our direction.

Right on Jethro. Here's some more info on Winston.

5 star CB, 6'0", 180, 4.4 forty.


"I decided to decommit to Arkansas," Winston said Friday afternoon. "I've been thinking about it the past couple days. A couple of schools are on the rise. I like a couple of other schools better right now."

"Michigan is at the top," he said firmly. "Michigan, Clemson, Texas and there's a couple of other schools but those are my top three right now."

"Ever since Michigan started recruiting me a couple of months ago I've liked them," he said. "Arkansas has always been on top but I've been calling coach Hopson and I've been getting to like him. I really like their coaches a lot.

"Michigan, Texas, Clemson, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida State and Miami, LSU too. LSU is in the top six," he said. "So now I'm down to a top ten schools. I want a top ten. I gave you eight, I'm still exercising the other two."

http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/DARIUSWINSTON2_7200.JPG

Finally an OL! Four star Michael Schofield commits to UM! Rivals has him as the 16th best tackle in the country.

Finally an OL! Four star Michael Schofield commits to UM! Rivals has him as the 16th best tackle in the country.


It's about time...

Finally an OL! Four star Michael Schofield commits to UM! Rivals has him as the 16th best tackle in the country.



[smilie=rip.gif]

But word is that :BARWIS: is going to turn him into a slot receiver.

Michigan camp update-

These cats were there Monday

The following is a list of all prospects spotted at Monday's camp:
Justice Akuezue, DE – Ann Arbor Huron
Josh Boyd, DE – Philadelphia, Miss
Tevon Conrad, OT – Detroit Pershing
Jamaine Cook, RB – Brook Park (Ohio) Midpark
Jon Czerwienski, OL – Fraser, Mich.
Romel Dismuke, CB – Cleveland (Ohio) Benedictine
Tony Fabien, RB – Eagle Lake (Fla.) Lake Region
Kaleb Forr, OL – Davison, Mich.
Sean Frank, TE – Dearborn (Mich.) Divine Child
Chris Frost, WR – Mathews (NC.) Butler 2011
Doran Grant, CB – Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent-St. Mary's 2011
Jeff Greer, DE - Parma (Ohio) Valley Forge
Nick Hill, RB – Chelsea, Mich 2010
Jeremy Jackson, WR – Ann Arbor Huron 2010
Roman Lawson, RB – Shaker Heights, Ohio
David Lee, CB – Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent- St. Mary's
Ricardo Miller, WR – Miami (Fla.) Dr. Phillips
Malek Redd, RB – Clarksville (Md.) River Hill
Austin Tillman, DE – Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers
Zurlon Tipton, RB - Sterling Heights (Mich.) Parkway Christian
Justin Turner, DB – Massillon (Ohio) Washington
Kevin Wheeler, WR – Woodbridge (Va.) C.D. Hylton
Rodney Woodland, WR – Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary's
Maxwell Warren, WR – Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward
Torri Zeno, CB – LaPlace (La) East St. John

The highlight of the afternoon session on Monday was getting to see Turner, the 6-2, 190-pound defensive back commitment, work out in pass coverage. Against a talented group of wide receivers that always sent their best to match up, Turner time after time showed great one-on-one coverage skills and made several plays on the football.

Physically Turner looks to be ideally suited for the safety position, but he has said Michigan coaches would like to try him at cornerback first and he did not show anything on Monday to suggest he would not be successful there. Despite his size, Turner had a good hip turn, made an explosive break on the football and put himself on the receivers' inside hips like a good corner should.

Underclassmen almost always seem to be the talk of the wide receiver group each year at Michigan's summer camp and the 2008 version is no different. The most physically impressive of the group, out of both upper and underclassmen, was local product Jeremy Jackson, who is also the son of Michigan running backs' coach Fred Jackson.

A year ago at this same camp the 6-foot-4 Jackson showed talent, but came in real skinny. In the past year he has bulked up significantly and displayed one of the more ripped out physiques at the camp. A true deep threat, Jackson has the speed to go long and will win a large majority of jump balls just like he did in the one-on-one portion of the camp on Monday.

Also showing up in peak physical condition was Miami (Fla.) Dr. Phillips wide receiver Ricardo Miller. The 6-1, 195-pound Miller does not yet have the burst you would like to see out of an elite wide receiver prospect, but he does appear to have the talent to develop that over the next couple years and be a heavily recruited prospect in the class of 2010.

A surprise performer at wide receiver from the class of 2009 was Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary's Rodney Woodland. The 5-9, 175-pound Woodland had the best overall day in the one-on-one session of the camp. He is adept at creating separation and then has the speed to track down balls thrown deep. He could be a sleeper to watch as the year progresses.

Several of the standouts at the running back position from the morning session were doing their testing in the afternoon, but in their place were a handful of players who showed some ability. Zurlon Tipton (6-0, 195) of Sterling Heights (Mich.) Parkway Christian was on hand a week after attending Michigan's one-day camp. Physically he was again one of the top prospects in attendance, but he did show some areas that could still use some work.

For his size Tipton has above average speed and quickness. He does not yet possess the feet, however, of a top flight running back prospect and had problems with the hard surface of Michigan's field hockey turf. Change of direction and playing lighter on his feet are two areas he will need to work on as the year progresses, but Tipton is still one to keep an eye on as the year wears on.

Others who stood out at running back were Eagle Lake (Fla.) Lake Region's Tony Fabien, a teammate of 2010 Michigan target Marvin Robinson. Fabien is well built and showed good quickness and a fluid style. Clarksville (Md.) River Hill's Malek Redd looked to be the quickest of the group, but lacks size at 5-6, 165 pounds.

Four-star defensive lineman Josh Boyd did not work out in the afternoon session after getting nicked up earlier in the day. He is camping the entire week, however, and will have more opportunities to work with the Michigan coaching staff. The top groups of offensive and defensive linemen mostly did testing in the afternoon anyway.

Tuesday-

The following is a list of campers spotted Tuesday morning:
Justice Akuezue, DE – Ann Arbor Huron
Josh Boyd, DE – Philadelphia, Miss
Jamonne Chester, WR – Redford (Mich.) Covenant
Ross Cockrell, CB – Charlotte (N.C.) Latin
Tevon Conrad, OT – Detroit Pershing
Jon Czerwienski, OL – Fraser, Mich.
Austin Dantin, QB – Tallahassee (Fla.) Leon
Kaleb Forr, OL – Davison, Mich.
Chris Frost, WR – Mathews (NC.) Butler 2011
Devon Hughes, WR – Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek 2010
Jeremy Jackson, WR – Ann Arbor Huron 2010
Anthony Johnson, WR – Sterling Heights (Mich.) Parkway Christian
Christian Lombard, OT – Barrington (Ill.) Fremd 2010
Kyle Nichol, QB – Lowell, Mich.
Malek Redd, RB – Clarskville (Md.) River Hill
Jeremy Streeter, DE – Romulus, Mich.
Justin Turner, DB – Massillon (Ohio) Washington not working out
Kenneth Watkins, DB – Birmingham (Mich.) Brother Rice
Dominique Williams, RB – Redford Covenant 2010

The surprise performance of the morning session among the defensive linemen came from end Brady Kashama of Notre Dame Catholic, younger brother of former Wolverine Alain Kashama. While lacking the height of a traditional defensive end, he excelled in the one-on-one drills, showing an impressive combination of quickness, power and tenacity.

Josh Boyd of Philadelphia, Miss., who sat out the afternoon session yesterday after sustaining an injury, was again in action this morning. While he did not have as strong a performance as a day ago, he continued to demonstrate a competitive flair, asking for a rematch when beaten, and usually winning in the second time through.

Justice Akuezue of Ann Arbor Huron continued to have great success, using his speed and quickness to beat offensive tackles around the end. The question on his college potential centers on his size, recently measuring in at 6-3, 204 pounds, a weight that could give him greater success at the next level playing outside linebacker.

Among the offensive linemen, top in-state performers from yesterday such as Kaleb Forr of Davison, Jon Czerwienski of Fraser and Tevon Conrad of Detroit Pershing all returned for another showing.

The player who seemed to stand the most was class of 2010 offensive tackle Christian Lombard of Barrington (Ill.) Fremd. The most consistent performer, he held his own against even the top defensive linemen and his performance secured him a scholarship offer after the morning session completed. Iowa had also offered Lombard after their camp earlier this month.

Several of Monday's top performers at the wide receiver position were back, but they were being thrown to by two new quarterbacks and a couple top defensive back prospects. Tallahassee (Fla.) Leon quarterback Austin Dantin was one of the new signal callers. Physically he lacked height and mass, but he threw a very catchable ball and was able to make more throws than any of the quarterbacks the previous day.

Lowell, Mich., quarterback Kyle Nichol was the other new addition to the group. He possessed the strongest arm and threw the best ball, although wide receivers continually failed to reel in his passes. Nichol is the younger brother of Keith Nichol who recently transferred to Michigan State. An all-around athlete, what hurts the younger Nichol's stock is his height. He only goes about 5-8 and 171 pounds.

The biggest surprise in the 7-on-7 was also the top overall performer of any group. Charlotte (N.C.) Latin cornerback Ross Cockrell ran with the wide receivers on Monday, but jumped in with the defensive backs Tuesday and looked right at home. Cockrell looks to measure in around 6-0, but he is thin and likely does not weigh over 170.

Going man-to-man against the top receivers, though, Cockrell showed exceptional command of the position and made several nice interceptions by putting himself in the proper position on every play. He has decent speed, decent hips, but his ball skills and understanding of how to position himself with respect to the receiver was elite and he was equally adept in bump coverage as well as when he played off the receiver.

A returning standout from Monday's camp session was Clarskville (Md.) River Hill running back Malek Redd. The 5-6, 160-pound Redd started out in the 7-on-7's at his usual running back position, but was switched to the slot wide receiver spot by the Michigan coaching staff and looked to be a natural fit. His overall speed and explosiveness is very good, but maybe not quite spectacular.

Underclassmen Jeremy Jackson on Ann Arbor Huron and Chris Frost of Mathews (N.C.) Butler looked good again on Tuesday running routes, but several new names joined the mix to keep the wide receiver group strong.

Redford (Mich) Covenant's Jamonne Chester has six scholarship offers to his credit and was back after attending Michigan's one-day camp hoping to add the Wolverines to his offer list. The 6-2, 190-pound Chester continues to develop each time we see him and made several nice catches in the 7-on-7 portion of the camp.

Zurlon Tipton was a prospect who broke out at the one-day camp a week ago, but on Tuesday his younger brother served notice he has a bright future as well. Anthony Johnson also attends Parkway Christian, but he is a class of 2011 wide receiver who already stands 6-4. For a young kid, he was silky smooth in his route running and showed good speed.

A couple of pics...

http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/883/F410411.jpg
CB commit Justin Turner

http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/883/F410414.jpg
Jeremy Jackson, Fred's kid.

http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/883/F410407.jpg
Sterling Heights, Mich. RB Zurlon Tipton

http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/883/F410432.jpg
Rich Rod directing traffic.

http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/883/F410432.jpg
Rich Rod directing traffic.

Who are you trying to bullshit?

That's Al Bundy.

anybody else notice the "Family" on RR's shirt?

lol at Boren

anybody else notice the "Family" on RR's shirt?

lol at Boren

The shirts were made up specifically after Boren left and have been worn at numerous team functions since his departure. It sounds like the "Michigan Family" slogan will become a huge battle cry throughout RR's first season on the job.

Thanks Justin Boren!!!

Zurlon Tipton, RB - Sterling Heights (Mich.) Parkway Christian


My brother attends Pkway Christian and plays football so I saw Zurlon play a ton last year, he's got some talent (very fast, good balance, poise), but that school doesn't play quality competition...mostly charter schools and other low enrollment schools with lousy football programs...

However, to Zurlon's credit, he did have an extremly undersized offensive line, and still rushed for well over 2000 yards and 40+ TD in just 11 games...

My brother told me last year that Nick Saban was courting him, but I didn't believe him...I would be shocked if he get's an offer, despite playing at such a 'hole-in-the-wall' school

I think if he plays in college, it will be at safety, he's too tall to be a every down back and doesn't have enough 'bulk'...

Hey Wil, is your brother getting recruited or thinking about playing after H.S.?

Hey Wil, is your brother getting recruited or thinking about playing after H.S.?


Nah. He graduated this year, and he's going to community college...

From Michigan Camp-


One player to watch out for down the road is Saginaw sophomore wide out DeAnthony Arnett. While he has already had success on the basketball court, he has shown all week long that he could also have a future on the gridiron.

ON another note, pretty much every pic I've seen of Rodriguez since "The Boren Incident", he's been wearing the "family" shirt. Loving it!

Ok, let me tell you the real story about Arnett. He HAD a chance to be something special. He was on the Arthur Hill JV football and basketball teams last year. He was in line to be the go-to Varsity WR this year, being the top recipient of Mike Schaaf's passes, along with Omari Humes at TE/WR. But the basketball coach - who is an idiot - juggled his lineups with no apparent reasoning. Arnett was not nearly as good at basketball as he and his older brother (punk and horrible influence) think, but they didn't like the way the JV coach was giving PT so Arnett transferred to Saginaw High. Congrats kid. The High can't throw the ball to save their life. You'll see about 15 passes your way all year, and the two defenders NOT playing the run will be all over you. Also, while the kid runs smooth and makes it look easy, he short-arms anything across the middle because he's so afraid of getting hit. I'm not sure where the Wolverine got their info about basketball - probably from the Arnett family - but football is (was) his only future and as long as he stays at SHS, he's blowing it. He'll have to learn some things elsewhere and hope to have a good enough showing at camps to get any offers on the level he could have had. In Saginaw, AHHS is the school to be for football for a while.

3 star LB Jordan Barnes is set to decide Wednesday. From what I've heard, it's down to U-M and Alabama, and the Alabama cats are waving the white flag.

3 star. Whoopee. We're set at LB. Give me Chris Watt or Josh Boyd. Get that Jordan Barnes crap outta here. What, did State run out of offers or something? Surely 3-star U has a spot for him.

(bait the hook baby, like a master baiter)

Great. On the heels of one 3-star, we grab another.
Dewayne Peace, the 128th best WR in the country. He's not big, he's not fast, but apparently he's a Wolverine. Good camp I guess, but how? A team now built on speed and quickness brings in a guy who's 6'0", 178 and only runs a 4.68. Meanwhile there goes one more scholarship that should have been used on the offensive or defensive line. You know, that place where games are won?

It seems like Rich Rod is recruiting kids like he would at WV (mainly guys who aren't that highly regarded nationally), I hope he knows Michigan is an easier sell...

He should be getting twice as good of recruits as he got at WV...

IDK about you, but I'm getting tired of signing all these 'diamonds in the rough' type prospects...

Look at what Ohio St has already...no bullshit...

Perhaps I'm putting too much stock into rankings, I've just never seen so many mediocre RB's and WR's commit so early

I think Peace is going to be a CB..........not that it makes his commitment any better at this point.

It seems like Rich Rod is recruiting kids like he would at WV (mainly guys who aren't that highly regarded nationally), I hope he knows Michigan is an easier sell...

He should be getting twice as good of recruits as he got at WV...

IDK about you, but I'm getting tired of signing all these 'diamonds in the rough' type prospects...

Look at what Ohio St has already...no bullshit...

Perhaps I'm putting too much stock into rankings, I've just never seen so many mediocre RB's and WR's commit so early
Michigan isn`t Ohio State.

Michigan isn`t Ohio State.

Both are consistently ranked in the top 10 recruting classes year in and year out...

From a pure recruiting standpoint, both schools are easy sells

Now on the field of play, over the last 7 years or so...no, Michigan isn't Ohio State...unfortunately

but that hasn't really hindered their recruiting

By the way, looking at Peace a little more I see that while on site had him as the 128th WR running a 4.68 40, the other had him somewhere in the 70's for WR's and running a 4.53. That's quite a difference. Still mediocre and more along the lines of what they look for at a certain green and white disgrace, but not as horrible as I had been expecting.

Like I said, he apparently had a great camp.

As for Barnes - the other 3 star I was grumbling about - I saw today that he's the 20th best inside LB and apparently the best ILB in the midwest, so not bad.

As I continue to long for DE's I can't stop thinkign about Nick Perry. Just imagine, if he had chosen UM we would be talking about DE as a strength and not a glaring need. Just one guy who was that close. I hate USC so bad.

Looks like Ohio offensive lineman Nate Klatt has committed to Michigan State. Looks like Dantonio is doing a good job of cleaning up in his own backyard and is bringing in a very solid class.

Recruiting is quite slow right now so this is a good pickup to hopefully gain some momentum heading into the stat of football in a few weeks.

Zach Martin to Notre Dame. Not going so good right now ladies.

Zach Martin to Notre Dame. Not going so good right now ladies.
Considering that fellow Michigan OL recruit and even higher rated prospect Chris Watt committed to Notre Dame as well a week earlier, no, it isn't looking so good.
Yes, we signed 5 OL's as part of the class last year, but given the number of people we've lost there, having only one so far isn't going to cut it. After all, Martin is Notre Dame's 3rd OL commit this year, to go with 4 last year and 4 the year before. Several have been guys we've been after, such as Matt Romine and Trevor Robinson.
We keep losing OL to Notre Dame and Ohio State, even though we present the better shot at playing time. Something is going wrong with the recruitment there. Either that or it seems no OL want to work as hard as they know they'll have to at UM.

And just like that it turns around? Maybe?
DE is another area where we could be thin, and we just got a commitment from a 3 star DE from Louisiana, and he's from the same school as 5 star WR Reuben Randle (the top WR in the country who is allegedly visiting UM at some point).

A Reuben Randle and Bryce McNeal tandem would have me saying screw James Jackson for years!!!

But, even if that doesn't happen, this is a good DE pickup. Things seem to have happened very quickly with him. His name is DeQuinta Jones. He's the 23rd best strongside DE in the country and #14 player in Louisiana, according to rivals.com.

Unfortunately, he and Randle have a teammate who is a DT that's committed to LSU. Not sure what Randle's relationship is like with either of these guys or how it could impact the decision (guys who are the top WR in the country rarely care where their 3 star defensive lineman classmates go), but it's something to consider.
FWIW, UM is also in on Kenny Bell, a 4 star and the 2nd best WR in La., from a town 29 miles away from Randle's.

I think I stayed at a DeQuinta when I was in Fresno on business last year.

Good Article

http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=829032

For those of you popping boners over the 2009 Michigan recruiting class, check this shizzle out.
http://www.sundaymorningqb.com/2008/1/21/1614/43228

Apparently, you DO need playas to win NC's. Let's not get all giddy over three stars, people. The promise was RR+"Michigan" talent. RR still needs a year or two to get the recruiting thing going. Just don't expect any of these three stars to make an impact for awhile, if at all.

For those of you popping boners over the 2009 Michigan recruiting class, check this shizzle out.
http://www.sundaymorningqb.com/2008/1/21/1614/43228

Apparently, you DO need playas to win NC's. Let's not get all giddy over three stars, people. The promise was RR+"Michigan" talent. RR still needs a year or two to get the recruiting thing going. Just don't expect any of these three stars to make an impact for awhile, if at all.
What are you talking about? There's a 5 star and seven 4 stars in the 2009 class. 4 of the 5 guys that are 3 stars are on the very edge of being 4 stars.

But anyone popping boners is doing it because of the dominating beast we'll have in the middle of the D-Line, the stud WR from Minnesota, and not one but two 4 star dual threat QB's. It's the other 4 and 5 star guys out there still considering UM. No one that I'm aware of (though I wouldn't want to know) is popping bone because of DeWayne Peace.

I'm popping a boner but it has nothing to do with Michigan Football.

I'm popping a boner but it has nothing to do with Michigan Football.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/GlennDanzig/wei-sit_face.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/GlennDanzig/wei-sit_face.jpg

What the hell do you watch?

Bingo.

3 star Safety Mike Jones (who?) to UM. I wasn't hyped at first because of the 3 star ranking, but watched his video and came away impressed. He's 6'3, 205 and was killing people in the video. Word is he might possibly put on about 30 lbs and become a LB.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i88/antwan_vinson/00-mike_jones-the_american_dream-cd.jpg
Whoops, wrong pic...

http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/Camper/PHOTO/MIKEJONES8JD08200.JPG
Here we go.

The number 2 kicker in the country, Anthony Fera, has committed to Michigan

[smilie=fireworks.g:

Are you being sarcastic or not?

That's actually pretty good news, IMO.

those are not green fireworks......I am looking forward to not having a walk on deciding the outcome of a game

those are not green fireworks......I am looking forward to not having a walk on deciding the outcome of a game

I completely agree. Think about when we had Garrett Rivas. He wasn't perfect, but there was less to worry about. On the other hand, look at the year before Rivas and the year after Rivas. 2002, before Rivas, we tried 3 different guys (Neinberg, Brabbs, and Finley) who combined to make 11 of 23 FG attempts. In many games, the team was inside the 30 on 4th down and had to punt because the coaches knew a touchback gave better field position than another missed FG. The kicking was the difference in 2 of the 3 losses that season and made other games much closer than they should have been. Last season, the first without Rivas, Jason Gingell was 3 of 9 until Lopata took over and made 9 of 10 but only attempted 2 longer than 39 yards (making one, 42 yards).

Rivas made 80% of his FG attempts (63-79) during his 4 years here, which was a marked improvement over the previous year. Not only that, but the staff generally trusted him to attempt FGs when they would have otherwise punted. All that, and he was only the 24th ranked kicker in his class.

Fera, on the other hand, is the #2 kicker in the class. He made a 58 yarder in a game as a HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN. In a kicking competition at a camp this summer he made back to back 60 yarders and had a performance that tied the camp record using their scoring system. His average kickoff was 70 yards.
This is a 3 star recruit that is guaranteed to have an impact on the games (unless the team is winning games by 30 regardless of who the kicker is) whereas a 3 star position player isn't guaranteed to even have much playing time.
As queer as it sounds, there are only about 6 other guys from their 15 person class that I'm more excited about than Fera.

Apparently Kevin Newsome has decommitted from UM. All of the articles giving more details require a subscription, so I have no idea if he's still considering UM or not, or what reasons he cited for opening things back up. (old rumors that may have an impact are that he's feeling it big time from Virginia Tech, and I wouldn't be shocked if that's where he ended up).

We may still have two 4 star dual threat QB's in this class, however, since little Forcier is visiting on August 30. With Newsome gone, a commitment during Forcier's visit wouldn't be terribly surprising.

Hopefully this doesn't impact the commitment of Bryce McNeal.

I'd rather have Newsome than both Beaver and Forcier. Kevin seemed perfect for RR's scheme.

I wonder if we can still get involved with Morgan Newton.

guess we'll just have to Leave It To Beaver

ba-dum-ching

sorry

I'd rather have Newsome than both Beaver and Forcier. Kevin seemed perfect for RR's scheme.

I wonder if we can still get involved with Morgan Newton.
Newsome is, by far, the best prospect UM had at QB. Beaver is going to be nothing more than an RB taking snaps. The kid leaves a lot to be desired as a D-I passer. Newsome is athletic and has the ability to be a credible passer. Also, he was a smart, decent kid. Perhaps RR`s loud-mouthed, hillbilly shenannigans turned him off.

At 6-3 and 190 pounds he is much leaner than Newsome, but he completed 61.3 percent of his pass attempts as a junior for 2,629 yards and 31 touchdowns and was ranked as the fifth best scrambler among quarterbacks by Rivals.com.
So RBs in Texas average over 200 passing yards and 2.5 passing TDs per game? Good to know.

Newsome committed after the spring game. He probably saw the opportunity (because of how bad the QBs were) and saw that RR could adapt his offense so that it wasn't so stereotypical spread (if you recall, Newsome prefers a pro style offense because he wants a college offense that better prepares him for the NFL). There has been a TON of pressure by his parents and his coach to go to Virginia Tech. His coach has wanted him at VT all along. From what I've read, his dad prefers him a little closer to home and would be ok with UM if he hadn't committed so early. I think he wanted his son to take his visits, let his name (and hype) get bigger and bigger so that the whole country knew who he was before he committed, so the hype could just grow and grow leading to him being a 1st round pick in 3-4 years. A spring commitment kills a lot of that. So does competition from other 4 star QBs that may possibly fit the coaches system better, even if they aren't quite as good.

Newsome is, by far, the best prospect UM had at QB.


True, but that said, I'd rather have Eugene Smith than Kevin Newsome though.

Yeah, fact is, when the class is signed there's still a very good chance we'll have 2 of the top 8 dual threat QBs.

I think losing Newsome is a blessing in disguise. I actually like Forcier better than Newsome (not just saying that because of sour grapes). Forcier completed 77% of his passes last year and is rated the most accurate passer in the country by rivals. I also recently watched his video and was very impressed with his accuracy, mobility, and speed. He looks like the total package to me.

Another thing on Newsome, I saw a video interview with him last night and he said he still loves Michigan, everything about Michigan is great, and Michigan is still at the top of his list. He just wanted to look around a bit and make sure he was making the right decision. He didn't feel like he could do that if he was still committed.

Florida teammates to decide Friday; Michigan favored
By Josh Helmholdt • Free Press Special Writer • August 27, 2008

Michigan’s recruiting class of 2009 added one (Houston kicker Anthony Fera) then subtracted one (quarterback Kevin Newsome) last week, keeping their total number of commitments at 14. That number is expected to increase by week’s end, however, when Pahokee, Fla., teammates Vincent Smith and Brandin Hawthorne announce their decisions on Friday at a 3 p.m. press conference.

Smith, a 5-7, 159-pound running back prospect, and Hawthorne, a 6-1, 196-pound linebacker, have both narrowed their list to two schools. Smith informed me earlier this week he will choose between Michigan and Tennessee, while Hawthorne has recently stated Michigan or Louisville will receive his pledge after initially having West Virginia and Michigan as co-leaders.

The fact that Michigan is the only common team in both players’ final lists should not be overlooked. Hawthorne said earlier this month both he and Smith would be attending the same school. Beyond that, FlaVarsity.com publisher Michael Langston, who has known both prospects for several years, has also predicted the pair will choose Michigan.

Pahokee is the same school that sent wide receiver Martavious Odoms to Michigan in the class of 2008. Odoms, the final player to sign in head coach Rich Rodriguez’s inaugural class, is slated to start this Saturday for the Wolverines at the slot receiver position; the only true freshman listed as an outright starter for the game against Utah.

“I talked to (Odoms) and he said he loves (Michigan),” Smith commented. “He said he is already competing for a starting job so he’s just waiting on us to come up there and do the same.”

The expectation is that Smith and Hawthorne will join Odoms eventually, but even after they make their commitments on Friday their recruitments will not end. Both prospects have plans to take official visits to other schools this fall, taking some of the steam out of Friday’s announcement.

Smith, Hawthorne and their Pahokee teammate, four-star receiver Nu’Keese Richardson who committed to Florida in May, plan to officially visit Michigan the weekend of Oct. 25. Beyond that, Smith has plans to visit Tennessee and possibly Minnesota and Wisconsin. Hawthorne will officially visit West Virginia, Louisville, Iowa State and Tennessee this fall.

Rivals.com ranks Hawthorne as the No. 61 outside linebacker in the country and a three-star prospect. The website has Smith ranked also listed as a three-star prospect and the No. 60 running back in the country.

Someone explain to me why these kids announce their "committments" and then already have visits to other schools in place.

Doesn't come across as being "committed" at all.

I think we're on RB overload...if Smith commits, next year's backfield is going to be awfully crowded

Carlos Brown, Brandon Minor, Sam McGuffie, Michael Shaw, Mike Cox, Vince Smith, Teric Jones, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Avery Horn, Jeremy Gallon...

somebody's going to have to find a new position

Someone explain to me why these kids announce their "committments" and then already have visits to other schools in place.

Doesn't come across as being "committed" at all.
What's this!?
LOGIC AND SENSE?
Get out! It has no place here!

I think we're on RB overload...if Smith commits, next year's backfield is going to be awfully crowded

Carlos Brown, Brandon Minor, Sam McGuffie, Michael Shaw, Mike Cox, Vince Smith, Teric Jones, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Avery Horn, Jeremy Gallon...

somebody's going to have to find a new position

A couple of those guys could transition to a slot receiver role. A couple could be heavily used for special teams, where RR loves to have speed above anything else - blocking kicks, returning punts and kickoffs, gunners, etc. Some of them have a different style, and we could see a little thunder and lightning twist formation worked in periodically.

Also, I think you may see one or two moved around even onto defense if necessary. With RR, I don't think he necessarily cares. He will give guys PT, but that may be done by having 4-5 guys each getting 8-10 touches per game. He loves depth at playmaker.

WOW...........what an up and down couple of days for Michigan fans........

Down: Obviously we lose the game and look bad doing it (although the Victor's Walk is like a perpetual Michigan Fan boner). The game was drastically bad and nobody could've predicted us being that horrible on offense.

Up: We get the Pahokee Duo and today Tate Forcier has commited to Meeeechigan. Both him and Beaver will enroll early and although having to go through another year of having a freshman QB will suck.......having someone who is faster than "fat cat" will be beneficial to the entire scheme. We should have about 5 schollies left and definitely need 2 DE's, but that should be easily attainable with the number of available kids we're going after.

Do you think Newsome is officially out of the picture now? I'm not going to lie, I wanted to Newsome over Forcier, but at this point, after watching Saturday's abortion, beggars can't be choosers.

Do you think Newsome is officially out of the picture now? I'm not going to lie, I wanted to Newsome over Forcier, but at this point, after watching Saturday's abortion, beggars can't be choosers.

My opinion is that he is out as a recruit. I think he put us on his list as a way to appease the powers that be and to not look like a douche. I wanted him as well, but I can never argue with an 18 year old that wants to stay closer to home and play in front of family and friends. I think it's pretty cool that we recruited QB's from Texas, Cali, Virginia, Oregon, Florida, etc. and got two guys that fit our offense extremely well and both are willing to graduate early and come in to learn the offense. Having Newsome would've been great, but Forcier and The Beav will be great fits for our offense.

I hate to look ahead, but next year is crowded..............Feagin, Sheridan, Threet, Beaver and Forcier..........How do you even find enough snaps for all those guys in practice. I assume Feagin will move to a new position, but what if Threet gets a grip on the offense somehow?

NOW LET'S GET SOME FREAKIN DEFENSIVE ENDS!!!

"I thought the quarterbacks did pretty good for it being the first game, There's a lot of things I saw from the sideline even though I know it's not the same from the sideline. All I can say is that offense isn't for them, but it's tailor-made for me."
I'm guessing Tate gets a talkin' to for this one

Tate's last line is a gem. Hilarious.

Oh crap. Will Campbell re-opened his recruitment? I'm done believing HS kids. How many times did he say he was absolutely committed?

^^I'm not surprised. Same happened with Cissoko last year, and after some talks with Schafer & Co., he stayed committed, I think Campbell will do the same.

I'm just scared that he takes a trip out to USC and Pete Carroll uses his evil charm to make him want to be a Trojan. Doesn't help that RoJo & Perry would probably persuade the hell out him too. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that.

And if, heaven forbid, he picks Sparty, I hope he get's Parkinsons.

4 star DE Anthony LaLota out of NJ will make his decision tomorrow night

down to Michigan, Notre Dame, Boston College and Penn State

also Shavodrick Beaver will be playing on ESPN2 tonight at 9pm

4 star RB David Oku is announcing next Wednesday also. I think we're in the top 3, with Louisville and maybe Miami?

Am I posting this in the right place?

Not a lot of size with this group, imo.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080910/SPORTS06/80909097/1054/SPORTS06

God, I hope we land LaLota...are we supposed to be on the sunnyside of 50/50 with him, Jethro?

I'm not sure. I've heard positive vibes but I don't have access to any "insider" info. You would think that any of these guys who are interested would love to see the opening for immediate playing time.

Tom Beaver thinks it's 51/49 LaLota picks UM...

who knows...Beaver's been wrong before...

Sounds like Oku is indeed going to pick Tennessee and the comments he made were simply a smokescreen. He would be quite a get for the SEC.

I don't think our chances with Oku were ever as good as some made it out to be...

Is Oku a bit doughy, with a unibrow and a hot wife?

LaLota will pick UM tonight and we've got no shot on Oku. Like Filly said, him "eliminating" Tennessee is a smokescreen and will pledge for the Volunteers.

It's official, LaLota picked UM...


Hopefully we can hang on to this one, he's got a chance to fill Tim Jamison's spot next year if he's an early-enrollee

5 star land for RichRod!

A few Michigan recruits' stats last night-

DeWayne Peace-5 rec, 135 yds, 2 TD's
Jeremy Gallon-15 carries, 115 yds, 2 TD's, 97 yd KO return TD
Fitzgerald Touissant-19 carries, 258 yds, 4 TD's
Teric Jones-23 carries, 195 yds
Will Campbell-7 sacks

Wow.

how the hell do you get 7 sacks in one game!! he's making brandon grahams PSL numbers look weak...

We really need to resecure Will's commitment. Seriously, a line of Lalota, Will, Mike Martin and Ryan VanBergen is sounding pretty solid. I wouldn't mind adding Craig Roh as well. Also, what's the latest on Nick Perry? Academic issues have been in the way at USC. Did he make the deadline yesterday to enroll? If not, might he leave USC and consider UM again? This could end up an ongoing saga like Marques Slocum, but I think Perry could be more motivated.

Also, I like the sig Mood.

Perry got his shit worked out, and is staying at USC

Marcus Witherspoon enrolled at Rutgers, and he's eligible to play this year...

A lawyer found some loopholes after Rich Rod said he'd never be eligible...

Not sure who dropped the ball on that one, but it sucks we missed out...

Who was the QB that was supposedly in favor of Michigan, that was supposed to make us forget all about Terrell Pryor? I don't remember if he's in the 09 or 10 class, but I'm sure I'll recognize the name if you guys throw it out there.

Morgan Newton??? Russell Sheppard??

Newton committed to Kentucky, Sheppard committed to LSU...

Also, I like the sig Mood.

Thanks Jethro, and lospistones, and I think the guy you're thinking of that we (mostly me) hyped as a just as good if not better TP is Russell Shepard. It sounded like he was starting to lean towards UM, and then took his LSU visit and committed. It's all good though, I'm loving the guys in my sig. We'll be alright.

The guy in the left better build up those toothpicks he's trying to pass off as arms.

:BARWIS:

Craig Roh decides on Thursday between Michigan, USC, UCLA, Arizona St...


Tom Beaver on scout.com said Michigan's chances are on the "sunny-side" of 50/50...

:BARWIS:

Awesome. Barwis + lean meat and chocolate milk = guns.

And I like Michigan's chances to land Roh. Call it a hunch. But it's not a bad sign that the only official visit he's taken is Michigan and it was very recent. He did visit ASU on Saturday unofficially, but they lost to UNLV, not exactly impressive enough to warrant an immediate commitment. Stay tuned.

Roh committed to Michigan looking like a nasty Dline

Roh Campbell jones Lalota Very nice

Roh committed to Michigan looking like a nasty Dline

Roh Campbell jones Lalota Very nice

Nice, idiot. He's got his own thread.

Cass Tech safety Thomas Gordon verbally committed to Michigan today over Michigan State...

so with Teric Jones & Thomas Gordon already on board, and Cissoko from last year, Will Campbell's going to have three people in his ear to come back to UM...

I think it's a safe bet he will, GBW seems to think he will

Michigan seems to be on a roll right now............

2010 WR Ricado Miller from Dr. Philips (not Dr. Pepper) H.S. in Florida has commited to Michigan. Miller is considered a top 5 or top 10 WR (depending on who you listen to). He is a borderline 5* prospect that will most certainly be a high 4* and a top 40 or 50 player in his class.

Possibly the best part is that he may only be the first in the long line of Florida dominos that could be falling soon. The next domino is rumored to be 5* Safety Marvin Robinson Jr. from the Sunshine State. Looks like so far RR is turning this thing slowly based on 9 months of recruiting.

Hopefully he doesn't waver a year from now and stands firm w/ U of M...

If we can land Dior Mathis for 2010, I'll be thrilled.