MGOFootball » Recruiting

Signing Day Letters of Intent…

Mike P. — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:17:29 +0000

[Update: All 19 commitments have sent in their LOI's. Keep your eye on 4-star TE Chris Barnett, who was committed to Arkansas. He's making his announcement at 1:45 ET.]

So far, LOI’s from most of Michigan’s class are in. Just learned that 3 star DT Darian Cooper has decided to commit to Iowa over Michigan. Michigan’s class is currently sitting at #24 on Rivals.com.

Here are the LOI’s that are in so far…

LB Kellen Jones
OL Chris Bryant
LB/TE Frank Clark
LB Antonio Poole
DE Chris Rock
DE Brennen Beyer
DB Delonte Hollowell
OL Jack Miller
QB Russell Bellomy
DB Greg Brown
DB Tamani Carter
DB Blake Countess
OL Tony Posada
RB Thomas Rawls
ATH Raymon Taylor
LB Desmond Morgan
K Matt Wile
RB Justice Hayes
DE Kieth Heitzman

The presser is on Mgoblue.com today at 2pm – presser link.

Preview from Pre-Snap Read

Mike P. — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:31:08 +0000

I’ve stumbled upon a college football blog that I’ve enjoyed reading over the past few days called Pre-Snap Read. A few days ago they previewed UCONN coming in with a ranking of #39. A couple days later they have Michigan coming in at #37. It’s a decent read with a some tidbits that make previews on that site different from the previews you are accustomed to seeing in the worldwide leader or some other major media machine.

All in all – it’s a preview worth checking out. A couple notes that stood out to me….

For Rodriguez, a reputation is on the line. For Michigan, the future of a proud program lies in the balance. Times like these can test a fan base. It’s time to keep the faith.

But make no mistake: it was injuries — as well as little depth — that burned Michigan down the stretch. This was particularly the case in the secondary, where Troy Woolfolk’s transition to cornerback cost the Wolverines their most dependable safety in pass coverage. His position change was due partly to injuries, partly to attrition, partly to the often inept play of Michigan’s cornerbacks during the start of Big Ten play. With his move went any semblance of Michigan’s pass defense, with the resulting effect on the rush defense due to overcompensation against the pass.

A lack of depth is also to blame for the second-half collapse. Attrition was an early issue under Rodriguez, but blame must also lie in the relatively bare cupboard — by Michigan’s standards — left by the preceding staff.

More on the 2010 Recruiting Class

Mike P. — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:05:51 +0000

Just as Michigan fans ponder the volume of three star prospects among this years 27 verbal commitments, national recruiting expert Tom Lemming has shared his thoughts on how this recruiting class stacks up.

“It’s an exceptionally athletic class,” Lemming said. “It’s a class full of athletes at every position. With (quarterback) Devin Gardner and (safety) Marvin Robinson, you’re going to have more athletes at Michigan than in years.

“With these players, it’s just a matter of time before (Rich) Rodriguez turns things around. Give him enough time, and it’s a no-brainer he’s going to turn things around.”

Lemming said this is how Rodriguez built his team at West Virginia, which took some time, and how he will at Michigan.

“He’s getting help at every position, and they’re all guys who can run,” Lemming said. “Even the punter is a great athlete.”

Is the 2010 Recruiting Class up to Michigan’s Standards?

Mike P. — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:30:03 +0000

Rich Rod is getting some credit for his ability to close in on recruits as signing day draws near. So far, in RR’s first two years at Michigan for signing day, he’s provided some excitement and signed some quality players. Today, Michigan gets another verbal commitment from Jibreel Black. A 4-star Scout and 3-star Rivals guy that was previously committed to Indiana and then Cincinnati. But there has been an overriding tone among the online community of Michigan fans that RR is easily satisfied with signing three star recruits that don’t have scholarship offers from big time, elite programs.

Yes, the 2010 recruiting class is up to Michigan’s standards. Rivals is ranking this class at about 18th and Scout and other scouting sites have this class near the top ten. The important thing for Michigan is that RR is bringing in guys that fill voids in the current roster. Umm, like defensive backs. Need a few more of those! RR managed to pull the most talented quarterback to fit his system in Devin Gardner.

Supporting facts aren’t need to make the argument, or detail exactly what RR did at West Va. compared to Michigan, but RR knows how to evaluate talent and find guys that are right for his system. Michigan has picked up 15 defensive recruits so far in this class – and are expected to sign another defensive back in either Sean Parker or Rashad Knight.

RR has played one hell of a roster balancing act in his first couple seasons. It’s time his guys begin to shine come 2010. I’m all for RR and I think he is going to be a great coach for Michigan. But, he needs 2010 to be a good one, or he isn’t going to get that opportunity to show how great of a coach he can be.

Info, Scout and Rivals links for all of Michigan’s 2010 recruits.

Positive Thinking…

Mike P. — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:56:01 +0000

As far as “interesting” goes – this season has been nothing short of interesting. Michigan fans have experienced some real nice highs – see Notre Dame win. And this team has given Michigan fans some September-provided-hope-ridden lows – see Penn State loss. There are plenty of reasons to be negative at this point in the season. Michigan’s D is outright bad. Boubacar Cissoko was dismissed from the team this week. 1-3 in the last 4 games and the one win was essentially a scrimmage against a team that didn’t belong near the Big House. Negative this shitty that RR what are you doing G. Rob your an idiot, etc. I’m a positive thinker – and it’s an easy time to be a positive-thinking Michigan fan because there are actually a lot of positives to take away from where this program stands right now. Check it.

REASONS TO BE POSITIVE

This coaching staff has shown that they can keep a team focused and together through tough losses and time of adversity. It hasn’t shown it’s impact on the field quite yet, but you wait – it will.

Michigan has truly only been beaten badly in one game out of 8. Can’t quite say the same when considering last year. A wonderful reason to be positive about the future.

There are 2 seniors on a decimated defense – ANY recruiting should help this.

Tate Forcier could very easily be one of Michigan’s greatest quarterbacks. He has shown some incredible moxy and for some reason even when he plays bad it’s acceptable.

One of the best dual threat quarterback recruits in the country – Michigan’s own Devin Gardner has committed to don the maize and blue next year.

There are solid running backs to step in and take over for Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown next year.

Offensive perimeter guys are young and talented – and already have an adequate amount of game experience.

This list is going to get longer. And it’s going to be something I post every week. Because losses happen – no way around it and negativity is all over the place. If Michigan is ranked #1 in the country in two years – nobody is going to remember the loss to Iowa – or the beat down by Penn State. Go Blue. Beat Illinois this week.

Devin Gardner Passing & Rushing Vids

Mike P. — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:06:05 +0000

Here are some videos that give a pretty good sense of what type of quarterback Devin Gardner is – he’s a big guy that is extremely talented…..Enjoy…

Weekend Notes: Michigan’s First Week of Practice

Mike P. — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:54:03 +0000

Everyday that I post I seem to look at the calendar to put a different spin on how much closer we are to gameday than the last time I looked – and today we only have to deal with 2 more Saturdays without college football!

Some notes and articles from late last week…

Michigan picked up two new recruits from Huber Heights, Ohio – who happen to be brothers. Terry Talbott is a Scout and Rivals 3 star defensive tackle.

Terrance Talbott isn’t quite as highly rated as his brother, but nevertheless Michigan is getting the package deal from the duo. Check out MGOBlog’s overly detailed and fantastic report and introduction of Terry and Terrance Talbott.

Gerry Dinardo

More on Tate Forcier’s play so far in camp. Forcier seems to continuously impress observers of practice with his composure and confident approach to running the 1st team offense.
Not sure how many of you caught the Big Ten Network’s coverage of Friday’s practice in pads – but Gerry Dinardo seems to disqualify himself a bit as a Big Ten analyst. Dinardo is predicting that Denard Robinson emerges as the starter for this years opener against Western Michigan. Here’s the thing – as Denard possesses speed that you’d kill for at the QB position – he’s too inexperienced and needs more time to get comfortable with running the offense. If Dinardo has been paying any attention to the news coming out of Ann Arbor and from Rich Rod – he would know better than to suggest that Denard Robinson is going to be the lead man coming out of camp.

The Countdown to Kickoff on MGOBlue.com is well underway – so far the following players have sat down to chat with Doug Karsch…Greg Matthews, Martavious Odoms, Stevie Brown, Brandon Minor…

Meandering Wolverine News, Latest on MSU Recruit Gholston, Minnesota’s Stadium

Mike P. — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:59:17 +0000

Now Michigan State gets to sit on pins and needles as William Gholston, a high-profile linebacker recruit out of Detroit Southeastern plans to take some official visits to other schools offering him a scholarship. Some schools that appear to be on Gholston’s list are USC, Alabama, Florida and potentially Tennessee or Virginia. If you are a Michigan State fan, you have to be a little nervous about Gholston falling in love with the lifestyle that one of these schools will portray to the young and inexperience, fresh out of high school prep star. Gholston says this about his planned official visits to other schools…

“I never really got out there, so I have to make sure. Michigan State has everything I want, but I just want to make sure everybody else has the opportunity to get me down to their school and try to persuade and convince me. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. If it does, it does.”

Check out some shots of inside and out of Minnesota’s new stadium – I’m just happy I don’t have to watch Michigan or any other team for that matter playing in that dome!

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg is releasing his Big Ten position rankings and has Michigan’s running back unit third in the conference. Penn State coming in first with Evan Royster leading the way and Wisconsin coming in second with John Clay and Zach Brown heading the charge. Below is the snippet on Michigan’s unit…

This is without a doubt Michigan’s strongest unit and one that must perform consistently for the offense to succeed. Senior Brandon Minor looks primed for an All-Big Ten season after a strong finish to 2008, a season during which he played through several injuries. Senior Carlos Brown and sophomore Michael Shaw are also healthy, and freshman Vincent Smith turned heads during spring ball with his quickness.

Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown need to stay healthy for this unit to live up to being on of the best in the Big Ten. Their past brings down that hope a bit as neither one have been able to make it through an entire season without missing several games.

For the best recruiting breakdown you’ll find – check out mgoblog’s latest recruiting breakdown from earlier this week.

More on Brandon Minor – he’s been added as a candidate for this year’s Doak Walker Award watch list.

Rich Rodriguez talks Michigan’s Spread Offense , Ricardo Miller playing at Ann Arbor Pioneer

Mike P. — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:33:47 +0000

Rich Rodriguez convinced that the spread offense is the way to go as it’s commonly stated that defenses are starting to understand how the spread offense works and how to stop it. Below is how Rodriguez reacts to a reporter in Chicago claiming that an Ohio State coach thinks the quarterback shotgun run is obsolete…

“I could care less what he says,” Rodriguez said. “Everybody’s opinion is an opinion. We study everything, and our ultimate goal is to win. We sit down as a staff, and coaches and say what can we do that gives us the best chance to score points and win ballgames. For us it goes back to running the system we know.”

It’s refreshing to hear Rodriguez talk a bit about execution. And he is right. Any offense and any team can dominate if they have superior players and most importantly if they execute…

“Because of the so-called spread, there’s so many variations of the spread that’s different, it’s going to be an easy mark — ‘They’re not winning because of the spread.’ It ain’t the spread, it’s the execution of it.”

Standout Michigan wide receiver commit Ricardo Miller will be playing pigskin for his senior high school season caddy corner to the Big House at Ann Arbor Pioneer.

Michigan Playboy All-American punter Zoltan Mesko sure is making a name for himself this off-season as I’ve seen him in the headlines as much as Tate Forcier! Here is an article on Zoltan’s style in the classroom and a bit on his life away from the football field.

Casual Friday: Michigan Fan Day, Devin Gardner and QB Talk

Mike P. — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:14:24 +0000

Michigan football is going to host Fan Day on August 23rd. Sounds like a fun day and a good excuse to head over to the Big House if you’ve got the time.

More good news on Devin Gardner from the Elite 11 quarterback camp. This guy just continues to impress people and is being compared to some players that have very promising collegiate careers. Hoping this keeps up until next spring when Devin arrives in Ann Arbor. Scout.com’s Scott Kennedy says this about Gardner:

“Gardner is a superior athlete who is handcuffed a bit by a passing camp that doesn’t showcase his playmaking ability with his legs. However, as one might expect, Gardner was solid in the bootleg drills, and while struggling hitting the deep-out to live receivers, Gardner picked up his game in the target practice segment, showing off better accuracy than many of his Elite 11 teammates.”

Devin Gardner -

Good to see that his accuracy is getting better and he is being pegged as such a hard worker.

The Wolverines game at Illinios is going to be televised on ABC at 3:30 p.m. Love those late time slots – moreso when Michigan is playing at home.

In a Mark Snyder Detroit Free Press column Michigan quarterback coach Rod Smith says this about Tate Forcier:

“I was pleased with his progress, (but) he’s got a lot more to go,” Smith said. “He puts in the extra time. I see him as much as anybody around doing extra, because he needs to.”

There has been quite a bit of conversation and speculation in regards to who Michigan is going to add to their non-conference schedule in 2010. Boise State has been amongst the teams heavily discussed. It appears that this is no longer a possibility as Boise State has rounded out their non-conference schedule with a bout against Virginia Tech.