Michigan: Final word on search and recruiting

[IrishLax]

They moved up 9 places on Rivals Team Rankings to #30 but keep in mind they only have 16 recruits while teams like #17 Mississippi have 27.

Looking at Avg Stars, UM moves up to #22 on that basis leading such teams as Arkansas, Iowa, PSU, So Carolina, Wisconsin, and Va Tech. Not in OSU's class, #11 overall and tied for 12th with ND for Avg Star Ranking at 3.43.

If Hoke can hold that relative position he will have done very well in what should have been a disastrous year recruiting for UM.

False. Compared to what Harbaugh or Miles would have brought in this class is utter crap. If Harbaugh had signed the dotted line after that dominant bowl win over VT Michigan would have darn near a top 10 class. Miles also would've done much better. And no matter what way you slice it, this class is terrible by Michigan standards.

 

[Rhode Irish]

It seems to me that saying a different coach with a better national profile could have brought in a better class and saying that the guy who is actually the coach could have brought in a worse class are not mutually exclusive.

I think even the most ardent Hoke backers among Michigan fans would concede they'd have been better off with Harbaugh. But Hoke is the guy, and he seems to have gotten off to as good of a start as could be expected. This class may be sub-par for Michigan (and I couldn't be happier about that), but it could be much worse considering that they mishandled the RR mess, took too long to replace him and then hired a real football guy without much of a national profile.

 

[IrishLax]

It seems to me that saying a different coach with a better national profile could have brought in a better class and saying that the guy who is actually the coach could have brought in a worse class are not mutually exclusive.

I think even the most ardent Hoke backers among Michigan fans would concede they'd have been better off with Harbaugh. But Hoke is the guy, and he seems to have gotten off to as good of a start as could be expected. This class may be sub-par for Michigan (and I couldn't be happier about that), but it could be much worse considering that they mishandled the RR mess, took too long to replace him and then hired a real football guy without much of a national profile.

If that's the point that's being made, I agree. I didn't gather that from my reading of what was posted. It's true that this class could have been epic fail and it is only moderate fail because Hoke did a good job bringing in some warm bodies and a couple marginal 4 stars.

 

[phork]

It was way too late for a top10 class. Had RR been fired after OSU and Harbaugh hired right after then maybe.

 

[Riddickulous]

False. Compared to what Harbaugh or Miles would have brought in this class is utter crap. If Harbaugh had signed the dotted line after that dominant bowl win over VT Michigan would have darn near a top 10 class. Miles also would've done much better. And no matter what way you slice it, this class is terrible by Michigan standards.

Come on. Hoke has brought in 6 recruits in a span of a few days. He's doing an excellent job of closing this class, which was two weeks removed from being a complete and utter disaster.

This class is terrible, but by no means as bad as it could have been.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

Come on. Hoke has brought in 6 recruits in a span of a few days. He's doing an excellent job of closing this class, which was two weeks removed from being a complete and utter disaster.

This class is terrible, but by no means as bad as it could have been.

Do not let the dates of commitment fool you. Half of those guys were former "soft commits." I would agree with IrishLax that the new guys are more or less warm bodies. The best job he has done is keep most of the current commits. Outside of the LB from Ohio, all of their new commits are low tier BCS conference players. Look at their offer lists, 2 or 3 bottom dwellers and then mid major offers. I HOPE scUM is never so bad that they cannot flip a kid from Indiana or Purdue or Minnesota.

He just needs to win, which everyone knows. They took a huge hit in missing on Lyons, Frost, and Hart this year. I still put Ohio St, Mich St, Penn St, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska ahead of them in classes and current strength of program. Unless Hoke wins 15+ games during his first two years they will continue to be around 500 and in the bottom half of the Big 10.

 

[Ironman8]

Do not let the dates of commitment fool you. Half of those guys were former "soft commits." I would agree with IrishLax that the new guys are more or less warm bodies. The best job he has done is keep most of the current commits. Outside of the LB from Ohio, all of their new commits are low tier BCS conference players. Look at their offer lists, 2 or 3 bottom dwellers and then mid major offers. I HOPE scUM is never so bad that they cannot flip a kid from Indiana or Purdue or Minnesota.

He just needs to win, which everyone knows. They took a huge hit in missing on Lyons, Frost, and Hart this year. I still put Ohio St, Mich St, Penn St, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska ahead of them in classes and current strength of program. Unless Hoke wins 15+ games during his first two years they will continue to be around 500 and in the bottom half of the Big 10.

I agree with you on everything but the QB they stole from Purdue. If you watch his film he really looks like a player.

 

[IrishInColumbus]

He just needs to win, which everyone knows. They took a huge hit in missing on Lyons, Frost, and Hart this year. I still put Ohio St, Mich St, Penn St, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska ahead of them in classes and current strength of program. Unless Hoke wins 15+ games during his first two years they will continue to be around 500 and in the bottom half of the Big 10.

Every major program except Ohio State, and perhaps Penn State, has had a decade of misery. Michigan may be entering a period of mediocrity longer than we think. Can they bounce back immediately? With that defense, I don't see it. I played in the same town as their safety Jordan Kovacs. He is nowhere near the type of athlete they need to compete with Ohio State.

All I'm saying is that it is just as likely that Michigan will be in this same position in two years as they are right now. Reeling after about mediocre season with hole talent gaps between the Wolverines and their opponents.

Personally, I enjoy watching it.

 

[]\/[GoBlue]

First off, hi, it's been awhile.

Second, I'm kinda happy with the class as of now. I feel our AD really put us behind the 8-ball with they way the hiring process was handled, and Hoke has done A LOT with as little time as he's had. Hopefully we'll be able to snag some more solid recruits, but again, as of now, Hoke has done well with what he's been given. I'm looking forward to seeing not only what he can do on the field but what next years class will look like.

Good luck in your 2011 season.

 

[Irish Man3]

First off, hi, it's been awhile.

Second, I'm kinda happy with the class as of now. I feel our AD really put us behind the 8-ball with they way the hiring process was handled, and Hoke has done A LOT with as little time as he's had. Hopefully we'll be able to snag some more solid recruits, but again, as of now, Hoke has done well with what he's been given. I'm looking forward to seeing not only what he can do on the field but what next years class will look like.

Good luck in your 2011 season.

I would agree if I were a fan of Michigan. He has salvaged what he could out of this class, while holding onto "soft" verbals that were already on board. I thought he did a job much like Brian Kelly did last year. BK was able to hold onto Hendrix and Nix while pulling in some late guys that ND fans questioned. If Hoke can put some wins together this year, he will see the rewards in next years class. Michigan is still a big name and always will be.

 

[Wolverine1997]

Michigan is now in the Top-30.

Just got 6'5 330lb, 4* lineman Chris Bryant

 

[IrishLax]

Michigan is now in the Top-30.

Just got 6'5 330lb, 4* lineman Chris Bryant

I love how for all of your guys you take their best rating to make yourself feel better. He is only a 4* on Rivals and a 3* on Scout/ESPN. To my knowledge you still have only one Rivals 100 player and ZERO ESPNU150 players. Yawn. Wake me up when you land a big fish.

 

[Wolverine1997]

I love how for all of your guys you take their best rating to make yourself feel better. He is only a 4* on Rivals and a 3* on Scout/ESPN. To my knowledge you still have only one Rivals 100 player and ZERO ESPNU150 players. Yawn. Wake me up when you land a big fish.

Actually I've only been by saying their rivals rating...hence why I said "Top-30"...if you go look at the rivals rankings Michigan is in the Top-30...

I'm no recruiting expert, but with all of these recruits flocking in, Hoke has been doing a good job compared to how bad the situation was. At this point 4* players are really good.

 

[IrishLax]

Actually I only go by the rivals rating...

I'm no recruiting expert, but with all of these recruits flocking in, Hoke has been doing a good job compared to how bad the situation was. At this point 4* players are really good.

Indeed. Hoke is doing a masterful job pulling together a class with how your AD totally screwed the pooch on the hiring. He was handed a terrible situation, hired a good name DC (although we'll see how good he really is without Ray Lewis & Co.) and is getting a lot of "solid" kids to round out the class.

With that being said, I don't know why anyone would be excited about the class. By Michigan standards, or comparing the class to the one Miles or Harbaugh would've brought in, it is simply not that good. Kinda reminds of me of BK's first class (although a little worse) and we all see how well he is doing this year.... so there is still a lot of hope for 2012.

 

[Wolverine1997]

Indeed. Hoke is doing a masterful job pulling together a class with how your AD totally screwed the pooch on the hiring. He was handed a terrible situation, hired a good name DC (although we'll see how good he really is without Ray Lewis & Co.) and is getting a lot of "solid" kids to round out the class.

With that being said, I don't know why anyone would be excited about the class. By Michigan standards, or comparing the class to the one Miles or Harbaugh would've brought in, it is simply not that good. Kinda reminds of me of BK's first class (although a little worse) and we all see how well he is doing this year.... so there is still a lot of hope for 2012.

I've been hearing that the high school class of 2012 talent level in the midwest is loaded. Michigan NEEDS to get inside Glenville High School in Cleveland.

 

[Riddickulous]

Indeed. Hoke is doing a masterful job pulling together a class with how your AD totally screwed the pooch on the hiring. He was handed a terrible situation, hired a good name DC (although we'll see how good he really is without Ray Lewis & Co.) and is getting a lot of "solid" kids to round out the class.

With that being said, I don't know why anyone would be excited about the class. By Michigan standards, or comparing the class to the one Miles or Harbaugh would've brought in, it is simply not that good. Kinda reminds of me of BK's first class (although a little worse) and we all see how well he is doing this year.... so there is still a lot of hope for 2012.

The excitement, I believe, isn't so much about the players themselves, but at the amazing speed at which Hoke and company have been pulling in recruits. They've landed 6-7 in the last week.

I've been hearing that the high school class of 2012 talent level in the midwest is loaded. Michigan NEEDS to get inside Glenville High School in Cleveland.

The talent pool is enormous for next year's class, and the Midwest is talent rich.

 

[phork]

Stars and ratings are for the most part meaningless. If you can't develop the talent you might as well take all 1*.

 

[Riddickulous]

Personally, I can't wait for the return of the old, hard fought games that dominated the 80's and 90's of the rivalry, where every game went down to the wire.