Why hasn't Michigan lost more commits?
This is why you recruit the Midwest. For a Midwest kid that wants to stay in the Midwest, what are their "big time" options besides Michigan? Basically Ohio State or Notre Dame. Who in Michigan's class does Notre Dame or Ohio State even want? Only maybe a small handful of people.
I think my favorite is Derrick Green (not a Midwest kid, but logic applies to him)... really wanted to go to Ohio State and Urban just straight up didn't want him. Michigan? They DESPERATELY want him. And it looks like he'll end up there unless he pulls a huge shocker (which he might)... basically by default.
When you recruit Midwest kids it's much easier to get them to stick because they don't have local schools/fans/coaches pulling at them if ND has a bad year. How many kids in Michigan's class did ND or Ohio State even want?
Dymonte Thomas - Ohio State wanted him
Kyle Bosch - ND offered him late after Michigan was going all out and didn't keep pursuing
Logan Tulley-Tillman - Another guy ND offered and did want bad... stopped pursuing after OL filled up
And I think that's basically it. I dunno, maybe Ohio State wanted more guys than I listed. But those two OL are the only guys that ND even really recruited hard at all. That's why Michigan is holding onto all of their players. Kids with good alternative options are headed elsewhere... like the CB who flipped to Ohio State.