4* LB/S Tony Jefferson (CA)-Down to USC, Oklahoma, UM
4* S/LB Josh Furman (MD)-UM Va Tech
3* DT Johnathan Hankins(MI)-Not 100% but have heard it will either be UM or O$U

Anyone hear anything on where these guys might go?

You are correct on Hankins, its either OSU or UM.

Have they given a specific day they'll make their announcements?

glad to see their all defensive players...we need some talent on that side of the ball....what are your thoughts on the recruiting class so far?

OldDanTucker wrote: 4* LB/S Tony Jefferson (CA)-Down to USC, Oklahoma, UM
4* S/LB Josh Furman (MD)-UM Va Tech
3* DT Johnathan Hankins(MI)-Not 100% but have heard it will either be UM or O$U

Anyone hear anything on where these guys might go?

Johnathan Hankins is deciding between Michigan, OSU and Florida.. but there are talks of him extending his recruitment into January, in order to visit Alabama. His parents are high on Michigan, that's the only visit they have went on with him. I think it's VERY close between OSU and Michigan, with Florida a distant 3rd. My prediction- Ohio State

Tony Jefferson is supposed to announce on Friday at 9pm, I HIGHLY doubt he goes to Michigan.. but you never know. Reports say he is still struggling with his decision, which bodes well for Michigan. USC and OU have been ontop of him longer, and had he declared a long time ago Michigan would have zero chance. My prediction- USC

Josh Furman was supposed to play in the Crab Bowl this weekend, but will not do so due to injury. Virginia Tech was the favorite early, but Michigan basically swept the kid off his feet during his visit. My prediction- Michigan

3/3 with the kids would be HUGE, but IMO that is unrealistic. If anything, I think Furman and Hankins come before Furman and Jefferson.

Hankins likes OSU along with his coaches but his parents are in love with UM.

pkebker wrote: glad to see their all defensive players...we need some talent on that side of the ball....what are your thoughts on the recruiting class so far?

The class is shaping up very well for the Wolverines. Defensive back is an area of concern for UM, but that is being addressed. Early reports said there was little chance Donovan Warren would be back next year, but those reports have cooled off a bit. Justin Turner is shaping up to be a VERY good DB, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him starting against UConn. Adriann Witty is also returning to Michigan, after academic issues prevented him from joining the team last year. Witty was a 3* DB last year, but he would have an extra year in the weight room and maturity on the incoming frosh. Also a weird note.. RichRod said today that Boubacar Cissoko wants to come back to the team, but I doubt it happens because of the amount of school work he would have to catch up on.

I had heard that Jefferson was a long shot. The one that I really want is Furman the dude looks like a beast (6'2 190 with 4.4 speed). Hankins would be a nice pick up as well but if he doesn't commit it wont be that bad of a loss they already have alot of young talent on the DL.

Trueblue23 wrote:

pkebker wrote: glad to see their all defensive players...we need some talent on that side of the ball....what are your thoughts on the recruiting class so far?

The class is shaping up very well for the Wolverines. Defensive back is an area of concern for UM, but that is being addressed. Early reports said there was little chance Donovan Warren would be back next year, but those reports have cooled off a bit. Justin Turner is shaping up to be a VERY good DB, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him starting against UConn. Adriann Witty is also returning to Michigan, after academic issues prevented him from joining the team last year. Witty was a 3* DB last year, but he would have an extra year in the weight room and maturity on the incoming frosh. Also a weird note.. RichRod said today that Boubacar Cissoko wants to come back to the team, but I doubt it happens because of the amount of school work he would have to catch up on.

Yea I heard that to Cissoko wanted to come back as well. Also Brandon Smith is probably going to transfer which I am still scratching my head on that.

Brandon Smith skipped a team meeting and RichRod has confirmed that he is probably gone.. although Smith's parents want him to stay.

I've been impressed with RichRod's ability to recruit despite two lousy years. Do you think those losing seasons are having any effect?

Brandon Smith is hellbent on playing safety. I ask you this, if this kid couldnt beat out Jordan Kovac's and Mike William's how is he going to beat anyone out somewhere else? The simple truth is that he injured his knee last year and lost speed, their are not a whole lot of safety's out there running 4.8 forty's.

he started playing at the end of the year you will see almost a completly different secondary next year alot of injuries is what caused the secondary to be so bad this yare

pkebker wrote: I've been impressed with RichRod's ability to recruit despite two lousy years. Do you think those losing seasons are having any effect?

It has it's negatives/positives.

Negative- players don't want to lose, plain and simple.

Positives- players realize the team has holes to fill and playing time will be available early, which is a HUGE HUGE HUGE selling point.

Trueblue23 wrote:

pkebker wrote: I've been impressed with RichRod's ability to recruit despite two lousy years. Do you think those losing seasons are having any effect?

It has it's negatives/positives.

Negative- players don't want to lose, plain and simple.

Positives- players realize the team has holes to fill and playing time will be available early, which is a HUGE HUGE HUGE selling point.

Why didn't UM have the quality of players to put a decent product on the field the last two years? Were Lloyd Carr's last few recruiting classes that bad?

Its not that hard to figure out.. Totally different system than what Lloyd Carr had in place. Look at one of his recruits, Ryan Mallet, who is now at Arkansas. One of the top passers in the country.

Pick6 wrote: Its not that hard to figure out.. Totally different system than what Lloyd Carr had in place. Look at one of his recruits, Ryan Mallet, who is now at Arkansas. One of the top passers in the country.

i understand that for the offensive side of the ball, but not for the defensive. It seems to me that a good defensive player should be able to play in almost any system. And it has been the defense where i've seen such a severe lack of talent...

2nd tier guys all except Hankins and he's questionable.

Tiernan wrote: 2nd tier guys all except Hankins and he's questionable.

Yea guys with offers from UM,Va Tech, USC, and Oklahoma are 2nd tier guys but not the one with a offer from O$U

OldDanTucker wrote:

Tiernan wrote: 2nd tier guys all except Hankins and he's questionable.

Yea guys with offers from UM,Va Tech, USC, and Oklahoma are 2nd tier guys but not the one with a offer from O$U

haha I agree with that. It certainly looks like USC and Oklahoma don't think they're 2nd tier players. Hopefully they commit to UM

UM should get Furman and Tony Grimes(This Saturday) He is a 3/4 star (grimes).

As far as recruiting being hurt, it certainly has. Say what you want but there is more 3 star guys in this class than any class ever. This class has some real big positives but many questionable players IMO. It is still not a bad class though but it will end up around 15th in the country which is rather low for Michigan. I wont complain with a 15th class in the country when they only have 8 wins in 2 years. GO BLUE!!!

Bo, you are exactly right. I wouldn't complain about having a 15th rated class considering the circumstances. BUT, that ranking is not up to UM's standards imo.

You never know the 3 star guys may pan out but its definitely better to be looking at 4-5 star guys with great offer lists coming to UM. A solid season or two may turn it around.

devil1197 wrote: Bo, you are exactly right. I wouldn't complain about having a 15th rated class considering the circumstances. BUT, that ranking is not up to UM's standards imo.

You never know the 3 star guys may pan out but its definitely better to be looking at 4-5 star guys with great offer lists coming to UM. A solid season or two may turn it around.

One solid season and the class will be a top 5 one IMO. I realize that 3 stars do pan out but for every one that does turn into a AJ hawk or a great player, there is one 3 star that never see's the field and another that plays in his 5th year. Nothing wrong with 3 star guys but having more than 10 in a class of 25 at Michigan is well below their normal standard. But like I said Michigan may get lucky with their 3 star guys and I am not angry with this class. But to say it is up to par with an average Michigan class is simply not true.

UM fans might as well get use to these 3 star guys on O because that is all RR has ever recruited (for the most part) the guys to fit the O system are just not normaly ranked high (smaller rb's/wr's with good speed and smaller quick lineman) not to mention dual threat qb's are not rated very high that often unless they are just unreal in athletic ability and size(Devin Gardner, TP). As long as RR is there we will get mostly 3star O players but if they can start getting some success this year then I think we will start to see more 4/5 star D players

OldDanTucker wrote: UM fans might as well get use to these 3 star guys on O because that is all RR has ever recruited (for the most part) the guys to fit the O system are just not normaly ranked high (smaller rb's/wr's with good speed and smaller quick lineman) not to mention dual threat qb's are not rated very high that often unless they are just unreal in athletic ability and size(Devin Gardner, TP). As long as RR is there we will get mostly 3star O players but if they can start getting some success this year then I think we will start to see more 4/5 star D players

I understand your statement considering lower ranking QBs/OL fitting into the system, but I would think that RichRod's type WR/RB would be ranked very high. Lighting quick with great hands, seem like ideal RB/WR for any team...