Michigan football addresses biggest remaining need for 2012 with commitment of defense tackle Ondre Pipkins
On the day Michigan ascended to No. 1 in Scout’s latest national recruiting rankings, the Wolverines picked up one of their biggest commitments yet: Four-star defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins.
Pipkins, who is the 22nd prospect to verbally commit to Michigan’s 2012 class, fills the Wolverines’ biggest remaining need, which was defensive tackle.
The 6-foot-3, 325-pounder, who plays at Park Hills High School in Kansas City, originally is from Saginaw and later played in Rochester Hills. He is ranked the country's No. 12 defensive tackle by Scout and No. 19 by Rivals.
Pipkins held offers from several elite schools, including Alabama, Florida, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio State and Michigan State.
Michigan still could target another defensive tackle. Flint four-star recruit Danny O’Brien lists the Wolverines among his top-six schools, and would seem to be a good fit if Michigan elects to take a second player at that position.
Wide receiver and running back also are expected to be addressed before the Wolverines finish off their class, which features more defensive players (14) and four-star players (12) than any other program in the country.
Scout tabbed Michigan No. 1 in its recruiting rankings released today. CBS and maxpreps.com also rank the Wolverines No. 1, Rivals ranks them No. 4 and ESPN No. 5.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke has said he plans to sign about 25 or 26 recruits for 2012.
National Signing Day is Feb. 1.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 3:08 p.m.
Another great recruit in a great recruiting class. This IS Michigan. Indeed! Good Night and Good Luck
OldBittyBates
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 12:26 p.m.
This player ONDRE is so cool!!! I've been tracking him for months on the Internet. Can hardly wait to see him in his first game as a Wolverine. There is NO reason we won't see him in action immediately. His impact for Michigan will make them a prime contender for the Big Ten title and a possible national championship. If we can finish out the recruiting year with a 5-Star RB and 5-Star receiiver - This will be the most awesome group of new players ever. I most definitely want Mr. Pipkins wearing Lamarr Woodley's number on his jersey. Go Blue!
Doug
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 12:12 p.m.
Good job, Hoke. Best recruiting class ever next year. Also, sitting Stonum for a year not only teaches him a valuable lesson, no one's bigger than the program, then adds him to the 2012 class.
Hebner
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 2:15 a.m.
Mick, I am also loving it...just like coach Hoke said, " we are Michigan".
Mick
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.
Written by: 226chosen at 2:29 PM on August 8, 2011 "now...let's see how many de-commit and fail to qualify...it ain't over til..." Obviously you're a fan of some other school or you're trolling, but if you'd been paying attention at all, you would notice the high character, high academic guys we've recruited. I wouldn't count on many, if any de-commits. But thanks for caring so much buddy, it really means a lot to us that you care so much.
Blu n Tpa
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 8:36 p.m.
Now get O'Brien, put together a turn around season with the new staff and player combination, and don't look back. Welcome Ondre Pipkins, looking forward to you tearing a big hole in an offensiive line playing in the Big House soon. TiM Go Blue!
Blu-dogg97
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 8:23 p.m.
Pipkins held offers from several elite schools, including Alabama, Florida, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio State and Michigan State. Pretty much says it all !! according to the Bleacher Report, Mr. Pipkins nick name is "PEE WEE PIPKINS" I for one would not call him that to his face ! Welcome to Michigan Mr.Pipkins !! Thank you Coach Hoke and coach Mattison ... GO BLUE...
umgoblue47
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
the incredible hoke does it again. . . welcome to michigan ondre! i think we will still take o'brien if he want's to commit. . . GO BLUE!!
Blu-dogg97
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 9:03 p.m.
agree umgoblue47 ..unfortunately injures can play a big part at times.. i.e. Lions w/ Leshores .. so welcome Danny..
Mick
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 7:32 p.m.
This is the guy I wanted more than anyone left that we were recruiting. This kid makes me think of the Lions' Suh and what he can provide in the middle of the Defense. Oh my how I'm loving the turn of events since January, This is Michigan, Go Blue!
missionbrazil
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 7:13 p.m.
Today we are reading "On the day Michigan ascended to No. 1 in Scout's latest national recruiting rankings..." In the near future we will be reading "On the day Michigan ascended to No. 1 in the BCS poll..." Go Blue !
Terry Star21
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 8:54 p.m.
That's it....we will hear that !!!!!
Terry Star21
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 6:50 p.m.
Wow six months to go until signing....betting we will get some more quality walk-ons, greyshirts, etc. In a way Joe Kidd it's all good - let Hoke have that year (not that he needs it) to work out all the minor details and set a great foundation for the future of Michigan Football. MgoBlueForTim.........Hoke, setting the future for Michigan Football - forever.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 2:17 a.m.
TS21 Your welcome and I noticed you usually write "TiM". No problem. Spelling is not the same as typing. We all know that.
Terry Star21
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 1:40 a.m.
Burton, that is wrong, he never said CS, and it's on video - Brady Hoke said, "This Is Michigan for God's Sakes". So please write; 'TiMfGS'
burton163
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 12:28 a.m.
OK got it. But I have to say, that I don't think you should leave off the "fer crissakes" that's the best part! So if you don't mind, I'm going with TiMFC!!! from here on out!
Terry Star21
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 8:53 p.m.
Thanks Blu n Tpa...I was typing too fast, if you look @ my other posts I do always use the capital 'M'....only the little brother/little sister would use a small 'm'. I'll be more careful next time ! GoBurtonTiM !!!
Blu n Tpa
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 8:27 p.m.
I got this for you TS 21. When Coach Hoke had his first PC he said "This is Michigan", for crips sake! Or words to that effect. Yours truly, being lazy and liking to KISS, decided on "TiM", but with a capital M. It's caught on and the rest is history. (Just like WCiMFH but I'm hoping that one will not see much more use, ever!) Feel free to use it b163, no charge. TiM Go Blue!
burton163
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
Terry you always finish with MgoBlue for Tim. Who is Tim?
Blue Marker
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 6:42 p.m.
This could mean O'Brien to UT. At least I hope it's UT and not MSU.
226chosen
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 6:29 p.m.
now...let's see how many de-commit and fail to qualify... it ain't over til...
Terry Star21
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 6:52 p.m.
What, hey this isn't msu, osu or your school - This Is Michigan !
81wolverine
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 6:26 p.m.
This is a big commit for Michigan in more ways than one. Michigan's situation at DT isn't very good after this year. Given the struggles of the defense over the past 3 years, the D needs to be rebuilt. And great defenses start on the defensive line. Having a big, quick, hard-to-handle guy in the middle like Pipkins is a key. As highly rated as he is, I think he's still UNDERRATED. He had a lot of bigtime offers from top BCS schools for a reason. Watching video of him at a recent camp against other top players, he manhandled every offensive lineman he was put up against 1 on 1. I can't wait to see him in a Michigan uniform. He'll be almost a sure bet to see the playing field quite a bit his freshman year. Welcome to the Michigan family Ondre!
Joe Kidd
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 6:12 p.m.
Phenomenal! I only wish we didn't have to wait......
D21
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 6:01 p.m.
Welcome abroad Ondre should you and the rest of the commits actually enroll at UM next year. GO BLUE!