Michigan picks up historic 6 football commitments in single day; now has Big Ten-best 9
This story was updated at 2:30 a.m. to reflect the fifth and sixth commitments of the day for Michigan.
Brady Hoke thought he started fast on the recruiting trail last year?
That was nothing compared to this.
The Michigan football team received a historic boost Saturday afternoon when 2013 verbal commitments rolled in from Illinois offensive lineman Kyle Bosch, Detroit Catholic Central fullback/defensive lineman Wyatt Shallman and Detroit Cass Tech's Jourdan Lewis (a cornerback) and David Dawson (offensive lineman).
But just when it seemed as though the recruiting bonanza was over, the Wolverines picked up two more late-night commitments from Colorado offensive lineman Chris Fox and Ohio defensive end Taco Charlton.
That's six commitments in a single day. Michigan had never had more than three since those records began being kept in 2003.
It's not just about quantity, either, as each of the six new commits is ranked in Rivals' Top 200. That equals Michigan's take from all of 2012 -- a heralded class that finished in the top 10 according to every major recruiting service.
Tim Sullivan, a recruiting analyst at TheWolverine.com, said the benefits of such a strong start are two-fold: Michigan locks up some of the Midwest's best players now, and it also can narrow its focus going forward.
"It sets the table for everything else," he said. "Everyone who is committed, except for (Detroit tight end/fullback Khalid) Hill, is an early four-star, and they're (almost) all from the Midwest. Michigan dominated the Midwest in 2012, and this appears to be an extension of that momentum.
"Michigan has set a solid foundation, and now can go after some really elite guys. ... Once you have the base of commits, you can narrow your focus and just go after the top-five guys on your board."
Michigan has nine players verbally committed for 2013, more than double any other Big Ten team. Ohio State is next closest at four. Michigan State has two.
At this time last year, the Wolverines didn't have a single commitment. They didn't pick up their ninth until May 12.
According to Rivals recruiting data at TheWolverine.com, Michigan hasn't started this fast in their recorded history, and it's not even close. Here are the dates for commit No. 9 for as far back as they're available: May 12 for the 2012 class; Dec. 13 for 2011; April 30 for 2010; Aug. 29 for 2009; July 1 for 2008; Aug. 3 for 2007; Nov. 23 for 2006; Sept. 26 for 2005; June 21 for 2004; and Dec. 11 for 2003.
Impressive stuff.
Scout Midwest recruiting expert Allen Trieu said the Wolverines finished with a top-10 class for 2012 because of their fast start, but even then, they were picking up guys who primarily were high three-star or low four-star recruits.
The nine-man 2013 class is comprised almost exclusively of solid four-star level talent -- or better, in Shane Morris' case. The Warren DeLaSalle quarterback is expected to earn a fifth-star, when they are doled out.
Trieu said those kinds of elite commitments encourages others to join as well.
"This happened last year, but happened a little later. Kids thought scholarships might not be there if they waited, and that's why Michigan had that summer burst," he said. "Now, it seems like a couple kids on this year's board already have noticed the class is filling up.
"It looks like (Michigan is) heading back toward having most of its class done before football starts."
The latest players to join the class were Fox and Charlton, who became commitment Nos. 5 and 6 as the basketball team was putting the finishing touches on its win against Ohio State. Even as the Wolverines were catapulting into a Big Ten title race in hoops, the football team offered a reminder of its place in this town.
Charlton, who stands 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, is the first defensive lineman of the class.
Conversely, Fox was the third four-star offensive lineman of just Saturday to join the Wolverines. Michigan also had a top-five offensive line class in 2012, and appears to be turning this into a position of strength.
The commitments of Charlton and Fox followed a flurry of afternoon activity, which culminated with Lewis and Dawson joining the class.
Lewis, a cornerback, started opposite 2012 Michigan commit Terry Richardson at Cass Tech last year. As teams tried to avoid Richardson's side of the field, Lewis saw more action -- and responded.
"He looked as impressive as Richardson," said Sullivan, who has seen Lewis play several times. "He doesn't have the elite burst that Richardson has, but he's bigger and has great length."
As for Dawson, he's a four-star offensive line recruit who projects to play guard. He is a lifelong Michigan fan.
"He played right tackle, but will be a good pulling guard with a lot of power at the next level," Sullivan said.
Read more about the commitments of Bosch and Shallman by clicking here.
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
D21
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
Theodosius212, Please get back to churning out your usual & endless RR love poems asap to remind us how blessed we are without him in A2. TiM
umgoblue47
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 12:31 a.m.
just read on mgobluewolverine that we picked up a preferred walk on named taybor pepper from saline, michigan for the class of 2012. his position is long snapper. a doctor pepper and a taco sound pretty good right now. . . GO BLUE!!!!!!
heartbreakM
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
Thing that strikes me most in this, Hoke's second recruiting class, is the emphasis he is placing on the line. I think the game is generally won or lost on the line, and the protection it gives the QB/RB and the pressure it can place on the other QB to allow the LB to do their job..... I think we have now seen Hoke's strategy going forward. Forget all the other stuff about type of offense, and 3-4 or 4-3 or 9-2 defense. Hoke is going for strength and depth in the lines, and he doesn't want to wait around until January to do so. What a great day to be a Wolverine. Now I'm going to go to Taco Bell.....
umgoblue47
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.
we went south of the boarder and got a great taco!! GO BLUE!!!!!! great pickup's!!
fjord
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 5:34 p.m.
The best news here is that soon Michigan will have a 6' 6" defensive end who goes by "Taco." No quarterback wants to be sacked by a guy called Taco. (Apparently his given name is Vidauntae.)
Theo212
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:32 p.m.
Beilein: new ideas Meyer: Crystal ideas (although cheats around the clock) Hoke: leather helmet ideas Meyer will beat us, unfortunately, while he's at O$U, but a few years down the road all the wins will be vacated. So ask yourself, what matters most: 1) The immediate fun of winning? 2) Losing but getting "vindicated" 6 years later?
Mick
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.
Theo, Theo, Theo tsk, tsk, tsk. Come on man, when are you going to admit you were/are wrong? Are you an M Fan or the WCIMFH Fan? Also, never ever do I want a coach like Urban who might/would cheat. Hoke will not cheat, we will win with integrity, get used to it and be proud of it as well.
Scott
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 7:50 p.m.
Blasphemy- Michigan and Denard will beat Ohio like a drum in 2012.
#58ontheroster
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 7:11 p.m.
In 10 years the spread offense will go the way of the wing-t of the first 50 years of football. By the way, the wing-t was the original spread offense, and faded into obscurity. Michigan hasn't played the wing-t since 1951. And once Denard is gone, I hope we never see that crap offense in the Big House again except from our opponents. Remember, RR said he invented the spread because he had inferior talent at a D3 school and had to do something to try to even the odds. And don't use Denard as evidence of the success of the spread. He'a a once in a decade athlete. It'll be difficult to get another qb like him. I prefer Devin and Shane. I'd rather have a future Tom Brady than a qb who'll end up like Randall-L---a wide receiver, kick returner in the NFL. Theo, I guess you're one of those who never learns. I guess you think 11-2 is a fluke. Denard played more than 50% under center. Wait till we have a great passing qb. No one will forget Denard, but everyone will focus on a great passing qb!
#58ontheroster
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.
Theo, are you still on that spread offense crap? It's a gimmic offense that succeeds only against poor defenses. What did RR's offense do against MSU, Ohio, Iowa and Wisc? The better recruits who are looking to an NFL career will rarely go to a college with a spread offense. Some will, but most won't. They want a pro style offense to prepare for the future.
DonAZ
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 5:16 p.m.
I want both! I want to win immediately *and* have the NCAA vacate the OSU losses and credit them as double wins to U-M! I'm a greedy little bugger.
MRunner73
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:25 p.m.
Wow! How impressive is that? Just when you thought Hoke and his staff did a great job in 2012, he's blowing away his own efforts. This all means that Michigan has a great reputation and it means the recruits are buying the stock Brady Hoke is selling. If these young men are buying into this program and want to play and contribute to this program, then we as fans better buckle up and enjoy the ride. Get on the train now, if you haven't done so. Heck, I can't wait to see how the 2012 recruit do when they come on board (all of them) this fall. I am hoping to see the Rich Rod recruits keep improving. Go Blue!!
Teebob
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 3:28 p.m.
Sounds awesome. Go Blue!!!!
Scott
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 3:23 p.m.
Unbelievable. Six top commits in one day- on February 18th? Seven of eight athletes committed are listed in rivals top 200. Hoke is a tremendous coach, leader, recruiter, and manager of his program. David Brandon deserves a lot of credit too. Best AD and coach in the country.
riverraisin
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 11:03 p.m.
@ rightmind lol...So true. In another day and time Brandon could've been a used car salesman in columbus, "selling" cars to ohio athletes. And by "selling" I mean in the 'ohio booster' sense of the word. Wink. Wink.
rightmind250
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 9:11 p.m.
Brandon could definetly use an upgrade with the hair cut. Dude looks like he's stuck in the 70's. Put some white shoes on him, he'd make a great used car salesman.
Scott
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.
Correction-Eight of nine are listed in the rivals top 200.
Steve McQueen
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 11:48 a.m.
That is quite a haul for one day. Reminds me of goin flyfishin when I was a kid. Coach Hoke is kicking Dantonio's behind on the recruiting trail and after beating Ohio last year, is holding Michigan right up there vs their new guy. Keep rockn' fellas.
Jim H
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 7:10 a.m.
Cass Tech - 2nd to none CT '74
D21
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 3:54 p.m.
With a huge assist to a true Michigan Man, Thomas Wilcher, the HC at CT.
Blue Marker
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 2:03 p.m.
What a pipeline this school is becoming for the Maize and Blue!
GoBigBlue
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 5:51 a.m.
This is truly unprecedented. 9 commitments before the end of Feb?!? And something like 7 of the 9 are in the rivals top250! I think the biggest thing to be noted hear is just how early these commitments are. These kids have already been won over by the coaches and the program so much so that they are willing to give thier pledge before they finish there jr year of highschool! This is a testimate to the charecter, likability, and genueness of this staff. It seems like more and more of these highly talented recruits are staking there place early to assure they get to be a part of something special going foward!
Mick
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:37 a.m.
Make that 6 commits, big time defensive player Taco Charlton just committed, this is unbelievable! Man did we get lucky getting Hoke, Go Blue!!!
Ted Bundy
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 4:31 p.m.
rightmind- Meyer has more public health issues than Hoke... Or was he lying about his "health issues"?
rightmind250
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.
Scott, Decades?? Dudes already 54. What are they going to drag him around in a golf cart like Joe Pa?
Scott
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 3:28 p.m.
Lucky is right. We could have gotten Harbaugh for a year or two. Hoke is as good a coach, a better recruiter, has no ego in hiring top assistants, will stay at Michigan for decades and isn't unstable like Harbaugh. Like harbaugh. Love Hoke.
DonAZ
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:50 a.m.
Indeed! I needed this ... I was having major football withdrawal pains.
Mick
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:28 a.m.
Correction, make that 5 four-star commits today, oops
DonAZ
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:39 a.m.
Rumor is there's a 6th, but I haven't seen anything confirmed as of 9:38pm AZ time (11:38pm ET). In unrelated news, UofA has one. ;)
Pam Wilson
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:22 a.m.
Make that 5! Sam Webb just tweeted, Colorado OL Chris Fox has committed to #Michigan! (10:51 p.m.) What a day!
Mick
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:21 a.m.
Feb. 18, 2012, what a great day in M history: -Football gets 4 four-star commits -B-Ball gets huge win against ohio -Hockey wins 2 against NMU for the weekend -Softball sweeps 2 today -Baseball team won What a great, great day. I believe this is the earliest game wise that the B-Ball team has gotten it's 20th win in over a decade and probably more like 14 years maybe, the 1997-98' team was pretty good. What a wonderful era in M sports we seem to be heading for, good job by all involved, Go Blue for TiM!!!
Bruce Kennedy
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 7:02 p.m.
Mick, saw that you're from San Diego. Truly one of the greatest places on earth. I lived there for 20 years. Went to every Holiday Bowl Michigan was in 1984 and 1994. There is really no area I didn't live in, when I lived in San Diego. Started out in Scripps Ranch. Then La Mesa, out on Friars Road by Jack Murphy Stadium, 30th Street, finally all the way North to Del Mar, but most of my time was spent in OB and PB. I was stationed at 32nd Street in National City so I count that as living in the southern part of San Diego. I did get down to Imperial Beach every once in a while. Lot of great Mexican resturants in Chula Vista. Liked La Jolla, but obviously to poor to live there. Stationed on Coronado for a while. So many great places Harbor Island, Shelter Island, Seaport Village and up by Mir Mar. What's not to love about San Diego? Just remember one thing, GO BLUE!!!
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 3:52 a.m.
How many things has Brady Hoke botched so far? None - as far as I can see. What's really impressive is to compare Carr's recruiting record with Hoke's. Hoke blows Carr out of the water. I'm pretty sure: if we looked right now at all the recent BCS contenders - they have been doing what Hoke is now doing. In other words: Michigan is really entering the Elite Program Circle. Of course: that also means that Michigan is not there yet. Whether Team 133 can successfully face the daunting schedule of 2012 is the dramatic question. Those who keep the faith: will be very, very glad they did. Go Blue!
DonAZ
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:41 a.m.
@Mick -- thanks! I can use all the help I can get. There's some intense folks on that board, that's for sure. But some really good football nuts-and-bolts discussions as well. I'm learning stuff I had no idea I didn't know before.
Mick
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:30 a.m.
That's funny Don, I'm already there, I up voted you the other day just cause I could, LOl!
DonAZ
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:25 a.m.
Hey Mick -- yes, spending some time on MGoBlog as well. Trying to work my way to 100 points. :-)
Mick
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:23 a.m.
Hey Don, if by interesting, you mean fun? Then yes, it will be interesting. BTW, I saw you posting on mgoblog, it's good to see you there, I'm San Diego Mick on there.
DonAZ
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:06 a.m.
Nice affirmative post. Thanks. It stands in stark contrast to the schoolyard taunt style exhibited by the post immediately preceding yours. I think Hoke values team chemistry over recruiting service stars. I know Mattison has said he cares nothing for the ratings. I think Michigan's coaches see way past those things to intangibles. Watching how they develop these recruiting classes over the next several years is going to be interesting.
ted
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 2:37 a.m.
I really believe we have Urban Meyer to thank for this. With him getting such top-flight talent it is logical that those not chosen by the Buckeyes will at least have Michigan to choose from. t turns out that it is a good thing thfor Michigan that Meyer is now the head coach of Ohio State.
Ted Bundy
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.
haha! How many player arrests did Oscar Meyer have at UF again? Hes gonna fit right in...
GoBigBlue
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 12:50 a.m.
Thanks for that valuable inside info Rightmind. We'll take all those leftovers from the god of coaches.
rightmind250
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 9:07 p.m.
Blue Marker, he did have an offer but so do 60 other recruits. It wasn't a committable offer. Meyer won't take a commit right now unless your in the top 100. ted is actually correct. Taco wanted to go to OSU, but Meyer wouldn't commit.
Blue Marker
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 2:01 p.m.
Fox had an OSU offer.
GoBigBlue
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 5:42 a.m.
Here we go again with the urba-lust.
Terry Star21
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:54 a.m.
It's a GREAT thing for Michigan....meyer 0-3 against M, unfortunately he will be gone in a year or two....illness, family, run out of town after losing to M.
Terry Star21
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 12:08 a.m.
It is a really good sign to wrap these players up earlier and let the kids concentrate on their Senior years and Coach Hoke concentrate on the team at hand. Sullivan said it best; "Michigan has set a solid foundation, and now can go after some really elite guys. ... Once you have the base of commits, you can narrow your focus and just go after the top-five guys on your board." MgoBlueForTiM......the best team commands the best recruits...
azwolverine
Sat, Feb 18, 2012 : 10:57 p.m.
These are all good players who will help the program, but you never really know if they're coming until they sign. Hoke and his staff did a great job last year holding onto players who committed early, so hopefully that will be the case again this year.
Blue Marker
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 2 p.m.
He had great retention in his first class.