Meet the 2011 Michigan football recruiting class
Updated Feb. 2
A quick introduction to the 20 players who have signed letters of intent to play for the Michigan football team.
Chris Barnett TE (6-6, 245) Hurst (Texas) L.D. Bell Video Notes: A 4-star tight end prospect who originally commited to attend Arkansas. Rivals rates him as the 14th-best tight end in the country and the 32nd best player in the state of Texas.
Russell Bellomy QB (6-3, 178) Arlington (Texas) Martin Highlight Video | Interview Video Notes: Originally committed to Purdue in June, but switched to become Michigan's third scholarship quarterback after Tate Forcier announced he would not return. Listed as a dual-threat quarterback, Bellomy is a three-star recruit according to Rivals.com and Scout.com.
Brennen Beyer DE (6-4, 215) Plymouth Defensive Video | Offensive Video Notes: Played defensive end and tight end for Plymouth High School, which went 11-3 and advanced to the Division 1 state finals in 2010. Was AP All-State honorable mention as a lineman. Recruited as a defensive player.
Greg Brown CB (5-10, 180) Fremont (Ohio) Ross Video Notes: Played defensive back at the same high school attended by former Wolverines Charles Woodson and Rob Lytle. Has enrolled for the spring semester. A three-star recruit with a reported 4.4 time in the 40-yard dash and a 3.5 GPA.
Chris Bryant OL (6-5, 330) Chicago Simeon Video Notes: Bryant is a 4-star recruit according to Rivals.com and earned 3-star status from Scout.com and ESPN.com and chose Michigan over Arizona, Pittsburgh and Illinois. Pittsburgh became a late addition to Bryant’s list of potential colleges when former Michigan offensive coordinator Calvin Magee and recruiting coordinator Tony Gibson - who initiated Bryant’s recruitment to Michigan - joined the Panthers’ staff.
Tamani Carter DB (6-0, 175) Pickerington (Ohio) Central Video Notes: Originally committed to Minnesota, Carter switched to become Brady Hoke's first recruit at Michigan. A three-star Rivals.com recruit, he had 55 tackles and three interceptions - two returned for touchdown - during his senior season at Pickerington Central. As a receiver, Carter caught 25 passes for more than 300 yards.
Frank Clark LB/TE (6-2, 210) Cleveland Glenville Academic Campus Notes: Rated a 3-star prospect and the 52nd-best player in the state of Ohio by Rivals.com. In an interview with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Clark says he expects to play linebacker or safety for the Wolverines. Chose Michigan over North Carolina and Michigan State.
Blake Countess CB (5-10, 174) Owings Mills (Md.) Our Lady Good Counsel Video | Story Notes: Played defensive back, wide receiver and kick returner for Good Counsel, which went 10-2 and won the WCAC championship. U.S. Army All-America and recruited as a cornerback.
Justice Hayes RB (5-10, 185) Grand Blanc Video Notes: Rushed for over 1,000 yards in sophomore and junior seasons at Grand Blanc High School. Senior season cut short after four games by wrist injury. Switched commitment from Notre Dame to Michigan and has said would wait to hear of running backs coach Fred Jackson's status before making final decision. Jackson has been retained by new head coach Brady Hoke.
Keith Heitzman DE (6-3, 237) Hilliard (Ohio) Davidson Video Notes: Originally committed to Vanderbilt over Big Ten offers from Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota. The three-star Rivals recruit was swayed to remain in Big Ten land by new Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison. ESPN.com's evaluation says he "possesses solid size for a high school defensive end and should be able to add more good bulk as he physically develops and gets into a college weight program."
Delonte Hollowell CB (5-9, 170) Detroit Cass Tech Video Notes: Played cornerback/wide receiver for 12-1 Detroit Cass Tech team, which advanced to the Division 1 state semifinals. AP First-Team All-State selection as a defensive back.
Kellen Jones LB (6-1, 208) Houston St. Pius X Video | Story Notes: Two-time first-team All-State linebacker at St. Pius X in Houston. Committed to the former Michigan coaching staff and reaffirmed that commitment to new coach Brady Hoke's staff. Rated the No. 29 outside linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com.
Jack Miller OL (6-4, 275) Toledo St. John's Jesuit Video Notes: Played defensive end and offensive tackle for Toledo St. John's Jesuit. Recruited as an offensive interior lineman. Told Rivals.com that coaching change was not an issue.
Desmond Morgan LB (6-1, 225) Holland West Ottawa Video Notes: Played quarterback and linebacker for 8-3 Holland West Ottawa and was an AP All-State special mention as a linebacker. Recruited as a linebacker.
Antonio Poole LB (6-2, 210) Cincinnati Winton Woods Video Notes: Ranked the nation’s No. 26 outside linebacker and the No. 17 player overall in Ohio by Rivals.com. Chose Michigan over other finalists Pittsburgh, Miami (Fla.) and Kentucky.
Tony Posada OT (6-5, 325) Tampa (Fla.) Plant Senior Video (#75) Notes: Played offensive tackle for Plant Senior High School, which won three consecutive state championships from 2007-09 and were runners-up in 2010. Teammate James Wilder (RB) committed to Florida State and Phillip Ely (QB) to Alabama and were both U.S. Army All-America selections.
Thomas Rawls RB (5-10, 215) Flint Northern Video Notes: A three-star recruit and the No. 19 player in the state of Michigan according to Rivals.com, Rawls rushed for 1,585 yards and 19 touchdowns in six games this season. Broke Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram's single-game rushing record by a Flint player when he gained 396 yards at Bay City Central.
Chris Rock DE (6-5, 250) Columbus St. Francis DeSales (Ohio) Video Notes: The 69th-ranked defensive end in the country, according to Scout.com. He will be the second DeSales player on the Wolverine roster, joining offensive lineman Patrick Omameh, who was an All-Ohio player in 2007.
Raymon Taylor ATH (5-10, 167) Highland Park 7-on-7 Video | Junior Highlights Notes: Originally committed to Indiana over several other Big Ten offers. Listed as a four-star recruit and the 14th-best player with an "athlete" tag by Rivals.com, Taylor is expected to be a defensive back at Michigan.
Matt Wile K (6-1, 200) San Diego Francis Parker Video Notes: Recruited by Hoke and his staff while they were at San Diego State, Wile chose Michigan over the Aztecs, Washington and Air Force. He was expected to pick up an offer from Nebraska, as well, but canceled his visit after committing to the Wolverines. Ranked as the 44th-best kicker in the nation by ESPN, Wile was selected for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Comments
Frankinstein
Mon, Feb 7, 2011 : 3:14 a.m.
1 Big diffrence these boys want to play for Hoke something whatshisname did not have
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.
I have steadfastly supported COACH Carr throughout his tenure and after. Bad mouth LC, I will be all over that. I can't control everybody, but your comment is overly broad and very inaccurate. Please amend.
dk
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
"Mich. fans are not loyal to coaches that don't meet their unrealistic expectations soon enough." Portage, I might ammend that comment to include coaches that DO meet their expectations. Carr wins the only NC in 60+ years and he gets nothing but bad mouthed by UM fans.
1bit
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 8:41 p.m.
Portage: Too much sour grapes. Time to move on. Coach Rodriguez had a lot of chances to keep his job - but 0-3 against OSU and MSU is not acceptable. Had he beaten OSU, MSU, Iowa, PSU, Wisconsin, or Mississippi State he would probably still be coach. If our defense wasn't the worst in the country, he'd probably still be coach at U of M. So, I supported Coach Rodriguez while he was here. I wish him well and will cheer on his teams in the future (except if they play Michigan). Now is not the time to look backwards - it's time to support the new Coach and the exceptional young men who play here. The glass is half full, no?
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:59 p.m.
Ya, I know I probably will always talk about RR to much but then again, I talk to much about Bo to. I do support Brady Hoke and I can't wait to watch him actually head coach on the field of play so I can determine what we have in our new head coach should be fun anticipating what we have here.
Larry Eiler
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 8:25 p.m.
Well done and a fine recruiting class, new coach and leader of The Wolves! Brady Hoke IS a Michigan man! Larry Eiler
maddogterry
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 6:04 p.m.
Portagelkblu: You are probably one of those uninformed MSU fans. Before you call UM fans fickle, look at the facts. Since 1973 there have been 37 seasons and 9 different coaches at MSU which amounts to a new coach every 4.1 years on average. UM, on the other hand have had 4 coaches since 1969 or an average of a new coach every 10.25 years. I didn't count Brady because he did not start until this year and has not coached a down but if you want to count him then that brings the average to a new coach every 8.2 years or twice the longevity of MSU's coaches. So, next time you want to throw barbs at UM fans, take a look around.
mgoblue48348
Sun, Jan 30, 2011 : 6:16 p.m.
Portage don't let the hooligans that are regulars on this site spoil the whole bunch, most M fans did not like the firing of RR till the bowl smakdown we recieved at the hands of Mississippi State. Then the majority of fans got on board reluctantly because they didn't want to treat Hoke the way RR was treated fired before hired. We will see how long Hoke can keep his job by winning but he will have the RR Haters on his side even if he loses. It will be interesting but you do have to be impressed with his ability to keep this class together and bring in solid recruits at the same time.
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
Ya, what little I know about coach Hoke looks okay. I don't impress easily at least not until I have something to go on besides gossip. He seems to have done okay in the lower divisions and as assist. coach at Mich. but, head coach at Mich. as you know is a different ball game or as they say,"where the buck stops". My pessimism comes with getting old. I hope he does well I like to fly my Mich. flag on game day out here in the desert. Sometimes people stop or honk to acknowledge Mich. I will support him even if he loses that is my nature unless he's evil which I doubt. He will impress me a great deal more if I see him using the spread sometimes and implements dual threat QB's from here on in. Can you imagine what Mich. would have been if Bo had used dual threat QB's and some spread, now that would have been awsome with some of Bo's defenses. I used to go to Rose Bowl games when Mich. played, (I live near) and I don't know how many time especially against USC that I thought if only we had an offense. I don't mean a big 10 offense either. I think Brady came at a perfect time and I hope he fully realizes why fans were tired of LLoyd Carr the balls in Brady's corner.
Keith
Wed, Jan 26, 2011 : 4:35 p.m.
This class is realy starting to take shape well. A few more recruits and we could break the Top 25 Class. Awesome Job Hoke...GO BLUE!
Blue1st
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 5:38 p.m.
I like what I'm seeing in the recruiting, keep up the good work Hoke! good hire thus far Brandon, now let's take a look at the SDSU bb coach........I hear he's familiar with M........lol
PortageLkBlu
Mon, Jan 24, 2011 : 1:07 a.m.
Get all the help you can Brady these fickle fans of Mich. will turn on you like rattle snakes if you build to slow, you must have at least 8 wins this year. Mich. fans are not loyal to coaches that don't meet their unrealistic expectations soon enough. By year two you must beat ohio state or face the rath of the fickle fans of Mich.
azwolverine
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 5:10 a.m.
Why is everyone talking about Goudis? I don't see his name on the list anyway. Wile is going to be the kicker, it appears. By the way, Kellen Jones did not decommit, he said he is still coming here and the Mattison hire just strengthened his desire to become a Wolverine. These coaches are doing a great job...welcome to both them and the new recruits. Go Blue!!!
Sparky79
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 1:33 p.m.
You're late to the party. This article was originally posted Jan. 18 and in that article they listed Goudis, even though he had jumped to Miami by then. That's what those previous comments are about. AA.com has since updated the article. Like all commits, I'll take a wait and see approach, rather than saying "we got our kicker!!!!!!" stuff. After all, one of our current kickers, Brendan Gibbons, was an Army All-American and so far through two years he hasn't been able to beat walk-ons. I hope Goudis will be the solution to our kicking woes, but we won't know till he gets here.
Keith
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 2:45 a.m.
Welcome to the UofM. Enroll early and start learning to play at a higher level. Challenge our upper classmen, push them to the limits and restore greatness.
txrosegirl
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 12:54 a.m.
i meant msu is 35, not 25
txrosegirl
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 12:53 a.m.
UM just overtook msu in the rivals rankings...we are now 34 (msu is 25)...we are moving UP!!! but who is the kicker michigan.rivals.com is saying we got??? looks like someone from the army all-american game
GoBlue13
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 12:48 a.m.
What are the chances they can make D. Hart change his mind again? The class is starting to take shape Top 30 here we come. Does anyone know who is visiting UM this week? I saw a couple names but not 8. AS ALWAYS, GO BLUE!!!
Sparky79
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.
Zero chance with Hart. As previously said, he's already enrolled at Alabama, and from what I've read, Alabama recruited him as a cornerback, not running back. I hope the coaches were still able to visit Kris Frost, despite his recent commitment to Auburn. Frost was "99.9%" committed to Michigan until RichRod got fired, then he announced at the Army AA game for Auburn, who then had to "make room" (in SEC oversigning language) for him. Rivals has him as a five star LB recruit. Terrible to think we lost out on two five-star recruits in Hart and Frost. As for the eight visitors, they are: Justice Hayes, Stefan McClure, Raymon Taylor, Matt Wile, Frank Clark, Tony Posada, Leilon Willingham, and Tamani Carter. I suggest you keep up on it at <a href="http://mgoblog.com/diaries/tomvh" rel='nofollow'>http://mgoblog.com/diaries/tomvh</a> ... TomVH is all you need.
Dusty
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 5:51 a.m.
There is a 0% chance, seeing as how he is actually enrolled at Alabama as we speak.
Keith
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 3:19 a.m.
There is about a 1% chance.
1st Down
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 12:25 a.m.
Add Kicker Wile! This is Michigan!
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 3:03 p.m.
GB13 There is a kicker, someone Coach Hoke recruited earlier. Posada, from Tampa Plant is coming back to visit which is good since he decommited recently. Getting some saves would boost Michigan's profile and interest in the program. Look for a surge near/on signing day. Go Blue.
Gaboo
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
Chris Rock? The team's been laughable for three years now. A comedian is just what we need!
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 4:50 a.m.
Given that we can never know how any recruits work out on the field: I still like it that we're seeing a significant list of defense players. Now that Mattis is officially Defensive Coordinator, the Michigan D probably will rise in national ranking significantly in 2011 and beyond. And yes: keep the news on recruiting coming. This is a VALUE AnnArbor.com has to offer readers.
GoBlue13
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 3:21 a.m.
I'm glad the staff wrote an article about this. A little behind but thats ok, it beats paying money to find out. Please keep the articles coming about the recruits. I know there's a OL guy from Chicago that visited UM and an DB from California visiting this weekend. Does anyone know of any other recruits coming or that are interested? Possibly a K?
Joe
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 11:37 p.m.
Goudis commits to Boise State. Decommits from Boise State. Commits to Michigan. Decommits from Michigan. Commits to Miami. Gotta wonder if this is the last time we see his name on the decommit/commit list?
Steve in MI
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
Guys, go easy on the aa.com staff. Only ESPN, DetNews, and wolverine.com have the Goudis story so far. You can't expect the local site to be among the first 5 to report EVERY story...
MichSprtsGuy
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 7:52 p.m.
Matt Goudis has already committed to Miami. Did you decide to do no extra work on this piece?
kidmich
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 7:51 p.m.
I understand that Goudis and Fish decommitted. And what about Kellen Jones, didn't he decommit also?
MichSprtsGuy
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 7:54 p.m.
Kellen Jones is taking official visits so he's not technically committed; But he'll sign on Feb. 2. Same cannot be said for Goudis and possibly Fisher.
wpm
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
FYI - Matt Goudis is gone.