Posted on Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 1:17 p.m.
Report: Michigan football team's recruiting 2012 recruiting class is No. 6 in nation
By AnnArbor.com Staff
The 14 verbal commitments the Michigan football team has in its 2012 class make up the sixth-best class in the nation, according to ESPN.
Not many schools have that many commitments and these "are very, very early class rankings," ESPN notes.
ESPN labels cornerback Terry Richardson as Michigan's best recruit and have only Texas, Florida State, Alabama, Texas A&M and Florida ahead of the Wolverines for 2012. Penn State at No. 17, is the next ranked Big Ten Conference team on ESPN's list.
Comments
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 3:22 p.m.
I agree with Veracity, it's more like foresight on Coach Hoke's part when it comes to having a few very promising "extra players" on either side of the ball. Many a time in the past, the Wolverines have slumped when key players couldn't start or were somehow unable to perform to their "usual level." I think everyone remembers how painfully disappointing it was when Chad Henne and Mike Hart both had injuries which hindered their effectiveness. These two key players were irreplaceable, so the season that could have been great was more like "okay." Just having a potential "sixth in the nation" defense alone says that Hoke is doing a masterful job at turning things around. His arrival marked the return of the Believe In Michigan Era and that's making a huge difference, not only here but in Columbus and Happy Valley and Lincoln. But that's mostly about the future. So far, I'm convinced that Coach Hoke has done and is doing everything possible to turn the current roster into a powerhouse football team. I still say that the "Class of Denard" are all juniors now - a point where their talents have matured and will be further developed by Hoke's attitude, leadership and training ability. I'll bet that in those other programs, the head coaches have all taken Michigan off their Gimme List.
OldBittyBates
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.
I've been watching the Michigan football recruiting for a while. They have been terrific thus far in getting 2012 players, yet still lost two exceptional ones due to over zealousness. They should now concentrate on offense as most new committed recruits are on the defensive side. It would be sweet if we got the #1 choice voted on by Rivals. I'd also love seeing Pipkins and Diggs come on board. But its real hard getting the top picks as the competition is enormous. Even if Michigan does less than stellar in 2011, the freshmen 2012 class is shaping up to be a spectacular bunch. I'm so glad to see Sparty struggling this time around. And TSIO is starting to take a nose dive. But watch out for Penn State - Paterno is on the warpath.
cutty240
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 4:23 p.m.
Here we go with the top recruiting class stories again.The windbags have already started.Ohio State had those types of classes too,look where it got them.I must admit Michigan just about has the corner on WE ARE ALL EVERYTHING.Except for one thing,JUST CAN'T SEEM TO MATCH THE HYPE.Its Called winning.Take that Back,Hockey Team seems pretty good,and the ladies Softball Team.
JB
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.
OSU's problems were unrelated to recruiting. They had top 10 classes most years and it showed on the field. Their problems stemmed from a corrupt environment (coach, boosters, etc) and trying to link that to recruiting is ridiculous. That said, U of M looks like they're off to a fine start to the Hoke era with some excellent recruits. A couple more classes like this and they will be back in the Top 10, hopefully competing for titles. Go Blue!
Veracity
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 4:19 p.m.
ThoseWhoStayUofM: I can see several advantages to having four excellent linebackers. First, if they are equally talented, Brady Hoke will be able to liberally substitute at these important positions, guaranteeing fresh players. As the games move into the fourth quarters this situation will be an advantage for Michigan. Secondly, injuries do occur so having great talent to fill in when bad things happen is great insurance. Finally, it is unfortunate that not all highly touted athletes are able to live up to their hype when they get onto a college football field. Having four incoming linebackers showing talent in high school should produce at least a couple of excellent college players. At least that is what I am hoping will happen. If Brady Hoke figures that he has been fortunate enough to have four outstanding linebacker prospects signed this year then he may not recruit as aggressively for that position in the future. By recruiting one or two excellent linebacker prospects each following year he can avoid having to recruit a large number again in four years. Some times the talent available to you dictates the recruits that you get.
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 2:55 p.m.
You get my vote for most sensible (as well as most optimistic) post on this article. I agree: Michigan is on-track for a return to dominance.
Blu-dogg97
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 9:18 p.m.
OH BTW.. osu is #18 on this list..
Blu-dogg97
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 9:12 p.m.
Holy cow whats with the dome & gloom here ? Just heard Josh Helmholt from Wolverine.com on the radio,and along with the #6 recruiting ranking for 2012, he said that Tom Strobel a 255lb ,DE ,4 star from Cleveland has committed today,and the #34 ranked (Rivals)player in the nation Erik Magnsuon from Cali who is a OTackle is visiting campus right now,and Erik told Josh Michigan is his top choice,and if he see's good things on campus this weekend,he is ready to commit. so look for that #6 ranking to change next week. Also don't forget we have some freshman coming in next month,like Kellen Jones(Texas) a LB who looks to get some playing time this yr.. I personally want to see Rawls out of Flint Northern run the ball,if you haven't seen tape on him,check him out.. The future looks bright and my glass is half full.. TiM GO BLUE...
ThoseWhoStayUofM
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 7:42 p.m.
So I see we recruited 4 linebackers in one recruiting class that are top notch quality.... Are we planning on switching to a 3-4 defense some time soon because I'm pretty sure I'd prefer to have as many great athletes on the field as possible and we won't as it is now. There isn't enough room for all of them in our 4-3 defense... unless Hoke is just oversigning and planning to cut one of them at some point. A good football team can't afford to have 4 senior linebackers (unless in a 3-4 and even then it's tough) because you end up losing all of them and are forced to replace 4 people on the field with inexperienced players the net year. I just don't think it is wise, or ethical, for Hoke to sign 4 linebackers in one recruiting class... especially in a 4-3 defensive scheme. I just foresee somebody getting shafted in the future. It's not a good thing.
GoblueinNE_PA
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 12:47 a.m.
That's just silly. Linebackers are often moved to the line or out to secondary. It happens. It's not "unethical" to recruit more than 4 LB's in a class. Heck, one or more will most likely redshirt anyway, so they probably won't all be in the same "class" any how. Recruit away Coach Hoke, recruit away!
DonAZ
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 7:56 p.m.
Time will tell if your assessment is correct. I do not agree with you, but time will tell which side of that assessment turns out to be correct.
DonAZ
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 7:24 p.m.
I like the list of four-stars. I like the focus on defense for now. I like the size we're getting. I like the renewed energy the Michigan name has with these players. I'll bet there's some gold in those unranked or three-star guys. Just need to be developed. I'll bet this recruiting class is the start of many to follow. Whether 6th or 16th I don't care ... just get good young men and shape them to be Michigan men. Good things will follow. Go Blue.
Hailmary
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 6:03 p.m.
Well yes, those are pretty stats but I'll wait and see how these high school kids do on the Michigan playing field. I believe Terrell Pryor was going to be the second coming of Christ to college football inpariticular one, ohio team. Well, he was more like the second coming of the devil. I'm concentrating on this years teams and I think we've got a lot more manageable talent than folks realize going into 2011. I've said it before, if Brady and supporting cast are the right fit for Mich. I think this years team has decent potential.
DonAZ
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 7:26 p.m.
Pryor was highly recruited and while he was certainly good I think there's a strong argument that he has not been "great." Whether that was something in Pryor's character that prevented him from working to the goals set by the coaching staff, or whether that was the coaching staff failing to properly guide Pryor ... I just don't know.