Sam Grant becomes 4th recruit in 4 days to list Michigan as finalist, but head elsewhere
The Michigan football team's 2012 recruiting class was ranked the best in the country through July, according to several analysts.
But the Wolverines' progress has stalled.
They received just three commitments since the start of last season, which had seemed harmless because their start was so strong. But now they've finished runner-up on four key pieces since Thursday, and it is beginning to appear the class might finish with more holes than was originally anticipated.
It is still a strong class, one that is ranked No. 4 by Scout and and No. 5 by Rivals. But, it also no longer is the Big Ten's best class, as Ohio State has climbed to No. 3 in both rankings.
The latest player to spurn Michigan is three-star tight end Sam Grant, who announced Monday he is heading to Oklahoma. He listed the Wolverines as his other finalist after decommitting from Boston College.
A few highly rated recruits have, in recent days, passed on joining Brady Hoke's program at Michigan.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
They also lose their top two players at the position from last season in seniors Kevin Koger and Steve Watson. So, there would have been opportunity to earn early playing time, a key to landing big-time prospects.
But the Wolverines whiffed. Again.
Grant's decision closely follows the Sunday night commitment of cornerback Armani Reeves to Ohio State. The four-star prospect — ranked by Scout and Rivals as one of the country's top-five players remaining at his position — had Michigan as his other finalist.
Scout Midwest recruiting analyst Allen Trieu said cornerback is the biggest remaining hole in this class, and that getting Reeves was Michigan's best shot at addressing this need. But it finished second.
The Wolverines have only one cornerback, Terry Richardson, for 2012. Another commit, Anthony Standifer, was dropped from the class.
A pair of offensive linemen also joined the parade of recruits who have chosen to head elsewhere. Four-star Alex Kozan chose Iowa on Sunday and five-star Josh Garnett picked Stanford on Thursday.
The Wolverines are strong in top-end talent at offensive line, but would have preferred to land at least one and probably two more recruits at that position.
They might not be done yet, though. Michigan is a finalist for four-star Jordan Diamond of Chicago. He's expected to announce his decision Friday, two days after signing day.
The Wolverines are considered by Scout to be the leader to land his services. But will they?
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
Albee Macaw
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 7:11 a.m.
Ted Recruits don't make a program great, they haven't done anything yet. Who's to say that these so-called "blue chip" recruits Meyer has landed won't be busts? Don't count your chickens before they hatch, my friend. I agree they still have to produce. That is where Urb has to earn some of that 4 mill or whatever the number is. He has to get the most out of what he has. I believe the 813 winning percentage Urb has in 10 years is a pretty good indicator the man knows what he is doing, Plus 10 years is a pretty good frame of time. I had no idea he was such a great recruiter and this also is a great indicator of his motivational skills.
Albee Macaw
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:40 a.m.
When does Urb sleep? He is a machine. It is a full year before the class of 2013 can sign their scholarship papers but Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has already locked up the top two prospects in the state of Ohio.
Albee Macaw
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:55 a.m.
7718 Be careful What you say Albee, Many in AA don't want to admit the truth and recognize that maybe, just maybe, Meyer and Ohio might dominate that school in Ann Arbor. Everyone will have to wait and see how it plays out. These are not my words but one of a sports writer. Just seems to be a common theme everywhere but in Ann Arbor. Meyers will be a lock to most of the talent north of Kentucky. What will be interesting to see is if he can get some of those speed demons that the state of Florida is known for. If he starts pulling kids away from LSU, Auburn, Alabama and the Florida schools he could make a run at The Vest 9 and 1 record against Michigan. Interesting to see if he attempts to implant SEC type of ball on the offense. I know Michigan got some good kids for the O line. Take note of the Kids Urb recruited on the D line. Phenomenal. That Spence kid looked like a man playing w/ boys at the Army all-star game. That kid is going to be a beast,
J1946
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:37 a.m.
Who cares about how many stars a guy gets? Think about 5 star Will Campbell. Give me someone With heart (Kovacs) and wants to be at Michigan! Those guys will hate buckeyes, irish, n sparties.
truebluefan
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:37 a.m.
Welcome to the wonderful fickle world of college football recruiting. Although we whiffed on a few big names of late, I have a feeling Michigan will nab a surprise highly rated recruit (or two) on signing day.
Albee Macaw
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:13 a.m.
Seems to be a common belief all around the country. Get used to the words Meyers beats Joke, The damage has been done. Meyer has come in and secured a future that is just as bright, if not brighter, than Michigan's. The Wolverines experienced a revival while the Buckeyes fell back to earth in 2011, and they even managed to beat Ohio State for the first time since 2003, but their edge over the Buckeyes is not made to last. Meyer has made the Buckeyes great again, and it took him just a couple weeks to do it. Meyer has beaten Hoke at the recruiting game this year, and that's something Hoke is going to have to get used to. Meyer's recruiting abilities are legendary, and he's shown us in the last couple months that his year away from football did not rob him of his skills. He is still really, really good at playing this game, and that's bad news for Michigan.
Ted
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 3:29 a.m.
Recruits don't make a program great, they haven't done anything yet. Who's to say that these so-called "blue chip" recruits Meyer has landed won't be busts? Don't count your chickens before they hatch, my friend.
catfishrisin
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 1:36 a.m.
Too busy talking about some "Michigan Man" or such.
7718
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 12:42 a.m.
Be careful What you say Albee, Many in AA don't want to admit the truth and recognize that maybe, just maybe, Meyer and Ohio might dominate that school in Ann Arbor. Everyone will have to wait and see how it plays out.
newe82
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 10:36 p.m.
I think this class is fantastic. I question a kids commitment when they wait to the last minute to commit. The fact that Michigan had a majority of their commits months ago, tells me a lot about how good the class is going to be. Before Urban left Florida he had top three classes and look how all that talent is working out now. Michigan has the best coaching staff in the big ten. Add at least one star to every recruit because this coaching staff will make them better. Michigan is going to dominate the big ten in coming years.
TheWay
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 8:22 a.m.
You question their commitment when they wait until the last minute? You mean being thorough and taking your time to be certain you're making the proper call on what is undoubtedly the most important decision up to this point in your life is a bad thing these days?
Meangoblue
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:57 p.m.
None of these dudes would've won the heisman or RIMington.
Chad Williams
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:39 p.m.
He has to do a better job this upcoming season recruiting nationally. Getting guys from mich is important but michigan isnt a field of dreams for talent. He has to be able to get thd best players from all 50 states. Does this class have a lot of players from outside the region? Yes but lets be real if players like the lineman from calif was really that can't miss guy.oregon or usc would have him. Great for us but doesnt hurt them. If a four star guy leaves michigan than its an issue.
81wolverine
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 8:24 p.m.
No need to push the panic button. Just because 4 guys in the last few days picked other schools doesn't diminish the quality of Michigan's 2012 class. Also, 3 out of the 4 were kids who picked other schools originally and whose recruitment Michigan entered relatively late in the process. In all cases, other schools had been recruiting them for longer. Hoke does extremely well with kids he develops a relationship with early. It's always tough to take players away from the snake oil salesmen in the last few days before signing day. As was shown in an earlier post on AnnArbor.com regarding U-M recruiting, Hoke plays it straight and doesn't bad mouth other programs. I'll take that approach any day of the week.
Chad Williams
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 9:33 p.m.
There is no panic button anyone who saw that michigan had a almost a full class before seasons end couldnt expect much more to come. The class was done a long time ago now its about trying your luck. Besides its not much to bad mouth garrnett chose stanford whats to bad mouth in that desicion? Kozan chose Iowa again whats wrong with a school that has produce so many NFL first round lineman? Reeves whats to say the former coach "cheated"? Well he isnt there anymore problem solved, so no bowl next year but if he redshirts again no effect. Michigan just didnt go above and beyond to get these guys as they feel like they shouldnt. These guys could of been the next 4 or 5 start bust here at Michigan as well as they could be elsewhere.
C. Lawler
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
Tremendous recruiting class! Loaded with character Even with the brutal schedule this team should be very strong again next season. Brady is so good at teaching defensive line techniques, I'm not overly worried about the D-line losses.
golfer
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:21 p.m.
From Sam Webb: Little good news for #Michigan fans. We're hearing Willie Henry has verballed to the Wolverines. We're efforting him now for confirmation
C. Lawler
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
Scout has him committed. He sounds great except he needs weight. Why are there no big offers besides U-M and Pitt?
AMaizing_Blue
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 6:44 p.m.
My .02 cents, If you don't want to be at Michigan, I don't want you at Michigan. In my opinion, I don't give a hoot how many stars a recruit has by their name. When a group of young men truly want to be a part of this football team, it reflects on the field. Those are the names I remember.
TheWay
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 8:20 a.m.
This is the dumbest thing I've read around here in a while. Every single recruit every year either comes to Michigan because they want to or doesn't because they don't. Every year we field a team full of kids who want to play at Michigan. If doing so 'reflects on the field', why don't we have a national title every year?
golfer
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
this should say it all for all of us. this besides let the stars show what they can do on the field. we will fill our needs either this year or next. no big deal
Huron 74
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 6:25 p.m.
I'm proud to be a life long Michigan fan and always will be. This is a pointlessly negative atricle. So we're "rated' 4th and Ohio is 3rd. Whos' opinion? And who cares? Michigan football is about heart and tradition. Just watch next Sunday's Super Bowl to see Tom Brady (who was a 2nd string QB for most of his Michigan career) most probably win his 4th ring. Make some news about something else.
RJ12688
Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 6:20 a.m.
We stink in the rankings? Didnt think 5th was all that bad....
aarox
Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 4:31 a.m.
I agree its about heart and tradition. But it is disingenuous to say "who cares?" When we thought we had the best recruiting class, we all were posting about how the ranking proved something about us. Not that we sink in the rankings, all of a sudden it doesn't matter? That is not what a Michigan Man is about. Go Blue!
Brent
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 6:06 p.m.
Looks bleak now, but being in the top 2 of big time recruits says a lot about the state of recruiting at Michigan. We will be just fine despite the influx of kids committing elsewhere. Michigan should still finish in the top ten on most recruiting sites, assuming all of the current commits sign on Wednesday! GO Blue!!!
RWBill
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 6:45 p.m.
A top 5 national class looks bleak? This is an example of the desire and the power of the media to change opinions, if you give them that power over you.