RRod Never had a recruiting class like this at W.Virginia

[coolone08]

The highest class he had was ranked 23rd. This is his first class at Michigan. He should finish in the top 10. Nice.

[GoDeepHammer]

Should only get better too.

[bigboyBlue]

It shows that

a) A name like Michigan will largely recruit for itself, irrespective of coaching staff (not to say they're not working their butts off).

b) A down year or two doesn't affect recruiting; have a couple of those, then you're in trouble though.

[Sten Carlson]

It shows that

a) A name like Michigan will largely recruit for itself, irrespective of coaching staff (not to say they're not working their butts off).

b) A down year or two doesn't affect recruiting; have a couple of those, then you're in trouble though.

I think in a lot of ways, the down year can help. I've heard several recruits, when interviewed, talk about coming to be a Wolverine to be a part of the restoration process of the program. Those are the kind of guys that Michigan needs -- guys that have a sense of a higher/bigger purpose in their involvement with the University of Michigan.

If there is one punch that I can make against college football these days, it is that its players are becoming much more egocentric, like professional sports has been for decades now, in that it's all about, "I, Me, Mine" (to quote the Beatles). Many guys choose a school because they want a pipeline into the NFL, and think little of what they can do for the University. Sometimes a year like Michigan had last season is a great culling of those players, and tends call out to those that love Michigan, those guys that are just as sick as we all are about its luster being tarnished, and most importantly, those guys that have the ability to directly effect the situation in a positive way, and want above all else, to be among the Leaders and Best!

I think the future is very bright, and I am very excited to see the squad that RR puts on the field in 2009!

Go Blue!

[StevieBrownforHeisman]

i still say the guy gets 4 years regardless of how he does over the next 2 (that's of course barring some kind of 2-10 debacle). That way he will have 4 top 10-ish classes and we should see M back in a BCS bowl. i personally count the 2008 class as a Rodriguez class because guys like Odoms, T-Rob, Shaw, and Roundtree would not have come here if not for RR. instead we would have some dude by the name of WANKY, who chose to go to Iowa instead.

[amazinblue]

I think in a lot of ways, the down year can help. I've heard several recruits, when interviewed, talk about coming to be a Wolverine to be a part of the restoration process of the program. Those are the kind of guys that Michigan needs -- guys that have a sense of a higher/bigger purpose in their involvement with the University of Michigan.

If there is one punch that I can make against college football these days, it is that its players are becoming much more egocentric, like professional sports has been for decades now, in that it's all about, "I, Me, Mine" (to quote the Beatles). Many guys choose a school because they want a pipeline into the NFL, and think little of what they can do for the University. Sometimes a year like Michigan had last season is a great culling of those players, and tends call out to those that love Michigan, those guys that are just as sick as we all are about its luster being tarnished, and most importantly, those guys that have the ability to directly effect the situation in a positive way, and want above all else, to be among the Leaders and Best!

I think the future is very bright, and I am very excited to see the squad that RR puts on the field in 2009!

Go Blue!

Sten,

Well put. And, I believe there was a coach at Michigan who used to say - "There's no 'I' in team" - oh yeah, that coach was Bo.

The incessant media coverage and speculation surrounding these young men, the recruiting process, and their decisions is hundreds of times more visible than it was during Bo's tenure as coach. I think that this staff is instilling a work ethic and desire that will be unmatched. Changing the culture does take time - and it's difficult. I believe that those that are on this team are coming or staying for a reason - since, "Those that stay will be Champions."