Recruiting Roundup

[Rockie]

Will Campbell, looking real good with Will, completed only admissions at Michigan and Miami, so LSU talk is kind of wierd. Taylor Lewan and Craig Roh, hugh upside for both of them. JT Turner, could be the best recruit in the class, hugh impact next year in secondary either at S or DB. Another Woodson type DB. Four-Star OL Marcus Hall and teamate three-star DB Mike Edwards of Cleveland Glenville, Michigan is looking really good for both of them and both will be coming in on Jan. 9. RR has cracked the door open at Cleveland Glenville, when it was slam shut fair or unfair with Carr and Co. Four-Star WR, Jeron Stokes, changed his visit date to Jan. 16, but will be coming with his parents, has all but ruled out going to Tennessee. Fitzgerald Toussaint, the four-star rb out of Youngstown, is another Noel Devine type back, but better at this stage. His teamate Isaiah Bell, will be the sleeper of the class. Tate Forcier, is a combination of Jason and Chris, and probably the best of the three and is the best mobile quarterback out of California in the last five years. His teamate 2010 RB Brennon Clay, another Ricky Williams, Reggie Bush and Marcus Allen type runner, but only better at this stage. Three-star wr Travante Stallworth, Aurburn committment, will be in Jan 9 for a visit. WR Adrain Whitty, teamate of Four-star QB/Ath Denard Robinson, will both be in for a visit on Jan 9. Michigan looking real good with Four-star OL Quinton Washington. Michigan also looking good with OL Tree-Star Travis Bond, from NC. NC probably leads, but Michigan will know about him after Jan 16 when he visits NC. Four-star DL Sam Montgomery, will be in for a visit on Jan 9, Michigan probably in last place with him, with LSU visiting, but will see what will happen. Will be visiting Tennessee, Oregon, LSU and South Carolina in Jan.

[tpilews]

A lot of nice information about the guys that are committed. This looks to be a very good class. Some underrated, by rivals/scout, players it seems like. Let's hope RR can get all this talent to move the ball on offense.

[GoDeepHammer]

Good info Rock, keep it coming.

[Sten Carlson]

A lot of nice information about the guys that are committed. This looks to be a very good class. Some underrated, by rivals/scout, players it seems like. Let's hope RR can get all this talent to move the ball on offense.

If I am not mistaken, isn't the star rating system based upon which schools are actively recruiting a kid? So, a guy that is a three star signee for Michigan might be better than a five star player, only just less well publicized.

I haven't really followed recruiting much until this year, but it seems to me that RR made a career at WVU out of finding those guys that were flying under the national radar, so to speak, bringing them in and then putting them into his development machine, and churning out monsters on the other end. Again, I am no recruiting expert, but it seems to me that RR and his staff have a great eye for talent, and aren't as caught up in the rating process as perhaps the past administration was.

I really like this approach as I think it creates an environment and culture on the team of over achievement, as opposed to mediocrity and underachievement. I cannot help but look at Michigan and OSU teams of the past few years, and see teams laden with former 4 and 5 star senior talent, that were inept in competing with other national powerhouse teams. I think some of the onus is put on the coaches, and their ineffective development of talent, but also the players themselves in that they may already be signing their NFL contracts in their minds and don't put out as much as the other, less highly recruited players might.

I don't know if any of this makes any sense or not, but its just a few observations. As I said, I never really followed recruiting under Carr, so I could be off base with my assessment of RR, but he seems to have a different philosophy and eye for talent than Carr and his staff.

Thoughts?

[Bossgobbler23]

Will Campbell, looking real good with Will, completed only admissions at Michigan and Miami, so LSU talk is kind of wierd. Taylor Lewan and Craig Roh, hugh upside for both of them. JT Turner, could be the best recruit in the class, hugh impact next year in secondary either at S or DB. Another Woodson type DB. Four-Star OL Marcus Hall and teamate three-star DB Mike Edwards of Cleveland Glenville, Michigan is looking really good for both of them and both will be coming in on Jan. 9. RR has cracked the door open at Cleveland Glenville, when it was slam shut fair or unfair with Carr and Co. Four-Star WR, Jeron Stokes, changed his visit date to Jan. 16, but will be coming with his parents, has all but ruled out going to Tennessee. Fitzgerald Toussaint, the four-star rb out of Youngstown, is another Noel Devine type back, but better at this stage. His teamate Isaiah Bell, will be the sleeper of the class. Tate Forcier, is a combination of Jason and Chris, and probably the best of the three and is the best mobile quarterback out of California in the last five years. His teamate 2010 RB Brennon Clay, another Ricky Williams, Reggie Bush and Marcus Allen type runner, but only better at this stage. Three-star wr Travante Stallworth, Aurburn committment, will be in Jan 9 for a visit. WR Adrain Whitty, teamate of Four-star QB/Ath Denard Robinson, will both be in for a visit on Jan 9. Michigan looking real good with Four-star OL Quinton Washington. Michigan also looking good with OL Tree-Star Travis Bond, from NC. NC probably leads, but Michigan will know about him after Jan 16 when he visits NC. Four-star DL Sam Montgomery, will be in for a visit on Jan 9, Michigan probably in last place with him, with LSU visiting, but will see what will happen. Will be visiting Tennessee, Oregon, LSU and South Carolina in Jan.

Good info Rocky! I hope after the visits that a few of the prospects commit. I am hoping that Will Campbell has been just trying to throw people off. I guess we'll find out tomorrow. I'd really hate to lose this kid. He is an IMPACT player that we need.


A lot of nice information about the guys that are committed. This looks to be a very good class. Some underrated, by rivals/scout, players it seems like. Let's hope RR can get all this talent to move the ball on offense.

Gallon is definitely underrated. I think you will see a star added to him soon.

[GoBlue21]

Gallon is definitely underrated. I think you will see a star added to him soon.

You took the words right out of my mouth. Sam Webb said this guy has been a nightmare for the East Defense in practice. People were questioning why RichRod was going after this 3 star athlete but it obvious to everyone down in San Antonio that this kid is really good and should be rated higher after the game.

He did tweek his groin and was used sparingly on Thursday...

http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=895567


Michigan wide receiver commit Jeremy Gallon irritated his groin and was used sparingly on Thursday. The 5-foot-8 dynamo from Apopka (Fla.) has been the East's most productive receiver this week in practice. Not having him 100 percent would be a significant blow to the offense.

[GoBlue21]

Sam Webb said this kid is dynamic! Maybe the best player in the class. People were really questioning his cover skills and change of direction covering WR. He said after being in San Antonio, there is no question this kid can play CB or S. Very gifted and should have an opportunity to play right away...

Taylor Lewan was very impressive in the UA practice. Sam thinks this kid should start early in his career. Maybe not next year due to his weight but once Barwis gets a hold of him and adds some pounds, watch out. He said he has great feet, quickness and long arms. Everything you want in an offensive lineman.

http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=895657


OT Taylor Lewan, 6-7/272, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral
ASSETS: Excellent height, long arms, and really athletic feet.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to gain at least 25 to 30 pounds in order to become an effective run blocker.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE IN PRACTICE: His lateral movement and natural knee bend was probably the best of all the linemen on the White team.
CONCLUSION: Lewan has the ideal frame for the strength coaches at Michigan to work with. Lewan is almost definitely redshirt material, but after that watch out. The sky is the limit for this long armed mauler.

DE Craig Roh, 6-5/230, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral
ASSETS: High energy guy that plays with passion. He also has incredibly low pad level at the point of attack.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: Needs to add at least 25 more pounds to be an effective run stopper in the Big Ten.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPRESSIVE IN PRACTICE: Roh was really quick off the edge and took advantage of the fact that there was no real left offensive tackle on the White team.
CONCLUSION: Roh has a lot of upside but is most likely a redshirt candidate that needs to get bigger and stronger in the Wolverine weight room in 2009.

The class is starting to really excite me with the news from these games, these kids are going up against the best players in high school and making a name for themselves...

[LAMfan]

If I am not mistaken, isn't the star rating system based upon which schools are actively recruiting a kid? So, a guy that is a three star signee for Michigan might be better than a five star player, only just less well publicized.

I haven't really followed recruiting much until this year, but it seems to me that RR made a career at WVU out of finding those guys that were flying under the national radar, so to speak, bringing them in and then putting them into his development machine, and churning out monsters on the other end. Again, I am no recruiting expert, but it seems to me that RR and his staff have a great eye for talent, and aren't as caught up in the rating process as perhaps the past administration was.

I really like this approach as I think it creates an environment and culture on the team of over achievement, as opposed to mediocrity and underachievement. I cannot help but look at Michigan and OSU teams of the past few years, and see teams laden with former 4 and 5 star senior talent, that were inept in competing with other national powerhouse teams. I think some of the onus is put on the coaches, and their ineffective development of talent, but also the players themselves in that they may already be signing their NFL contracts in their minds and don't put out as much as the other, less highly recruited players might.

I don't know if any of this makes any sense or not, but its just a few observations. As I said, I never really followed recruiting under Carr, so I could be off base with my assessment of RR, but he seems to have a different philosophy and eye for talent than Carr and his staff.

Thoughts?

I haven't followed recruiting before, so maybe my thoughts are off base, but I was thinking the same as you. Sometimes a kid in HS is physically way above the crowd, but an early developer, so his advantage fades as other talented kids mature in the first few years in college. I am hoping that RR sees future talent and ability, like he did in Slaton and White, better than other coaches.

If I look at former M QBs, like Henne and Navarre and Mallet, I see the scenario of the stud who comes in with a physical advantage, ready to take snaps in the big house, but little upside 4 years later. We've discussed how little players developed under Carr, and maybe a factor is that they actually were well coached, to a degree, but had little upside since their greatest advantage, size and strength, had little upside. When asked to read defense, be mobile, etc., they were simply good college QBs. While I think reading Ds etc. can be coached, the ability to process this info, move and slide in the pocket, is a skill that some have and some don't, and coaching does little to change, IMO.

[Blue In Ohio]

I have to agree with what Sten says. I think there is alot to be said about being able to identify the sleepers and developing the talent. Look at the hawkeyes who were the only big ten team to win yesterday. I'm suprised so many people bashed Kirk Ferentz on here when we were looking for a coach. The hawks come to bowl games ready to play and execute. If LC had done that year after year we'd had won a few more bowls

[tpilews]

If I am not mistaken, isn't the star rating system based upon which schools are actively recruiting a kid? So, a guy that is a three star signee for Michigan might be better than a five star player, only just less well publicized.

I haven't really followed recruiting much until this year, but it seems to me that RR made a career at WVU out of finding those guys that were flying under the national radar, so to speak, bringing them in and then putting them into his development machine, and churning out monsters on the other end. Again, I am no recruiting expert, but it seems to me that RR and his staff have a great eye for talent, and aren't as caught up in the rating process as perhaps the past administration was.

I really like this approach as I think it creates an environment and culture on the team of over achievement, as opposed to mediocrity and underachievement. I cannot help but look at Michigan and OSU teams of the past few years, and see teams laden with former 4 and 5 star senior talent, that were inept in competing with other national powerhouse teams. I think some of the onus is put on the coaches, and their ineffective development of talent, but also the players themselves in that they may already be signing their NFL contracts in their minds and don't put out as much as the other, less highly recruited players might.

I don't know if any of this makes any sense or not, but its just a few observations. As I said, I never really followed recruiting under Carr, so I could be off base with my assessment of RR, but he seems to have a different philosophy and eye for talent than Carr and his staff.

Thoughts?

I thought the star system was an evaluation of the prospects likelyhood of being a star player in college and the likelyhood of them making it into the NFL. For instance, 5 star players are thought to be immediate impact players and will be future stars of the game and could have a good NFL career.

Obviously, this is all opinion based. A guy like Tate Forcier did not receive a 5th star because of his lack in height/weight. Had he been his brothers' size, a 5th star may have been awarded. Being opinion based, there are always going to be those who are overlooked or overrated. The best indicator, in my opinion, is their offer sheet. A guy like Tate had some 40 written offers, and a bunch from top elite programs.