Michigan Recruiting

[brutus2002]

Personally I don't care if they take the top 20 O-linemen this year. Michigan has not adressed their needs IMO. They are loading up on offensive players and DT's...congrats to them.

Look at the DB's, Lb's, and DE's they have recruited. IMO they haven't done themselves any justice. Michigan lost two all-american DB's(neither deserved it) on a average secondary. Their defensive hopes land on the shoulders of young players with little or no experience.

Burgess and Crable were supposed to be big losses...right!! Michigans LB'er corps pretty much graduates next year!!! Who do they have to step in(those O-linemen...all 10 of them they have recruited in the last two years sure in the hell aren't)

There is no question about the talent they have on offense but their defensive recruiting IMO over the last three years has not only been overated but hasn't been very good.

Let them keep neglecting their defense...It will benefit the Buckeyes. Hell I hope they take another 5-6 O-linemen next year...just stay away from the blue-chip LB'ers and DB's

[tru2OSU]

Originally Posted by LordJeffBuck

I respectfully beg to differ with you on this point. Tressel's OL recruiting has been nearly as weak as Cooper's was, and it remains JT's weakness. Just consider Tressel's OL recruits since he's been in charge:

2001
Ryan Cook
Adam Olds

2002
Derek Morris
Doug Datish
T.J. Downing
Rob Sims
Nick Mangold

2003
Kirk Barton

2004
Kyle Mitchum
Ben Person
Jon Skinner
Steve Rehring

2005
Alex Boone
Jim Cordle

That's only 14 OL in five seasons - not enough for a three-deep! Furthermore, Olds (injury) and Morris (transfer) are no longer with the team, so the actual number of OL recruits to Tressel's credit is only 12. Finally, none of the aforementioned qualifies as a stud college lineman yet, although Sims and Mangold are above average, and several others have some real potential.

O-linemen may be the most difficult to recruit for several reasons:

1) OL is a physically-demanding position, and many suffer injuries which diminish or end their careers; a great prospect like Adam Olds or Jefferson Kelley can end up being a "bust" strictly because of injury.

2) If a kid comes in as an OL and can't cut it, there is generally nowhere else to play him, not even on special teams; some try DL, but most don't have the attitude or demeanor to play on defense.

3) There is a tremendous "learning curve" for OL, as most don't do much pass blocking in high school; some kids like Tam Hopkins are great drive blockers but have a problem picking up pass blocking schemes.

4) OL are tough to evaluate because they can often physically overpower their high school opponents without relying on technique or footwork; a 300-pound OL looks great blocking a 220-pound DT, but can he manhandle a player his own size?

5) A team needs five OL, which is more than any other position. To get five solid OL and a few decent back-ups, a team probably needs to recruit 15 or 20 kids.

Because OL are so difficult to recruit, and because there is such attrition at that position, it is essential for a team to "over-recruit" the position. I would like to see the Bucks bring in four every year, so that there are between 16 and 20 on the roster at all times. Currently, JT is bringing in less than three a year, which is insufficient, IMHO.

I read you hear. I hope at least one record of his continues to not be insufficient and that is simply 3-1. I'm sure glad it's the bottom line that counts once and a while. I appreciate the breakdown though.

Originally Posted by LordJeffBuck

I respectfully beg to differ with you on this point. Tressel's OL recruiting has been nearly as weak as Cooper's was, and it remains JT's weakness. Just consider Tressel's OL recruits since he's been in charge:

2001
Ryan Cook
Adam Olds

2002
Derek Morris
Doug Datish
T.J. Downing
Rob Sims
Nick Mangold

2003
Kirk Barton

2004
Kyle Mitchum
Ben Person
Jon Skinner
Steve Rehring

2005
Alex Boone
Jim Cordle

That's only 14 OL in five seasons - not enough for a three-deep! Furthermore, Olds (injury) and Morris (transfer) are no longer with the team, so the actual number of OL recruits to Tressel's credit is only 12. Finally, none of the aforementioned qualifies as a stud college lineman yet, although Sims and Mangold are above average, and several others have some real potential.

O-linemen may be the most difficult to recruit for several reasons:

1) OL is a physically-demanding position, and many suffer injuries which diminish or end their careers; a great prospect like Adam Olds or Jefferson Kelley can end up being a "bust" strictly because of injury.

2) If a kid comes in as an OL and can't cut it, there is generally nowhere else to play him, not even on special teams; some try DL, but most don't have the attitude or demeanor to play on defense.

3) There is a tremendous "learning curve" for OL, as most don't do much pass blocking in high school; some kids like Tam Hopkins are great drive blockers but have a problem picking up pass blocking schemes.

4) OL are tough to evaluate because they can often physically overpower their high school opponents without relying on technique or footwork; a 300-pound OL looks great blocking a 220-pound DT, but can he manhandle a player his own size?

5) A team needs five OL, which is more than any other position. To get five solid OL and a few decent back-ups, a team probably needs to recruit 15 or 20 kids.

Because OL are so difficult to recruit, and because there is such attrition at that position, it is essential for a team to "over-recruit" the position. I would like to see the Bucks bring in four every year, so that there are between 16 and 20 on the roster at all times. Currently, JT is bringing in less than three a year, which is insufficient, IMHO.

I read you here. I hope at least one record of his continues to not be insufficient and that is simply 3-1. I'm sure glad it's the bottom line that counts once and a while. I appreciate the breakdown though.

[BuckPride]

Michigan does a nice job on OL. But lets not get carried away. Demtrius Solomon came out of HS as a very highly tounted OL. He never contributed for Michigan. Neither did Morgan an OL from CA. And Pape went lower in the NFL draft than 2 of OSUs OL.

Some of their guys don't and won't pan out. Slocum kid has a low GPA, he will play defense not offense. I am also curious to see if the KY kid pans out because that states football is not on the same level as Ohio, Fl etc. I look back at our history recruiting out of KY (Robert Reynolds being the exception).

Michigan rides their reputation of developing OL very well. But IMO they also do something that I think is important in the recruitment of the OL position. They really stress the academic side. OL are usually bright, intelligent kids. In fact, they rank right at the top in Wunderlich tests. So it may not be surprising that the Notre Dames, Boston Colleges, Cal , Stanfords and Michigan produce good OL.

[Naplesbuckeye]

Michigan returns there entrire Lb corp next year except for one guy. They lose Shazor, Mr. overrated corner back and a linebacker.

We haven't been as successful as Michigan, Wiscy, Iowa or Minnesota in developing OL.But we are getting better!

Let's hope that kids like Downing, who showed some toughness and played at the end are starting to come out of their shell and contribute.

[tsteele316]

although it wasnt their listed position, RJ Coleman and Tim Schaffer are OL, although Coleman has been flopping between guard and TE.

ohio has a very good OL group next year, osu will probably take about 4.

[brutus2002]

CB(a big need for me****again) Chris Richards of Cali has decommited from Michigan and has committed to Cal!!! I think it's hilarious that those bastards were talking **** about Bemoll and the ESPN B.S. and now they lose a player. CB is a very big need of theirs and they had limited success in getting commits at that position. I think it would be hilarious if Harrison decommitted and went to ND. Boy their Defensive backfield is getting thin.

[TheMile]

Luckily for Michigan, we had only offered Richards a greyshirt, so his decommit has no effect on this year's recruiting class. This gives us a full year to replace Richards's spot. It's unfortunate that he chose to decommit, but at least we have time to replace him.

[brutus2002]

Yes but it's another DB you have to recruit for next year rather than having one in the bag. Plus if you strike out with your big targets at DB again next year it may be a huge problem.

[CleveBucks]

Sooo, what was I saying about michigan's OL recruiting? Maybe they can move an OL to corner. Unless they want to start a 5'8" freshman from Dayton. ouch.

[gbearbuck]

guess that give scUM and OSU fans a reason to root against Cal!! (Although if they could keep knocking USC off, it'd be worth it )...