Posted on Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 7 a.m.
Flint Northern RB Thomas Rawls commits to Michigan; U-M's Darius Morris leads nation in offensive involvement and more
By Kaleb Roedel
Eighteen recruits have officially committed to the Michigan football team -- the most recent being Flint Northern High School running back Thomas Rawls. Rawls committed late Monday, reported Tom Markowski of the Detroit News.
Writes Markowski, "Rawls (5-10, 210) also received scholarship offers from Central Michigan, Cincinnati and Toledo. This past season Rawls rushed for 1,585 yards and 19 touchdowns on 150 carries and was named MVP of the Saginaw Valley Association."
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Comments
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 4:35 p.m.
Lake After 3 FULL YEARS how would you describe Michigan's defense and special teams. Face the facts, Michigan was going to have to change the defensive coaching staff. That was going to impact recruiting anyway. The results of the last three games were absent of any improvement in all three aspects of the game. The only difference from last year and the year before was beating Illinois in triple overtime and a mud-fest win vs Purdue. That's not progress. Your guy had his chance. IT"S OVER!
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 8:14 p.m.
I'd say the word crappy pretty much sums it up and I've never said the defense was otherwise. I don't understand your thinking, for one if you truly feel that the RR era is over you shouldn't be so sensitive just because others talk about him? If I don't like something or someone I dismiss them from conversation some of you don't seem to be able to do that. Some of us liked what RR was getting at so therefore we discuss him that's natural but for those of you that wanted RR gone and also hated the man I don't see why you keep defending your actions you really don't need to unless you want to continue discussing RR? I, we understand that some of you hated the mans guts both as a coach and as a man and you know what, that is your right as a fan just as I, we had the right to appreciate what we felt the man was going to accomplish. To be honest about coach Hoke is to say I wish him to be a winner at Mich. but, I'm not going to get all sticky over his odds the first couple of years. If coach Hoke proves to be a good head coach at Mich. both on and off the field he should do well, Mich. pulls well in recruiting in name alone. When I was a young man I could get all excited about a coach or recruit just by what I heard, a luxury of youth but as you mature and get older you lose that easy effortless trust at least until it has been proven in battle or in this case, on the field.
heartbreakM
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 5:18 p.m.
It's a weird thing I'm reading. There are those who are saying it's going to take 3 years for Hoke to make a difference *yet we see him recruiting pretty well without saying publicly that he does not have enough time (and he had loads less time than the last guy). Then we hear that there is questionable talent on the team, and it'll take time to get better, often from the apologists of the former coach, who also claim that he got excused from duty because he did not have enough time. It's confusing--we either had enough talent that was not developed well by the last coach, or we did not have enough talent because the former coach did not recruit well. Either way, it seems that the tide is turning, the talent we have WILL be developed (hopefully), and excuses will not be made. I for one think the talent we had when LC retired was fine, the talent we have now is coachable, and that Michigan will be fine. The lack of coaching was the biggest indictment that the players should be held to, and I look forward to Hoke et al proving us right. Go Blue. Can we make a nickname for Rawls now--can we just call him "Lou" (Blue Lou.....)
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.
3-5 years, mark it on your calender. The first 2 years we'll take some very serious butt whippings and I'm okay with that because it will be part of the process of getting back where Mich. belongs.
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.
Lake Stop, you're making me depressed. Did someone betray you at work? I thought you were military. Unless you were in R & D I don't know what you did in the AF that allows 3 years to get the job done. Hoke is a "quality" coach and you and your ilk will see it soon. So sit back and enjoy the ride. Big day for Michigan football. Come on, join the fun.
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 11:20 a.m.
Really not much to think about. The 3 years for Hoke to make a difference is about the average it takes a, "quality" coach to make a positive difference especially with the attractive nature of a scholarship at Mich. The main difference you will notice is the quality of recruits coming in at year 3 like at the running back position. I think right about year 3 your going to start to see a resurgence of Notre Dame. By year 4or 5 Notre Dame is going to be a big thorn in the butt for anyone that has to play them. There are no excuses it's a plain fact, given enough time you will start to get positive results from a good coach. That holds true in all walks of life. Given enough time a person that is good at their job will make a positive contribution unless he or she is not liked and sabotaged for that reason happens every day nothing confusing about that. The fact is Coach Hoke has not head coached a down at Mich. so all we can do is hope for the best and I think he'll be fine as long as the folks stick with him through the difficult times probably the next 3 years at least. I think the talent level when LC left was decent at best. Our talent level needs to improve greatly just to survive in the big 10 which is no longer the big 2.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 5:57 p.m.
Heartbreak Nicely done. (Except for Bd97 and you doing the 'name game'. Those poor players.) lol
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 4:55 p.m.
3 years? "We don't need no stinkin three years"! Only politians and government economists speak in 3-5 year plans, and I wouldn't use those guys for a model for anything. Two words, and these are new additions to the "coach-speak" we've had to endure over the last 3 years, "NO EXCUSES". That means coaches taking responsibility for their position players and the DC will make more than a cameo appearance in post game PCs. And, you all heard the new HC. Does he strike you as a guy who got his dream job and who stated he would have walked cross-country for it. And he didn't care about how much he was going to get paid, and now he willing to take 3-5 years for success? I would be shocked if this team and this program wasn't much improved in all three aspects of the game after SPRING PRACTICE. TiM Go Blue!
Blu n Tpa
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 4:26 p.m.
"We don't need no stinkin..." is from the classic film "Blazin Saddles". Heard of it? It will not take 3 years.
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 11:29 a.m.
Interesting thinking, good luck with your rationalization? If you think, "We don't need no stinkin three years" you must be basing that interesting statement on the fact that Brady Hoke hasn't coached a down as, head coach thereby no excuses have been made, makes perfect sense to me.
Blu-dogg97
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 4:47 p.m.
In the words of Theo..I'm being thoughtful,and thankful of my fellow Blue Maniac's .. you can hear the recorded Brady Hoke interview from this morning@ bakitaandgrey.com they are sports radio guys on 107.3 wbbl fm radio.. in Grand Rapids.. Also I'm sure the Huge Show from 3pm to 6pm on the same station will have Brady,and probably Dave Brandon on today or tomorrow... Listen for when they ask Brady how he felt when Dave Brandon lined up the 2012 season starting out with Alabama,Air Force and ND as his first 3 games of the 2012 campaign.. Great Stuff.. Enjoy... TiM... Go Blue...
Amaiz'nblu
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 4:43 p.m.
And Portage USC sanctions are still being appealed they will sign anywhere from 35 - 40 recruits this year... some will be "2010" scholarship athletes.. they still have all their scholarships as of right now..
PortageLkBlu
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:59 a.m.
Amaiz'nblu, my interest about USC is this, We, Mich. have gone through an unusually difficult transition what with RR's demise and the penalties levied against us and it has shown with the class (quality) of our recruits and withdrawl of commitments. I wonder if USC in similiar conditions if not worse is still getting the quality recruits, I've heard they haven't missed a beat. If true why is that? I think Brady Hoke is a more proven head coach than USC head coach. I wonder if it's a geography issue?
Dusty
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 11:16 p.m.
Sign 35-40 recruits? You apparently don't know the recruiting rules. Even the most egregious SEC schools occasionally hit 30+ in a year, and that's only every several years.
Amaiz'nblu
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 4:38 p.m.
I'd put Frank Clark in there too Blu.. and what would you love more then beating That school from Ohio twice in one year! Yeah its a brutal schedule but if you cant beat those kind of teams where does that leave UofM nationally? If we are going to be relevant again nationally we r goin to have to beat Alabama, Nebraska and that school in ohio! Oh an Im "all in" with the "THIS IS MICHIGAN!"GO BLUE!
Amaiz'nblu
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 4:29 p.m.
Funny that Ann Arbor.com and det news has this story and Mr Rawls isnt announcing until 1:30 today??? Just saying they could of let the kid have his moment! He reminds me of Chris Perry and Mark Ingrham a bit... way underated.. he had a 396 yd game a 344 yd game and a 296 yd 4 td game this year!
Amaiz'nblu
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 6:57 p.m.
No doubt! I love getting these player like Rawls, Bellomy and Jones that grew up idolizing Michigan and are actually coming here because its where they wanna play and not for a system. They will leave it all on the field every game and Know the importance and tradition of the rivalies.. and I've always loved that quote!
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 5:08 p.m.
I agree. Unless he let it out, thinking it wouldn't be released until after his PC, this is a little bit like out-Fox-2. Hopefully he is still going to look good in a winged-helmet. Yes, I saw his game stats and I thought of John McKay, the USC/TB Bucs coach. When he was asked why he let the RB (it might have been Ricky Bell) carried the ball so much, his reply, Why not? Heck the ball ain't that heavy. Let's be honest though, I would be happy, no, very happy, with half that production in a BT game.
Blu-dogg97
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.
Thomas will have success in carrying the Rawlings,all the Wile Matt kicks it threw the uprights.. Speed is nice!! running over people is better!! let me see ,I was never a math major.. but an example 1585yds divided by 150 carries = 10.5666 a carry..Hows my math... Welcome Mr.Rawls,and Mr. Wile... TiM... Go Blue..
Dusty
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.
You have to be wary of highschool (and collegiate) athletes who have imposing size for their age, because often the success is attributed to physical superiority. At the next level, that superiority is minimized (just ask Ron Dane), so the intangibles become much more important.
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.
I can't wait to hear that the recruits we're getting were offered scholarships from, Alabama, Texas, USC etc. Did any of you see how USC is doing with their recruiting with all of their severe violations? I have patience for our team and I think yr 3 if all is stable the big time recruits will trust Mich. enough to take interest over the other big time schools. We've got that darn Nebraska coming we've got to get back on track quickly in case nobody noticed our division is going to be brutal especially maybe having to play that darn Ohio state twice. At first glance splitting the 10 seems fair enough but in our case maybe having to play Ohio state 2 times is brutal at best. Nebraska then Ohio state wow, almost doesn't seem fair we need big and powerful kids.
Dusty
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 11:11 p.m.
Getting players who had offers from Purdue and Minnesota is no better than players with offers from UConn and Pitt.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 5:16 p.m.
At least they were getting offers from BT schools. We used to compete with MAC and Big East schools for players. As far as the future schedule inside the BT is concerned, COACH Hoke as already addressed that: "No Excuses!"
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
Add Cooper, DT, to my top three wish list. OL, LB and DT additions would be great fits. I still want more but these would be my top 3. Please note that this list is open to revision at any time between now and next week. Anybody else have a scoop they want to share? TiM Go Blue!
Blue Marker
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
His high school coach is Fred Jackson Jr., the son of Michigan running back's coach Fred Jackson Sr. I think that's why teams backed off of him. Also, there was some question of him qualifying.
GoblueinNE_PA
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 4:06 p.m.
I too worry him being able to qualify. I thought that was always the concern with this young man. Good luck Mr. Rawls. Can't wait to see you the maize and blue!
azwolverine
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 2:16 p.m.
Welcome to A2, Mr. Rawls. It's GREAT to be a Michigan Wolverine!!! By the way, ren, I've read that several teams backed off of him when it became apparent that he was going to Michigan regardless of who offerred him. This young man had his heart set on UM since Day 1 and everyone knew it.
rensational
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 1:38 p.m.
I wouldn't quite call this recruiting class "successful," but it's great for the time Hoke has had. And I believe Rawls also got offered by Wisconsin, and we all know that Wisconsin always has strong RBs. Saying Central Michigan, Toledo and Cincy doesn't quite do him or us justice, most likely.
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 4:03 p.m.
We must keep vigil, yr. 3 if everything is stable things will start to even out in terms of us getting quality recruits, maturity with what we have, the system should have all the kinks worked out and the kids should all be comfortable with it. Thing is, patience is going to be the key note for Mich. faithful for the next 2-3 years. What it is is what it is nothing we can do about it, time will sort things out. This new coach, however good he turns out to be needs 3-5 to get us back to winning the big ten probably a real battle now with at least 4 teams every year, no more, " The Big 2."
Theo212
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 1:34 p.m.
The Signing Day Song Off recruiting, Three friends did go. Portage, and Theo, And tater in tow. While relaxing, On the train, Who should board? Their friend lorain! The Wise 4 huddled, And all agreed. It'll be a poor class If we don't get speed. So Theo called Hoke On his pricey cell. "Listen up Hoke!" He began to yell. "We need athletes, And they need to be quick. Good job with Wile, We know he can kick!" "Yes sir, Theo!" Hoke said very meekly. "I'll go back down south, And I'll travel there weekly." "You've got it now, Hoke!" Theo said with a grin. Then the Wise 4 were happy, Raised tonic, and gin. ...and a year or so later... CRYSTAL rolled in! Friends, on this signing day eve, let's be thoughtful, thankful,................and light a candle for speed. Sincerely, Your President
GoblueinNE_PA
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 4:01 p.m.
Funny Theo. Still crowing about that non existent inside info link you got, eh?
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 12:31 p.m.
Thomas Rawls, "Come on down", and welcome to the first of many successful recruiting classes for COACH Hoke and this merry bands of recruiting COACHES coming soon to other towns and high schools across this great country. According to many, Mr. Rawls has more talent on the football field than he is being given credit for. We'll be watching him and waiting to see if he can produce at the Big Ten level. So who's in the top three of those left that Michigan "has to have" to finish off this class? I have Fisher and Willingham as two of them. (And of course I would love to have ALL five of those listed.) And if any of you guys know of someone Michigan might be making a last minute push for, don't forget to share. TiM Go Blue!