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Posted on Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 4:11 p.m.

A look back at Michigan's last five football recruiting classes

By Rich Rezler

As new Michigan football coach Brady Hoke signs his first recruiting class today, AnnArbor.com has compiled a look back at each of the last five groups to pledge to the Wolverines.

The list uses Rivals.com rankings and cites players that signed official letters of intent.

2010 RECRUITING CLASS Overall rank: 20th. (1. USC, 2. Florida, 3. Texas) Big Ten rank: 2nd. (12. Penn State)

4-STAR RECRUITS (6) • DT - Richard Ash (Pahokee, Fla.): Redshirted. • DB - Cullen Christian (Pittsburgh, Pa.): Played in 11 games as a cornerback and on special teams, making six tackles. • DB - Demar Dorsey (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.): Was denied admission to Michigan and committed instead to Louisville. Didn’t qualify there, either, and will reportedly play at a junior college. • QB - Devin Gardner (Inkster, Mich.): Appeared in three games with his only pass attempts (7 of 10 for 85 yards) coming against Bowling Green. May be a candidate for a medical redshirt because of back problems late in the season. • LB - Marvin Robinson (Eagle Lake, Fla.): Played in 11 games at safety and on special teams, making three tackles. • DE - Ken Wilkins (Washington, Pa.): Redshirted.

3-STAR RECRUITS (20) • DB - Courtney Avery (Lexington, Ohio): Played in all 13 games, including five starts at cornerback. Made 36 tackles. • DE - Jibreel Black (Cincinnati, Ohio): Played in all 13 games as a backup defensive end, making seven tackles. • ATH - Drew Dileo (Greenwell Springs, La.): Appeared in seven games, primarily as a holder on special teams. Played two games at kick returner and one at slot receiver. • ATH - Josh Furman (Millersville, Md.): Redshirted. • K - Will Hagerup (Whitefish Bay, Wis.): Michigan’s starting punter, his 43.46-yard average is the second best in school history. Had 10 punts of more than 50 yards. • RB - Stephen Hopkins (Flower Mound, Texas): Appeared in 11 games, carrying 37 times for 151 yards and four touchdowns. • WR - Jeremy Jackson (Ann Arbor, Mich.): Appeared in nine games, making four catches for 55 yards. • DB - Carvin Johnson (Metairie, La.): Starter at hybrid linebacker position, later moved to safety. • ATH - Cornelius Jones (Spartanburg, S.C.): Failed to qualify academically and enrolled at Fork Union Military School. • LB - Antonio Kinard (Youngstown, Ohio): Failed to qualify academically and enrolled at Hargrave Military Academy. Has committed to attend Miami (Fla.) in 2011. • WR - Ricardo Miller (Ann Arbor, Mich.): Played special teams in one game. • OL - Christian Pace (Avon Lake, Ohio): Redshirted during the 2010 season after a lingering knee injury flared up in training camp. • DE - Jordan Paskorz (Allison Park, Pa.): Redshirted. • WR - Jerald Robinson (Canton, Ohio): Redshirted. • LB - Davion Rogers (Warren, Ohio): Left the program in September because of NCAA Clearinghouse issues. • LB - Jake Ryan (Westlake, Ohio): Redshirted. • DB - Terrence Talbott (Huber Heights, Ohio): Appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman for the cornerback-needy Wolverines. • DT - Terry Talbott (Huber Heights, Ohio): Redshirted. • RB - Austin White (Livonia, Mich.): Left the program in August. Transferred to Central Michigan, where he’ll be eligible in 2012. • WR - D.J. Williamson (Warren, Ohio): Redshirted.

2-STAR RECRUIT (1) • DB - Ray Vinopal (Youngstown, Ohio): Appeared in 13 games, including six starts at safety. Made 33 tackles and had one interception.

2009 RECRUITING CLASS Overall rank: 8th. (1. Alabama, 2. LSU, 3. Ohio State) Big Ten rank: 2nd. (3. Ohio State)

5-STAR RECRUIT (1) • DT - William Campbell (Detroit, Mich.): Has seen action in all 25 games of his college career, mostly on special teams. Moved to offensive line late in his sophomore season.

4-STAR RECRUITS (13) • DB - Vladimir Emilien (Lauderhill, Fla.): Played special teams in five games as a freshman and asked for his release from Michigan after playing as a backup safety against UConn last season. • QB - Tate Forcier (San Diego, Calif.): Started 12 games as a freshman, completing 165 of 281 passes for 2,050 yards and 13 touchdowns. Appeared in eight games as a sophomore, completing 54 of 84 passes for 597 yards and four touchdowns. Will not return for his junior season, instead transferring to a to-be-determined school. • ATH - Jeremy Gallon (Apopka, Fla.): Played seven games as slot receiver as a redshirt freshman and 10 as a punt returner. Caught four passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. • WR - Cameron Gordon (Inkster, Mich.): Switched to defense after a redshirt season. Started 13 games, seven at free safety and six at hybrid linebacker. Made 77 tackles and three interceptions. • DE - Anthony LaLota (Princeton, N.J.): After a redshirt season at Michigan, the New Jersey native transferred to Rutgers. • OL - Taylor Lewan (Scottsdale, Ariz.): Appeared in 11 games, making nine starts at left tackle. Redshirted in 2009. • ATH - Denard Robinson (Deerfield Beach, Fla.): The Big Ten offensive player of the year was second nationally in total offense with a 328.6-yard average. Passed for 2,570 yards and ran for 1,702 in 13 starts as a sophomore. In 2009, he played 12 games as a backup QB, rushing for 351 yards and passing for 188. • DE - Craig Roh (Scottsdale, Ariz.): Has started all 25 games of his college career, 20 at outside linebacker and five at defensive end. Made 43 tackles as a sophomore. • OL - Michael Schofield (Orland Park, Ill.): Appeared in 13 games last season, primarily on special teams. Redshirted in 2009. • WR - Je’Ron Stokes (Philadelphia, Pa.): Played in 16 games and caught three passes over the past two seasons as a back-up wide receiver. • RB - Fitzgerald Toussaint (Youngstown, Ohio): Played in five games while battling injuries in 2010, rushing for 87 yards. Redshirted in 2009. • DB - Justin Turner (Massillon, Ohio): A processing delay by the NCAA Clearinghouse preceded his 2009 redshirt year. Transferred to West Virginia before the 2010 season. • OL - Quinton Washington (St. Stephen, S.C.): Played in all 13 games last season, primarily on special teams. Redshirted in 2009.

3-STAR RECRUITS (6) • LB - Isaiah Bell (Youngstown, Ohio): After redshirting in 2009, he did not play in 2010. • ATH - Thomas Gordon (Detroit, Mich.): Started four games and appeared in nine at hybrid linebacker in 2010, making 23 tackles. Redshirted in 2009. • LB - Brendin Hawthorne (Pahokee, Fla.): Played in nine games, primarily on special teams, in 2010. Redshirted in 2009. • DB - Mike Jones (Orlando, Fla.): Played two games on special teams before a season-ending leg injury in 2010. Appeared in seven games, primarily on special teams, in 2009. • RB - Teric Jones (Detroit, Mich.): Played in seven games, primarily on special teams, before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Played nine games at cornerback and special teams in 2009. • RB - Vincent Smith (Pahokee, Fla.): Played 13 games, including 10 starts, at running back in 2010, rushing for 601 yards and five touchdowns. Appeared in eight games as a freshman, gaining 276 yards.

2-STAR RECRUITS (2) • K - Brendan Gibbons (West Palm Beach, Fla.): Shared placekicking duties in 2010, making 1 of 5 field goals and 13 of 14 point-after kicks. Redshirted in 2009. • DB - Adrian Witty (Deerfield Beach, Fla.): Failed to qualify academically. Joined Cincinnati’s 2010 recruiting class.

2008 RECRUITING CLASS Overall rank: 10th. (1. Alabama, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Florida) Big Ten rank: 2nd. (4. Ohio State)

4-STAR RECRUITS (17) • OL - Ricky Barnum (Lakeland, Fla.): Has seen back-up duty in five games at left guard, left tackle and right guard over the past two seasons. Redshirted in 2008. • DB - Boubacar Cissoko (Detroit, Mich.): Played extensively as a freshman and was a starting cornerback in 2009 before being dismissed from the team for violating team rules. Currently incarcerated for theft and attempted robbery. • LB - Kenny Demens (Detroit, Mich.): The team’s third-leading tackler played in 13 games and started seven at middle linebacker in 2010. Played special teams in 2009. Redshirted in 2008. • LB - J.B. Fitzgerald (Princeton Junction, N.J.): A three-year letterman has appeared in 37 consecutive games, making three starts. Has made 46 tackles in his career. • LB - Taylor Hill (Youngstown, Ohio): Left the program after 2008 fall camp and transferred to Youngstown State. • TE - Kevin Koger (Toledo, Ohio): Has played in 34 games and made 19 starts at tight end, making 36 receptions for 512 yards and five touchdowns. • DT - Mike Martin (Novi, Mich): Started 24 games at nose tackle the past two seasons after seeing significant back-up time as a freshman. Has 108 tackles, 19 tackles-for-loss and 6.5 sacks in his career. • RB - Sam McGuffie (Cypress, Texas): The team’s second-leading rusher as a freshman (486 yards) transferred to Rice before the 2009 season. Led the Owls in rushing (883 yards) and receiving (384 yards) last year. • OL - Elliott Mealer (Wauseon, Ohio): Has played in 24 games the past two seasons, primarily on special teams. Redshirted in 2008. • TE - Brandon Moore (Trotwood, Ohio): Appeared in four games as a back-up tight end the past two seasons. Redshirted in 2008. • OL - Dann O’Neill (Grand Haven, Mich.): After redshirting in 2008, O’Neill transferred to Western Michigan. Started 10 games for the Broncos in 2010. • RB - Terrence Robinson (Klein, Texas): Has seen limited time as a slot receiver and kick returner the past two seasons after redshirting in 2008. • WR - Roy Roundtree (Trotwood, Ohio): Team’s leading receiver with 72 catches for 935 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010. Set school record with 246 receiving yards against Illinois. Started four games as a slot receiver in 2009 (32 receptions) after redshirting in 2008. • RB - Michael Shaw (Trotwood, Ohio): Has played in 30 games and started 10 in three seasons, rushing for 802 yards and 11 touchdowns. • DB - Brandon Smith (New Brunswick, N.J.): Played in 11 games as a linebacker in 2009 before transferring to Temple. Redshirted in 2008. • WR - Darryl Stonum (Sugarland, Texas): Started 25 of his 36 games played, catching 76 passes for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns. Also owns Michigan kickoff return record with 39 returns for 1,001 yards in 2009. • LB - Marcus Witherspoon (Absecon, N.J.): Left the program before the season because of NCAA Clearinghouse issues and enrolled at Rutgers. Left Rutgers for personal issues after the 2009 season.

3-STAR RECRUITS (6) • RB - Michael Cox (Avon, Conn.): Has played in six games and gained 169 yards over the past two seasons. Redshirted in 2008. • ATH - Justin Feagin (Delray Beach, Fla.): Kicked off the team before the 2009 season and charged with three felonies after a botched drug deal. Saw limited time as a running QB in 2008. • ATH - J.T. Floyd (Greenville, S.C.): Started eight games last season at cornerback before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. Played in nine games and made two starts in 2009 and has 83 career tackles. Redshirted in 2008. • OL - Rocko Khoury (Traverse City, Mich.): Has played in six games the past two seasons, mainly as a back-up center. Redshirted in 2008. • WR - Martavious Odoms (Pahokee, Fla.): Started 22 of 27 career games at slot receiver, missing portions of the 2009 and 2010 seasons with injuries. Led team in receptions (49) and receiving yards (443) his freshman year. • OL - Kurt Wermers (Crown Point, Ind.): Redshirted as a freshman and transferred to Ball State prior to the 2009 season after being declared academically ineligible.

2-STAR RECRUIT (1) • OL - Patrick Omaneh (Columbus, Ohio): Started all 13 games at right guard last season after playing in seven - and starting three - in 2009. Redshirted in 2008.

2007 RECRUITING CLASS Overall rank: 12th. (1. Florida, 2. USC, 3 Tennessee.) Big Ten rank: 1st.

5-STAR RECRUITS (2) • QB - Ryan Mallett (Texarkana, Texas): Played in 11 games as a freshman, starting three in place of injured Chad Henne. Transferred to Arkansas prior to the 2008 season and set or tied 43 school or stadium records while making 26 starts for the Razorbacks in 2009 and 2010. • DB - Donovan Warren (Long Beach, Calif.): Started 34 of his 36 career games at cornerback, making 170 tackles and six interceptions. Entered the NFL Draft after his junior season in 2009 and went undrafted.

4-Star recruits (5) • WR - Toney Clemons (New Kensington, Pa.): Caught one pass in 2007, 11 in 2008 and transferring prior to the 2009 season. Caught 43 passes as a redshirt junior at Colorado last season. • LB - Austin Panter (El Dorado, Kan.): Only the second junior college transfer in Lloyd Carr’s tenure. Played in 13 games, making 15 tackles, in his two-year career. • DE - Ryan Van Bergen (Whitehall, Mich.): Started 26 games and played in 37 at defensive end and defensive tackle the past three seasons after redshirting in 2007. Has recorded 90 tackles and nine sacks. • WR - Martell Webb (Pontiac, Mich.): A four-year letterman played in 38 games and started three in his career. Caught nine passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Eligibility expired. • DB - Mike Williams (Ventura, Calif.): Redshirted in 2007, saw action as a backup safety in 11 games in 2008, started nine games in 2009. Played two games last year before missing the last 11 with a head injury.

3-STAR RECRUITS (12) • WR - Zion Babb (Alhambra, Calif.): Redshirted in 2007 and made two catches in 2008 before leaving the program late in the season amid reports of bad behavior. • DB - Artis Chambers (Ft. Wayne, Ind.): Saw limited action at safety as a freshman and moved into a hybrid linebacker role as a sophomore, but left the team during the season. • RB - Vince Helmuth (Saline, Mich.): Saw action as a blocking fullback in 2007, moved to defensive line in the middle of the 2008 season and transferred to Miami (Ohio) before the 2009 season. • WR - Junior Hemingway (Conway, S.C.): Started 19 games and appeared in 35 the past three seasons. Has 54 catches for 940 yards and seven touchdowns. Redshirted in 2007. • LB - Brandon Herron (Sugar Land, Texas): Has appeared in 31 games as a back-up linebacker and special teams player over the past three seasons. Redshirted in 2007. • RB - Avery Horn (Hanford, Calif.): Redshirted in 2007 and limited to kick returns in 2008. Transferred to Reedley College for the 2009 season. • OL - Mark Huyge (Grand Rapids, Mich.): Started 16 games at guard and tackle the past two seasons and appeared in a total of 25 games. Redshirted in 2007 and did not see game action in 2008. • OL - David Molk (Lemont, Ill.): After redshirting in 2007, Molk has been the team’s starting center since 2008. Missed eight games due to injury in 2009, giving him 29 career starts. • ATH - James Rogers (Madison Heights, Mich.): Bounced between cornerback and receiver during his four-year career, starting 13 times at CB last season. Made 46 career tackles and caught three passes. • DT - Renaldo Sagesse (Montreal, Quebec): Appeared in 35 career games as a back-up defensive tackle. Made 16 career tackles. Eligibility expired. • TE - Steve Watson (Denver, Colo.): Switched to defensive end in spring of 2009 after redshirting in 2007 and seeing special teams action in 2008. Appeared in 12 games on defense, making eight tackles. • DB - Troy Woolfolk (Sugar Land, Texas): After two years as a reserve cornerback, he made six starts at safety and six at cornerback in 2009, making 46 tackles. Missed all of 2010 with a foot injury.

2-STAR RECRUIT (1) • LB - Marell Evans (Richmond, Va.): Made one start at linebacker in 2008 before transferring to Hampton.

2006 RECRUTING CLASS Overall rank: 13th. (1. USC, 2. Florida, 3. Florida State) Big Ten rank: 3rd. (6. Penn State, 12. Ohio State)

5-STAR RECRUITS (2) • LB - Brandon Graham (Detroit, Mich.): Two-time team MVP exhausted eligibility after 2009 season. Played in 47 games, starting 28 at defensive end. His 56 tackles-for-loss are the second most in team history. Plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. • OL - Stephen Schilling (Bellevue, Wash.): After a redshirt season, he was a two-year starter at right tackle and two-year starter at left guard. Started all 13 games in 2010.

4-Star recruits (9) • OL - Justin Boren (Pickerington, Ohio): Started as a sophomore in 2007. Transferred to Ohio State in 2008. After sitting out a season due to transfer rules, started 11 games at left guard for the Buckeyes in 2009. • RB - Carlos Brown (Franklin, Ga.): Exhausted eligibility in 2009 after making 12 career starts at running back. Gained 1,025 yards on 201 carries. • DB - Stevie Brown (Columbus, Ind.): Started as a safety in 2008 and as a linebacker his senior season in 2009. Made 186 career tackles. Played for the Oakland Raiders last season. • DT - Jason Kates (Harrisburg, Pa.): Left the team late in the 2008 season. Hadn’t played a down as a redshirt sophomore. • WR - Greg Matthews (Orlando, Fla.): Four-year letterman who made 27 starts and finished with 110 catches for 1,195 yards in his career. • RB - Brandon Minor (Richmond, Va.): Played in 42 games. Rushed 331 times for 1,658 yards in his career. Led the team with 502 yards in 2009, his senior season. • LB - Cobrani Mixon (Cincinnati, Ohio): Redshirted as a freshman at Michigan, transferred to Kent State in 2007 and became a two-time All-MAC first team selection. • DB - Jonas Mouton (Venice, Calif.): Started 34 career games at linebacker, including 12 in 2010, his fifth-year senior season. Made 264 tackles in his career. • DT - Adam Patterson (Columbia, S.C.): Mainly a backup, Patterson appeared in 38 games with one career start. Granted a medical redshirt his junior season.

3-STAR RECRUITS (7) • DE - Greg Banks (Denver, Colo.): All nine of his Michigan starts came in 2010, his fifth-year senior season. Made 56 career tackles. • QB - David Cone (Statesboro, Ga.): Played in four games as a backup. Did not return for his fifth-year senior season in 2010. • OL - Perry Dorrestein (Painfield, Ill.): Made 22 starts at tackle, 12 of them in 2010. Started four games in 2008 and eight in 2009. • RB - Obi Ezeh (Grand Rapids, Mich.): Switched to linebacker after a redshirt season and was a Freshman All-American in 2007. Started 38 games and made 293 career tackles. • DE - John Ferrara (Staten Island, N.Y.): Saw action in 13 games as a defensive tackle in 2007. Switched to offensive line in 2008 and made six starts at right guard during his career. • LB - Quintin Patilla (Flint, Mich.): Switched to fullback in 2007, seeing action in six games, before transferring to Grand Valley State in 2008. • DE - Quintin Woods (Flint, Mich.): Failed to qualify academically. Was a backup at Kansas the past two seasons after two seasons at Bakersfield (Calif.) Community College.

2-STAR RECRUIT (1) • K - Bryan Wright (Salem, Ohio): Transferred to Bowling Green for his final year of eligibility after graduating from Michigan in 2009. Was a kick-off specialist for the Wolverines.

Comments

Blu n Tpa

Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 3:16 p.m.

@Dusty But why did they suck? You bad mouth nearly every recruiting class, no matter the national ranking, so who's responsible for that? If you try to recruit people you know wont qualify, isn't that a self-fulfilling failure? Or is it desparation because you're the HC and two thirds of your team isn't cutting it? I find it interesting that you, like someone else we all know, seem to be blaming the PLAYERS! "...they suck!" All of them? At least two full recruiting classes that your guy was in charge of "suck" Well, which is it? Bad recruiting or bad players? Can't be bad coaching, now could it? I look forward to having you explain this.

PortageLkBlu

Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 12:07 p.m.

We don't need to explain anything to you B Tp you have all the answers right?

Dale

Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.

Congratulation on the 2011 recruiting class -- the lowest rated UM class since records have been kept at Rivals.com.

Blu n Tpa

Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 3:18 p.m.

Thanks Dale. Glad to see you can read.

Blu n Tpa

Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.

Heartbreak M I saw that about D. Dorsey also. Let's play a game, "Where's Demar?" Really, he's the poster child, man-child, for a lot of what's wrong with UM recruiting over the last few years. Too many players left, even those who saw the field left. And, there seemed to be a "randomness" to the classes during the same time span. In a sense, you were right on with your dice analogy. A lot of chance, the inablility to bring in recruits that could stay, and the lack of development forcing the playing of freshmen, who realy didn't show improvement on the field even after a 13 game season. The WCiMFH rolled the dice and Michigan got "snake eyes"! TiM Go Blue!

heartbreakM

Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 3:29 a.m.

The thing that strikes me is the number of players the last 2 years who were either academically ineligible or had clearinghouse issues. That number is too high to be a coincidence. Better recruiting background work would have helped, but I get the idea that desperation began to set in. Also interesting that Demar Dorsey was not admitted to L'ville either (making the Michigan admissions office not look so bad). But the biggest thing this list shows is the pure randomness of recruiting. You just have no idea who will succeed and who will not. It is like playing dice. You don't know what you'll get. You just hope for the best, and most of all, look for character along with the talent. Let's hope for better outcomes going into the future.

braggslaw

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 11:28 p.m.

The program needs linemen to prosper This need has not been addressed

Blu n Tpa

Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.

Did COACH Hoke try to get additional linemen in this class? Recruits, for the most part didn't come to Michigan just because of the change in coaching. Most, if not all, went to more successful programs due to the rebuilding nature of Michigan's program. That's NOT on Coach Hoke, that's all the legacy of the WCiMFH. I'd rather pass on a lower rated player than waste a scholarship this year just so you "look" like you're doing something. TiM Go Blue!

LSUWolverine

Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 1:34 a.m.

Are you going to simply copy and paste this reply on every post, or are you going to actually understand that we are deep on OL and we are addressing our needs on the DL right now?

81wolverine

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:58 p.m.

You can see why the team has declined in terms of wins/losses when you look at the 2006 thru 2008 classes. Too many players who washed out, transferred, or didn't amount to much on the field. I think near the end of Lloyd Carr's tenure, our recruiting clearly slipped, and then the coaching change made things worse by causing some good players to bail. The good news is that this year's class shows that Coach Hoke and staff can recruit REALLY well even with extremely limited time. It will be exciting to watch as they rebuild the talent at Michigan to the point we're contending for Big Ten titles again.

RudeJude

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:50 p.m.

Thought this was interesting for discussion. This list was done quickly, so forgive me if I made a mistake. 2010 Defensive players (15) - 5 Redshirted (33%) - 3 Ineligible (20%) - 7 played during freshman season (46%) 2009 defensive players (8) - 3 Redshirted (37%) - 2 ineligible (20%) - 3 played during freshman season (37%) 2008 defensive players (8) - 2 Redshirted (25%) - 3 ineligble (37%) - 3 played during freshman season (37%) (including one who transferred out after the season)

RudeJude

Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 12:22 a.m.

I think some of the ones I marked ineligible may have transferred prior to the start of their first season, but they neither played nor redshirted. I'd like to compare it to other big teams and Michigan classes during Coach Carr's tenure. It does seem high, but maybe that's normal? In football, where you have 11 players on the field playing defense and you only recruit 16 players over a two year span, losing five of them due to ineligibility, etc. plus one transfer, that leaves you with 10 recruits for two years. With such a lack of depth, all of a sudden it doesn't seem like such a big surprise Michigan played so poorly on defense in 2010. I'm happy Rodriguez recruited heavily on defense in 2010, but the seeds were sown the two previous years to make 2010 a debacle. With 13 defensive players coming in from this class, I imagine we won't be worse than 2010 defensively, although 2011 could still be a struggle on that side of the ball. Also, I think Michigan's offense could become off-balance, which is why the loss of Jacob Fisher hurt, but I imagine Coach Hoke will come through with some great recruiting next season to balance things out. That's my two cents, anyway. Go Blue!

tulsatom

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 11:50 p.m.

Yhanks, RudeJude, The thing that jumps out at me is the amount of ineligible players. Isn't that kind of a high number?

tulsatom

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:35 p.m.

Thanks for the breakdown, Rich. This was very helpful and interesting. I think some of the past few recruiting seasons didn't turn out as well as predcted for a variety of reasons, including transfers, injuries, and players just not living up to their billing, and possibly even coaching issues. As far as the 2011 class is concerned, I am pleased in light of the coaching change that affected this year's class. I am most pleased with the number and quality of defensive backs, linebackers, and defensive ends. Also, a solid job on offense with a variety of positions filled. My only disappointment was no defensive tackles -- zippo., nada. WIth Hoke going to a 4-3 defense next year, I hope they have enough players who can step up and help fill the void with depth on the defensive line, especially since there will undoubtedly be injuries as the season goes along.

tulsatom

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:37 p.m.

I am thinking this will almost assure that Will Campbell will go back to defensive line.

1bit

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:23 p.m.

Looking at the recruiting rankings, it's easy to see why Doc Sat lists us as underperformers. If it was coaching, then I have tremendous hope (?hoke) for this autumn.

Dusty

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:35 p.m.

Saying a program underperformed based on rankings is just stupid. You don't base expectations on ranking anymore once you actually see the talent of each individual player. If anything, the scouts who ranked those classes are the ones who underperformed.

Dusty

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:09 p.m.

What are you smoking? Actually, if you look past the rankings at the time and read the individual results next to the recruits, you can see that those recruiting classes were complete garbage in 2006 and 2007. The depth of those classes were, to say the least, VERY poor. My God, 2006's defensive class was terrible. Just terrible. Brandon Graham... then nobody. You saw how Ezeh panned out, and Mouton never learned what the term 'backside contain' meant in his whole career.

LSUWolverine

Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 1:33 a.m.

LOL Dusty, all you do is tilt at windmills with anecdotal evidence. That's all you have, and that's all we've come to expect from you.

GettingBluer

Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 1:26 a.m.

So, you don't like Hemmingway, Molk, Woolfolk, Graham, Mouton, Minor, and Mallet? You're probably right...Jones, Kinard, White, Forcier, Taylor, Bell, Hill, McGuffie, Wermers, Feagin, Witherspoon, Smith, and O'Neil were SO much better choices.

Jaysham

Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 1:06 a.m.

I agree 100% with you Johny. Rich Rod and his staff should have done ALOT better with what he inherited but he didn't and that is why he is gone. I'm so glad that he is no longer the face of the program and his staff is gone. RR just didn't have the knowledge to compete in the Big 10 and he was a liar and a cheater. I despise that man and anyone who defends him.

johnnya2

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 11:49 p.m.

Why did these 4- and 5 star recruits not pan out? How about poor coaching. Who teaches backside contain to a talented athlete? Oh thats right, it is the job of the coaches. In 13 years of Lloyd at the helm this was not an issue. The team generally was in the top 25 EVERY year. Generally was in contention in the Big Ten EVERY year, and won a NC. I guess if you can't coach what people say is the best talent with your gimmick "system", it proves that talent will beat a system EVERY SINGLE TIME.

johnnya2

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 9:52 p.m.

I guess this shows that the "cupboards were bare" theory is another myth for the RR lovers. 2006 and 2007 were rated 13th and 12th in the nation, and third and first in the Big Ten. Why weren't these guys starting instead of the freshman this year? 2008 had a class that ranked 10th and second in the Big Ten, yet where are those players? A good coach can take the talent he has and turn them into winners, Rich Rod could take top 20 talent and finish with a losing record in the Big Ten every year. Even with extra practice he could not do his job.

Dusty

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:13 p.m.

What do you mean "why weren't these guys starting instead of freshmen this year?" Because they sucked, that's why. You think Rich Rod intentionally tanked on defense by sitting better players? Come on.

Dusty

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.

Anybody else notice all the 2010 defensive recruits that were redshirted?

PortageLkBlu

Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 12:03 p.m.

Blu Tp, your funny I think I like you in spite of yourself. Go Blue, Go defense!

Blu n Tpa

Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 2:59 p.m.

Oh look, it's "He said, He said". If I may intrude, can lake man explain the "I felt bad for defense last year", statement? Sorry, you can resume your 'one-on-one'.

PortageLkBlu

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:43 p.m.

Makes sense Dusty should be interesting, I felt bad for defense last year.

Dusty

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:12 p.m.

You would assume that a defense returning basically all of its starters AND getting several former starters back from season-long injuries would mean the defense would be better, at least to some extent, no matter what else happened. And you would assume that a defensive coordinator like Mattison taking over for the GERG would also help quite a bunch.

PortageLkBlu

Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.

What do you think about that Dusty? Since you play fair I'll ask you, do you think Brady is going to have good success with the players RR left him in Brady's first year?