Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez talks Demar Dorsey, recruiting
DETROIT - Burned the last two years by prospects who either didn’t qualify (Adrian Witty) or weren’t admitted (Demar Dorsey), Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said he has no plans to change his recruiting strategy.
“I think all coaches and not just us have to look at everything involved as far as recruiting, not only who can get in, but who can graduate and get out,” Rodriguez said. “We have that in mind anyway. But you particularly have to (be) mindful of that in the future. I think all schools are doing that.”
Rodriguez, speaking briefly with reporters Thursday at the Sound Mind, Sound Body high school football camp, acknowledged he thought Dorsey could both get into and graduate from Michigan when he was recruited.
The top-ranked player in Michigan's 2010 class, Dorsey was denied admission by the university and released from his letter of intent last week.
“It’s hard to project some guys (more than) others," Rodriguez said. "There’s some guys that may have struggled to get in and they’re doing very well. Some guys that got in very easily are struggling. I don’t think there’s an exact science to it, but at the same time we’re moving forward with what we got and not looking back."
Rodriguez said he should know by June 26, when most incoming recruits are on campus for orientation, whether the rest of Michigan’s 27-man class will make it to campus this fall.
In particular, the Wolverines are still waiting to learn the status of Youngstown (Ohio) Liberty linebacker Antonio Kinard.
As for Dorsey, it remains unclear if he'll sign with another Division I school, attend the junior-college he signed with as a fallback plan earlier this year or go to prep school.
Rodriguez declined to say why Michigan denied Dorsey's admission.
“I don’t know if it’s important to get into all that right now,” he said. “I think what’s important is make sure that the guys that are here for summer school are doing the right things. I think there’s, if you look at it, there’s probably a lot of people that sign throughout the country and there’s not as much attention if they matriculate there or not. But this one’s got a lot more attention and I understand that.”
So how does Rodriguez feel about Michigan's decision?
“I worry about the guys that play for Michigan,” he said.
Briefly
Rodriguez said he hasn’t contacted any USC juniors or seniors about transferring to Michigan. Upperclassmen at USC can transfer without penalty because of NCAA sanctions against the Trojans football program that include a two-year ban on bowls.
“You got to have scholarships first to give out, and there’s got to be mutual interest and all that,” Rodriguez said. “So we’ve been concentrating on our guys. And guys that have been on campus and taking summer classes and the freshmen that we expect to come on the 26th, that’s had most of our attention.”
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
Luvz2fly
Fri, Jun 18, 2010 : 2:45 p.m.
Get over it Michigan. So your coach likes to recruit in his own image. What did you expect. West Virginians are the ones laughing now, not just laughing but ROTFLMAO laughing. One more year and he will be history -- really bad history but history nonetheless.
Robbie Webb
Fri, Jun 18, 2010 : 2:25 p.m.
azwolverine, I agree there is no reason Michigan should have lost to Toledo, but you can say the same thing about App. State, which is worse, IMO. And that was with Carr's veterans. I don't think those couple of key injuries should have affected to where we lost to a team like that, but it just goes to show you even a couple key injuries can really hurt. And Michigan had key injuries with Rodriguez amongst other things. And the points I made that were wrong with the team is not my opinion, it's true. Now, whether you think it's the reason we struggled is another debate. But Michigan was young, that's no secret, we had no depth, also no secret, we had key injuries, we had walkons at key spots, and we had very little veteran leadership, which is why our senior classes have been small. So while I agree and do believe they should have at least went bowling last year, I'm not surprised we didn't. Eight or nine games last year? If everyone was healthy, I believe it could have been done (See MSU, Iowa, and Purdue) In 08? No, I'm not surprised at all what happened.
Yelmonian
Fri, Jun 18, 2010 : 2:06 p.m.
I'm not real sure of the comparison between UM and MSU? If UM is so great... why does Tater and the like compare to MSU. Also... I believe RR kept Grady on after DUIs... so criminal activity probably is not a good idea to bring up. And... lasttly... RR specifically recruited Dorsey. He pursued this kid. And I believe he stated at the time, (paraphrasing) the kid was a good kid and deserved a second chance. If you want to compare MSU... the kids didn't have criminal records, Dantonio gave one of them a second chance... and the KID blew it. In addition, a little over half of the kids that were in trouble are now gone.... either from being booted or "voluntary transfers". Maybe I don't get it.... UMs current coach is actively recruiting people that have been arrested for issues... MSUs coach is disciplining kids that got into trouble while on the team. Apples and oranges. But I forget... RR is UM's coach... so some of you followers just drink the kool aid blindly.
azwolverine
Fri, Jun 18, 2010 : 1:38 p.m.
RobbieWebb, Great enthusiasm, but RR has not done ALL that he can with what's on hand. You can't lose to a 3-9 team from the MAC and consider that doing ALL that you can. Michigan's players were better than Toledo's players, hands down, no question, end of story, PERIOD. Argue other points if you wish, but Michigan should never have lost that game. RR has won 8 games and, even if EVERY point you make is true (which I don't believe it is), he should have 9 wins, not eight. He has done LESS than all that he can with what he's got...and that's without even getting into the losses to 3-9 Purdue and Illinois teams (as well as the 5-7 versions of those same schools).
gobluemark
Fri, Jun 18, 2010 : 7:44 a.m.
tater you must be a closet sparty to excuse everyone else of being a sparty. I probably sit right next to you at the stadium. My comments had nothing to do with msu, this is about our "house" just ours no one else's. Are you really that intimidated by msu that you try to turn everything on them? I can't stand msu and their fans, that is the truth. The beginning of the end is here, bye RR. Long live Brandon.
NoBowl4Blue
Fri, Jun 18, 2010 : 6:45 a.m.
The quakity and character of a player is generally a reflection of the coach. They attract each other and the results usually show up on the field. Nuff said.....think about it.
wvtroll
Fri, Jun 18, 2010 : 6:28 a.m.
People need to quit using the excuse of injuries. Conditioning helps alleviate the injuries, but every school experiences those things. You either have to say you're not conditioned properly, which is a problem caused by coaching, or that UM is "above and beyond" the injury (read that as godly or whatever). Injuries are also caused by the ability of the team on the field to prevent injuries. If a QB is constantly subjected to sacks and scrambles, or the main scheme of the offense is to expose QBs to defense such as in a spread offense, there will be player downtime. This again is the doings of the coach. Accidental injuries happen to all teams, but for the most part, coaching is the root of many injuries. A better coached defense is going to cause offensive injuries, and so on and so on. Just look at the number of concussions that Pat White sustained during his stay at WVU. Quit making excuses. Real teams don't need them.
Sean T.
Fri, Jun 18, 2010 : 4:36 a.m.
Tater, Winston didn't have a felony and what about our class-act Kevin Grady? We must stop throwing stones from a glass house bud! At this point we're no better than little brother. And Chris Henry and Pacman Jones are no saints either. Honestly, Dantonio and RR have done the same things by giving a kid a second chance and booting him after he blew it. Just because we say we're better doesn't make us better.....we have to prove it!
Engineer
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 10:14 p.m.
Ashamed they could not have given him a chance. He was one of only 2 five star prospects (Devon was other)in a class that was not nearly as deep as we needed to get back on top. Look at a Florida class with multiple 5 star guys and then look at RRs class with such slim numbers. We continue to fall further behind when we need deparately need to make up ground.
Robbie Webb
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 9:56 p.m.
gobluemark, what are you talking about?
gobluemark
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 9:39 p.m.
our little secret......my bad.
gobluemark
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 9:38 p.m.
Omg robbie did you say that "the cupboard wasn't bare". I won't tell RR ok? It will be are little secret K?
2sweetblue
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 9:32 p.m.
Come on people lets not be hypocrites. Grady spent a little time in jail because he screwed up his probation. RR let him right back on the practice field. College kids make mistakes so lets keep it real and not act like everyone is perferct here.
Robbie Webb
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 9:25 p.m.
gobluemark, you did not answer my point above, it is hard for any offense to succeed when you are relying on walkons, guys fresh out of highschool and sophmores, and when your experienced guys (like Molk and Minor) are injured. So yes, Rodriguez has done all he can with what's at hand. Alot of that has been fixed this year and all that has to be done is win football games. If Michigan was 100% healthy all of last year even with all of the youth, and lack of depth and veterans there is no doubt we would have gone to a bowl game. I'm not saying the cupboard was bare, talent is there, it was just young. And that's no secret.
spartyisyourlilsister
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 9:17 p.m.
Well, gobluemark, gripe all you want, but Brandon says that Rich Rodriguez is the coach of Michigan and he will be until he says so. So, if you hate Rich Rod so much perhaps you should hop on the bandwagon with another team. Michigan football needs the support of their fans, especially now!!
gobluemark
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 9:09 p.m.
robbie you can honestly say that RR did what he said in regards to his "system" and how it can be changed to his players? Don't you remember RR saying that in one of his first interviews when asked about the spread and Michigan? If yes, then you are what we all thought you were.
spartyisyourlilsister
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 9:08 p.m.
Ever hear of Maurice Clarett, Reggie Bush, Glenn Winston, Kelly Baraka, Rhett Bomar, Lawrence Phillips, Lagarette Blount, etc. Every team has their issues with players. As I said Lloyd recruited Kelly Baraka and Cissoko.
Robbie Webb
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 8:59 p.m.
Gobluemark, show me a team team that had to go through youth, no depth, key injuries, walkons at key spots, and very little veteran leadership and expereince all at the same time and did well. ''Didn't care to utilize his players'' is inaccurate.
gobluemark
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 8:56 p.m.
I was worried about the players that went 3-9 and 5-7 because a "coach" can't utilize his current players. I am worried about this class of seniors that should not have to have this type of "coach" to deal with. RR loves the troublemakers. Example you say? Ever heard of Pac-man and Chris Henry?
spartyisyourlilsister
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 8:49 p.m.
Who on the current roster are you concerned about and this is Rich Rod's third recruiting class?
spartyisyourlilsister
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 8:46 p.m.
Who is on the roster right now that you are worried about? At least Rich Rod has the balls to kick off trouble makers! Dorsey is not going to play at U of M so I don't know why this is still a story.
gobluemark
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 8:44 p.m.
I know that I wasn't the only one that worried for the guys that play at Michigan when RR was hired!
spartyisyourlilsister
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 8:43 p.m.
Still the leaders and best!! At least Michigan does not have the prison bus drop off their players at the practice field *cough*Glenn Winston*cough*
wersch213
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 8:29 p.m.
Dorsey isn't at Michigan and Rich Rodriguez has moved on and only cares about the players playing for Michigan. Not too difficult to understand, it's all there in print...
Robbie Webb
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 8:27 p.m.
Now I know Spartan fans aren't talking about criminal activity. Weren't 14-15 players suspened for fighting? I believe you have some players due in court.