Michigan football program will be selective with smaller 2011 recruiting class
The Michigan football team locked up the bulk of its 2010 recruiting class last spring and summer.
With far fewer scholarships to give away in 2011, Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez said he won’t take as many early commitments this year.
“We really have to make sure we’re pretty selective in that group that’s coming because it’s not going to be as big as this group,” Rodriguez said.
Justin Turner
Already, the Wolverines have commitments from junior defensive backs Delonte Hollowell and Greg Brown, and Rodriguez said Michigan will once again focus its efforts on defense.
Michigan signed 27 players on Wednesday, 16 on defense, 10 on offense and punter Will Hagerup.
“Our defense last year, I think, had less than 25 scholarship players when normally the breakdown is somewhere between 38 and 40,” Rodriguez said. “We knew going in it was going to take us a couple of years to get caught up. We won’t get caught up totally balance-wise, numbers-wise, this year, but we will in another year.”
Of Michigan’s 16 defensive signees, nearly half - seven - are projected to play either cornerback or safety.
Rodriguez said he’s confident the Wolverines addressed their biggest need by adding depth in the secondary. Still, inexperience is a concern.
“We may have close to that number on defense, but how many of them are freshmen or redshirt freshmen?” Rodriguez said. “There are guys like Justin Turner that redshirted (last year) and some other guys that hopefully that redshirt year served well, and they can compete.
“But it’s going to be interesting for sure. It’s going to be a lot of competition and we’ll have a lot of nervous moments in August getting ready for the first game.”
More Justin Turner Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson said he saw “potential” out of Turner on the scout team last year, but added, “He’ll be the first to tell you he’s got to go out there and earn it, show what he can do.”
One of the top-ranked recruits in Michigan’s 2009 class, Turner redshirted after arriving late to campus last summer because of an NCAA Clearinghouse issue.
He’ll play cornerback this spring.
“It’s not that simple just to walk in and be a corner in college football when you show up the first of August,” Robinson said. “That was tough on him.”
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
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Feb 5, 2010 : 5:12 p.m.
You have to keep stoking the OL fire. They don't develop as quickly as the skill positions. I don't see how you can have a "down" year for an entire position set. First, Michigan recruits nationally. The top lineman in the country is from Minnesota, and will probably go to USC. And second, there were 50 4- and 5-star linemen this year, none of whom decided on Michigan. Though at least a handful were offered by Michigan, which means Rodriguez knows he has to recruit that position. He simply failed.
buzz
Fri, Feb 5, 2010 : 2:06 a.m.
I agree with those who say RR can recruit bigger OL. He will get mammoth Line-men, He needs that and will try to get that. He hasnt changed the Power of the OL, speed would hlp also, Pace will bulk up, many say hes small, but im sure he'll bulk up to 300IB, and may grow a lil more too. And also Les Miles will not come to UM, jus because he played for Bo doesnt mean he'll comeback, hes been doin well at LSU, and im sure LSU wants to keep him. Like Lloyd's last year Les didnt take the job. I for one think RR will turn the program around. I too have been watchn UM football for a real long time but i think wat RR is brining in is wat UM needs to get back to a NC. RR and UM jus had bad-luck, that wont happen next year. GO BLUE!!!!!
Paul Pinard
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 6:53 p.m.
If we average one turnover per game less last year we would have been in a bowl game possibly even 7-5. We were around 110th nationally in turnover margin. It's time to get off Rod and let him do what he knows! True freshman success at QB is a Henne only phenomenon. Leach was horrible I believe in the passing department his freshman year. The other thing we forget is the history of Michigan and the running quarterback. Dennis Franklin, Rick Leach, Steve Smith, Jim Harbaugh had a few 30+ yard td's in his career, Demetrius Brown, Michael Taylor. The idea that Lloyd's teams are the only look we've ever had is to not understand M's history. This is the first coach in my lifetime that has a proven track record of turning things around, and at schools with no previous tradition to help the recruiting. Now he's stealing speed out of Florida like Bo did with A.C. Look at what WVa did with 3 star athletes in starting skill positions. Look out big ten and sec we're comin' back!
buckIh8r
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.
M Go BLue in RI THANK YOU....it amazes me how people blame all the problems over the past 2 years on RR, when LLLOYD was running the program into the ground...Arington and Manningham were leaving anyway, who would have been catching Mallet's passes, Mathews, or should I say dropping his passes, and as far as defense, let us not forget how Oregon lit up Carr's defense after APP State..but you trolls place the blame on RR...
voiceofreason
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 2:06 p.m.
Mr. Birkett, How are the apology letters coming along? Now that you are focusing on the Class of 2011, I suggest that you begin examining the players for past criminal acquittals. Gotta have some solid ammunition against Coach Rodriguez for the next press conference!
chosen1
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 1:58 p.m.
he's taken 9 ol in his first 2 years. Plus there are more higher end OL in the 2011 class that are interested in UM. But the performance has to be on the field this year. Bringing in great recruits is one thing, winning is a whole other animal. If only he can use the "snake oil" in games, then we'd be alright
UMfaninNC
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 1:56 p.m.
@Sunset they currently have 13 scholarship OL on the roster 14 with the incoming freshmen and many are first/second year players. this was a down year for OL in the MW and I believe he will make a concertive effort to. the state of MI is pretty strong @ OL
M Go Blue in RI
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 1:55 p.m.
gobluemark, I support my team and University as well. But you say you can't sit by idly and watch the team turn into a mid-level team. So did you not watch the last 4-5 years of LLLLoyd's career? The Program began to slip under his watch. 4-loss seasons were the norm with Carr. It's time to support the new coach and give him and his program a fair shake.
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 1:43 p.m.
Rodriguez will find recruiting very tough this year because other coaches will be telling the kids that Michigan will be changing coaches after a 4-8 season. Obviously, he'll have less scholarships at his disposal, having used so many this year. I just hope he addresses the offensive line first this time. This is an area no school skips entirely in one year - it takes time to develop players. Carr knew that. I'm not sure what Rodriguez wants to do with the offensive line.
UMfaninNC
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 1:39 p.m.
boy i tell you, these flyby night U-M fans sicken me... yes its frustrating that they havent had the success we had hoped over the past two years, but there was a major transition within the program whether it was players who didnt want to stay or RR showing some the door... Look at the recruiting class that was supposed to be seniors last year. There were barely any players left from that year and that was BEFORE Lloyd left, but we didnt hear fans back then crying about players leaving... this year showed the continuity and the direction of the program because only one player transferred this year (b.smith to temple) and they are building depth on the defensive side of the ball. With all that being said it still is in the players hands NOT to turn the ball over and to execute the game plan. Im willing to bet if U-M had a positive turnover ratio they easily go 7-5 8-4 last year and atleast 6-6 the first season. And that all goes back to lack of depth and RR having to stick with players who he knew werent prepared in certain situations. even though i know most of the comments are trolls there still are some "fans" whining and before you do that understand the situation
gobluemark
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 12:49 p.m.
To 1bit I do support my team and university, but I cannot stand idly by and watch as it turns into a mid level program. This coach represents me as a fan and frankly he does a terrible job at it. And to wolverineinbuckeyestate don't think Bill Martin is off the hook on this either. Why do you think the university and the regents are rethinking the way they do things, and they are starting at the top of the athletic department?
wolverineinbuckeyestate
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 12:31 p.m.
You people act like rich rod hired himself. If the university didnt know what they were getting thats there own fault. I think he can succeed, but 2010 is his last chance in my opinion. BO BLUE
NoBowl4Blue
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 12:11 p.m.
Rich won't take as many early committs because in all liklihood won't be here. He's got 3 gimmes on the Schgedule and will be lucky to win another 3 so a bowl will most likely be questionable.
2000Blue
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 11:51 a.m.
What Dave, no super, hard-hitting, journalistic questions?
Dennis
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 11:45 a.m.
Excuse me! I am really getting tired of the slowness of this transition. Was the cupboard bare? Not until RR showed up and the kids got wind of his style of football. A coach of any substance uses the talent he is left for the transition. RR simply showed people the door, if they didn't fit his style of football. RR is reaping what he sowed. RR had better succeed soon or Michigan will be in another head coaching job search. YIKES!!
Detroitrocks
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 11:41 a.m.
RR won't be around - the university has already begun the process of getting rid of him because of the violations. I hope Les Miles can make use of all those small fast guys.
BleedMaize&Blue
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.
I'm just glad to see that they are adding players to the defensive side of the ball. Michigan is used to having a good defense, it's painful to watch the defense the last 2 years!
bluesteel
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 11:01 a.m.
The kids we have gotten the past couple of year can run circles around those previous speedsters such as John Navarre. Experience was all that was lacking on offense last year. Talent was lacking on defense. Each year RR has to address his needs brings us closer to being a RR West Va. type team, except with better talent. Lloyd was a good coach. RR will prove to be GREAT. Go RR. Go Blue!
gobluemark
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 : 10:28 a.m.
Hopefully are new coach can use the limited number of spots to get some football players back at the school, instead of the track team trying to play football. It is not even a great track team at that.