UM Football Recruiting - by WM Wolverine

[Optimus Prime]

Molk's foot was broken, he obviously was in considerable pain and less than 100%. Can't believe he still played.

[Hannibal]

I see center as being as important as the blindside tackle in pretty much any attack. I can remember center play making and/or breaking a lot of Michigan running attacks before Rodriguez came to town. The difference between a good fifth year senior center and a mediocre underclassman is sometimes night and day.

I feel pretty good about our offensive line this year. We've had decent success over the past 20 years plugging a fifth year senior into the position (Milia, Adami, Baas)

[Jeff Buchanan]

Good point .... esp. re David Baas.

I still think you need a unique blend of player skills across the offensive line but especially at center to run the read option well. I also think Borges has it in his head that as long as Robinson is back there at QB those plays are going to be in the play-book.

The problem I see with that is its really tough for the OL to be good at both styles of play and you end up with, well, a meh run game ...... except when the offense gets lucky and sets itself up for a big play. I prefer a steady stream of brutally effective runs. I don't particularly care how you get them with regard to style of play and I think RR's offense was pretty good at dishing out that kind of run game. Borges? I still think he's got, so to speak, some bipolar issues he has to work out as far as the offensive game plan for 2012 is going to go.

[lineygoblue]

I think there is still a lot of good young talent available at OL, who can slide into the C spot, and do a good job. I'm sure the coaches have identified a few candidates that they intend to look at during spring drills, and also over into fall practice. Somebody will emerge and take the spot, and do a fine job with it. I don't think OL will be an area of concern this fall.

[*JD*]

Well, they'll have plenty of time to improve at it. This won't be a case of somebody getting thrown into the fire like the previous times that Molk got hurt.

[Rob F]

Well, they'll have plenty of time to improve at it. This won't be a case of somebody getting thrown into the fire like the previous times that Molk got hurt.

That's all we can hope for, that in the time between the present and the start of the '12 season, there's a lot of improvement. Yes, Khoury got thrown into the fire, just as Moosman did a couple years earlier when Molk was injured, so it's understandable that there'd be a few problems. But in the Sugar Bowl, when Khoury went in for Molk the shotgun snaps to Denard were a disaster --it was apparent that the two of them hadn't had much work together.

Does anyone know the NCAA rules regarding what is allowed other than the weight room during this part of the off-season?

As long as nobody gets into trouble by creating "practicegate II", whether it's Khoury, Miller, or Barnum, they might be smart to work out on their own snapping the ball daily, under-center snaps, pistol snaps, shotgun snaps, the whole ball of wax. Can they (without violating any NCAA rules) go to the practice field with Denard and/or Devin and do that?

Other than Barnum, none of the three will see much game action if they don't do what it takes to step up and be ready by the time that trip to Dallas rolls around on the calendar.

[SeattleLionsFan]

I think so long as its truly voluntary, it's game on.

[hack]

Well Khoury was tossed in with little warning, and in a BCS bowl. Whomever gets the job will have an entire offseason to get comfortable. No comparison of the two situations, IMO.

[WM Wolverine]

Players are able to practice with each other in 7-on-7 type practices, led by the S&C staff...

[geo weidl]

Does this mean that we are still recruiting Pocic?

Seems as if there is some mutual interest here.

Michigan would still take Pocic [UPDATED: apparently not]
[UPDATE: Tom's post has been updated to state that Michigan now says they're full.]
After reading some things over on WolverineNation, I came across Ethan Pocic. He called coach Funk, and asked him if there would still be a spot for him if he were to commit. Funk told him they would [accept] his commitment.
http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/collegesMichigan/post?id=2990&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2 finsider.espn.go.com%2fblog%2fcollegesMichigan%2fp ost%3fid%3d2990
Yes, the article is paywalled but most is free. Mods feel free to delete if needed to.
[ED:BISB - Accept. Otherwise, this is fine]

[WM Wolverine]

They would probably only accept a commitment from a top 50-75 overall type OL at this point. They wanted 6 in the last class and only netted 4, I think they'd be willing to go to 6 in this class but happy enough with the 9 they have in the last two classes they won't add anyone they don't really, really like.

[WM Wolverine]

Spots at LB could fill up fast; Dorian O'Danial LB (4-star, Maryland) lists M as his leader. Competition is Florida and Ohio... His HS teammate is 5-star, Kendall Fuller CB...

Michael McCray LB (strong 4-star, Ohio) is a likely Wolverine when he announces (6th?). EJ Levenberry LB (strong 4-star, Virginia) is yet another LB naming M his leader... M also has recruits like Alex Anazlone LB (4-star, Pennsylvania) and Ben Gedeon (4-star, Ohio) visiting later this month...

M having issues at LB like they do at OL, too may blue chippers wanting to play for M. A good problem to have. With the large class in '12, it was thought this would be a small LB haul (2) but I could see them adding a 3rd if they have somebody that they can't pass up and/or have recruits that could likely slide down to WDE...

Entirely imo how what positions these LB'ers are:

*Dorian O'Danial WLB
*Michael McCray MLB/SAM
*EJ Levenberry SAM/MLB/WDE
*Ben Gedeon WLB
*Alex Anazlone MLB/SAM

I think they'll take at most 1 WLB (O'Danial or Gedeon) and at most 2 SAM/MLB (everyone else) types.

[WM Wolverine]

M is looking to add a 'big' cornerback to this class and is interested in Gareon Conley CB (3-star, Ohio)... Conley recently named M his leader, any thoughts on him Talent?

[WM Wolverine]

Sounds like M will only take 5 OL in this class, Funk reportedly tolk Pocic that they are full. He's left with a top 3 of ND, Ohio and Wisky.

[SeattleLionsFan]

Really WM?? I thought I just saw Pocic was told M would accept his commitment.