UM Football Recruiting - by WM Wolverine

[lineygoblue]

Hack, I agree with everything you just said.

I still fail to see how Hoke's so-called "no visits" policy harms a potential student athlete. Hoke does not, to my knowledge, tell any kid that is uncommitted, that he cannot take visits. In fact, I believe the opposite is true.

What he requires, is once you've picked up that phone, and given your word that you are going to attend Michigan on an athletic scholarship, .. that you keep your word. No more visits. That part of the process should be over with.

If that part of the process is not over with, then continue to take visits, but don't count on a scholarship being available for you, if you take too long to decide. Why should Hoke turn aside another kid who IS ready, when another kid is still trying to decide?

If Tom Brady Jr calls Coach Hoke and tells him he's ready to commit to Michigan, ... but Coach Hoke has also been trying to recruit Peyton Manning Jr., who is NOT ready to commit yet, (because he wants to take visits)... do you tell Tom Brady Jr. that you have to wait for Manning Jr to decide?

Tell me how much fun its going to be watching Tom Brady Jr. light up the scoreboard for USC, ... and Manning Jr light up the scoreboard for Alabama.... and we ended up with John Navarre Jr. ....

[hack]

Nobody's saying they can reserve a spot and still shop around. Is anyone?

So you think that Dawson should not be let back in? And that it's not reasonable for Conley to explore his options without losing one he'd like to keep?

[hack]

Tell me how much fun its going to be watching Tom Brady Jr. light up the scoreboard for USC, ... and Manning Jr light up the scoreboard for Alabama.... and we ended up with John Navarre Jr. ....


Right now I'm thinking about the negative impact of guys like Dawson and Conley playing for Ohio.

[DennisT]

I like the policy to a point but I'd like to see some wiggle room. In the case of Conley, if he's upfront with the staff on what he wants to do, have the honest conversation, lay out the parameters, keep the door open, see how it goes. In the case of Dawson, kid's head has to be spinning with the loss of his dad. I think that warrants some wiggle room. Same thing though, sit down, have honest conversations, include mom and the high school coach, keep the door open if you can, see where things end up.

[lineygoblue]

I think in both cases, Hoke should leave the door open, as long as another worthy candidate that is ready to commit (and take no more visits) is not turned away, ... in hope that Conley and Dawson will somehow find their way back.

[hack]

Yes. Just leave the door open for kids that are honest about it or have some sort of unique circumstance.

[SeattleLionsFan]

Yes. Just leave the door open for kids that are honest about it or have some sort of unique circumstance.

Absolutely. As I understand it, we continue to recruit Conley. If talent is right and Dawson was a silent Florida commit or was chatting up the Flroda coaches, that's not honest. It seems that may have been the transgression.

[hack]

we continue to recruit Conley

News to me, and, very welcome news if that's the case.

[lineygoblue]

There are rumblings on Rivals that Michigan is about to pick up a new commit. A "name we will recognize".

We will see.

[Da Geezer]

good news would be welcome

[Hannibal]

Who's left on the radar besides Green, Treadwell, and Mcquay?

[iam416]

James Quick!

[WM Wolverine]

re: Dawson - Appears he tried to visit Florida without letting the coaching staff know, TWICE. I can't see the staff letting him come back even if he really wants to return...

Conley's situation is very different, I'm not sure he's gone. I've heard conflicting reports on whether the staff will still take him but it's sounding more like they might as Conley was very up front about how he'd like to make sure of his decision to be a Wolverine and take a visit or two elsewhere...

re: potential commits, more likely a '14 recruit.

[hack]

If the distinction is ``be up front with us'', then I'm all for it.

[Mackenzie]

I understand the concept of "wiggle room" and "unique circumstances" and am also not necessarily in favor of of rigid inflexibility in general. If wiggle room and unique circumstances can be given some sort of face than that makes sense. However, I would hate to have a recruit(s) who has somehow been spurned by UM because of the no visit policy begin to trash the the staff with some sort of "well the did it for so and so but they didn't do it for me." I think that would do more damage than a recruit(s) who may trash the staff because of a more consistent, less ambiguous policy. If clear reasons can be established for the wiggling than I guess some sort of unique circumstances with respect to the wiggle seems a reasonable option.

With respect to Dawson... perhaps one could argue that the staff should have anticipated Dawson's confusion, not offered him early, and gave him time to clear his head. I think one might argue that offering Dawson and welcoming him into the "family atmosphere" of the program is just what he needed and the right thing to do under the circumstances. Other might argue it was taking advantage of the kid. Again, I think M, in making these decisions, probably relies on discussions with parents and mentors before offering. I could be way off base here but perhaps the mentors and parents are equally confused.

Lastly, regard the no visit policy. Has there been a direct quote by Coach Hoke defining this policy. I know there have been a number of posts about the policy but I guess i don't remember if it is just "interpretation" or an actual quote. Maybe there is more to it than meets the eye.