UM Football Recruiting - by WM Wolverine

[Cody_Russell]

Thomas Rawls, Richard Ash and Josh Furman were all granted releases from the Michigan scholarships today.

Rawls was probably no better than #3 tailback, Furman had trouble with the law, and Ash saw limited playing time.

Rawls is rumored to be heading for CMU. If so, he'll have to sit a year.

Rawls was a 3-star, 77th ranked RB from the 2011 class (the transition class from Rich Rod to Hoke)
Ash was a 3-star, 52nd ranked DT from the 2010 class (Rich Rod's class, from Florida)
Furman was a 4-star, 7th ranked S from the 2010 class. (From Maryland)

There goes some players that didn't mean much haha. The more players from Rich Rod's era Michigan can get rid of, the better. That 2011 class really shouldn't count as a legit Hoke recruiting class.
And with these releases, does this mean Michigan will get some more recruits for the 2014 class? Michigan has been stuck at 16 players in the class since August.

[WM Wolverine]

M needed attrition just to get scholarships to sign who they already had committed so this falls in expected attrition and M is still only looking at a class of 17-18.

[Da Geezer]

Towns commits to USC. So much for Nuss bringing him along from Ala.

[WM Wolverine]

Like I said, it helps more that it takes away a spot from other QB's considering USC; who M was competing against than it directly helps M. Everyones top target Josh Rosen is still a lean to stay in Cali (Cal, UCLA) but implying he wants to visit Michigan. A spring visit would give M a chance, if not they better have other options.

[WM Wolverine]

Hopefully will have an update tomorrow, less new information than expected. I'll attempt to update the recruiting boards too.

[Da Geezer]

So far, no word that Malik has committed to MSU. The new President of the University should talk to Mcdowell's parents. May as well start setting priorities.

[WM Wolverine]

He's considered a Sparty lean, think it's closer to a coin flip as his fandom 'was' M and his parents 'were' M. Momentum is certainly Sparty but if he follows his heart, I think there is a good chance he ends up at M.

[Rob F]

Anyone seen any solid info on what the priorities are of the new U of M Prez? To be more exact, any chance he'll toss Brand-On?

[Da Geezer]

did Brandon hire Beilein?

[Rob F]

did Brandon hire Beilein?

No, Beilein was one of Martin's hires, there before RichRod.

[WM Wolverine]

'14 Recruiting board:

*Malik McDowell

That's pretty much it, M isn't pursuing anyone else that anyone is aware of. By my count they only have two scholarships left. McDowell and a scholarship they'll keep for '15 as they aren't pursuing the running backs they recently offered like Jones, Mack, etc anymore...

For '15, Campbell is talking that he might not even take an official to M, I can't see them getting back in the picture with him. More optimistic about Harris who maintains M is still #1...

It's still very early for '15, except for the 'elites' it's mostly an evaluation period for the '15 kids and we're seeing more and more offers go out every day. Lots of offers to kids all over the country but not many offers to kids from M, Ohio or the midwest. Class will be very small again barring significant attrition but it won't fill up near as fast as last season as they are going to have longer recruiting battles for kids in the south, southeast regions than kids in the Midwest.

[lineygoblue]

I'd be shocked if McDowell picks Michigan. The latest article I read he mentioned Michigan only as an afterthought.

I see MSU as the leader for him right now, but I would not be overly surprised if Meyer steals him at the last moment.

[iam416]

FSU is a real threat, IMO. Ohio State is a longshot.

If it were up to McDowell, I think it's MSU. Apparently, it's a "family" decision and that keeps M in it.

[Rocky Bleier]

Sounds like he wants to have fun, but parents are looking out for his future.

[iam416]

His dad, I think, is a big M fan.