UM Football Recruiting - by WM Wolverine

[Rocky Bleier]

Badly need to get a RB in this class. Harris and Weber are iffy at this point. At least Weber keeps visiting.

[The Oracle]

If Isaac doesn't get his waiver, RB is far from a need in this class.

[hack]

I see it that way too, but either way really. Drake Johnson is there. Do we still have at least one of Hopkins or Rawls? Really, though, Green and Smith are our touted recruits, and Shallman has been mentioned as well. If none of these guys can make it work then I'm much less likely to believe that Isaac, Harris, Weber or anyone else we might recruit will be difference makers.

[WM Wolverine]

The Oracle is correct, need for a RB in this class isn't anywhere near as high if Isaac DOESN'T get his waiver to play immediately. This would make Isaac a redshirt sophomore next season. If he gets his waiver to play, M needs a RB in '15 merely just for depth purposes...

M would've the '16 & '17 classes to add a few RB's to be ready in '17 after Isaac, Green, Smith & Johnson all graduate. The depth chart for the class of '16/'17 backs would be very inviting for elite backs and hopefully they'll get to see a good M offensive line soon...

re: Drake Johnson - He's now in the same class as more heralded backs Green, Smith, Isaac and behind Justice Hayes on the depth chart. He's a very good bet to transfer if he wants playing... Hopkins & Rawls are both gone...

[The Oracle]

Don't get me wrong, if we don't take a RB this year, it's crucial we get one in '16. I wouldn't settle on one this year if we strike out on top targets just for numbers sake.

[hack]

Oh yeah -- Hayes too. My point with Johnson is that there's enough depth here. I don't think they need one regardless of what happens with Isaac. Harris or Weber? Of course. The next Rawls/Hopkins/Johnson/etc? I don't see a point.

[WM Wolverine]

In '16 M will have: Isaac, Green, Smith & Johnson all as seniors with Ross Douglas (blah) as a junior...

The '15 recruiting class will make up the true sophomores, the '16 class would be true freshman...

Need is for elite backs in '16 (to start in '17) but M would certainly want to have a running back in '15 if it's a B10 caliber RB. That said, it doesn't look like the B10 caliber backs they are chasing in '15 are mutually interested. In recruiting you're always faced with the dilemma of one in hand or a potentially better one in the next class that is far from guaranteed.

[The Oracle]

So you think it's likely Isaac gets his waiver? I don't.

[WM Wolverine]

I don't either but I'm also not counting on him staying 5-year either...

It's possible he's early entry after year 4 regardless of waiver, can't count on anyone staying a full 5-years.

[The Oracle]

Yeah, maybe. I just think with Smith and Green around he won't ever be in position to be the guy. You'd think he'd want a year of that before going anywhere.

[Rocky Bleier]

The only one who looks elite to me is Isaac. Green and Smith are serviceable. I like Smith better because Green has poor balance and goes down easily for someone his size. Hayes may be a surprise. Johnson and Douglas...meh. Need another elite back to be ready when Isaac leaves.

[WM Wolverine]

M's position is probably to either settle for a 'meh' RB in '15 or use it on another position and hope to land superior RB prospects in '16. I think they'll take a RB in '15 but only if it's one they really like...

Losing the two tackles from last season, pass protection from the running back will be key to playing time.

[hack]

Isaac doesn't look elite to me, but an early entry candidate? Whoa. What a nice problem that would be to have.

[WM Wolverine]

Sound Mind, Sound Body Clinic is in Detroit this weekend; lots of recruits will be taking the short visit over to Ann Arbor though M's coaches will be at the SMSB event. Should help M getting these kids in Ann Arbor; notable names from '15 that'll be there (most local commits will be there):

*Jashon Cornell DE, Jaques Patrick RB, Michael Weber RB, Brian Cole WR, Joshua Alabi DT, Auden Tate WR, Tyrone Wheatley Jr., Tyriq Thompson LB...

M could receive a nice bump from a couple of the above if they make it over to Ann Arbor while nearby. It's not an visit where they'll see the coaches a lot (though Hoke will be a coach along with a lot of other coaches from the state of M there) so minimal potential to result in a commitment. I'll try to relay what I hear from insiders who talk to these kids after the clinic.

re: Isaac - Very high potential (NFL early entry potential), great size/speed combo and carried for nearly 6 yards a run as a true freshman. Really liked what I saw when I watched the every carry video I linked to in this forum, I think he'll help immediately. I don't think it's likely he's an EE but possible and wouldn't count on him still being here in '17.

[Rocky Bleier]

I'm 0 for 2 in my last 2 recruiting predictions (Isaac and Newsome). Am taking suggestions for next prediction... Clark, Cole, Weber, or Wheatley? Who would you like me to discount as a real possibility?