Wolverine Recuiting Needs: Class 2009

Recruiting never sleeps. Just as the 2008 class has signed and even last week some QB from PA signed with the "vest". It's the high school Jr's turn to get heavily recruited and many are giving out early verbals. If your interested in who we have offers out to or who might be looking at Michigan visit the board at Varsity Blue .


Strong Needs:

1. Surprise it's at QB: The top dual threat QB Russell Shepard is off the board right now with a verbal to Les Miles (his not the Michigan coach right?). There still remains a number of good prospects out there including CA QB Tate Forcier and VA QB Kevin Newsome. Both are highly ranked and could be looking at Michigan closely. Tate last name may look familiar to Wolverines fans, his brother a former Michigan QB just transferred to Stanford last year (see Tate's offer letter from Michigan here). Tate is rumored to be looking at Oregon and Kevin is a heavy lean towards VT. Either way we need 2 strong QB's in the next class.
2. Defensive End: Is a close second to QB in Michigan's priority for next year's class. For some reason Michigan has not had a lot of luck the last two years in getting DE's. Michigan will need 3-4 in this class at a minimum. We do have one verbal this year from a 5 star Defensive Tackle who is the best player in Michigan, Will Campbell (but he's not DE).
3. Offensive Line: I wrote this post yesterday and had the O-Line in the "not bad could use a few". With Justin Boren going AWAL, O-Line has become a big need. We will now need 5 solid recruits next year. Here is what I wrote yesterday before the Boren Ultimatum: This is a position you recruit every year. We are never in too bad of shape on the O-line but you can pencil in 4 recruits for next year.


4. Cornerback/Safety: We have some strong young players with Boubacar and Warren in the mix for the next few years, but the depth chart looks pretty light at both CB and Safety. I look for 4 DB's in next year class.

Not bad but could use a few:

1. Wide Receiver: It depends were all the speed guys end up this year (RB or WR) but this is another area where you need guys every year. I expect at least 2 WR in next years class.


2. Running Back: See #1 and #2 above. We have a ton of top talent coming in from the 2008 class. McGuffie, Shaw, etc. Still Expect 2.


3. Defensive Tackles: got the one 5 star guy already, need maybe one more. Expect 2

Were good, thank you for your interest:

1. Tight End: we got a couple of high profile guys this year. Let's see how they play out in Coach Rod's offense. Expect goose egg.


2. Linebackers: have been a huge need in the past but with 4 high profile guys in the 2008 class, I don't see a big need for them next year. Expect 1.


3. Fullbacks: expect another goose egg


4. Kicker/Punter: goose unless there is a super kicker is out there.
   

Next years class won't be as big as the 2008 class, I look for about 18-20 guys in the 2009 class.