State of the Union: Recuiting Class 2009

When Michigan started recruiting this class they had less then 20 spots available for the 2009 class. Michigan is currently at 18 spots which hits that number. Michigan has lost two high profile freshman linebackers to being homesick and a clearing house issue. So the number should be somewhere above 20 at this point.

Since we are close to being closed out with verbal commitments for this class, I thought this was a good time to check on if the Michigan coaching staff filled needs and how quickly these guys can contribute to Michigan's success in 2009. Let's take a look position by position:

Defensive Line: DE was a major need for this class. Michigan has whiffed on this spot in the last two classes. Michigan has had a wonderful week getting commitments from two high profile 4* guys: Anthony LaLota and Craig Roh. DeQuinta Jones another 4* is also verbally committed to the Wolverines from La. William Campbell de-committed to the Wolverines a few weeks ago because, he wanted to take trips across the US to LSU, Miami, and USC. The buzz is that he is still a soft verbal to Michigan and will end up Blue. If he does, this area has been a huge success for this class. Expect: William to play right away, Craig , DeQuinta, and Anthony needs some Barwis love but most likely will see some time in the rotation.

Offensive Line: Is a minor need for this class, with the loss of Boren and it became a little more major. Michigan only has one commit on the offense line for this class 4* Michael Schofield. I would expect Michael to redshirt for 09 unless there is a ton of injuries. Michigan could also use one more O lineman with the few spots remaining. Hopefully it's a highly rated one.

Line Backer: LB was not at all a position of need with 5 highly rated LB's in the 2008 class and then "poof" we lose two in one month. So it's becoming a higher need and we have two 3* guy on the board right now. Jordan Barnes and Brandin Hawthorne are speed guys that RR likes on his defense and for sure won't see time in 09 unless something really goes wrong. We could use another LB in this class but would would prefer we get the higher priority positions first. Look for another commit this year only if the LB is very highly rated, if not they seem to be done at LB.

DB's: Every year (like the OL) we need to recruit a few good DB's. A this year is no exception to that rule. The highest rated recruit is 4* Justin Turner out of Ohio who is predicted to play safety, I expect Justin to play in 09 with the troubles we have seen at that position in 08. Mike Jones and Isaiah Bell are 3* guys who look to be special team'ers in 09 while they learn the position or redshirters. Bell is in ESPN's top 100 even though the other services consider him 3*. I expect one more DB in this class and it's most likely Athlete/Safety Thomas Gordon from Cass Tech a team mate of Teric Jones and William Campbell.

Running Backs: The buzz around this class (until lately) was that RR and staff were only recruiting 3* fast little buggers. Sure, Michigan needs them but what about the Dline and the Oline? We the Dline should be set and we could use one more on the Oline. But we need these fast RB/Slot guys as well. Here is a list of all the fast RB/Slot guys in this class:

Jeremy Gallon 5'8 165 4*
Teric Jones 5'8 185 3*
Fitzgerald Toussaint 5'10 185 4*
Vincent Smith 5'6 159 3*

Wow! 4 fast guys under 6"0 in this class. With the line up currently at RB and Slot we really don't need anymore running backs in this class. We will have to see if these guys can make an impact in practice, if they do they will play. If they don't they will sit. Best guess 1/2 will see time the others will see Red.

QB: The largest need for the Wolverines in 09 was a couple of dual threat guys that could run RR's offense and Run in RR's offense. Michigan has actually had 3 top QB's commit with Kevin Newsome de-committing. Both Tate Forcier and Shavodrick Beaver are top 4* QB's with a ton of upside potential. Tate is a bit more polished with his QB skills due to his private QB coach etc and The Beaver is more of an athlete that can make plays with his feet. If I was a beating man, I would think Tate see's more snaps in 09 with his high accuracy and QB skills, while The Beaver meets Barwis and adds some weight to his frame. They both might see action if Threet goes in the tank this year.

WR: We always need good WR and have allot of young guys on the team right now, so not a huge need but really need to see some guys with size that can cause some miss matches with the DB's in the Big Ten. We got two of those guys in this class with the highest rated being 4* Bryce McNeal out of Minnesota and a camp offer DeWayne Peace out of Texas. Both guys are over 6 foot and should be nice additions, I see Bryce getting some snaps in 09.

A Kicker? I love that we went out and found a good kicker and put him on scholarship. I never like how Carr recruited or didn't recruit this position. Anthony Fera will be a Wolverine and if he can kick it through the uprights, he should get some time.


Overall: I really like this class and think it's top 10 worthy. If William comes back and we get a surprise highly ranked guy it could easily be a top 5 class. Michigan filled it's need positions very well on the DLine and at QB. With the few spots left, I would like to see a 4* Offensive Lineman, DB, WR, or LB. That would round off the class very nicely. I'm guessing if you include William and Thomas Gordon, Michigan may have one or two spots left open for 09.


Here is my projected playing time scale:

Blue is he will see the field in 09
Orange is he could see time in 09 if he impresses in camp
Red means most likely a redshirt