Michigan Monday: The Empire Wins Again

Some people around Ann Arbor believe Urban Meyer and OSU are the evil empire.  They are a rival but at the end of the day they are a Big Ten team in the same division of the Wolverines.   We don't like them but Urban has never built anything like Nick Saban has at Alabama.    Yes, Urban has a win over Nick in the playoffs and a NC trophy at OSU, but nobody reloads like Alabama does every year.

How do they do that?  Are they just better coaches and can develop talent like no other program? 

Nope

Saban learned early in his college head coaching career that recruiting is the lifeline of any D1 program.  He left MSU because it was too hard to recruit against Michigan, OSU, ND, etc.   He left for LSU which was the only program in a talent rich state.    He had a cup of coffee in the NFL, where he couldn't recruit a QB and left for the Alabama job.   A job that Rich Rod had turned down (isn't that hard to believe now). 

Each year, other programs take Alabama assistants for bigger jobs and each year those other teams don't get better and Alabama keeps rolling on.   

An example of that happened this weekend.   Najee Harris has been committed to Alabama for nearly two years.   He took a few official visits and many had thought Michigan was in serious competition for the talented RB's services.   Michigan insider Sam Webb even predicted last week that Najee would end up in Michigan's class.   Sam is a good guy and his predictions are usually right more then they are wrong.   So to give him the business, when he makes the wrong prediction is a bit harsh.   (there are some folks on the internet that tied Sam's Najee information and a subscription flash sale to him miss leading the Michigan fan base on Najee for more subscribers.  I don't believe he would ever risk his reputation to do that).

Najee doesn't really talk to the services and doesn't tweet.  He also wouldn't give any confirmation on where he was going.  He didn't want a circus but that is exactly what it became and he even miss lead the media on information.   He ended up flying to Alabama on Sunday and will enroll there.   So be it, I hope he enjoys the game tonight.   Probably to witness another win and trophy for the empire.

• All of Michigan's early enrollees are now in the system and officially Wolverines.   That list includes:  Tarik Black, WR  - Ja'Raymond Hall, OT - Donovan Jeter, DE - Jaylen Kelly-Powell, S - Corey Malone-Hatcher, DE - Ben Mason, LB - Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR - Cesar Ruiz, C - Benjamin St-Juste, CB - Ambry Thomas, CB and J'Marick Woods, S.

• Jimmy has been telling recruits that Cleveland Browns assistant head coach, former Colts OC, and former Stanford OC Pep Hamilton will be joining his staff in the role Jedd left.   I see this as a very positive hire if it does come to fruition.

• OSU is having another incredible recruiting class and they had plenty recruits on display on Saturday at the Army AA game.  Tate Martell is OSU QB in this class, he is quick and fast and seems to be a very good runner of the football.   He is not tall and think he is shorter then his 5'10 listed height.   Many compare him to  Johnny Football which seems to be a good comparison.   It will be interesting to see if his height makes it difficult to play QB at OSU, I wouldn't be surprised if he became a slot WR before his career is compete in Columbus. 

Michigan did get positive news during the game when 4 star Chuck Filiaga picked the Wolverines.   Chuck is a 4 star to all the services and right around the 14th OT in the country.   This was a huge pick-up for the Wolverines and Chuck will get a chance to play right away with the depth issues on the offensive line next year.  

Chuck is 6'5 and 326 pounds with long arms and huge hands.   He is considered a guy that is D1 ready and could contribute right away.  Chuck is the sixth commit on the offensive line, that includes Caesar Ruiz, Kai-Leon Herbert, JaRaymond Hall, Andrew Stueber, and Joel Honigford.   Herbert is taking a number of officials in January and is a big threat to de-commit before signing day.  

Chuck's offer list included:  Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, BYU, Cal, Colorado, Florida, Ole Miss, South Carolina, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, UCLA, USC, Utah, and Washington.

This is a very important commit for the Wolverines and #27 in the class.   Michigan probably has 3 more spots available (minus any de-commits).   Michigan needs a DT and maybe one more offensive lineman, the last spot could be a WR or CB.    The recruitment of Nico Collins and Jay Tufele look to be headed to a 2/1 or signing day decision.