Michigan's Top 2008 Recruiting Commitments & Targets

Inroduction

Obviously, understanding the current depth chart is important to understanding why I prioritize the way that I did. When I have more time I will post a comprehensive breakdown of the Michigan depth chart but since that will be greatly effected by spring ball I consider it a low priority right now.

Other than depth chart needs, how good a player is and how likely the player will be a Wolverine play into whether and where a player appears on this ranking. Obviously, this list has lots of “hopeful thinking” throughout it. Prior years have indicated that Michigan’s class is not going to actual closely resemble this list. On one hand I am optimistic about the upcoming recruiting season but I also worry about a pending head coaching change effect and the possibility that we are now facing two giants (SC and UF). At least at Michigan you always have “hopeful thinking” instead of “wishful thinking.”

Finally, this is an inexact science and player evaluations as well as anticipated college positions are extremely fluid. As we go through summer camps and the ‘07 high school football season things will certainly change but alas here it is…

Top 17 Targets

17. QB- B. Kay (MI) - Best in MI. Important in case Forcier ever transfers.

16. TE- K. Rudolph (OH) – Need another solid all-around TE. Not a major need. J. Stoneburner (OH), B. Moore (OH), M. Wedderburn (PA), H. Graham (PA), N. Dilillo (OH), and A. Holt (UT) are the backups in order.

15. DT- S. Barnett (IND) – Another Warren Central kid. Not a very high priority. C. Henderson (PA), O. Hunter (GA), and A. Woods (Det., MI) are backup plans 1, 2, & 3.

14. CB- P. Johnson (FLA) - R. Bolden (CA- Another Edison kid (J. Sears)), J. Holley (PA) and L. Green (PA) are backup plans 1, 2, & 3.

13. WR- D. Stonum (TX) – Don’t really need a second WR but he is too good to pass up and wants UM. From Herron and Woolfolk’s school. F. Smith (Det., MI) and M. Floyd (MN) are the backups.

12. FS- R. Blanton (NC) - Will take over for S. Brown in two years. R. Butler (TX), J. Wade (best Ann Arbor prospect since C. Tabb), and T. Tidwell (Det., MI) are the backup plans.

11. OG- K. Wermers (IND) - A. Sampson (CO) is the backup plan. Might take a third interior lineman also.

10. OG- T. Robinson (NE) – V. Dotsy (CA) is the backup plan.

9. WR- J. Baldwin (PA)

8. RB- S. McGuffie (TX), D. Scott (CA), D. Torrence (OH), & J. Grey (Det., MI) are backup plans 1, 2, & 3. Might take two.

7. OT- D. O’Neil (MI) - He’ll be blue but the backup plan is B. Givens (CO), L. Nix (PA), and G. Pocic (ILL) 1, 2, & 3. Might take a third tackle.

6. OLB- S. Filler (ILL) – The backup plan in order: B. Beachum (OH), N. Bradham (FLA), M. Witherspoon (NJ), D. Posluszny (PA), L. Murray (NY- M. Hart’s school), M. Dowtin (VA), J. Staples (OH), S. Blake (PA).

5. WSDE- D. Heyman (TN) – K. Middleton (WA), N.Price (Det., MI), Darius Flemming (ILL), P. Phillips (Det., MI) are the backups in order. May take two here.

4. SS- W. Hill (NJ) – S. Adams (NC), D. McCarthy (OH), B. Smith (NJ), B. Leslie (CA), E. Biakabatuka (CAN), & C. Burrell (Det., MI), are backup plans 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6.

3. MLB- S. Hale (PA) - ATH C. Saddler (think M. Maize) is from Hale’s school and may be offered in order to facilitate Hale’s recruitment. A. Brown (KAN), J. Major (CO), C. Wilson (PA), A. Sweat (PA), J.B. Fitzgerald (NJ), J. Williams (OH) are the backup plans in order.

2. CB- B. Cissoko (Det., MI) – Already a wolverine

1. OT- J.B. Shugarts (TX) – K. Holmes (CA- legacy but SC battle) & Z. Sanders (OH) are the backup plans.