Some Quick Thoughts...

QB- UM is all set with *****Mallett, ****Threet, and ***Wienke all in successive classes. Note: At the Elite 11 camp this year it was Nebraska's and ND's incoming recruits that stood head and shoulders above everyone else but everyone said that they are not in the same ballpark as Mallett was last year. Additionally, it was said that everytime a crazy pass was thrown this year and somebody would ask "wait a second, who just threw that?!" the answer would invariably be camp counselor Chad Henne. Chad BTW said yesterday that he doesn't know who can throw farther b/w him and Mallett but that Mallett certainly has much better velocity. Note 2- Henne says the best thing he's improved on this offseason is moving the pocket (he credits Tom Brady advice) and UM's newly implemented shotgun formations have been going well as well.

RB- I'm shopping for my Mike Hart jersey for this season. It will likely be my last UM Nike jersey (we are Addidas in '08 hence the reason why I haven't gone Mallett and McGuffie jersey shopping). BTW- Big story of the day- UM has now offered **** DCD LB/FB/ST Stud K. Demens and are now hitting him and fellow DCD **** RB J. Gray hard. Stay tuned on this one. We may be on the brink of a full court press here and package deal #2 (Hale & Saddler = #1). I have some mixed thoughts on this because of how practical (or not practical) I see Demens and Gray as in this UM class. However, two **** and one of them (Gray) being an easy top 100 player is on its face not too shaby. Additionally, we could be looking at an amazing '08 in-state class following the '07 tragedy. Still, we'll see. More coming... Also- Things are looking good for possible ***** '09 class RB Larry Capers. And don't forget **** '09 RB Hersey Jackson. Both are from Michigan and they are different types of backs (Capers = speed first and Jackson = b/w tackles type). Will ****Christian Wilson be our future HB? I'm caught b/w confident and confused.

WR- Manningham/Arrington/Matthews are all set for this season. #4 WR is still open. ****Fred Smith is getting a luxury visit on Saturday and will be deciding very early next week. The Rivals guys are confident and the Scout guys are like 50/50 with MSU. I lean towards confident. BTW- *****Baldwin is still very much in play for UM and the *****Walker visit over the past few days at least gives UM a fighting chance with him. We are looking for one more to tag with Stonum but would probably leave an offer on the table for Baldwin if Smith commits.

TE- Butler wants back on the team after having accumulated two strikes and then getting acquitted on the case that was to be strike three. We could be seeing Arrington 2 here. We really could use him back though to team with Massey for a couple years while ****Webb/***Watson/****Moore/****Koger get ready.

OL- We simply have to sit back and wait on ****OG- Trevor Robinson (not the OSU fullback). It's between Neb (who apparently lied to him hence the decommit), ND (dad's favorite but Weiss doesn't like decommits), and UM (rumored TR favorite). It could be any day or not. We'll see. I'd say UM chances are at like 35-40% here. It would be a HUGE get for UM. I'll explain more on the OL later.

DL- *****B. Graham is being called the most talented UM defensive player since Woodson. ****Slocum is ready to rock and roll. ****Goebel is 50/50. Acedemics and DE talk are interesting things in UM's favor. I honestly don't know here. It is truly 50/50. I think we end up with ****Perry--pretty confident.

LB- I really think we'll end up with ****Fitzgerald. The talk is just way too typical of someone who always goes UM's way and the practicality of the situation is just so obviously in UM's favor. I have no good read on *****Hale/***Saddler (this piece could be put at any number of positions). We have an official with both of them for the ND game and that will be HUGE. We may very well add a pure ***SAM to this class as well. Candidates are visiting and the need is certainly there.

DB- I really think we'll end up with ****B. Smith. Cross apply the couple of sentences on Fitzgerald. I would actually say are chances are greater with Smith at this point. If we have room we'll add:

1- Another Safety (****Jarbour?- academic concerns)

2- Another CB (Camp star ***Marc Anthony?)

Late night...need to go. Obviously a ton more to say. These were just some off the top of my head thoughts. This is a big couple weeks though with Sunday's McGuffie celebration and then the Smith decision and with Robinson and Goebel at any time. Also, more news on the possible Butler comeback. We continue to confidently follow Perry, Fitzgerald, B. Smith, & Wilson. The 2 package combos are out there now. How many scholarships do we end up giving this year? How many (if any) currently off the radar guys will be part of this class? Etc., Etc., Etc., ...