Michigan Targets Update

Top 11 Remaining Targeted positions
as of October 30, 2007

MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 2008 RECRUITING

Top 11 Remaining Targeted positions as of October 30, 2007

Already Wolverines:

CB- B. Cissoko (Det., MI)
OT- D. O’Neil (MI)
OG- E. Mealer (OH)
OG- K. Wermers (IND)
TE- B. Moore (OH)
LB- M. Witherspoon (NJ)
DT- M. Martin (MI)
OG/OC- R. Khoury (MI)
QB – J. Wienke (Ill)
WR – D. Stonum (TX)
QB – S. Threet (MI) – Actually a ’07 recruit that has transferred to UM from Georgia Tech
TE – K. Koger (OH)
RB – S. McGuffie (TX)
RB – M. Cox (CT)
HB – C. Wilson (PA)
LB – J.B. Fitzgerald (NJ)
LB – K. Demens (MI)

* Bolded are the guys to really watch

11. K – Michigan already has a scholarship kicker and 1-2 good walk-ons. UM NEVER has two scholarships taken up at the kicker position, but J. Potter (MI) is having a great senior year and is interested. Is Michigan?

10. LB – Michigan is very likely done as far as Wills and Mikes go. But if they aren’t there is still: 3-star L. Murray (NY- M. Hart’s school) – Unlikely but Possible that he will get an offer. I kind of like him. He could very possibly play SAM (a linebacking position of need). G. Winston (Det., MI)/RB – A physical marvel. Great athlete/great shape. Detroit combine MVP. He could earn a scholarship offer. Plus there is 4-star J. Meyers (CT) but UM just doesn’t seem interested.

9. DT- There is some talk that UM might take one more (a one-gapper) but probably not (note - already have a very good ’09 commit in William Campbell from Det., MI/OT). If UM does offer someone look for it to be V. Telemaque’s teammate at Cal Poly (formerly D. Warren’s school) J. Casey (CA). UM would have a decent shot at this rising senior.

8. CB- A. Bushell (TX) – Probably visiting. He grew up a UM fan. It’s been quiet on him for a little while. J. Holley (PA) – Mixed reviews on him and he’s given UM mixed reviews as well. I’m not feeling very confident about him. He loves the movie Rudy. R. Green (LA) – Visiting for OSU…I think. Soon could move up this list too but I doubt it. UM would like one more corner but there isn’t a real likely scenario out there as of now.

7. OT- This would be a higher priority except that there isn’t much left out there. Looking to take another tackle (a LT) from the following list: Z. Sanders (OH) – UM’s #1 OT tackle left on the board. A LT prospect. He just visited but he’s probably going south. J. Bennett (DC) is a backup plan for Sanders. Also, B. Givins (CO) – A 4-star and possible decommit from Nebraska might be back in play.

6. Slot receiver/Return man - C. Saddler (PA)/ATH – Slot receiver (Breaston?) or third down back/returner who was originally offered to lure S. Hale. Recent reports argue that he is spectacular and would be a 5-star recruit if only a couple inches taller. He should at least be a great return guy which is a position UM needs. Watch out for UVA here.

5. SSDE – J. Jarrett (CA) – Michigan may lead for this 4-star from San Diego. He’s being recruited by English who I think might just hook him. I’m not crazy about high school kids who are labeled by some to be “SSDEs” because I take that as meaning the player is to slow. However, Jarrett looks pretty athletic and has a ‘kill the QB’ attitude so I like him.

4. WR- J. Baldwin (PA) – Rivals referred to him as the next Calvin Johnson. Originally a leader, Michigan is now dealing with ND and others for his services. It may be a signing day decision. Watch out for Pitt. D. Sims (MI) from the class of ’09 is a total stud and in many ways similar to Baldwin. He likes UM and UM will go after him even harder if we miss out on Baldwin. F. Smith (Det., MI) – He’s a committed Spartan but there are some reports of second thoughts. V. Carraway (PA)/S -The ’07 Z. Babb who is being recruited as an athlete. He might also be a safety. I’m pretty so-so on him. I’m not sure if UM is pushing very hard for him. D. Walker (VA) – A top talent who is unlikely to be a Wolverine but whose been offered and is moderately interested. We will take at least one more here.

3. OG- T. Robinson (NE) – He decommited from Nebraska (at least for now) but who knows where he’ll end up. I wasn’t very confident (and I’m still not) but I’m wishful now. Things are really falling apart at Nebraska and Notre Dame and those schools are the other finalists. Another visit is very likely. I think he will really solidify the future for UM on the offensive line if he commits. V. Dotsy (CA) - Needs to get in better shape. He’s from ’07 recruit M. Williams’s school which is also ’08 recruit D. Scott’s new school. I haven’t heard much about him lately. Z. Hueter (MI) – He hangs around the guys a lot and comes to all of the games so maybe he’ll get a last second scholarship offer if we need another Offensive lineman.

2. Safety- B. Smith (NJ) – Michigan was looking good for this top 100 player but recent reports state that Rutgers may now be in the lead. He would make a good starting SS for 3 to 4 years. Rutgers is the main competition here. S. Adams (NC) – Less than a 50% chance at this big time athlete. He’s from the same school as current wolverine SS J. Adams. V. Telemaque (CA) – He’s from Cal-Poly (the same school as D. Warren). That fact is really helping us out. USC has offered and he’s having a big senior season. UM, USC, and UNC are the top three. Michigan leads. He is now a 4-star with both Scout and Rivals. J.T. Floyd (SC) – He’s an extremely soft Tennessee commit. He very recently said that it’s between Tennessee and UM. Some see him as a corner. I think FS sounds about right and Tom Beaver says UM is recruiting him as a safety although he has contradicted himself with other posts saying its corner. Mixed reviews on him but he’s growing on me. He’s a high 3-star with both Scout and Rivals. K. Cooper (TX) - A high 3-star. I think UM is holding back the full court press on him because of the others on this list above him. If we do press hard we might very well get him. I’m a fan. Joevall Hoseay (MI) – Rising in-state kid could earn a UM offer. C. Burrell (MI) – This MSU commit is also rumored to still be in play for the wolverines if officially offered. R. Moore (CA) – He is a soft UCLA commit and he is being recruited as a CB/S for UM. He was offered after the UCLA commit and Ron English is recruiting him (See Donovan Warren) and he may still take an official to UM. He’s not going to Michigan but I put his name on this list anyways. Michigan will take up to three on this list and should add two anyway.

1. Pass rusher- N.Perry (Det., MI) – An explosive senior season (28 sacks so far) has changed the perception of Nick. He is now in every local analyst’s view the number 1 player in the state of Michigan. He’s been offered by (and courted heavily) by USC (the main competition). Because he’s really starting to fill out, he’ll be an elite DE in college. Michigan REALLY needs him and most think leads. S. Hale (PA) – A 5-star stud athlete but number 2 on the pass rusher wish list for UM. Camp performances indicate that DE is the most likely future for him. He is gaining interest in UM and we offered best pal (and cousin) Saddler. WVU may lead now. We will get him on campus a couple of times with the official visit occurring on the OSU weekend. That could be huge. C. Pantale (NJ) – Michigan is recruiting him as a SAM. I don’t know a lot about him but what I do know I like. Michigan is in his final three and actually is currently choice #1. G. Scruggs (OH) - a senior emergence with all the measurables. Michigan has reportedly offered. Getting both Perry and Hale would be a dream.

BY: WILLIAM LAWRENCE, esquire, former UM employee

No White Out This Time

Though Ohio State holds the series edge since Penn State entered the Big Ten conference, Happy Valley has been a horror show of sorts for the Buckeyes. That includes the last time OSU visited State College in 2005. Just a few weeks removed from a heartbreaking home loss to Texas, the Buckeyes lost to an excellent but not superior Penn State team that ended up with just one loss. Though the defense was stout, Troy Smith had two key tornovers and the offensive gameplan was extremely conservative. But what people remember from that game was the "white out"; a riled up student section dressed in all white, loud enough to impact the game.

Fast forward to last night. Ohio State has not lost a regular season game since that ugly night in 2005, though there was that little speed bump in Glendale in January. We know Penn State treats the OSU game, above any other, like its annual Super Bowl. And surely the PSU fans would be ready to roll after a day of tailgating. But the Buckeyes dominated Penn State 37-17, and again are in control of their championship destiny. A few quick notes:

*The offensive line had its best team performance since the Washington game. Penn State has a number of talented pass rushers, including Maurice Evans, but Todd Boeckman had all day to find his stable of receivers.

*Jake Ballard and Rory Nicol are becoming factors as a TE tandem. Largely ignored last year, they are seing an increasing amount of targets - take that, Kevin Koger.

*I worry about the predictability of some of our play calls, especially the desire to run Brian Hartline on that in/cross route on third downs. But there were some nice wrinkes in last night's gameplan. And you have to be impressed with Tressel for continuing to pressure the defense with shots down the field.

*This WR trio of Brian Robiskie, Hartline and Ray Small is very impressive. Should Robiskie stay next year and if Small remains healthy, they have to be considered one of the most dangerous and diverse in the nation.

*How about a little love for Ryan Pretorius, who booted 3 FG's, including a 50 yarder to start the game? I truly believe that was a critical 3 points, but Penn State was jacked up at that point. Getting some points on the board, especially since PSU scored on the ensuing drive, was very important.

*Kick and punt return coverage remain a problem, and something that needs to be fixed asap. There have been way too many big play against these units this year. Some of that is due to inexperience, but at this stage of the season it's troubling.

*Little Animal versus Dan Conner. Blaah. Neither one was particularly impressive to me. Marcus Freeman was actually the best linebacker for the Buckeyes last night, as he continues to show improvement each week. Run defense is a huge concern at this point, as multiple running backs have shown an ability to rip off chunks of yardage. When we face classless, loudmouth Mike Hart, they'll need to step it up.

*The defensive line wasn't dominant but did it's job. Vernon Gholston showed some nice bursts of speed, and true freshman Cameron Heyward is making a big splash with Lawrence Wilson still on the shelf. I'm truly shocked that he's outperforming Robert Rose.

*Nice game for the entire defensive backfield. Safeties Anderson Russell and personal favorite Kurt Coleman were all over the field making big hits. And the coverage from Malcolm Jenkins, Donald Washington, and redshirt freshman Chimdi Chekwa was impressive. Though Anthony Morelli tends to make a lot of secondaries look good.