Hello my fellow wolverines, it has been a couple days and much has happened – I hope you have your reading glasses and mouse clicking finger ready. The B10 is still being called the cream puff league, whilst other conferences coaches are spouting about idea OOCS, there are some who are being praised though they could care less how they win.
There are still others, who know football is about money and having a surplus like UM, and one of our fiercest rivals ND refuses to give up independence because of the moola, schools are flocking to play for payday stakes, and even though the purist disbelieve -even scholarships are about money. UM player Andre Criswell had a bad injury when he showed up on campus but had no insurance, so he waited until he got to UM to get it fixed and that is why he and other UM athletes give back in so many ways such as camps, because it (the college and money) put them in a better place – even if by doing so we are destroying the world by playing our silly foosball game. Discussing silly – finally a level view by a WVeer has come to light, it may been a sign of the apocalypse. But, with all your and my love for the Maize and Blue, some feel we need to keep our expectations low. And yes the B10 continues to get berated also.
Many an analyst are starting to take an early look at the B10, and not looking so favorably at the Wolverines, maybe the sentiment that UM needs to play some southern football might help our current haphazard appearance and things have not always been so bad below the Mason-Dixon line. But until the OOC improves, we can expect the beating in the media to continue regardless of who joins the conference or if our conference network gives out awards, or even if we have a top RB such as Minor with break-out year possibilities. The conference and our weak schedule just make us a target for UM is just so-n-so or having the so-n-so dregs of our conference pass us and more worthy of notoriety. So the predictions will continue; teams which we have stomped for years such as PSU will be favored over UM and MSU will be labeled the “in-state school” all over one season and one win by these schools. Speaking of stomped, we must also gather ourselves against tGA. Sure we can attend exhibits of glory days, and even take an early lead in recruiting, but until it translates to Ws it is truly trivial. I do believe the time is now, when people do not expect us to jam it down their throats – to do so, to rise above expectations, to stop resting on the past or pre-earned love, and to drive past being an “old favorite” and start deserving to win. I as a fan refuse to go into a season with any notion of what is acceptable, only a fool says it is ok if we lose this many games or 6th place is alright, Toledo and Appy State should show us that – they were “supposed” to lose but refused to accept that – why should we then? We do not need a gimmick field, but do need our players and coaches be warriors, but Boise would be acceptable as an opener. For all the harrumph about Sparty’s exceptional prospect pick-ups (and we must admit they are good picks) they are sure scared about losing them, and are really supportive of early signings. Well at least UM, RR, or the B10 are not the only whipping boys these days. The announcers are taking their lumps and even have lists of suitable replacements. Speaking of taking lumps, your spot on the golf course maybe by someone else – the course has set new rules. Ok enough of my team and B10 rant – on to recruiting.
Let us first cut our list down. FSU struck twice for prospects WR DeJoshua Johnson and CB Merrill Noel. Safety Lamarcus Joyner has narrow his list and um is not on it, CB Jonathan Mincy selected Auburn, S Daniel Easterly went westerly to the Illini, OT Dakota Anderson opted for Ball State, DE TJ Clemmings pledged PITT, and we already lost out on 2011 RB prospect Marlin Lane who has jumped aboard with Clemson. Now on to those still on the board.
Former UM Gabe Watson player was in attendance at Germany football camp, which only helps our visibility and Canadian under the RADAR football DE Mehdi Abdesmad lists UM as a school of interest, his video should help UM’s interest. Speaking of the great white north, Yooper QB Kyle Jensen intends to try and wqalk-on at UM, and though we have two QBs committed to play we are still getting interest from Munchie Legaux and Kofi Hughes. Though some feel we are full at OLB that is far from the case, RR is being more selective. We lost out on Detroit premier talent Gholston, but we are still active on LBs such as Crab Bowl player Josh Furman, Corey Nelson who is wavering on final lists but may not have room in Texas, and Duke Commit Aramide Olaniyan who was on Ums early list is thinking about tripping. Now I am not stating that all are OLB candidates – just enforcing that RR is becoming more protective of his remaining slots now that we are at 15 commits. Speaking of number 15, UM welcomes aboard former Stanford commit CB Courtney Avery, UM is also hearing from CB Detrick Bonner who is favoring UM. On other areas of the defensive side of recruiting DEs Jackson Jeffcoat is playing basketball and visiting the Longhorns, Alfy Hill is close to committing to the Heels, and Henry Anderson is beginning to narrow his view. In the safety area – Latwan Anderson has listed top 5 which includes UM, and it is a battle between WV and UM not MSU, Marquis Flowers has an impressive offer list and recently added a PAC10, and though Miles Simpson may not be getting much bally-hoo right now in the Fall he will. Ok, time to switch to offense.
QB Devin Gardner is a terrific player and we are fortunate to have him, heck tGA is now looking at the #54 QB as they have egged all in one basket with Montana like we did TP. In other portions of backfield recruiting RB elite coverboy Lache Seastrunk has his own Texas blogging section and has stats that deserve so, closer to home recent visitor Austin White is some of the dynamic resurgence of SE Michigan football and recently earned an IU offer, Prospect Codey Ellenwood is performing in the diamond, Mack Brown is visiting UGA, the Gamebirds are trying to pull Roy Finch, Eduardo Clements has weird math after Miami visit, and Dietrich Riley reigns supreme in his area. More prospects from commit Drew Dileo’s area are going B10. Though we are essentially full at WR some slot need is still present, in-state recruit Kevonte Martin says CMU leads, Antonio Goodwin has jumped into the UA game spot vacated by Ambles, and Nick Jones favors South Carolina. As for the Big Uglies recent camper Garret Davis will be a catch to whoever lands him; and Florida lineman Trammel Williams has said a UM offer would be reason for pause, but Illini and SC standout at present. In the ST arena several kickers are getting looked at, one that is looking back is Drew Basil. O now to the previously committed and professional.
It must be a spur in the saddle of Ohio to have a UM commit lead to the first Big 33 win by OH in a long time. But that is exactly what the nice wolverine find RB Fitzgerald Toussaint did. Scoring Twice and one on a 46 yard reception romp, but though he is from down south he is not a buckeye. However, he did not do it alone and the B10 had a good showing. In the pros Arrington will battle for spot at WR, our 5,351 yard thrower Brady has tossed another in the oven, and several other former UM players will join the UFL. Ok, let’s bounce on to UM basketball and other sports.
UM has hired a new basketball strength Coach to fill the vacancy, UM raided Clemson to find former buckeye Jon Sanderson. Meanwhile Crisler Arena is next up for a facelift. Coach Beilein is getting his feet wet in USA basketball and is getting some WV RR type attention, which will help in recruiting and UM is already in good position for next season. Speaking of next season in the NCAA, there will be additional rules as such people already know how to fix them. As for orange ball recruiting – PG Ray McCallum’s dad gets to see the best while viewing his son, and Duke see Jr. as one of the best. Another PG Brandon Kearney team advanced as he scored eights points in a recent tourney, and the coach battles to keep his good players, C Matt Kamieniecki has the coaches raving, Iowa legacy SG Roy Marble has his Iowa offer, PG Patrick Lucas-Perry is topping the local prep league, and UM is on another super sophomore SF DeJuan Marrero. In female hoops UM is getting 6’1” athlete of the year Rachel Sheffer. And finally, in lacrosse UM’s team found success despite obscurity.
Well all see I am one of the few guys who don’t lie about size. I appreciate the read.
Thanks
Steve
