Doug_Steele

[CalvinH]

What did you think of signing day yesterday?

[Doug_Steele]

Hmmmm....I am not impressed but i did watch Rich Rod's presser and i hope that we got the right players. I am happy that we pulled Denard Robinson out of DeerField Beach, Florida. Denard will be givin a shot to play QB because that is what he played in High school and we had two de-committs that were true dual threat qb's. We stole one from Tennessee and that was huge for us because Je'ron Stokes is a great playmaker. We are short on D-line but i am glad that William Campbell signed with us. Jeremy Gallon is a great player who impressed me at the All American bowl and has great hands is another one out of Florida. RR generally has always had success pulling kids out of Florida and we got 7 this class. Seven kids are already enrolled and that is a big help because one is Tate Forcier, QB out of Scripps Ranch High in San Diego, California. I still think that RR is not sure how to use the money on recruiting at Michigan....ahh i take that back. I think Rich needs to focus on keeping more of the top rated players instate instead of going out of state. Michigan is not that great of a place for talent but he did get the top player in that state, William Campbell a 5 star stud Defensive Tackle. Michigan has a QB that is "supposed" to be the next Terelle Pryor that plays for Inkster High in Muskegon, Michigan but he said O$U is his top for now but we still do not have a QB as far as i am concerned. RR went into California, Florida, Ohio, Arizona, Illinois, South Carolina, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. I just wanna see how our strength coach handles these kids, Mike Barwis. Mike is a enthusiastic guy and seems like he loves his job but sometimes he makes me laugh. I will give RR a 6 out of a 10 because he did get us a 7th ranked recruiting class.

[Doug_Steele]

William Campbell, DL, 6-5, 317, Detroit Cass Tech
At Cass Tech: Three-year starter at offensive tackle, two-year starter on defense. Earned All-America status for Parade Magazine, EA Sports and SuperPrep. Free Press Dream Team member and No. 2 in Free Press Best of the Midwest voting.


Vladimir Emilien, S, 6-0, 186, Lauderdill (Fla.
) Plantation
At Plantation: Had 93 tackles during and three interception during his junior year. Missed all of 2008 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Ranked No.
14 (Rivals. com) and No. 19 (Scouts, Inc.) nationally among safeties.


Tate Forcier, QB, 6-1, 185, San Diego Scripps Ranch
AT Scripps Ranch: As a senior, he threw for 3,424 yards and 23 touchdowns on 208-of-326 passing. Also ran for 783 yards and 12 touchdowns on 92 carries. Honors included SuperPrep All-Amercian, all-league and all-state teams. Ranked No. 23 nationally among quarterbacks by Super Prep.


Brandin Hawthorne, LB, 6-0, 197, Pahokee (Fla.
)
At Pahokee: Won three consecutive state championships. Had 113 tackles, 48 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, six forced fumbles as a senior. Honors include, Palm Beach Post small schools All-Area first team and SuperPrep All-Southeast region team.


Mike Jones, DB, 6-2, 200, Orlando (Fla.
) Edgewater
At Edgewater: Had 60 tackles and four sacks during his senior season. Ranked No.
25 by Rivals. com among safeties. Honors include Prep All-Southeast region.


Anthony LaLota, DE, 6-6, 260, Princeton (N.J.
) The Hun School
At Hun School: Had 52 tackles (11.5 sacks). Ranked No.
4 nationally among offensive takles by scout. com, ranked No.
2 player in New Jersey by Rivals. com and No. 1 player in state by SuperPrep.


Vincent Smith, RB, 5-6, 159, Pahokee (Fla.
)
At Pahokee: Rushed for more than 2,000 yards and scored 29 touchdowns during senior season. Honors include PrepStar All-Southeast region team and all-state first team two consecutive years.


Isaiah Bell, DB, 6-2, 205, Youngstown (Ohio) Liberty
At Liberty: Had 40 tackles and four interceptions his senior season. Honors include SuperPrep All-American, Under Armour All-American and all conference, all-county and all-district player.


Jeremy Gallon, RB/Slot, 5-8, 165, Apopka (Fla.
)
At Apopka: Helped a state title as a junior, ran for 23 touchdowns and more than 1,600 yards his senior season. Honors include Prep Star All-American, U.S. Army All-American game, all-state and all-Central Florida team during junior and senior season.


Brendan Gibbons, K, 6-0, 215, West Palm Beach (Fla.
) Cardinal Newman
At Cardinal Newman: As a senior, was 10-for-12 kicking, making seven from at least 40 yards out. Long was 52 yards. Honors included county placekicker of the year, PrepStar All-Southeast region team. He was ranked No.
8 nationally among placekickers by Rivals. com.


Cameron Gordon, WR, 6-2, 210, Inkster
At Inkser: Reached state finals, made 49 catches for 863 yards and eight touchdowns and had 126 tackles and five interceptions during his senior year. Honors include PrepStar All-American, second-team all-state. Ranked No.
36 nationally among receivers by Rivals. com.


Thomas Gordon, DB, 5-11, 200, Detroit Cass Tech
At Cass Tech: Had 57 tackles and three interceptions and ran for 1,128 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. Honors include, Prep Star All-Midwest region selection.
Ranked 115th natoionally amongs safeties by scout. com.


Teric Jones, RB/Slot, 5-9, 191, Detroit Cass Tech
At Cass Tech: Ran for 1,663 yards and 17 touchdowns during senior season. Honors include, SuperPrep All-American and Prep Star All-American. Ranked No.
44 nationally among running backs by scout. com (No. 48 by Scouts, Inc.).


Taylor Lewan, OL, 6-6, 270, Scottsdale (Ariz.
) Chaparral
At Chaparral: Helped win a state championship his senior year. Honors include, SuperPrep All-American, Prep Star All-American, Under Armour All-American selection, state’s Frank Kush Award (top interior offensive lineman) winner, Desert Sky first team All-Region, all-city first team selections. Ranked No. 10 nationally among offensive linemen by SuperPrep (No.
16 by Rivals. com).
Nick name Baby Jake Long


Denard Robinson, QB, 6-0, 180, Deerfield Beach (Fla.
)
At Deerfield Beach: Had 1,809 yards and 15 touchdowns on 100-of-231 passing and ran for 462 yards and eight touchdowns on 85 carries. Honors include Prep Star All-American selection and all-Broward County team selection. Ranked as the No.
14 athlete (Rivals. com) and No. 8 athlete (Scouts, Inc.) nationally.


Craig Roh, DE, 6-4, 230, Scottsdale (Ariz.
) Chaparral
At Chaparral: Helped win state championship his senior year. Had 129 tackles, 14.5 sacks and one interception as a senior. Honors include, state’s Gatorade Player of the Year, SuperPrep All-American, Prep Star All-American, Under Armour All-American selection, first team all-region and all-state. Ranked No.
8 nationally among defensive ends by scout. com.


Michael Schofield, OL, 6-6, 270, Orland Park (Ill.
) Carl Sandburg
At Carl Sandburg: No sacks allowed and no holding penalties during senior season. Honors include, Prep Star All-American, SuperPrep All-American, No. 18 on Free Press Best of the Midwest Player list, all-area and all-conference selection. Ranked No.
18 nationally among offensive linemen by Rivals. com (No. 21 SuperPrep).


Je’Ron Stokes, WR, 6-1, 178, Philadelphia Northeast
At Northeast: Had 45 receptions for 555 yards and five touchdowns. Honors include PrepStar All-American, all-state, all-Public League, all-city first team. Ranked No. 8 nationally among wide receivers by Scouts, Inc. (No.
14 by Rivals. com).


Fitzgerald Toussaint, RB, 5-10, 185, Youngstown (Ohio) Liberty
At Liberty: Ran for 2,239 yards and 28 touchdowns on 241 carries as a senior. Honors include Prep Star All-American selection, all-conference, all-county, all-district, all-state selection. Ranked No.
8 nationally among all-purpose backs by Rivals. com (No. 21 among running backs by Scouts, Inc.
)

J.T.
Turner, DB, 6-2, 185, Massillon (Ohio) Washington
At Washington: Had 24.5 tackles and three interceptions and ran for 1,349 yards and 11 touchdowns on 193 caries his senior season. Honors include SuperPrep All-American, Prep Star All-American, U.S. Army All-American selection, No. 4 on Free Press Best of the Midwest list. Ranked No.
3 nationally among safties by Rivals. com.
Ranked No.
26 overall player nationally by scout. com.


Quinton Washington, OL, 6-3, 315, St. Stephen (S.C.
) Timberland
Honors include all-state selection. Washington is ranked No. 6 nationally among offensive guards by Scouts, Inc. (No.
19, scout. com).


Adrian Witty, DB, 5-11, 170, Deerfield Beach (Fla.
)
At Deerfield: Made 50 tackles and one interception his senior season. Honors include all-Broward County

[Doug_Steele]

The players that i would like to see come to Michigan that are instate

12 in-state prospects for 2010 to watch

Josh Helmholdt
TheWolverine.com Recruiting Analyst

Talk about it in The Fort
Each year we come out with a ranking of the top prospects in Michigan, but with Rich Rodriguez and his unique offensive and defensive schemes, those rankings are needed to be refined to better represent Michigan's recruiting strategy. So this year we are bringing you a Michiganized version of the top prospects in the state. Similar to our "Sweet 16" board, we'll be ranking these prospects according to their talent level, how well they fit Michigan's system and positions of need.

Now, there is no doubt there will be prospects who will jump onto this list that are not here presently as the year goes on. Last year at this time we had no idea how good Thomas Gordon was as a safety prospect because all we saw of him was at quarterback. Then, there are always guys who fly under the radar early .. exploding onto the scene later in the process. For now, though, here is the top 12 state of Michigan prospects, Wolverine-style.

1. Devin Gardner, QB

Inkster
Either Gardner or Gholston could really be in this spot. They both play positions of need for Michigan in the coming class and they are both exceptional talents. They are really 1a and 1b, but for now we'll list Gardner first for the purposes of accentuating that there still is a major need for a quarterback in 2010 again and options like Gardner and Bolden have to be seized upon when they are in your backyard. What Gardner is and what he is not has been discussed several times over, so I will not rehash that here, but let's just say there may not be a better quarterback prospect in the country to have in-state in this class.

2. William Gholston, DE

Detroit Southeastern
The 6-7, 240-pound Gholston dominated this past year and the Southeastern coaches were exceptionally intelligent in the way they used him – moving him around the defensive line and linebacker positions so offenses could not key on him. There is a weakness in Gholston's game right now and that is he has trouble at the point of attack – but that is fixable. When linemen locked up on him at combines and camps this past off-season he was in trouble, but growth, maturity and coaching can help with that. What coaching can not add is freakish size, speed and athleticism and Gholston has that in bunches. Michigan is also talking about using him at linebacker.

3. Dior Mathis, CB

Detroit Cass Tech
The pipeline from Cass Tech to Ann Arbor is open and Michigan would love to keep it flowing freely in 2010 by adding Mathis. Although just 5-9 and 171 pounds, Mathis has world class speed – a legitimate 4.3 guy who also runs around 10.5 in the 100. There was a time I thought Mathis may end up as a slot receiver on offense, but after watching him check the top wide receivers in the nation at the U.S. Army Combine, I've realized that talk is foolish. Despite his size, he's better playing bump-man coverage right now because he has such great recovery speed. His ball skills are also at an elite level for a cornerback.

4. Robert Bolden, QB

Orchard Lake St. Mary's
Most consider Gardner the top quarterback in the state for now, but do not be surprised if Bolden starts to make up serious ground at the spring combines and summer camps. There were many, including myself, who felt the 6-4, 195-pound Bolden outplayed Gardner at several events last off-season, but Gardner's big junior year has him leading this race right now. The two players are very similar. Bolden has better straight ahead speed, clocking a 4.56 40-yard dash at Michigan's summer camp this past June to Gardner's 4.7. He is also ever so slightly more polished as a passer at this stage. Another great quarterback for the Wolverines to have in their backyard.

5. Nick Hill, RB

Chelsea
There is no doubt I am on the Nick Hill bandwagon. Michigan fans may cringe when they hear Mike Hart comparisons – much like basketball fans do when they hear Michael Jordan comparisons – but who else are you going to compare him to? Barry Sanders? Hill is only 5-7, 180 pounds… yep, understood. Hart maybe had him by an inch coming out of high school. From a style standpoint they are nearly identical except one advantage lies in Hill's column – he has better long range speed. He's a true 4.4 guy and that makes him dangerous as a kick returner too. Hill is also a standout pass catcher and he could fit pretty much any offense in college football.

6. C.J. Olaniyan, DE

Warren Mott
I have not yet seen the 6-4, 230-pound Olaniyan on tape yet, so I cannot give you a first hand account of his abilities, but I have talked to enough people who have seen him play to know that the Warren Mott product is going to rise quickly on the scene in the next couple months. Michigan is very high on him and is supposed to host him on campus for a basketball game when they play Michigan State next week. Defensive end is a major need in the class of 2010 and do not expect Michigan to let him get away without a fight. Michigan State just offered a scholarship and Michigan's may not be far behind.

7. Austin Gray, LB

Warren Fitzgerald
Michigan picked up just one, true linebacker this year and Brandin Hawthorne is definitely an outside linebacker. Mike Jones said he is already working with the linebackers, but again he is slated for the outside. Sooner or later Michigan is going to have to add a true inside linebacker and the 6-2, 225-pound Gray could be that guy. He has 4.6 speed and was very productive as a starter the last two seasons. He is your prototypical Mike linebacker who sniffs out ball carriers and works up plenty of hate by the time he makes contact. Michigan coach Rod Smith was in Gray's school recently and said they want to see him at camp before offering.

8. Austin White, RB

Livonia Stevenson
You may be surprised to see White's name so far down this list. The 6-0, 186-pound prospect pulled offers from Michigan and Michigan State over the summer. Those offers have since been joined by tenders from Iowa, Purdue and Wisconsin. He is a complete back with good speed, strength, agility and production. The reason why he is not higher on the list, however, is because he lacks the "wow" factor. Although under 200 pounds, White is a methodical rusher more like the big, bruising backs of the Bo Schembechler days. Michigan likes their backs to create a lot of excitement. Where White actually may project higher is as a wide receiver.

9. Ishmael Thomas, LB

Detroit Renaissance
Renaissance has a couple players who should receive significant BCS Conference looks including RB/CB Mylan Hicks, but Thomas may be the best player you've never heard of in the state. At 6-4 and 200 pounds, he quarterbacked the Phoenix this past season and actually throws a nice football, but his offensive abilities are not even close to what he brings defensively. Thomas has the "it" factor and makes plays only the elite guys are capable of. He is equally adept at rushing the passer and dropping into coverage and his speed is above average for the linebacker position. Expect him to explode on the recruiting scene this off-season.

10. Bill Ivan, OL

Charlevoix
I started to wonder if Michigan has ever had a player from Charlevoix – a resort town near the northernmost point of Michigan's lower peninsula – so I checked the Bentley Historical Library's database, and sure enough. Charlevoix natives James N. Bowman, a 5-11, 190-pound center, and Charles Krahnke, a 6-0, 205-pound tackle, both played for the Wolverines in the early 1950's. Charlevoix is certainly not known for producing football talent, and that's probably why you know very little or have never heard of Ivan. After watching his tape, though, he is an ideal fit for Michigan's offense. The 6-5, 250-pounder is very quick and agile and he brings a nasty attitude on top of that. He's raw, but the right kind of project.

11. Daniel Easterly, ATH

Detroit Cass Tech
This is the second Cass Tech prospect on this list, but definitely the one who has gotten the least amount of attention thus far. This past season Easterly looked like he weight in the 160-170 range, and at 6-5 that is awfully thin. By the time he got to the U.S. Army Combine in San Antonio last month, however, Easterly was already over 190 pounds and the added weight has started to fill out his frame. It is hard to paint Easterly into just one position because he could project at safety, linebacker or wide receiver. In San Antonio he ran with both the defensive backs and wide receivers and fit right in at both positions with the nation's best players.

12. Johnathon Hankins, DT

Detroit Southeastern
The 2009 class did not leave too many holes for the 2010 class to fill in, but defensive tackle is one of those positions Michigan would have liked to secure at least one more prospect for depth purposes. The state of Michigan offers a couple options the Wolverines will evaluate including the 6-3, 326-pound Hankins and Flint Carmen Ainsworth's Tremondae Branch. Hankins's style is very similar to Gabe Watson's coming out of high school. He needs to trim some weight and learn to bring it on every play, but he has exceptional natural athleticism and is quick for his size.

[Earl1972]

i can't believe any receiver would pick michigan, have they ever seen rich rod's offense?

E

[Doug_Steele]

i can't believe any receiver would pick michigan, have they ever seen rich rod's offense?

E

True. He never goes downfield and it is always bubble screens and that is why i was stunned that we were able to steal Je'ron Stoke away from Tennessee.

[Doug_Steele]

More on MICHIGAN

 Quarterback
Michigan will probably take 2, at least one of whom is a star.

Devin Gardner comes from Inkster Michigan. He will probably be a 5-star prospect, and is one of the Wolverines' top recruiting targets.

Malik Stokes is a dual-threat QB from Philadelphia Northeast High School. If the name and school sound familiar, it's because his older borther, Je'Ron, signed with Michigan last week.

Running Back
Michigan will probably take 2 or 3 running backs.

Austin White from Livonia Stevenson will be among the top prospects in the state, but he comes from a Green-and-White family.

Brennan Clay hails from California, and is a high school teammate of Tate Forcier. He is a speedy prospect, but might lok to stay on the west coast.

Nick Hill from Chelsea grew up a Michigan fan, and most people predict he will commit if offered.

Receiver
Michigan might take 1 tight end, 3ish wideouts, and a couple slots.

Ricardo Miller was Michigan's first commit in the 2010 class. The Florida WR is expected to be a 5-star prospect.

Jeremy Jackson is the son of Michigan's RB coach Fred Jackson, and was Michigan's second 2010 commit.

Jerald Robinson is expected to commit today, and would be Michigan's third in the class. He has potential to move positions down the line.

De'Joshua Johnson from Pahokee is a good slot candidate. He is electric with the ball in his hands, and the Blue Devils may slot him in at QB this year.

Chris Dunkleyalso comes from Florida, and he is yet another diminutive potential slotman.

CJ Fiedorowicz is the #1 TE in the country, an he reports a 40-yard dash time under 4.6 seconds, despite being 6-7.

Offensive Line
Michigan loses a couple offensive linemen after 2009, and will likely take 2 or 3 in 2010.

Seantrel Henderson is the #1 overal recruit in the nation, and the Minneapolis product may not be a particularly realiztic target for Michigan.

Robert Crisp, on the other hand, isn't far behind Henderson, and he is mentioning Michigan as a school of interest early in the process.

Jose Jose has a spectacular name and good quickness, which is at a premium in Michigan's scheme. However, he hails from Miami, and grew up a fan of the Hurricanes.

Christopher Devezin comes from Cass Tech, but it isn't clear if he has potential to be a Michigan recruit.

Defensive Tackle
After missing on a couple of guys in 2009, DT is again a need in 2010. 2 or 3 might be necessary.

Jay Guy from Texas has a Michigan offer already, and like the Wolverines. He should be a highly-regarded prospect, and there will be plenty of competition for him.

Richard Ash, Doral Willis, and Anotnio Ford are all from Pahokee, and Michigan might change up the pipeline a bit and take a lineman from the school this year.

Defensive End
Michigan loses an impact player in Brandon Graham, but they have enough talent in the pipeline that they only need 1 or 2 ends.

William Gholston is a near-lock for 5-star status, and will battle Gardner for #1 prospect in the state. Michigan is on him early, battling State (the leader?) and Ohio State (which turned his cousin, Vernon, into an NFL first-rounder).

Derrick Bryant from Columbus Brookhaven has Michigan interest, and he's talked about wanting to make an early decision.

Darryl Baldwin from Solon Ohio is another prospect that Michigan has taken an early interest in - extending an offer.

Linebacker
Michigan doesn't lose any LBs off the 2009 roster, but they need impact players at the position. Maybe 1 or 2.

Austin Gray from Warren Fitzgerald is reporting a Michigan offer early in the process, and will be among the top LBs in the state.

Jewone Snow hails from Canton McKinley, and knows Jerald Robinson. He is also the son of Michigan great Garland Rivers.

VJ Fehoko from Hawaii is expected to be one of the nation's top linebackers. He is reporting early Michigan interest.

Daniel Easterly is a bit of an enigma. The Cass Tech product is athletic enough to play corner at 6-6, so if he can fill out his frame well, he could have tons of upside.

Safety
Michigan only loses Stevie Brown off the 2009 roster, and probably wants an impact player or two.

Marvin Robinson was once considered a Michigan lock, but now is looking to take his time with his recruitment. He is a probable 5-star guy.

Corner
Michigan will probably take a couple guys who have potential to make an impact.

Lorenza Wood from Orlando has had Michigan near the top of his list for some time. He is also expected to make an early decision, so the Wolverines are hoping he chooses them.

Dior Mathis out of Cass Tech is the mighty mite of the bunch. He is reminiscent of Boubacar Cissoko (though perhaps even smaller), but could end up as a slot on the other side of the ball. He grew up a Miami of Florida fan.

Cullen Christian from Penn Hills, PA has talked early about Michigan being one of his favorites. He would be a taller complement to a corner group.