2012 Recruiting Needs: Offense

by MagnusThunder on Feb 7, 2011 7:01 AM CST in Michigan Football

Brady Hoke, Greg Mattison, and Co. finished the 2011 recruiting class with a flourish, ending up with a #21 recruiting class on Rivals when the Wolverines had slipped as low as #38 in the aftermath of the firing of Rich Rodriguez. Hoke and Mattison, who have both received rave reviews for their recruiting abilities, look to carry on that momentum into the 2012 class.

The Wolverine coaches now have approximately twelve months to finish the next recruiting class, but until August 1, 2011, teams may not give anything more than "verbal" offers. Official letters offering scholarships cannot be mailed until that time. (This is a change from the class of 2011, when kids were allowed to receive offers on September 1 of their junior year. For example, Class of 2011 cornerback/safety Greg Brown received his official offer from Michigan on September 1, 2009.)

Here's a rundown of how Michigan might use the 16 scholarships available for 2012 (depth charts are in order of seniority, not starters then backups). Keep in mind that the defense-heavy Class of 2011 prevents Michigan from having to recruit a lot of defensive players in 2012.

QUARTERBACK

Projected 2012 Depth: Denard Robinson (Sr.), Devin Gardner (RS So.), Russell Bellomy (RS Fr.)
Needs: 1
Michigan should be aiming to take one quarterback each year. Robinson would be a senior, and the quarterback job might be up for grabs once he leaves. The sky is the limit for Gardner, but if his talent is unproven at that point, a blue-chip prospect might see an opportunity to come in and contribute early. Bellomy is a developmental prospect and might not be ready to contribute until late in his career. I don't expect Michigan to pull in a top-notch quarterback in 2012, but don't be surprised if a solid 4-star kid wants to restart Michigan's tradition of spitting out NFL-ready quarterbacks.

RUNNING BACK

Projected 2012 Depth: Michael Cox (RS Sr.), Vincent Smith (Sr.), Teric Jones (Sr.), Fitzgerald Toussaint (RS Jr.), Stephen Hopkins (Jr.), Justice Hayes (So.), Thomas Rawls (So.)
Needs: 2
Hoke stated during his 2011 Signing Day press conference that Michigan will always take "a couple" running backs. Even though Cox, Smith, and Jones will likely graduate after the 2011 season, Michigan would still have a solid group of four young running backs. That means Michigan could take one true tailback, but would also likely be looking to take a scholarship fullback. The fullback under Hoke will likely reappear in Michigan's offense, even though some of Michigan's tight ends and bigger tailbacks might be able to do some fullback duties.

WIDE RECEIVER

Projected 2012 Depth: Terrence Robinson (RS Sr.), Roy Roundtree (RS Sr.), Je'ron Stokes (Sr.), Jeremy Gallon (RS Jr.), Drew Dileo (Jr.), Jeremy Jackson (Jr.), Ricardo Miller (Jr.), Jerald Robinson (RS So.), DJ Williamson (RS So.)
Needs: 1
Michigan didn't take a single wideout in the Class of 2011, even though a few were ready to jump for Michigan. Roundtree and Je'ron Stokes will likely be heavy contributors as seniors, although Terrence Robinson's role is a little murky right now. Of the six non-seniors at the WR position, three were recruited to play slot receiver. Additionally, Jackson and Miller aren't exactly the field-stretching, big-play guys that Michigan used to employ. Both are more possession receiver types. Receiver is a position where young guys can contribute, so it's not necessary for a bunch of kids to come in and develop for a year before playing. Michigan only needs one guy, but these coaches will likely look for a guy around 6'2" or 6'3" who can stretch the field with his speed.

TIGHT END

Projected 2012 Depth: Brandon Moore (RS Sr.), Chris Barnett (So.)
Needs: 1
Michigan has been lagging in tight end recruiting for the past couple classes, and that will catch up to the Wolverines soon. Moore has barely played in his three seasons so far, and Barnett's talent is vast but I question his motor. The Wolverines would need at least one tight end just to run its base sets, but I wouldn't be surprised if they try to grab two. It would be nice if a young guy could redshirt and develop physically, but that might not be an option for the next couple seasons.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Projected 2012 Depth: Ricky Barnum (RS Sr.), Rocko Khoury (RS Sr.), Elliott Mealer (RS Sr.), Patrick Omameh (RS Sr.), Taylor Lewan (RS Jr.), Michael Schofield (RS Jr.), Christian Pace (RS So.), Chris Bryant (So.), Jack Miller (So.), Tony Posada (So.)
Needs: 5
And when I say "five," I mean at least five. As far as numbers go, offensive line recruiting has been abysmal for the last few years. To top it off - and this is why OL recruiting is so important - Christian Pace is rumored to have a pretty serious injury that might end his career prematurely. After the 2012 redshirt seniors leave and if Pace's career is over, there would be only five remaining offensive linemen for the 2013 season. So the 2013 offensive line two-deep could literally include five redshirt freshmen, and that's assuming that the rest of those linemen stay healthy, remain eligible, and stay at Michigan. The "early playing time" recruiting pitch would be 100% genuine if used on 2012 recruits.

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Luckily the state of Michigan has a lot of really solid OL potential.. not great players by any means, but there are 3-4 guys Michigan could pick up that could redshirt and be ready to contribute a year or two down the road. Nice list!

U-Recruit, National Recruiting Analyst - http://recruitforu.com/blog/

by JContiz on Feb 7, 2011 11:44 AM CST reply actions

thanks

Yeah, I don’t think there any 5-stars amongst the 2012 linemen, but Michigan needs depth, period. If they can get one or two high level players and three or four depth guys, that would be great.

by MagnusThunder on Feb 7, 2011 1:34 PM CST up reply actions

It’s a nice list, but it’ll be interesting to see if guys like Mike Cox and Terrance Robinson get a fifth year or not. I doubt Robinson will, Stokes and Roundtree will probably take the majority of snaps at slot receiver and Robinson hasn’t really done anything on the field in three years and this year will probably be huge in deciding whether or not Cox gets a fifth year.

by BSU_Alum07 on Feb 7, 2011 1:22 PM CST reply actions

yeah...

Personally, I’m a fan of Michael Cox’ talent. I know he’s had problems with the playbook, but he might be the best runner on the team. I don’t see Terrence Robinson fitting in, and I think it might be in his best interest to transfer. I don’t necessarily want him to go, but he could probably be a solid player at a smaller school. The thing is, if he had to sit out a year, he would only have one year of eligibility left.

by MagnusThunder on Feb 7, 2011 1:37 PM CST up reply actions

I like Cox and what he could bring to the running team too, but if I’m not mistaken, the West Coast offense is also very complex for running backs so he might continue to struggle to see the field if he can’t learn the playbook.

by BSU_Alum07 on Feb 8, 2011 10:14 AM CST up reply actions

Great post

And a nice list. You’re right Offensive line is going to be a huge priority for the 2012 class and the when you look at the MI, OH, IL, PA and WI prospects, man the timing could not be better.

That said, I’m going to feel a lot better once Michigan finally properly fills up the DT and LB position.

Go Blue!

by markusr2007 on Feb 7, 2011 9:58 PM CST reply actions

DT yes

LB maybe not so much.

Michigan’s linebacker quota is pretty full right now. There are a couple guys who could play LB (Furman, Johnson), but Michigan already has Cam Gordon, Demens, Ryan, Bell, Hawthorne, Mike Jones, Clark, Kellen Jones, and Morgan. That’s 9 linebackers for 3 spots, and the oldest guys are juniors (Demens, Hawthorne). I think Michigan will go after some linebackers, but it’s not a dire need like OL and DT.

by MagnusThunder on Feb 8, 2011 5:41 AM CST up reply actions

I smell the 3-4 defense brewing. Maybe we'll see it in a couple of years

by d_ronii on Feb 10, 2011 7:14 PM CST up reply actions

Linemen

I’d love to see 5-10 people over or at 300lbs moving into A2 in 2012.

by goblue14 on Feb 8, 2011 12:54 PM CST reply actions

Good Read

Surprised you’re so meh on Bellomy. Considering you’ve argued that Gardner could start (and therefore Robinson slides to another position in 2012) that’d put Bellomy an injury away from starting as a RS Freshman. I realize that’s unlikely (personally I don’t see Denard moving till the NFL) but in any case, Bellomy may be 2nd on the depth chart as a RS sophomore. I’m impressed by him even though he’s a little raw (most incoming freshman are). While it’s ridiculous to compare anyone to Tom Brady, I see in Bellomy another smart QB who comes in a little under the radar but ends up being a starter at Michigan.

…Unless Heitzman or Clark end up at TE, they have to take 2 more in the ‘12 class. 3 TEs isn’t enough for a pro-style offense.

Agree 100% on the OL. We need numbers and we need them soon. They should definitely throw a scholarship at this Glasgow kid, just to get him in the program and developing so that they don’t have to rely on so many ’12 kids to develop into starters as RS freshman.

Re Fullback: Do you think any of the surplus of LB recruits could be developed into FB?

by lankownia on Feb 8, 2011 3:22 PM CST reply actions

not meh on Bellomy

I’m not meh on Bellomy. I think he’s a pretty good talent. I just think he’s got to fill out, improve his arm strength, and get used to running a new offense. I do think he can be a player as a junior or senior, but I don’t think blue-chip prospects are going to be afraid of Bellomy, at least based on Bellomy’s reputation/recruiting profile.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Michigan takes 2 tight ends. When I say “needs,” essentially I mean the bare minimum.

I’m not that impressed with Glasgow, but it wouldn’t hurt to get him on campus.

Of the surplus linebackers, I think Desmond Morgan could play fullback. He’s got the size and the athleticism to do it. I don’t know if it will happen, though.

by MagnusThunder on Feb 8, 2011 4:47 PM CST up reply actions