Michigan Football Recruiting: Mailbag Question — Rankings

Posted at 7/29/2008

Michigan Football Recruiting: Mailbag Question — Rankings

Why does it seem like some posters do not think it is a huge deal to get top talent (5 star kids)? Is it because we are not getting them or what?

Also I have seen on message boards where posters say they don’t care how Michigan recruits as long as they win at the college level? Don’t great players want to play with other great players (like Pryor has been able to do)?

Other point posters seem to think they do not care if the Michigan players make it to the NFL and only win in college, but don’t they go hand in hand because if they win and are good players they will make it to the NFL and then come back to Michigan. We have seen over the summer with NFL players coming back to workout with Barwis and the impact that could have with recruiting. High School elite talent look at where the college program send kids and all the kids want to go to the next level.

Is it a deal, where posters just want to make themselves feel better that they are not getting the 5 star kids and then they say they don’t care what happens to these kids afterwards.

Thanks for taking my question and cannot wait to hear what you guys think.
Jim

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GBMWolverine Response:

Many factors involved here. Number #1 being that recruiting is inexact science. There are no guarantees. For every five star recruit who makes it big there is a Braylon Edwards or David Harris who is lower ranked and makes it big.

Another part in our opinion is the defense of Coach Rod. Many Michigan fans who used to scream when Coach Carr and staff took lower rated players are now saying trust the coaches and stars do not matter. This is not unusual, most new coaches enjoy at least a short honeymoon period where they can do little wrong.

Now the tough one, importance of putting players in NFL. In our opinion both sides of legitimate arguments here. Many very good players look at schools history of producing NFL talent at their position. In addition, this is major part of their decision-making. However, playing for successful winning program that is in National Championship hunt is also factor in many athletes decision.

Bottom line to us is get kids who fit the system you want to run, win as much as possible, and help put kids in the NFL.

All fans want to feel good about their program so they will look the other way as far as recruiting goes. If the stars are there they will point out to everybody “look we got the best talent around” per the rankings and when they don’t have the players you see fans saying “trust the coach’s and don’t believe all those rankings from guys who never probably played a down of football”.

The real problem is when fans take a stance for one coach one way and then change their stance once a coach they like is around. Keep the same high standards throughout and expect your coach to reach those goals on a continuous basis.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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