Upchurch
I changed up the format this week since the question was a seven-parter. A reminder of who everyone is:
- Brian: Blogger of mighty repute.
- Ace: Lead reporter, recruiting/basketball guy.
- Seth: Associate editor/site business guy
- BiSB: A funny person.
- Adam Schnepp: Press correspondent (Heiko's old job) and hockey guy.
- Alex Cook: Basketball correspondent
- Dave Nasternak: J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Lead Backend Logistics Strategist and Associate Vice President of Name Day Nittany Lion Taunting and Corporate Titlery (i.e. a responsible adult)
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The Question Seven Questions:
Brian: Best recruit? Most important? Most likely to outperform ranking? Best name (nationally)? Guy who got away who will haunt you? Guy you are most irrationally enthusiastic about? Overall class hot take? Harbaugh?
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BEST RECRUIT?
BiSB: Brian Cole. He's a fantastic athlete, but more importantly Cole is a guy with speed in a position where, despite the assertions of some, SPEED IS A GOOD THING THAT CANNOT BE TAUGHT AND IS A GOOD THING. One caveat: Roquan Smith takes this category if he picks Michigan.
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| Five votes for the superlative in-stater. [Allen Trieu/Scout] |
Seth: Brian Cole. In a terribly weak in-state class, this player this year was the perfect opportunity for Dantonio to flip the in-state script—no weird families or MSU connections or coaches who lock players in their cars during their Michigan visits or questionable transcripts.
AND he's a great player at two positions of need. Other than Borgesian leapers at receiver there's Canteen and Drake Harris's un-Dude hamstrings. Safety is an even greater need; if by some holy luck Peppers stays through 2018, Michigan would have two safeties in 2018. I'd gladly take Cole and four more just like him.
Adam Schnepp: Zach Gentry. I am an unabashed fan of gun-slinging giants who causes Physics and Anatomy to get into a fight over who left THAT loophole open. I think about fitting him into a Harbaugh-ffense and find myself chortling under my breath. If you're a commit who makes me chortle when thinking about your fit with Michigan's system then you too could be a contender for next year's Best Recruit.
Dave Nasternak: Probably Brian Cole. I can see arguments for Gentry, but I think that Cole is the best overall player, right now. And I think (hope?) he is the only member from this class who will not see a 2015 redshirt...if for no other reason than they just will not be able to keep him off of the field. There are a handful of places that he should be able to contribute early -WR, Returner, ST coverage, etc.
Ace: Another vote for Cole. He's such a good athlete that it's hard to imagine he won't end up contributing somewhere, and he's especially impactful with the ball in his hands.
Alex Cook: Brian Cole. The whole "the best players from Michigan go to Michigan" thing is, um, patently false, but there's a good chance that Cole will be the best homegrown recruit in this cycle. Oh, and he was a presumed State lean before committing to Michigan - and he stuck through the coaching change? Great. I'm sold.
Brian: I'm going with Zach Gentry. You do not get guys flying past safeties 50 yards downfield at 6'8" anywhere, and Gentry improved considerably over the course of his career. John Navarre running Buffalo 100 Meter Dash? I'll take it. Gentry has higher bust potential, yeah, but that upside. Yooooooo.
[Hit the jump for most important, sleeper, best names, the one that got away, and bloggers going squeeee]
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MOST IMPORTANT?
BiSB: Others will probably say Gentry, but it's probably Alex Malzone. Gentry is a bit of a project (albeit with HUGE upside), but the real risk in Michigan's QB depth chart isn't for 2016, when you'll have five scholarship QBs who've been on campus at least a year. It's for 2015, you have two. And if a freshman needs to step up, a high-floor early enrollee is a damn nice thing to have if the Shane and Speight show doesn't go as planned.
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| It's Malzone by a vote over Newsome. You can buy this jersey right now FWIW. |
Adam Schnepp: Alex Malzone. As Ace stated on the podcast, he's a high-floor prospect at the most open position on the roster. It helps that he's already enrolled, putting him on even footing with the likes of Shane Morris and Wilton Speight in learning the playbook.
Seth: Concur on Malzone. What's the one thing we're most terrified about for next year? Who wants a hyper-intelligent quarterback with accuracy and sufficient wiggle to run a Harbaughfence who's on campus right now?
Ace: While I can't fault anyone for taking a quarterback, there's a very good argument to be made for Grant Newsome here. He's the lone touted offensive line recruit in a class with only three total, and that follows up a 2014 class that only had two OL: Mason Cole, who didn't redshirt, and Juwann Bushell-Beatty, who's a bit of a project. Newsome really needs to pan out.
Dave Nasternak: I'm going with Grant Newsome. Have to have OL, especially those with a left tackle frame. And Newsome is very highly rated. While I agree with the consensus that much of recruiting OL is a crapshoot, getting a guy who was coveted by Wisconsin...er...a lot of powerhouse schools...is as comforting as anything. Plus, he committed pre-Meltdown and stuck it out. I like that.
Brian: Shelton Johnson. Johnson is important in two ways. One: he's a legit strongside end once he piles muscle onto his frame, and Michigan is really really short on those. Two: he's a Florida kid Florida State wanted badly and Michigan swooped in and grabbed him. Along with Jones and Higdon, Michigan acquired as many Florida prospects in four weeks with Harbaugh as four years with Hoke. Going toe to toe with a big time local school in Florida and coming out on top? Yes, please.
Alex Cook: Andrew David. I'm only half-joking. Have you seen what can happen to even the best college programs without a great kicker? In all seriousness though, I think it's probably Cole again - Michigan added some sleepers at the skill positions but Cole probably has the highest ceiling of all of them and UM could use an explosive WR.
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MOST LIKELY TO OUTPERFORM RANKING?
Brian: Give me Keith Washington, who nearly dragged his team to a state championship as a quarterback and now stands as a 6'2" cornerback who has been forged in the high school wars of Texas and Alabama. He's a Harbaugh kind of guy, as well. Give him a couple years and it's upside time.
Dave Nasternak: While Nolan Ulizio has the best odds because of his star ranking, I really want to say SheltonJohnson. He's a 3/4 star depending on who you ask. But I really like his size and frame. Hopefully, he gets a chance to redshirt (DE is rather thin, this year) because a 5th year DE in his 23 year old body will be much more valuable than his 18 year old, high school body. FSU headed the class of traditionally great defenses who wanted him.
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| If you count Shelton Johnson under 4 stars, it's Shelton Johnson, since the path to playing time at DE is wiiiide open. Some of us rolled dice on OL. [Andrew Ivins/ESPN] |
Ace: There are a few good candidates for this—Keith Washington and Grant Perry also come to mind—but I have to go with Shelton Johnson. Florida State went after him hard, which says quite a bit. He's got the build of a guy who could be a big-time NFL prospect if he puts it all together, and given M's depth chart at DE he'll get every chance to do so.
Seth: Shelton Johnson is a good pick but he's also getting 4 stars from various wheres. ReubenJones, the WDE/SAM we stole from Nebraska, got zero 4-star love. The reason given for the rating is his size: 6'3/223. That's the size MSU's Marcus Rush was as a recruit. And Eric Martin, the guy who suddenly appeared sacking everything in sight as a senior for Bo Pelini. Randy Gregory was 6'4/215. Frank Clark was 6'3/213. Ojemudia was 6'3/215. Beyer was 6'3/225. Roh was 6'4/238. James Hall was 6'3/224. Messner was 6'3/220. Oosterbaan...
BiSB: I'll leave Grant Perry for Brian, and I'll say Nolan Ulizio, because (a) he has the most room to outperform his rankings, and (b) Harbaugh und Drevno Uber Alles.
Adam Schnepp: Karan Higdon. I came away from watching his senior highlights impressed with his ability to run through contact. The scouting services say that he's more of a north-south runner, but the highlight film shows some east-west ability as well. Give him a redshirt and I think he turns into a feature back in his RS sophomore season.
Alex Cook: Jon Runyan Jr. He shut down his recruitment really early and has the bloodlines to be a good lineman here. He was one of the lowest-rated recruits in the class per the 247 Composite but, like Nolan Ulizio, he's going to get great coaching from Tim Drevno and could max out his potential.
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BEST NAME (nationally)?
Alex Cook: Simba Short. I was raised on the Lion King. So... yeah. Simba is the greatest name ever.
BiSB: With all due respect to Equanimeous St. Brown and Simba Short, Soso Jamabo took home the title on NSD with... uh... this.
Officially Committed...Asian Girls Everywhere...UCLA
— SOMI JaMITCHELL (@Soso_Jamabo1) February 4, 2015
Seth: Soso Jamabo is fun to say for like the first 300 times. But he may not be the best name out there. Or even the best name among running backs. Or even the best name among running backs who signed with UCLA. Say this with me:
Bolu Olorunfunmi.
Adam Schnepp: Prince Tega Wanogho Jr.
Pro: you have an awesome name people will remember.
Con: all your emails end up in someone's spam folder.
Ace: Q' Drennan. The superfluous apostrophe puts it over the top.
Brian: I should have answered this earlier since Adam snagged Prince Tega Wanogho Jr., the guy who is named exactly like Eddie Murphy's character in Coming To America. I will also shout out my man Richard Worship III again, but I should come up with someone who we mostly forgot about. Ace mentioned him: Hjalte Froholdt. While it's sad and inexplicable he's not going to be in Ann Arbor, Arkansas will have a player named HJALTE FROHOLDT.
It's going to be amazing you guys.
Dave Nasternak: Andrew Paul John David. That last name is gold. And I want to see it on the back of a Michigan jersey.
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GUY WHO GOT AWAY WHO WILL HAUNT YOU?
BiSB: It's tempting to say KLS, but I'll go with Chuma Edoga. He's a composite five-star from Georgia at a position of need for Michigan, who camped at Michigan for FOUR DAYS, and who apparently had very high interest in Michigan, but who Hoke and company never really pursued for reasons I can only fathom when I drink.
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| Forever haunted by those hands, his uncle's equally graspy pair, and all the might have beens of a time in our lives when Hoke and hope went together. [Upchurch] |
Ace: I'm not sure I count KLS because Michigan was so far out of it by the end and it's so hard to pull in five-stars from California. Instead, I'll go with Hjalte Froholdt, the Danish DT who rather inexplicably chose Arkansas over Michigan. The lack of depth at DT down the road could hurt, and I really wanted to root for a Viking.
Brian: George Campbell. I was at a cookout-type party thing (PhDs! woo!) when I checked my phone and saw Campbell had pulled the trigger while in Ann Arbor. I left the party to go look at all the things about Campbell and the comments being left and felt like it was all going to work out, for-real-for-real. And whenever I see his name I think back to that time in July of 2013 when Brady Hoke was pulling five-star recruits out of Florida and had not yet seen his team's offense implode recursively.
Nasternak: Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, while I really, really wanted Iman Marshall, I never truly believed he was going to commit to Michigan. So, ChrisClark. I really thought he was coming back...until he visited UCLA. But a tight end like that in a Harbaugh offense? I just need to move on.
Adam: Chris Clark. I would have named him Best Recruit (His size! His skill! A TE-oriented offense!), but the chortling turned into a resigned sigh when he chose UCLA.
Alex: Chris Clark has to be the obvious answer here, right? Elite tight end, was once committed here, Harbaugh loves his tight ends, etc., etc. Can't blame anyone for choosing UCLA though (he says as he stares out at his snow-covered lawn).
Seth: Chris Clark. The more tight ends you give Harbaugh the more fun for everybody, while I feel UCLA will just do Brady Hoke things with him. Wheatley seems more Secret Weapon Martell Webb than Koger.
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GUY YOU ARE MOST IRRATIONALLY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT?
Seth: Malzone. Little Brees/Brady/Whatever accuracy is da bomb let me tell you about Tate Forcier if he wasn't a headcase.
Schnepp: Keith Washington. If he's good enough for Harbaugh to wax poetic about he's good enough for me. And yes, I do believe waxing poetic for Harbaugh means talking about guys willing to run parking-lot 40s.
Nasternak: Tyree Kinnel. I want good safeties. Michigan has had such a dearth of them for the last forever (save Kovacs). Be really good, Tyree! Another dude who committed quite a while ago and is still around. Plus, kids from Ohio who WANT to play for Michigan...just love it!
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| I really didn't have to photoshop this much. |
BiSB: Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. because WHEATLEY!
Brian: This is where I'll slot Grant Perry. As a guy who complained about under-use of Drew Dileo for years, Perry fits right in my wheelhouse of players I'll overrate massively. I love me some slot receivers.
Cook: Zach Gentry because I just saw what Cardale Jones can do and hoo boy, I would be very happy if Michigan managed to acquire someone in the same mold. A quarterback who can outrun defensive linemen, run over linebackers, and throw bullets through defensive backs seems optimal to me.
Ace: Zach Gentry, whose ceiling is basically ALARMINGLY FAST ELEPHANT IN POSSESSION OF A SCARILY PRECISE ELEPHANT GUN RUN FOR YOUR LIVES.
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OVERALL CLASS HOT TAKE?
Ace: I'M TYPING IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE IT'S KINDA HARD TO HAVE A HOT TAKE ABOUT THIS CLASS. IT'S PRETTY SOLID, I GUESS, CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Seth: Y U NO URBAN TAKE JOB IN OCTOBER?
Schnepp: This is undoubtedly THE best class Jim Harbaugh has EVER had at Michigan. EVER.
Alex : Honestly, it was sort of a sobering reminder that Harbaugh can't do whatever he wants. It should be a cautionary example if Michigan struggles some this fall - there's still a lot of program-building to do. Change, even with one of the best coaches in the game, doesn't happen overnight (see: Nick Saban losing to a not-very-good UL Monroe team at home in his first year at Alabama).
Nasternak: I don't know that there will be a lot of stars, but every player seems to be solid. And that's where Harbaugh started in Stanford...getting solid guys and sending them to the NFL. Also, each player seems to have a nice fit as to what he brings to the table. And given M's depth at most positions, there's not a huge need to throw these guys on the field, next year. That should maximize the value of most of these players. In the end, I'm guessing that 2-4 guys will ultimately see their redshirt burned because of one thing or another. But it will not shock me if there's quite a few contributors over the next few years and probably good college players as 5th year senior starters in 2019.
Brian: About as good as they could have done in the short period of time allotted them, and now that they've filled what looked like two or three open spots with O'Korn and Lyons even better. This is a class that won't be the kind of black hole some other ones were, especially relative to scholarships expended, and let's see what 2016 brings.
BiSB: HARBAUGH COMIN'
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HARBAUGH?
BiSB: YES I JUST SAID HE COMIN'.
Dave Nasternak:
Alex Cook: BRING ON THE COMIN' HOME MONTAGES BABY
Adam Schnepp: MUST WIN
Seth: Y U NO URBAN TAKE JOB IN 2011?
Ace: 
Brian: Harbaugh.