Recruiting Update: November 8, 2011

Hello.

OFF THE BOARD

Tatum (TX) Tatum QB/WR/DB Jalen Overstreet committed to Texas.  Overstreet was being recruited by most schools as a wide receiver or safety, but Longhorns quarterback Garrett Gilbert - who replaced Colt McCoy against Alabama in the national championship game a couple years ago - has decided to transfer after having been relegated to the bench in favor of Case McCoy, Colt's younger brother.  With one less quarterback on the roster, another one was needed in Austin.  Overstreet is more of a runner than a thrower, and I've been wondering for a few years why Texas kept recruiting pocket-type guys when they've been running a zone read-type spread ever since Vince Young was around.

Encino (CA) Crespi OG Jordan Simmons committed to USC.  Simmons was receiving advisement from former Michigan offensive lineman Courtney Morgan, which gave some Michigan fans some early optimism toward recruiting him successfully.  However, Simmons kind of dismissed the Michigan offer early in the cycle, and it's been pretty clear that he fully intended to stay out west.  Crespi is the alma mater of Devin Lucien, a wide receiver that Michigan targeted for 2011 who ended up choosing UCLA.

Land O' Lakes (FL) Land O' Lakes TE Kent Taylor committed to Florida.  Taylor is 6'5" and 220 lbs. and runs like the wind.  And he might be book smart, but by golly, he sure doesn't seem . . . you know . . . smart.  Consider the following quote about Florida offensive coordinator Charlie Weis: "He has used them in the past.  He is one of the best offensive minds ever."  I'm guessing Taylor didn't come up with that line himself.  If that's not a direct quote from Weis himself, I'll eat my own underpants.

Southfield (MI) Southfield TE Ron Thompson committed to Syracuse.  The 6'4", 210 lb. athlete looked to be a Michigan lean early in the recruiting process, but some issues developed in his recruitment.  The Wolverines took commitments from Michigan TE Devin Funchess and Ohio TE A.J. Williams, which put a pause on Thompson's plans.  Thompson also added a bunch of bad weight during the off-season and looked very out of shape.  There were also rumored "personal issues" that caused Brady Hoke and his staff to back off, and Michigan no longer seemed to be interested in securing Thompson's commitment.  Thompson's recruiter at Syracuse, by the way, is none other than former Michigan running back Tyrone Wheatley.

SCHOLARSHIP NUMBERS

Safety Carvin Johnson and cornerback Greg Brown have left the program in recent weeks, bringing Michigan's total scholarship numbers to 73 for the 2011 season.  With 14 seniors set to graduate, that means the Wolverines ought to have 26 slots to add players for the class of 2012.  Michigan currently has 23 players committed now that  safety Jeremy Clark has been given an immediate scholarship offer, rather than a greyshirt opportunity.

It looks like Michigan will sign at least  26 players in February, but more likely 27 or 28.  The coaches are working hard on Ohio RB Bri'onte Dunn; if they don't get him, they could very well pursue another tailback in the class, such as Pennsylvania's Greg Garmon or Michigan's Juwan Lewis.  We also know the coaches want at least one more lineman and at least one wide receiver.  One player at each of those positions would put the Wolverines at 26, but the potential remains for a second wide receiver and perhaps another defensive back.  Big Ten schools can sign up to 28 players on National Signing Day.

I have also mentioned in the past that we should keep our eye out for more attrition in the coming months.  There's at least one player who looks to be on his way out, but perhaps two more (as of now) who could go, too.  So Michigan should have no problem bringing in a large class in February.