Football INTEL 12/23: Where things stand with multiple portal prospects

[GoBlueRW]

It’s not just a matter of total budget, where it appears Michigan is now finally competitive with the programs it considers to be peers. It’s a question in each case of how much they value a given prospect. Surely they’d like to have this guy, but they may not think he’s worth as much, or at least worth as much to their program given reasonable alternatives, as other programs do.

We usually disagree, but this is spot on.

 

[GoBlueRW]

Need 1-2 more impact guys on the OL, either from this group or from some new names that come through the portal before the winter window closes. The OL simply wasn’t good enough this year, and whoever we trot out at QB next year is going to need a line that plays more like 21-23 than 24.

Let’s not forget we had the best OL class in ‘24. Id bet we see a name or two pop up from there.

We also just landed a great OL coach that can help advance development.

 

[wellford_blue]

Not arguing he has his own mind. Just disappointing when you can’t get your top target at a position of need. Makes the recruitment of the Wazzu guy more important. So hopefully they get him

hopefully but we will be ok either way

 

[buttaball]

Very disappointing. Thompson the most disappointing considering the home connection. That should have been a slam dunk. People will say there’s “time” but we’ll be getting guys that were a lot lower on the staff’s board if we do get some
OL. Not ideal.

Not arguing he has his own mind. Just disappointing when you can’t get your top target at a position of need. Makes the recruitment of the Wazzu guy more important. So hopefully they get him

Things to keep in mind:

• Thompson is a G/RT, who most likely is more effective at G. At 6"5", 300 he is basically Josh Priebe, minus the 3rd team All-Big status.
• Knowing this, he would no be the replacement for Hinton but instead compete with our returning OGs, as well as the OTs who get moved inside (my bet is that Link ends up at G and ends up being really good there).
• Thompson played on Northwestern's OL last season. We just played them. When watching Northwestern gain 10 yards rushing on 25 carries and watching thir QB get sacked 10 times was there a point in that game where you thought: "Michigan NEEDS OL from that line."?
• I'd much rather have Fa’alili Fa’amoe, a guy with 19 starts at RT as well as more size (315 lbs) and a couple of seasons of eligibility.

• Either way, that is a recruitment you cannot lose

  This phrase hase been overused to the point where is becomes nothing but noise. Tell me what will happen if Michigan DOES lose the recruitment? We shut the program down because a solid OG didn't commit? There are no recrutiments that Michigan can't lose, IMO, becasue the MIchigan Football Program is bigger than any recruit or transfer.

 

[MaizeGVBlue]

Suckeyes just signed a Tackle from Rice from the portal so Thompson probably won’t be going there

 

[buttaball]

Max Klare to OSU, wtf. That's annoying.

Absolutely stupid move by Klare and his handler/agent.

He was being recruited by teams like Texas and Michigan that use the TE extensively, and produce draft picks at the position.

Instead, he signs with OSU, a team that HISTORICALLY has not used the TE, to be yet another toy that sits unused in their toy box.

I laugh because OSU just signed an intriguing TE in the 2023 class that they have yet to throw one ball to. Reading OSU fan comments Jelani Thurman was an up-and -comer (4 catches 42 yards 1 TD) who might just leave.

Their 2024 TEs COMBINED for 32 catches in a pass-happy offense.
Michigan, with a terrible passing offense had one TE with 56 catches, who most probably will be selected in the first round.
Texas has a TE with 55 catches, who will also be a high draft pick.
Where will Gee Scott and his 20 catches go in the draft? 🤣😂🤣

Did Klare actually transfer to OSU with the thought that HE would be the TE to take targets away from Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and plug in WR 3 from the group of five star WRs on their roster...Innis?

Being the next Cade Stover vs being the next Colston Loveland or Gunnar Helm is....something.

But this basically reminds me of the Trayanum signing: As time went by, we all figured that OSU signed him to keep him away from other competitors who might use him against them. To refresh, Trayanum had 15 carries for 92 yards for OSU in 2022- 14 of those carries were vs Michigan.

Trayanum finished his OSU carreer with exactly 100 carries- We saw him gain 6.2 YPC on only 6 carries vs Michigan in 2023 before they went away from the run.

TEs and power backs who choose OSU over programs that actually make use of those types of players usually do minimal damage.

 

[BIGBOYD21]

Did some asking around about the word coming out of the weekend as Michigan hosted a handful of prospects and are in on some others.

Here’s the latest we’re hearing.

- We’ll start with OL. From talking to some folks, it sounds like Northwestern OL Josh Thompson is close to a decision and I am not optimistic it’s going to be Michigan at this point. I don’t have a good feel but it sounds like the SEC has been pushing hard.
- Wazzou OL Fa’alili Fa’amoe visited this weekend and the feeling is that the Wolverines did a good job and put their best foot forward, it feels like U-M has some ground to make up on programs like Nebraska and LSU who have done a good job there.
- Michigan feels like it did a great job with Alabama RB Justice Haynes. This one appears to be coming down to a Michigan vs. South Carolina battle. Haynes has spent multiple days at both campuses and the relationship he has with Alford plays a role. We’re in let it play out territory as he approaches a decision.
- Fresno State QB Mikey Keene committed to the program today and we’re told that the program has been left feeling like they got “their guy” at QB. We’re told he was the preference all along in the Keene vs. Finn debate and the familiarity he has with Chip Lindsey and his offense made the decision an easy one for both parties.
- Arizona CB Emmanuel Karnley is a bit of a mystery right now but this recruitment feels winnable for Michigan, we’ll have to see.
- Same goes for UConn WR Skyler Bell. Nothing immediate to report coming out of the visit but all signs point to this being a winnable recruitment for the Wolverines.

That’s all I have for now. I don’t have other names at OL or WR if it falls through but will share anything I get when I get it.

A little confusing that we are having trouble closing on OL prospects in the portal, but hopefully it all works out.

 

[buttaball]

It’s not just a matter of total budget, where it appears Michigan is now finally competitive with the programs it considers to be peers. It’s a question in each case of how much they value a given prospect. Surely they’d like to have this guy, but they may not think he’s worth as much, or at least worth as much to their program given reasonable alternatives, as other programs do.

I gave your post a love after @GoBlueRW agreed with you. I had to unblock you first.😁

Merry Christmas Eve and Christmas to you and your Family, if you celebrate!

 

[GoBlueRW]

I gave your post a love after @GoBlueRW agreed with you. I had to unblock you first.😁

Merry Christmas Eve and Christmas to you and your Family, if you celebrate!

 

[MaizeGVBlue]

Disappointing about Thompson.

LSU