This is the first time in a while that I've done a TJR.
Between getting back into the recruiting game and in my new position as editor, it's been a routine-building couple of weeks. Long-term, I think this will pay off for the site and our community.
I understand that at this time the recruiting content is what's most desired and most likely to be consumed. That being said, I want that content to be worth your time. I'm not prioritizing the number of updates, rather the quality of them. This thought process can be compared to Josh's with the Harbaugh stuff. It doesn't help anybody if I'm blowing up your feeds with meaningless updates, or making you read a novel about things that aren't worth your time.
With that being said, I fully believe we can kick it up a notch despite the fact. I think the first signing day was a resounding success for this site and with the community. There's been a ton of new offers since and Zach has done a tremendous job covering those.
Going forward, expect updates with substance throughout the week and on Friday, I'll throw a collection of the week's notes in here, along with some new intel. The nature of the beast is this will be a more detailed column on certain weeks and a less detailed one during others.
With National Signing Day coming next Wednesday, I wanted to revisit what's left in Michigan's 2022 class.
I'm going to put out a football-related, defensive coordinator-specific TJR tomorrow. We'll also be doing a weekly offer recap on Sunday, this will be a weekly feature.
Josh Conerly
Conerly won't be making a decision until sometime in March. He's visiting Miami this weekend for the first time. The Canes got involved after it hired Mario Cristobal, who recruited him hard at Oregon and is a former lineman himself. Conerly spoke with CaneSport.com earlier this week and noted he's never been to Florida before. How he reacts to that trip is unpredictable; it could be substantial, or unimportant. He added in the interview that Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, and USC are all even right now.
I've said this since I started here: this one is wide open. Michigan has been the perceived leader since his visit for the Washington game in Week 2. Many thought he would commit following that trip. His strongest tie in Ann Arbor was former Director of Player Personnel, Courtney Morgan. When Morgan left, Michigan's momentum halted and its confidence lessened.
That being said, most of that was due to Early Signing Day falling days after Morgan left. When it became clear that Conerly would wait until February's signing day, Michigan again became the perceived favorite among the majority of sources.
Now, Conerly is waiting until March, adding new schools to his list, and taking additional visits.
There's a reason for worry here given the new contenders in Miami, Oklahoma, and USC, but, nothing is more concerning than the uncertainty surrounding his decision.
Regardless, Michigan's efforts haven't changed. Conerly remains the guy in the class and it will look to close out. Naturally, this staff is going to have a hard time closing out any recruit right now given the uncertainty surrounding Harbaugh's contract and the vacant defensive coordinator position. Luckily, the DC doesn't matter in Conerly's case and they have a month to figure that out the contract. Given the NFL draft, it's highly unlikely these negotiations extend into March. At that point, any negotiation won't be a matter of Harbaugh staying or leaving, rather the details of his contract.
There's no gut feel here with Conerly until Michigan solidifies its head coach, in my opinion. That being said, Michigan should be a lock to, at the very least, be in contention until the end.
Andrew Paul
247sports.com
Clemson and Georgia have inserted themselves in the race here and UGA is hosting him for a visit the weekend before signing day.
It's hard to pick against the Dawgs here given its reputation with running backs, a national championship, and likely passing on Jordan James in favor of Paul.
The country's fastest-rising prospect had a recruitment reminiscent of Michigan signee Jimmy Rolder's -- Michigan offered after a couple of others, then their offer sheets exploded. The Wolverines had immediate momentum with Rolder given his academic priorities, proximity to home, and family's encouragement to choose U-M. With Paul, things seem more open-minded and the competition is more national than regional like it was with Rolder.
Paul's post-visit smoke wasn't encouraging, especially given how quiet his circle was after it. Before his visit, we had updates coming but haven't since. This could be about keeping things close to the vest and deciding in peace, which I can respect, or they don't want to talk Michigan.
Clemson and UGA have more momentum right now than Michigan, but it's hard to call this one given that Paul himself hasn't decided. He's still anticipating this UGA trip. Not similar to Conerly's trip to Miami, this trip to Athens will determine his commitment, whether it's Georgia or anywhere else.
Stay tuned as we will have updates as they come in regarding Paul.
Between getting back into the recruiting game and in my new position as editor, it's been a routine-building couple of weeks. Long-term, I think this will pay off for the site and our community.
I understand that at this time the recruiting content is what's most desired and most likely to be consumed. That being said, I want that content to be worth your time. I'm not prioritizing the number of updates, rather the quality of them. This thought process can be compared to Josh's with the Harbaugh stuff. It doesn't help anybody if I'm blowing up your feeds with meaningless updates, or making you read a novel about things that aren't worth your time.
With that being said, I fully believe we can kick it up a notch despite the fact. I think the first signing day was a resounding success for this site and with the community. There's been a ton of new offers since and Zach has done a tremendous job covering those.
Going forward, expect updates with substance throughout the week and on Friday, I'll throw a collection of the week's notes in here, along with some new intel. The nature of the beast is this will be a more detailed column on certain weeks and a less detailed one during others.
With National Signing Day coming next Wednesday, I wanted to revisit what's left in Michigan's 2022 class.
I'm going to put out a football-related, defensive coordinator-specific TJR tomorrow. We'll also be doing a weekly offer recap on Sunday, this will be a weekly feature.
Josh Conerly
Conerly won't be making a decision until sometime in March. He's visiting Miami this weekend for the first time. The Canes got involved after it hired Mario Cristobal, who recruited him hard at Oregon and is a former lineman himself. Conerly spoke with CaneSport.com earlier this week and noted he's never been to Florida before. How he reacts to that trip is unpredictable; it could be substantial, or unimportant. He added in the interview that Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, and USC are all even right now.
I've said this since I started here: this one is wide open. Michigan has been the perceived leader since his visit for the Washington game in Week 2. Many thought he would commit following that trip. His strongest tie in Ann Arbor was former Director of Player Personnel, Courtney Morgan. When Morgan left, Michigan's momentum halted and its confidence lessened.
That being said, most of that was due to Early Signing Day falling days after Morgan left. When it became clear that Conerly would wait until February's signing day, Michigan again became the perceived favorite among the majority of sources.
Now, Conerly is waiting until March, adding new schools to his list, and taking additional visits.
There's a reason for worry here given the new contenders in Miami, Oklahoma, and USC, but, nothing is more concerning than the uncertainty surrounding his decision.
Regardless, Michigan's efforts haven't changed. Conerly remains the guy in the class and it will look to close out. Naturally, this staff is going to have a hard time closing out any recruit right now given the uncertainty surrounding Harbaugh's contract and the vacant defensive coordinator position. Luckily, the DC doesn't matter in Conerly's case and they have a month to figure that out the contract. Given the NFL draft, it's highly unlikely these negotiations extend into March. At that point, any negotiation won't be a matter of Harbaugh staying or leaving, rather the details of his contract.
There's no gut feel here with Conerly until Michigan solidifies its head coach, in my opinion. That being said, Michigan should be a lock to, at the very least, be in contention until the end.
Andrew Paul
Andrew Paul, Georgia Bulldogs, Running Back
Played at Keller (Texas) Central prior to his junior season. Ran an 11.73 100 as a sophomore in Spring 2020.
247sports.com
Clemson and Georgia have inserted themselves in the race here and UGA is hosting him for a visit the weekend before signing day.
It's hard to pick against the Dawgs here given its reputation with running backs, a national championship, and likely passing on Jordan James in favor of Paul.
The country's fastest-rising prospect had a recruitment reminiscent of Michigan signee Jimmy Rolder's -- Michigan offered after a couple of others, then their offer sheets exploded. The Wolverines had immediate momentum with Rolder given his academic priorities, proximity to home, and family's encouragement to choose U-M. With Paul, things seem more open-minded and the competition is more national than regional like it was with Rolder.
Paul's post-visit smoke wasn't encouraging, especially given how quiet his circle was after it. Before his visit, we had updates coming but haven't since. This could be about keeping things close to the vest and deciding in peace, which I can respect, or they don't want to talk Michigan.
Clemson and UGA have more momentum right now than Michigan, but it's hard to call this one given that Paul himself hasn't decided. He's still anticipating this UGA trip. Not similar to Conerly's trip to Miami, this trip to Athens will determine his commitment, whether it's Georgia or anywhere else.
Stay tuned as we will have updates as they come in regarding Paul.
