Michigan Football Recruiting Q&A
Rivals, Scout and more on Michigan recruits
Rich Rodriguez is trying to turn the Wolverines from a big, powerful team to a smaller, quicker, more explosive team with the ability to play better in open space.
This Michigan recruiting class will go a long way towards turning that team into Rodriguez's style of football players.
Michigan Football Recruiting Q&A
These questions will deal with the incoming recruits for the Michigan football program and how they fit into the puzzle for next year and beyond.
Q: Who will have the biggest impact of the new recruits for Michigan?
A: Probably one of the two quarterbacks, Tate Forcier and Shavodrick Beaver. Steven Threet and especially Nick Sheridan simply aren't the answer at quarterback and Rodriguez's offense demands a running QB who can also throw a little bit.
Forcier is more of a thrower than a runner but he can do both pretty well. His 40 time is listed at 4.6.
Shavodrick Beaver is more of a runner but also has a strong arm. He will need to develop as a passer. He reminds some of Dennis Dixon in terms of build and speed.
Q: Who will surprise and commit to Michigan late?
A: It could be any number of sleeper prospects from the south that Rodriguez is going after. Many of these guys have been late bloomers and are looking for a big-time offer. They might not be great prospects right away but they could have the speed and athletic ability to develop into big-time players later on down the line.
Cameron Gordon of Inkster, Michigan is a good example of this type of player as he just committed to Michigan and could develop later on into a fast linebacker or a solid wide receiver. Rodriguez is good at plucking last-second commitments like last year when he stole Roy Roundtree from Purdue.
Q: How big is the loss of Jordan Barnes?
A: Not all that big, even though Michigan is a bit short on top linebackers. Jordan Barnes has speed but he didn't have a great senior year and some coaches were puzzled as to why Michigan even offered him. Not only that but Barnes' de-commitment just might sway the opinion of star prospect Jelani Jenkins, the linebacker Michigan sorely needs. Every bit counts with Jenkins because he would make the recruiting class elite.
Q: How is William Campbell's possible commitment looking?
A: Pretty good according to most Michigan program insiders. He was at the Michigan-Duke basketball game and he stormed the court with the students and celebrated with everybody. He said he seemed to enjoy the visit and he got to spend time with Brandon Graham, a great ambassador for the Michigan football program and a guy who has enjoyed his time with the Rodriguez coaching staff. He could go pro and make a good chunk of money in the NFL but he plans to stay for his senior season and he is a great salesman for the university and for Campbell.
Campbell hasn't really been wowed by his visits to southern schools even though he hails from Detroit, and teams like LSU and USC have a lot of ground to make up to steal him from the maize and blue.
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