The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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First-Year Recruiting Efforts In The Big Ten 1. Jim Tressel, Ohio State, 2002 Tressel's first full class at Ohio State was ranked as the No. 5 incoming group in the country and tops in the Big Ten in 2002. Several members went on to star in college, including Freshman All-American Maurice Clarett, 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, and four players — linebackers A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpen- ter, offensive lineman Nick Mangold, and wide receiver Santonio Holmes — who were selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. 2. Rich Rodriguez, Michigan, 2009 Rodriguez's disastrous 2008 campaign didn't make his work on the recruiting Ohio tackle and five-star prospect Kyle Kalis is the centerpiece of Michigan's five-man group of offensive line commitments, a unit that was ranked No. 1 in the nation at its position by Rivals.com as of Dec. 1. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM together a strong recruiting class just from the Midwest," Helmholdt said. "I never would advocate it permanently. The Midwest alone doesn't have as much talent as Texas or Florida does. The core of the class has to come from the Midwest, then utilize contacts around the country to pick what you can get at that point." Michigan has branched out from the Midwest as well. Magnuson, a true left tackle prospect, is the No. 6 recruit in California. He picked Michigan over offers from several top programs, including Miami, Oregon and USC. Salt Lake City Highlands running back Sione Houma is considered just a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, but he has the size (6-0, 211 pounds) to grow into a fullback, filling a need for Michigan, and the speed to make defenses pay if they don't respect him as a threat to run the ball. The Wolverines' ability to add pros- pects from outside the Midwest has augmented the core of the class, allow- ing it to reach the levels it has. Hoke and his assistants have just a few scholarship slots remaining in the 2012 recruiting class. If they can build on the momentum from a strong start and close with talented impact players — some of whom they are in good po- sition to land —Hoke's first full class as the head coach at Michigan could be one of the school's best ever. Since he's backing it up with a strong product on the field, future recruiting classes could propel the Wolverines back to the forefront of the college foot- ball world. ❑ trail any easier. Despite the lack of success on the field, he managed to put to- gether Rivals.com's No. 9 recruiting class nationally and the No. 2 unit in the Big Ten. Though none of these players have completed their college careers, quar- terback Denard Robinson, defensive end Craig Roh and offensive lineman Taylor Lewan are just a few of the members who have already seen success. 3. Tim Brewster, Minnesota, 2008 Brewster's disappointing tenure as Minnesota head coach started with an ex- cellent recruiting class, despite a 1-11 record in his first year on the field. Brewster is known as a recruiter, and landing the Big Ten's No. 3 class and the nation's No. 17 group of signees bore that out. Signing 30 prospects helped boost Min- nesota's recruiting class ranking. Quarterback MarQueis Gray has developed into a possible star, albeit under a new head coach. 4. Ron Zook, Illinois, 2006 Zook was recently fired for Illinois' lack of success on the field, but he managed to overachieve on the recruiting trail. In his first full recruiting season, he put together Rivals.com's No. 30 class in the land and the No. 5 unit in the Big Ten. Cornerback Vontae Davis was a first-round draft pick in 2009, and quarterback Juice Williams started three years for the Illini. 5. Bret Bielema, Wisconsin, 2007 Bielema was a coach in waiting at Wisconsin, so his first full class signed prior to his inaugural season as the headman. His 2007 class was No. 7 in the Big Ten and No. 34 nationally. Offensive lineman Josh Oglesby and running back John Clay — a current starter for the Badgers and a practice squad member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively — were the headliners of the class. 6. Mark Dantonio, Michigan State, 2008 Dantonio's first recruiting class in East Lansing was just No. 8 in the Big Ten and No. 47 in the country according to Rivals.com, but has gotten the job done on the field, earning a 2010 Big Ten co-championship and a berth in the title game this year. Defensive tackle Jerel Worthy is projected as a high NFL Draft pick, and cornerback Johnny Adams was recently named an All-Big Ten second-team selection. 7. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern, 2007 Fitzgerald was thrust into a head coaching position following the untimely death of Randy Walker. His team struggled to a 4-8 record on the field while be brought in the Big Ten's No. 9 recruiting class according to Rivals.com. 8. Danny Hope, Purdue, 2009 Thanks to a coach in waiting situation, Hope's first full recruiting class came together before he was the Boilermakers' head coach. His 2009 class was ranked last in the Big Ten according to Rivals.com, and the Boilermakers' 20 commits averaged 2.5 stars. 9. Bill Lynch, Indiana, 2008 Indiana has been a perennial cellar dweller in the Big Ten — both on the field and the recruiting trail. Lynch's first class — which he assembled under difficult circumstances following the untimely death of Terry Hoeppner — was last in the Big Ten and unranked nationally according to Rivals.com. The Hoosiers averaged just 2.15 stars for each of their 20 commits. NR. Joe Paterno (Penn State), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa) Started prior to Rivals.com rankings. NR. Bo Pelini, Nebraska, 2009 Nebraska was not in the Big Ten at the time. — Tim Sullivan DECEMBER 2011 THE WOLVERINE 65