The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/99673
michigan recruiting Expansion Changes Recruiting Territory W hen Maryland and Rutgers joined the Big Ten in mid-November, it potentially opened new recruiting areas for other schools in the league — including Michigan. Access to the New York and Washington, D.C., markets via the Big Ten Network and games in those locales could encourage more recruits to take a look at schools outside the East Coast. However, the programs that it may have the biggest impact on are the two new ones to the conference. Recruits along the East Coast can now play Big Ten football without straying too far from home. "That's really good for Maryland]" Pomfret (Md.) McDonogh four-star senior offensive lineman Na'Ty Rodgers said. "The ACC does not get a lot of respect for football, and for them to make a move like that will excite a lot of recruits and, I'm sure, the players there." Rodgers, who holds a Michigan offer but has been favoring Maryland and South Carolina, actually sees it boosting the Terrapins more than the existing schools in the Big Ten. Should other recruits feel the same way, it Na'Ty Rodgers, a four-star senior offensive lineman at Pomfret (Md.) McDonogh who boasts offers from both Michigan and Maryland, believes the Terrapins will benefit from their move to the Big Ten. photo courtesy rivals.com could re-energize a Maryland program that posted a 2-10 record in 2011 and a 4-8 mark this fall. It's a similar story for Rutgers. Although the Scarlet Knights have experienced more recent success on the gridiron than the Terrapins, the Class Of 2013 Football Commitments Name Kyle Bosch Jake Butt Taco Charlton David Dawson Ross Douglas Jaron Dukes Chris Fox Ben Gedeon Delano Hill Khalid Hill Maurice Hurst Jr. Da'Mario Jones Patrick Kugler Jourdan Lewis Mike McCray Shane Morris Henry Poggi Wyatt Shallman Deveon Smith Channing Stribling Scott Sypniewski Dymonte Thomas Logan Tuley-Thomas Csont'e York Pos. Ht. Wt. OL 6-5 285 TE 6-6 230 DE 6-6 240 OL 6-4 282 DB 5-10 180 WR 6-4 197 OL 6-6 297 LB 6-3 215 DB 6-0 198 TE 6-2 230 DT 6-2 305 WR 6-2 185 OL 6-5 280 DB 5-11 170 LB 6-4 230 QB 6-3 183 DT 6-4 260 ATH 6-3 255 RB 5-11 195 DB 6-2 170 OL 6-1 230 DB 6-1 175 OL 6-7 280 WR 6-3 185 44 the wolverine January 2013 Hometown (High School) Wheaton, Ill. (St. Francis) Pickerington, Ohio (Pickerington North) Pickerington, Ohio (Central) Detroit (Cass Tech) Avon, Ohio (Avon) Columbus, Ohio (Marion Franklin) Parker, Colo. (Ponderosa) Hudson, Ohio (Hudson) Detroit (Cass Tech) Detroit (Crockett) Westwood, Mass. (Xaverian Brothers) Westland, Mich. (John Glenn) Wexford, Pa. (North Allegheny) Detroit (Cass Tech) Trotwood, Ohio (Trotwood-Madison) Warren, Mich. (De La Salle) Baltimore (Gilman School) Novi, Mich. (Detroit Central Catholic) Warren, Ohio (Howland) Matthews, N.C. (Butler) Ottawa, Ill. (Marquette) Alliance, Ohio (Marlington) Peoria, Ill. (Manual) Harper Woods, Mich. (Chandler Park) move to the Big Ten should continue to boost the New Jersey-based school on the recruiting trail more than it does its new league foes. "I think it's awesome," Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep coach Rich Hansen said. "It opens up a whole other recruiting attitude for Rutgers. I think it creates a ton of excitement here locally. Obviously, from a revenue standpoint, it's a no-brainer. I don't see a negative." St. Peter's Prep is the home of 2014 standout running back Jonathan Hilliman, who includes Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin among his top 10 schools, along with the home-state Scarlet Knights. Precedent shows that Michigan's recruiting base could see some immediate gains because of the move, but long-term success is not guaranteed. When South Florida joined the Big East in 2005, it was expected to be a boost to recruiting in the Sunshine State for Big East members such as Rutgers. From 2002-05, RU signed seven prospects from Florida per year. In the time since, the Bulls have held on to more of that talent, and Rutgers has averaged fewer than five signees from Florida from 2006-12. Decision Dates Loom The top two prospects left on Michigan's board — in terms of both need and ranking by Rivals.com — are still undecided. However, both of these players have given a good indication of when a commitment might come. Seffner (Fla.) Armwood defensive back Leon McQuay III is ranked as a five-star prospect, the No. 5 player in the state of Florida, the No. 2 safety nationally and the No. 19 overall player in the senior class. McQuay has narrowed his choices to USC, Vanderbilt, and Michigan, with others — such as Florida State and South Florida — trying to remain in the mix. The 6-2, 185-pounder plans to enroll early at the school he picks, so he must decide within the first week of January in order to start his college career. A commitment could come at the Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 4, or even earlier if he's ready. Time isn't quite so tight for the top