Several NFL Draft hopefuls worked out at Michigan’s pro day on Friday, March 26. Here are some of the noteworthy results:
WR Nico Collins (6’4″, 215 lbs.)
40 time: 4.43 seconds
Bench press reps: 14
Vertical jump: 37.5″
Broad jump: 10’5 3/4″
3-cone drill: 6.71 seconds
5-10-5 drill: 4.32 seconds
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The 2009 recruiting class was Rich Rodriguez’s first full recruiting class in Ann Arbor, and he did his best to bring in the type of running quarterback that had been successful for him at previous stops like West Virginia (Pat White) and Clemson (Woody Dantzler). Rodriguez did about as well as expected, landing two starting-caliber quarterbacks.
THE ROSTER
David Cone, RS Jr.
Nick Sheridan, RS Jr. (walk-on)
THE RECRUITS
Tate Forcier
Ratings: 247 Composite 4-star, #4 dual-threat QB, #120 overall
High school: San Diego (CA) Scripps Ranch
College: Michigan San Jose State
Other notable offers: Florida, Oregon, Penn State, Stanford
Scoop: Forcier was an early enrollee in January 2009, the first true quarterback prospect to arrive on campus since Rich Rodriguez’s arrival. He seized the starting job as a freshman and started all 12 games. His most memorable game in a 5-7 season was against Notre Dame, in which he had a couple clutch touchdowns to finish off the Irish. He finished the season 165-for-281 for 2,050 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions; he also gained 240 yards and had 3 touchdowns on the ground. However, Forcier fell out of favor with the coaches in the off-season and was demoted for his sophomore year in 2010 in favor of Denard Robinson. He played in 8 games and replaced an injured Robinson in the Illinois game, leading the team to a 67-65 victory in triple-overtime. Forcier finished his sophomore season 54-for-84 for 597 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions; he also rushed 22 times for 51 yards and 1 touchdown. He transferred to San Jose State University and sat out the 2011 season due to NCAA transfer rules, but left the school in January 2012 for academic reasons. He signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL in spring 2012 but was cut from the team a month later.
Denard Robinson
Ratings: 247 Composite 4-star, #9 ATH, #121 overall
High school: Deerfield Beach (FL) Deerfield Beach
College: Michigan
Other notable offers: Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Ohio State
Scoop: Robinson was recruited by many schools as an “athlete” or defensive back, and Michigan was one of only a couple schools offering him a chance to play quarterback. He was a late addition to the 2009 class, committing on National Signing Day in February. After being a backup/gadget player as a freshman, he went on to start for most of the next three seasons, a run ended by an elbow injury halfway through his senior year. Overall, he completed 57.2% of his passes for 6,250 yards, 49 touchdowns, and 39 interceptions. His biggest impact came in the running game, where the lightning-fast Robinson ran for 4,495 yards on 6.2 yards/carry and scored 42 touchdowns. He was an All-American in 2010, a two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, and finished #6 in the Heisman voting in 2010. He was picked in the 5th round (#135 overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a running back and played for the Jags from 2013-2016, totaling 1,058 rushing yards and 5 total touchdowns.
Hit the jump for a look at the rest of Michigan’s quarterback recruiting efforts in 2009.
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Sydir Mitchell – DT – Oradell (NJ) Bergen Catholic: Mitchell is a 6’5″, 330 lb. prospect with offers from Penn State, Texas A&M, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #3 defensive tackle, and #53 overall.
Ethan Nation – CB – Roswell (GA) Roswell: Nation is a 6’0″, 170-pounder with offers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, and Notre Dame, among others. He made 35 tackles, 8 interceptions, and 6 pass breakups as a sophomore in 2020.
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In case you’re not aware, I have a list of every Michigan recruit going back 20+ years and their rankings (LINK).
Below you will find each 2021 recruit and his closest ranked comparison by position in Michigan history. This might help boost – or temper – some expectations for what we will see from the class.
Hit the jump for the comparisons.
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COMMITMENTS
Cornerback Will Johnson (LINK) and wide receiver Tay’shawn Trent (LINK) committed to Michigan.
T.J. Dudley – LB – Montgomery (AL) Catholic: Dudley is a 6’2″, 210 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, LSU, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #15 outside linebacker, and #171 overall. Both crystal balls for him right now are for Alabama.
Zane Durant – DE – Orlando (FL) Lake Nona: Durant is a 6’2″, 251 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Indiana, Penn State, and USC, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #22 strongside end, and #352 overall. As a junior in 2020, he made 40 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. Fun fact: The last time Michigan landed a commitment from a Lake Nona product, it was quarterback Kevin Sousa during the Rich Rodriguez era, who decommitted and ended up at Wake Forest.
Kenneth Grant – DT – Merrillville (IN) Merrillville: Grant is a 6’4″, 335-pounder with offers from Illinois, Nebraska, and Purdue, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 3-star and the #67 defensive tackle. He’s the type of big dude that Michigan has not recruited much of over the past several years, a space-eater.
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