Tag: If I Had My Druthers

If I Had My Druthers…2021 Class: Offense

Michigan has been throwing out offers left and right over the past few years, which makes recruiting hard to track. I have always enjoyed evaluating players and watching film, so this is an attempt to put together the best possible class for Michigan.

These are not necessarily realistic, but rather than just saying, “I want every 5-star!”, I want to put together a somewhat attainable list of players that have impressed me.

This exercise assumes that Michigan will land 25 players in the 2021 class.

QUARTERBACK: J.J. McCarthy – La Grange Park (IL) Nazareth Academy
Ranking (247 Composite): 5-star, #2 pro-style QB, #16 overall
Scoop: McCarthy is already committed to Michigan (LINK).
Highlights: See above link

QUARTERBACK: Shedeur Sanders – Cedar Hill (TX) Trinity Christian
Ranking: 4-star, #14 pro-style QB, #238 overall
Scoop: Though he’s ranked as a pro-style quarterback, Sanders has the physical ability to be a dual-threat guy or play other skill positions. Don’t get me wrong – he’s not as blindingly fast as his dad, Deion Sanders, but he can still run well. I also like the idea of taking two quarterbacks, especially when other quarterbacks on the roster might transfer or switch positions. It would also be nice to have some of Prime Time’s star power hanging around the program.
Highlights: LINK

Hit the jump for more.

If I Had My Druthers . . . 2020 Transfers

Michigan is rumored to have some interest in various potential transfers. I will address some of those rumored players here. I cannot claim to have watched all of these players play – especially in college – but I will do my best to evaluate how they would fit on Michigan’s roster.

NOTE: I am only looking at players that Michigan has been tied to in one way or another, because otherwise, obviously this would be way too overwhelming.

Hit the jump for the list.

If I Had My Druthers . . . 2017 National Signing Day Eve

Starkville (MS) Starkville LB Willie Gay (image via Twitter)

Normally I do a position-by-position look when I do these “If I Had My Druthers” posts, but it’s coming down to crunch time and I don’t have the chance. So here’s a quick look at how I prefer the guys on Michigan’s short list:

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If I had My Druthers . . . 2017 Offensive Line

Austin Jackson (image via USA Today)

Last year I took a late look at a few positions that Michigan was recruiting down to the wire. For example, I wanted Devin Asiasi the most out of Michigan’s remaining tight end targets last January (LINK), and he signed with the Wolverines, for whom he played quite a bit as a freshman. (For the record, the other four tight end targets on that list redshirted in 2016.) As a reminder, I feel it’s necessary to mention that I specifically avoid looking at recruiting rankings while working on this piece to avoid being influenced, though this here hobby means I have a fair idea of their general ranking.

1. Austin Jackson – OT – Phoenix (AZ) North Canyon: Jackson is the least physically developed player on this list at 6’6″, 270 lbs. He’s a lithe, athletic offensive tackle/defensive end, and he almost doesn’t look like an offensive tackle prospect. Though he is largely regarded as an offensive line prospect, he almost certainly needs a redshirt to add some size in order to play OL. He’s very good working up to the second level and playing in space, and he moves his feet well in pass protection. Right now he can get overpowered at the line of scrimmage by bigger players, but I do like athletes at offensive tackle who need to fill out rather than big guys who need to learn to be athletic.

Hit the jump for the remainder of the list.

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2017 Recruiting Wish List: July 7, 2016

Antioch (CA) Antioch running back Najee Harris

With the commitment of offensive tackle Kai-Leon Herbert yesterday (LINK), Michigan now has 18 verbal commitments in the class of 2017. Technically, there’s room for 19 signees since 19 seniors are graduating, but I’m assuming Michigan gets into the mid- to high 20s due to attrition. Somewhat randomly using the number 29 – only because that’s what Michigan maxed out at in 2016 –  here are the 11 prospects I would like to see Michigan finish with in 2017. (Note: This is a wish list, not an expectation, but I am only considering players with interest in Michigan.)

QUARTERBACK
Commits (1): Dylan McCaffrey
Wish list (0): N/A
Rationale: Michigan has a pretty solid, consistent line of quarterbacks lined up for the next few years. Once Wilton Speight and John O’Korn matriculate, the Wolverines will have 2016 signee Brandon Peters and then McCaffrey in the next class.

RUNNING BACK
Commits (3): A.J. Dillon, O’Maury Samuels, Kurt Taylor
Wish list (1): Najee Harris
Rationale: I like Cam Akers and Stephen Carr (USC) a lot, too, but Harris is the #1 recruit in the country, according to some. He’s currently committed to Alabama, but many people think he’ll end up elsewhere. Michigan’s trio of running backs is solid, but Harris is too good to pass up if you can get him. The unfortunate thing is that one of the current commits would probably not end up in the class if Michigan were able to flip Harris.

Hit the jump for the rest of the positional wishes.

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