The 2012 In-State Recruiting Battle
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| Mario Ojemudia is Michigan’s top prospect, according to the Detroit News |
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio has claimed in recent years that he cares more about in-state recruiting than Michigan, and that might have been true in the years when Rich Rodriguez was the head man at Michigan. But the arrival of Brady Hoke might have swayed the favor in-state toward Ann Arbor. Let’s take a look at the top recruits in the state of Michigan, based on the Detroit News’ blue-chip list:
1. Mario Ojemudia – DE – Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’3″, 225 lb. end – who also played a lot of defensive tackle – had 104 tackles and 14 sacks. He considered Michigan State early, but committed to Michigan on May 7, 2011, and stuck with Michigan to the end.
2. Terry Richardson – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 5’9″, 160 lb. cornerback made 5 interceptions during his senior season. He was a little later in committing than his in-state friends James Ross and Royce Jenkins-Stone, but he hopped on board on May 19, 2011. He entertained taking visits to other schools, but mostly he was considering heading to SEC country rather than East Lansing. However, Michigan’s coaches told him that if he visited elsewhere, they wouldn’t necessarily reserve a spot for him in the recruiting class. He did not visit elsewhere and signed with Michigan.
3. James Ross – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’0″, 210 lb. linebacker made 173 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks as a senior. He had committed to Michigan back on May 2, 2011, and remained committed throughout the process.
4. Royce Jenkins-Stone – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’2″, 215 lb. middle linebacker made 115 unassisted tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions as a senior. He had committed to Michigan on April 16, 2011, and remained committed until National Signing Day.
5. Aaron Burbridge – WR – Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’2″, 185 lb. wideout reportedly wanted to commit to Michigan along with teammates Ojemudia and Devin Funchess, but he didn’t have the grades to get into Michigan(that sentiment was confirmed by Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson). He committed to Michigan State on July 28, 2011, and signed with the Spartans on National Signing Day.
6. Matt Godin – DE – Novi (MI) Catholic Central
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’6″, 270 lb. defensive end/tackle made 70 tackles and 9 sacks as a senior. He committed to Michigan on May 12, 2011, and signed with Michigan.
7. Devin Funchess – TE – Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’4″, 215 lb. tight end committed to Michigan on April 22, 2011, and signed with Michigan in February.
8. Danny O’Brien – DT – Flint (MI) Powers Catholic
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’2″, 293 lb. defensive tackle considered both in-state schools heavily, but committed to Tennessee on October 6, 2011, and signed with the Volunteers in February.
9. Ron Thompson – TE – Southfield (MI) Southfield
Offered by: Michigan only
The 6’4″, 230 lb. tight end made 57 receptions for 729 yards and 9 touchdowns as a senior. He was offered by Michigan early in the process but the Wolverines reportedly backed off due to some classroom issues. He committed to Syracuse on November 7, 2011, and signed with the Orangemen in February.
10. Ben Braden – OT – Rockford (MI) Rockford
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’7″, 320 lb. offensive tackle committed to Michigan on March 24, 2011. He signed with the Wolverines in February.
11. Evan Winston – DE – Muskegon (MI) Muskegon
Offered by: Neither in-state school
The 6’4″, 255 lb. defensive end committed to Missouri on July 23, 2011, and signed with the Tigers in February.
12. Jamal Lyles – LB – Southfield (MI) Lathrup
Offered by: Michigan State only
The 6’3″, 215 lb. linebacker made 135 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 4 interceptions. He committed to Michigan State on June 23, 2011, and signed with the Spartans in February.
13. Drake Johnson – RB – Ann Arbor (MI) Pioneer
Offered by: Michigan only
The 6’1″, 215 lb. running back ran for 2,805 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior. He committed to Michigan on November 10, 2011, almost immediately after receiving an offer, and signed with Michigan in February.
14. Dennis Norfleet – RB – Detroit (MI) King
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 5’6″, 180 lb. had 2,033 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior. He was committed to Cincinnati for several months, but he switched his commitment to Michigan on the eve of National Signing Day.
15. Ruben Lile – LB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Offered by: Neither in-state school
Lile committed to Iowa on August 27, 2011, and signed with the Hawkeyes in February.
NOT RANKED:
Riley Bullough – LB – Traverse City (MI) St. Francis
Offered by: Michigan State only
Bullough committed to Michigan State on April 30, 2011.
Kodi Kieler – OT – Gibraltar (MI) Carlson
Offered by: Michigan State only
Kieler committed to Michigan State on August 8, 2011.
SUMMARY
Ten players were offered by both Michigan and Michigan State. Eight of them picked Michigan, including six of the top seven. One picked Michigan State (although, as mentioned above, it sounded like Michigan wouldn’t accept his commitment so he went with Plan B). The other picked Tennessee.
Michigan went after two players who were not offered by MSU. One picked Michigan. The other picked Syracuse.
Michigan State went after three players who were not offered by Michigan. All three picked MSU.
I think it’s fair to say that Michigan kicked Michigan State’s tail when it comes to recruiting in the state. Brady Hoke 8, Mark Dantonio 1. I look forward to seeing what 2013 brings. It’s already 1-0 in Michigan’s favor with Warren (MI) De La Salle quarterback Shane Morris pledging to be a Wolverine.