Lots of recruiting stuff came out over the past few days, so expect another update coming soon.

Recruiting Boards:
2009 Class & 2010 Class.

In case you thought he didn’t recruit, The Freep’s Mark Snyder confirms that Rich Rodriguez has indeed been on the road:

Nonetheless, Michigan’s football coach has been covering the country as part of his recruiting plan. He said he started in Detroit, was in Chicago on Wednesday and will hit California, Texas, Florida and Ohio this month before he’s off the road.

You can guess who he’s visiting in each place. Snyder also reports that Rodriguez expects 8 early-enrolling recruits from the class of ’09. Those would be Tate Forcier, Shavodrick Beaver, Vincent Smith, William Campbell if he re-commits, Anthony LaLota, Brandin Hawthorne, Mike Jones, and Vlad Emilien.

Added to the 2009 Board: LA DE Bennie Logan, who has been offered (info in header).
Added to the 2010 Board: NE DB Darius Evans. He grew up in Ohio and likes the Big Ten (info in header).

There’s been something of a minor inter-freakout among the Michigan fanbase over a comment posted by DandyDon.com about 2009 MI DT William Campbell.

As for William Campbell, I list him at 60-40 because he has told an LSU commitment more than once that he was going to sign with LSU.

Not to besmirch the honor of Dandy Don, but regardless of his source, I don’t think the information is correct. All reports on Campbell’s LSU visit have indicated he was less-than-enthused, and barring a sea-change in his sentiments, I think Michigan is still the leader, especially after he stormed the court following the hoops upset over Duke. Also storming the court after the upset over the Blue Devils? 2010 DE William Gholston, pictured below in the lovely purple T-Shirt, along with Brandon Graham in the black jacket.

2009 SC OL Quinton Washington. He’s receiving his in-home visits, including one from his Michigan recruiter. He’ll go on a couple visits of his own following his participation in the Shrine bowl.

Still (somewhat surprisingly, given the lack of information about him relating to Michigan) considering the Wolverines is 2009 GA CB Darren Myles. Michigan appears to be in his de facto top 6, along with Alabama, LSU, West Virginia, Purdue, and Georgia Tech.

2009 FL CB Jayron Hosley plans to take an official to Ann Arbor the weekend of January 16.

2009 MD LB Jelani Jenkins is a finalist for the high school edition of the Butkus Award. Other notable finalists: MSU Commit Chris Norman, OSU commit Dorian Bell, AL LB Tana Patrick.

Though I thought he was planning to make a commitment a couple weeks back, 2009 MD RB Tavon Austin now says he’ll wait until signing day. West Virginia is his current leader, followed by Maryland, UNC, and Michigan.

2010 OH OL Matt James. He has now been offered by Notre Dame (info in header). They seemed to be right in the thick of things before they offered, I’d now assume they are an early leader.

Posted under Football, Recruiting

The Board.

Added:
IL WR Kyle Prater. A big outside wideout from Illinois.
MI OT Nate Coleman. The Livonia Franklin product was at the MSU game.

New Information:
WA QB Jake Heaps. Fluffy stuff.
IL QB DaRon Brown. Injury news.
VA QB Phillip Sims. Recruiting-y fluff.
CA RB Brennan Clay. Tate Foricer’s HS teammate has reportedly been offered, and Scout confirms.
FL WR Commit Ricardo Miller. (Obviously incomplete) highlights from his junior year.
OH OL Matt James. Apparently offered, recent Notre Dame visitor.
FL S Marvin Robinson. Sam Webb says what many people who follow recruiting have been silently thinking: his coach is a nutjob. OK, when I originally typed that, there was no pun intended, but there’s no way I can pass up “bucknutjob.” Anyway, it seems like there might be a possibility of Marvin changing high schools.
FL CB Tyler Blandin. Cryptic Scout headline implies that there is much mutual interest between Blandin and Michigan – and he may help bring a couple other prospects in.

Analysis:
– First, Marvin Robinson: To anyone who’s following his recruitment at all, it has seemed for quite some time that he has wanted to commit to Michigan, but something was holding him back. It’s becoming more apparent that a batshit insane head coach is that hindering factor. Those reading the tea leaves think that he’s all but committed to Michigan.
– At corner, it’s starting to look like Lorenza Wood, Tyler Blandin, and Dior Mathis are the top three on Michigan’s recruiting board. If they can get all three, I think they’d take them all and switch one (Mathis, perhaps?) to slot receiver.

Posted under Football