Michigan Tuesday: Old Faces New Places

We all knew that Kaleb Ringer is releated to former MSU star Javon Ringer.  Here is what Javon had to say about Kaleb committing to the Wolverines:  I tried (to get him to MSU). I definitely wanted him to do what was best for Kaleb. I wanted to make sure that he took all his visits and went to all the different schools so he could find the best fit for him and to go to a place that he could get some playing time right away.


I do not like that it is Michigan and I don’t have a problem saying that. I’m not a big fan of Michigan with me going to Michigan State. I have a lot of respect for Michigan. No matter how much you dislike them, they’re a great team.


I still know some of the players who played there. I will support my nephew. I hope that he does great. I pray that I left a good enough legacy at Michigan State and I’m pretty sure that Kaleb will do that same thing at Michigan.


Whatever happened to Michigan's Walk-on QB from Pioneer Nader Furrha?  Well, he didn't last long at Michigan.  He was a back up at Riverside City College last year and now has accepted a scholarship offer to play at Morgan State next season. “I thought I was going to get more opportunity (at Michigan), it didn’t work out so I moved on,” Furrha said. “It was hard leaving, but it was a move I had to make for myself.”

UMass rode the wave of their good performance at the Big House to a invitation to the MAC Conference.   The official announcement is expected tomorrow at 5:00.

We knew Michigan's Basketball's 2011/2012 incoming recruiting class is strong but is it really this good?  MaxPreps did their top 100 and look how Michigan did:  #62 Carlton Brundidge - PG,   #82 Trey Burke - PG, and #100 Max Bielfeldt, PF/C.  Carlton and Trey are not big surprises but Max wasn't even rated by Rivals or Scouts - zero stars and he is a top 100 player on MaxPreps!  Sounds good to me! 

Michigan Tuesday: Dee Hart Update and More

Dee Hart has been in the news lately, mostly freaking out Michigan fans after his trip to Auburn this weekend.  I have two updates from recruiting insiders: Sam Webb from WTKA/GBW and TomVH from Mgoblog. 

Here is Tom's: 

• Talked to Dee's mom
• Uncle went on the trip and his uncle rated it 7 out 10
• Dee is still planning on taking two more visits this month Alabama and Arkansas
• Not really interested in Arkansas but supporting his teammates on the trip
• Needs to make a decision soon and the process is starting to wear on Dee

Sam:

• Talked to Dee
• Believes that Michigan still leads
• Maybe a decision soon but probably going to take a couple more visits
• Sam's opinion is that Auburn's is aggressively recruiting many of Dee's teammates, which could have an affect on his recruitment. 
• Dee still may come back for the MSU or the Iowa game as an unofficial visit (took his official for UConn)

So let's all take a deep breath on Dee for now and hope that he makes a decision for Michigan.  The longer this plays out the more time others schools can state their case. 

• Craig Roh:  It won't be tough to get up for BGSU. "From our performance this Saturday, this team is definitely going to get up for this game."  Craig doesn't listen to music before games to get pumped up - reads a bit of the Bible.

• The Michigan at IU game will be on ESPNU at 3:30 EST.

• Anthony LaLota "hints" the skem change at Michigan is the reason he left:  Rutgers "plays a different scheme, more of a traditional 4-3. I think it's a great style, very aggressive. I can come off the edge a little bit. I think it suits me well.''  I'm guessing not being on the 3 deep or not making the trip to ND had anything to do with him leaving.

• U of M Flint's first football game draws 400 people. 

• UMass moves up 5 spots to #11 in the FCS poll after losing to Michigan.  (no comment needed here)

• Timmy Jernigan one of the top DT in the country is going to hold off a decision until after the season so he can take some visits.  One of those visits  should be to Ann Arbor.

A thought for the day:  With Michigan in such bad shape from a kicking stand point, why didn't they give Bryan Wright a 5th year?  He is now kicking for Bowling Green and will kick in the Big House again this Saturday.   He transfered to BGSU under that rule getting a 5th year if you graduate and the new school offers a program your old school did not.

Michigan Friday: Recruiting Blitz and UMass MASH Report

With Michigan's fast Denard type start.  You might think that some recruits that were waiting to see how Michigan will do this year are seriously interested in Mich-again. Here is a small sampling of some positives things happening for the Wolverines right not on recruiting trail:

• The Florida Duo of Sammy Watkins and Dallas Crawford are planning another un-official visit for the Iowa game in October.  Both wanted to keep their official visit for after the season.  So it seems these two young men are pretty serious about Michigan.  They also visited A2 for the Spring Game as well.

• Teammates/OL from Chicago will be in town this weekend: Chris Bryant a 6'5 330 OL in the 2011 class and Jordan Diamond a 6'6 290 pound OL in the 2012 class (one of the top players in the 2012 class) will be at the Big House this weekend for a visit.   TomVH gave us some insight in to Jordan's visit:   "I just wanted to see one of my favorite college teams play, and see what it's like to be in the Big House live."

• Michigan verbal Tony Posada was on ESPNU last night but his team lost.

• Marquise Williams a verbal to UNC is still planning a Michigan visit.   

• Michigan's high priority recruit Kris Frost is visiting Auburn this weekend.  Auburn insiders believe Kris favors them over Michigan right now.  Let's hope that isn't true.   

• Dee Hart will also be visiting Auburn this weekend.  I hope he and Kris put a plan together to commit to the Wolverines.  Dee is planning on enrolling early, so a decision should be coming soon.

• Anthony Zettel skipped his official visit to Iowa last weekend to watch the ND - Michigan game.  It would be nice if the Wolverines could get a commitment from Anthony this Fall.

Team News and Notes:

• Michigan  Defensive lineman Renaldo Sagesse is rated the 5th player in the 2011 CFL Canadian draft.
• Let there be light!  The permanent lights for the Big House was approved and will go in this Fall.

Michigan MASH report for the UMass game:

Out:
John Ferrara
Brandon Herron
Carvin Johnson
Mike Jones
Jared Van Slyke
Mike Williams
Troy Woolfolk

Questionable, 50%:
Junior Hemingway
Marvin Robinson

Probable, 75%:
Fitzgerald Toussaint


Mike Williams and Marvin Robinson are somewhat surprising to be on the list.  That is another bad sign for the depth at defensive back.  It seems Williams has a concussion.   It would also be good to see Junior and Fitz get a chance to play.  If they are not healthy this week, let's hope they see the field next week.

Make sure you check out the UMass Preview Below!

Michigan Tuesday: Dee Hart Update and Other News & Notes

Dee Hart Update: "I feel I can come in and play right now in that offense with Denard, then it will be 'pick your poison,’ ” Hart said. (Freep link).  Dee is planning an official visit to Auburn this weekend for the Clemson game and visit to Alabama for the Florida game in October.  Dee still contends that Michigan is his leader but those trips scare me a little bit.  Add this from Rivals:  "I watched it yesterday and all I know is Denard [Robinson] got off and ran that thing," Hart commented.

"A decision is coming pretty soon," Hart said. "I'm going next week to see Auburn-Clemson. Most likely that will be an official, but I don't know yet. I'll get out to Alabama probably for the Alabama-Florida game [Oct. 2]."  "I'd say Michigan is out front," Hart said.

• For the weird file:  Steven Threet gets to play Wisconsin again this weekend.  What's weird about it, is the last time Threet played Wisconsin he was playing for Michigan and upsetting the ranked Badgers at Michigan Stadium.  Some of you still might remember that 10 minute run Steven had down the sideline to help win the game that day.  This weekend Threet will quarterback the Arizona State Sun Devils in Madison on Saturday.  Ironically, Wisconsin is highly ranked again coming in at #12.  Steve threw for 392 yards against Northern Arizona last Saturday.  This will be the Sun Devils first real test of the year.

• An update on Sam McGuffie:  I wish him well but he seems to be struggling again this year at running back for Rice.  In two games he has 28 attempts for 65 yards which is a 2.32 average per rush.  He does have a catch for a touchdown and has caught 5 passes for 84 yards.

• For those that think Saturday is going to be a cake walk, think again:  UMass is ranked #16 in the FCS Poll.  "We're excited to go out there and represent UMass,'' Minutemen coach Kevin Morris said. "We're facing a storied program, and we know that, but we're going out there to win. We're putting everything on the table, like we always do.''

• Light Up the Big House! The regents will vote on Thursday to add permanent lights to Michigan Stadium.  The cost will be $1.8M and the athletic department will cover the cost for the project.  Michigan will host ND next year for the first night game at the Big House and there will be a hockey game in the Big House this winter.

• With the recent attrition, Michigan can sign up to 20 players right now for the 2011 class.  This might add a spot for another RB (other then Dee Hart of course) and maybe another WR.

• Michigan recruit Kris Frost will make an official visit to North Carolina this weekend.  He is still planning a Michigan official for the Michigan State game.

• Anthony Lalota did not make the trip to ND this past weekend.  Another sign he wasn't putting in the work during practice to get playing time.  It seems the offense line might be a better fit for this young man.

• Denard's historic run went for 87 yards against ND.  Michigan lost Ron Kramer on Saturday who wore #87.  I'm just saying!  (HT: Mgoblog)