Michigan returned to the conversation in 2021: Now Michigan Recruiting has to keep them there.
Problem is can they actually do it?
The Michigan Wolverines, the name alone has enough history to fill more pages than most any other program in college football. The problem has been until recently that the storied program had fallen and fallen hard. 2021 provided a shining moment in what had been a very rough road. However, it seems like the saga is still in the darker chapters. With big losses on defense and seemingly an inability to close the deal on high star recruits was it all just a flash in the pan?
The need to fill big holes
Last year the Wolverines had arguably the best duo up on the line ever, not just ever in Wolverines history but ever in the NCAA. Hutchinson and Ojabo combined where a nightmare and every Big Ten Quarterback has got to be relieved to know they wont see them again. Looking at the numbers real quick the duo accounted for 25 sacks, 76% of the total sacks last season, led by a wide margin in tackles for loss, and combined for nearly 100 total tackles. The impact cant be overstated, both where line to line, do it all.
Now they’re both in the NFL and the Wolverines have a problem. College is the epitome of next man up, lets look at the next men up and see if its still “roses”. First Taylor Upshaw; 2.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 8 total wrap ups. The stat line might not look the best but grain of salt here when you have two studs eating up everything that moves the numbers are going to get skewed. Upshaw has shown flashes of being able to take over a game, granted it was Rutgers and that was 2020.
The next? Mike Morris, 17 tackles in 2021. Again not a stellar stat line but again grain of salt. Morris has received high praise earning him comparisons to Hutchinson and Ojabo from Head Coach Harbaugh. Lets not forget that he snatched a key interception on Michigan State, but, the back end isn’t as bright. Morris had a half sack, and one tackle from loss, there needs to be more production there. The rest is just hope and pray. Jaylen Harrel, and Braiden McGreggor we’re looking at you here.
Michigan Recruiting: Woes
The Wolverines may be a victim of their own success. Michigan lost both coordinators over the off season, a nod to the success sure. Loosing top coaches is never easy though. College football is also in a different world now. College football is now NIL, [name, image, likeness], no more free use. Michigan has decided to buck the change and keep with the “reputation” of having a big name. One, this is completely out of touch with reality. There is no going back, no riding the same tired line. It won’t work and its already cost the Wolverines. The problem is that Michigan’s Recruiting plans have cost them.
Two big ones that certainly have Michigan faithful in an uproar. The loss of two FIVE STAR recruits from their own backyard. One perhaps even more shocking than the other. Michigan should have had an easy line to put C.J. Carr into the lineup. The Grandson of Lloyd Carr, say what you will about Carr’s legacy but he was a Michigan Man, and yet the Wolverines came up empty. The other? Dante Moore, 5 star born and raised in Detroit. Moore is less than an hour drive from Ann Arbor, but, again Michigan couldn’t get it done. It’s a clear sign what you are doing isn’t working when you get two lay ups and whiff.
Michigan Recruiting: Called Out
Bigger problem still; yes we aren’t done with the Wolverines recruiting, or perhaps more accurately lack of it. It’s bad to lose out on what should be easy recruits. It’s worse when you start getting called out publicly. Johntay Cook went public with his criticism of Michigan’s efforts. The post has since been deleted from Twitter but it’s never a good look. Less so when it’s stated that Michigan didn’t do a great job of building relationships.
Cook’s comments also came on the heels of Michigan loosing a top prospect in Raylen Wilson as well. Suffice to say there is a problem right now. Currently Michigan is 55th in the nation and 13th in the Big Ten by recruiting class. Is it time for the panic button? No, but its time to be on yellow alert with red being far too close for comfort.
Michigan Recruiting: How to solve the problem.
Well the answer isn’t exactly an easy one but it is an obvious one. First and foremost the whole rah rah this is Michigan has to go. It wont work in this new era and frankly it wasn’t really working even before it. Michigan by name alone wasn’t exactly a shining star of recruiting or results for years. 2021 provided a flash of what could be again, not what was.
Adjust to NIL era. Michigan IS still a big name no doubt about it, fans pack the 100 thousand plus capacity stadium and many many more watch on TV. Michigan commands a massive fan base, it only needs to use it. Offer the players what they’re worth. Show them how that big name and storied history translates to being beneficial. Recruiting is now more like headhunting for a job than ever.
Build Relationships. I have no words for this really. This is the most basic of basic when it comes to convincing anyone to join your cause. Be it to play for a team, work on a project, help with a chore. It really doesn’t matter how big or small the goal it. If you build a real connection with people they are more likely to add their effort to your goals. Now I’m not going to say that in today’s NCAA that money doesn’t have a place. It obviously does, but at least for me, I’m not talking numbers until I can trust you.
All of this requires a fundamental shift in how Michigan approaches things. History has told us that Harbaugh, and Michigan under his command, have been slow to respond. Michigan does respond eventually however.
The Final Word
Michigan has problems they need to fix. There is no doubt about that. From loosing key parts of their team, to having a very rough recruiting season. These problems aren’t impossible to fix. They do require a new way of thinking and at this point, a sense of urgency. Some of it is wait and see. Some of it is fix now. Expect some troubles this season. But, Michigan will learn from this, shame it has to be the hard way.
One final comment on the NIL era. Many colleges are throwing money at unproven, and untested players. With the NCAA looking a lot more like the NFL the chances of boom or bust are magnified far more. NFL players are proven in college. A kid coming out of high school is not the same as an adult coming out of college. Eventually the people footing the bill for playing loose and fast will get tired of paying into a mystery bag. Michigan needs to be more aggressive sure but throwing money isn’t the answer either. High school ball is nothing like college, but college isn’t too far off from the NFL. Buyer beware in this new market.
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