On Signing Day, many Michigan fans envisioned a secondary with Demar Dorsey, Justin Turner, Troy Woolfolk & J.T. Floyd. Now, after news of Woolfolk’s season-ending injury, three of the four are no longer options. So I decided I would let NCAA Football 11 be the depicter of just how bad the cumulative difference would be:

NCAA agrees with common sense. Usually when there is a rumor circling the Michigan Football team, I dig, make a few phone calls, send a few texts and generally do my best to get the scoop. Yesterday, I did nothing. After getting the Turner news last week, the first words of a Woolfolk injury seemed to much like a cruel joke rather than reality.

I’ve spent a lot of time this past month going over the 1995-2005 football teams and the seamless transition year-to-year of juniors and seniors stepping up for departed players shows a team that had constant depth. Depth is what this team lacks. We’ll see in a short 17 days how Greg Robinson’s defense and the avalanche of freshman to debut will react.

Athlon’s 2010 College Football Preview Edition (On newsstands now) predicts Michigan to finish 7-5 and 6th in the Big Ten. The preview ranks the Wolverines as the 48th overall team in the country, playing in the Insight.com Bowl against Missouri.

Athlon ranks the 11 Big Ten teams by position every year:

In a special section of the preview, Athlon ranks the Top Coaching Jobs in America. Michigan comes in at 10th.

Summary:

Michigan’s offense should improve as the players are more comfortable; the defense hopefully will improve with its new consistency at the defensive coordinator position.

Recruiting:

Athlon ranks Michigan as the 2nd best team in the Big Ten; 13th Nationally. Within the Big Ten, Cullen Christian was 6th, Devin Gardner 10th, Demar Dorsey 13th; Josh Furman 14th.

2010 Previews & Predictions

Phil Steele’s 2010 College Football Preview (On newsstands now) predicts Michigan to finish tied for 5th in the Big Ten and as the 37th/39th overall team in the country playing in the Gator Bowl against LSU.  This preview book is huge (328 pages), so bear with me.  Really get your money’s worth at $8.95.

Michigan is 37th/39th in Steele’s Power Rankings, which determine how good a team is, then a separate ranking taking into account schedule.

“Phil Steele loves Michigan this year.  He has the Wolverines being the 4th Most Improved Team (record-wise) in the entire nation.” No wait a second, that is what he said in last year’s preview. We all know how last year worked out. This year he has the Wolverines pegged to be the 5th Most Improved Team. For all the people that are jumping up and down, “Woohoo, Phil Steele said we’re back,” I included the tidbit from last year’s preview. I’m not meaning to be a Susie-downer, just saying, breathe, Steele says himself that most of the methodology in coming up with his “Most Improved Teams” simply is by picking teams that were bad the year before. So lets just hope we don’t make the list again next year.

As for All-American’s, he has Offensive Lineman Stephen Schilling as a 2nd Team All-American. For All-Big Ten, he has Schilling & Darryl Stonum (KR) on the 2nd Team. David Molk & Mike Martin are on the 3rd Team, while Jonas Mouton, Craig Roh, Jordan Kovacs; Junior Hemingway (PR) reside on the 4th Team.

Every year Steele ranks the NCAA’s Top 35 Teams by units (EX: QB, RB, OL, DL). Last year, Michigan placed in five different categories, this season, three. Quarterbacks 21st … Defensive Line 34th … Special Teams 34th.

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Now that it is official that Demar Dorsey will not be attending Michigan, here’s a video with a short interview of Dorsey talking a little about the obstacles he has faced and overcoming them:

Michigan Football 2011 Recruiting Board

New Offers (Total = 149):

Nick Vannett (TE) – is enamored with the Buckeyes, but not convinced they don’t throw the ball enough to TE’s according to Bucknuts, so given that Kevin Koger led Michigan TE’s last year with 12 receptions, consider Vannett a long shot.

Austin Traylor (ATH) – has let it be known that his recruitment is wide open.

Mike Caputo (OLB) – is currently being recruiting as an athlete, but projects to be a strong safety in college (Bill Kurelic, ESPN.com)

Ryan Kelly (OL) – I learned of his offer via TomVH. We’ve had Kelly on our recruiting board for quite awhile as he had attended Michigan’s Night of Champions. Here’s an excerpt he told Scout.com:

“And then I saw there was a Night of Champions on the 13th, and I had never really been up to Michigan before, but I had heard about it and how big the stadium was.  It’s always been a solid program, so we figured why not.  We went up there and walked in to the center with all the coaches and they all seem like really good guys and Coach Rodriguez was a real good guy.”

Kellen Jones (MLB) – Evaluation by Scout of this Texas LB:

“Amazing on the blitz, he is as instinctual as you can find. He has a feel for getting through blocking and getting in to attack the quarterback, also good at blocking kicks. His size is okay but it is not above average. Good speed he uses it to his advantage on blitzes and coverage. Does a great job of working through blocks.”

Ryan Shazier (OLB) – Sources tell us that he is a lean to stay in the South, here is a video interview from 3 months back provided by ESPN.com:

Rising/Falling Interest:

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2011 Michigan Football Recruiting Board

2010 Depth Chart

Corners:

1. Troy Woolfolk  (Red Shirt Senior)	2. J.T. Floyd (Red Shirt Sophomore)	3. J.T. Turner (Red Shirt Freshman) – Could Move to Safety
4. James Rogers (Red Shirt Junior)	5. Cullen Christian (Freshman)	6. Demar Dorsey (Freshman)

7. Courtney Avery (Freshman) – Expected Red Shirt	8. Terrence Talbott (Freshman) – Expected Red Shirt

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- Michigan will face off with Miami (OH) at Joe Louis Arena on Friday (8 p.m.) with hopes of advancing to the CCHA Championship game on Saturday.  Game Preview will be up on Friday.  AnnArbor.com has a great article on Wolverine Goalie Shawn Hunwick.  The Hockey News reports that Carl Hagelin has an opportunity to shine in next few months.

- CollegeFootballogy.com breaks down Michigan’s five impact freshman and what they expect them to do on the gridiron next season.  1) Demar Dorsey 2) Marvin Robinson 3) Devin Gardner 4) Josh Furman 5) Ricardo Miller.  My favorite part is Gardner being listed as QB/Savior

- UMHoops.com reports that Jon Horford received an offer from John Beilein that will become official when he makes a visit to Michigan’s campus.  ESPN.com breaks down the recruitment of Trey Zeigler.

- NationalFootballPost.com Previews Michigan Football Heading into the Spring.

- 2010 Top Michigan Recruit Mac Bennett (D) got in a fight the other night:

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Song (w/Demar Dorsey Highlights) on Sharp/Rosenberg’s reporting of the Rich Rodriguez Era:

• Name: Demar Dorsey
• Position: Safety
• Height & Weight: 6’1” 175 lbs.
• High School: Boyd H. Anderson Cobras (FL)

	(5.8)	(85)

QUOTES

On playing against Denard Robinson in 2008: “Playing against my cousin (former Deerfield Beach star quarterback Denard Robinson). We beat him during the regular season and I intercepted him twice during the playoff game-- and scored both times.”

On his visit to U of M: “It was great taking the trip to Michigan. I learned a lot of new things about the academics, and about the program. I met a couple players, coaches, and their wives and kids. Went to Rich Rodriguez’s house, and hung out and played video games. We were at the basketball game, too, that was fun. We all ran on the court after they won, which was fun.”

ANALYSIS

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The following is from a post by Genuinely Sarcastic Blogger and UMGoBlue Recruiting Forum Expert EFWolverine:

Demar Dorsey: (pictured right) It has been reported, both at Scout and Rivals, that he has told his cousin, Denard Robinson, that he is committing to Michigan. He announces at 1:00 PM EST. 

Sean Parker: Sadly, and I guess I have to give MichFan4Life props here, it seems that not USC, but Washington has snuck in the back door and pulled a fast one on us. After nearly two months of a recruitment that was heavily slanting Michigan's way...it looks like Washington has pulled ahead. Maybe things change, maybe Parker goes to bed a Husky and wakes up a Wolverine...we'll see.

Terry Talbott: Was supposed to make a decision tonight, is still torn. He is surrounded by people (his brother, his mom, his coach) that want him to honor his commitment to Michigan.

Richard Ash: Had some wavering thoughts, but is apparently firm again and plans to sign with Michigan.

Merry Commitmas, Wolverines. I'm a bit subdued because Parker became one of my favorite recruits in this class, and someone who I really wanted to see at Michigan, and now that it looks like it might not happen, I'm sort of bummed. But that doesn't mean picking up Dorsey should be undervalued. That would be one of the biggest events of RR's tenure as UM head coach.

Which (known) remaining “big time” recruiting target do you want to commit to U of M & why?  Rich Rodriguez has said Michigan can sign anywhere from 26-28 recruits according to recent accounts.   The general consensus is that Rodriguez could make space for two of the three.  But which one or two would you like to have?

Recruiting Profiles w/Highlight Videos:

Demar Dorsey – Rashad Knight – Sean Parker

To weigh in with your opinion, jump into the conversation right now in the Recruiting Forum

My Opinion:

“After watching the highlights of all three I would have to say my favorite player is Sean Parker.  He shows a natural knack for the game of football and seems to play a second or two faster than his competition.  Rashad Knight would also be a great addition to the class with his big-hit ability, but the fact he has drawn his recruitment out for so long makes me a little leery.  Most thought he would have named U of M long ago.  Demar Dorsey is extremely athletic with his speed being evident on film.  The only thing I believe we have going for us is the fact he is Denard’s cousin and I believe he will commit to Florida State.  That said, if he says ‘Michigan’ tomorrow instead, it will go down as a sterling example of Rich Rodriguez’s ability to seal the deal (close) with recruits.”

Jon Jennings Thoughts:

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The recruitment of Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson safety Demar Dorsey has taken a few turns since his visit to Ann Arbor two weeks ago.  Last weekend the four star prospect visited Florida State and rumors started swirling around about a possible commitment.  Since then it was confirmed that Dorsey did not commit and would be picking between USC, Florida, Florida State and Michigan.  Before his visit to Tallahassee Florida let Dorsey know that if he did indeed go on his last remaining visits Florida would pull his scholarship.  Many thought it was a bluff but recently it has been confirmed and reported that Dorsey no longer held a scholarship to attend the University of Florida after he got home from Tallahassee. 

With the Gators out of the picture and now down to a final three Coach Rodriguez will be in the house of Demar Dorsey at some point today.  Don't expect any big news until after his visit with the Trojans however Coach Rodriguez has proved over and over again that he is one of the best closers in the business.  Dorsey likes the Seminoles because it is an instate school while Michigan has immediate playing time, a family atmosphere with his cousin Denard Robinson and many fellow Floridians on the squad as well as 110,000 every Saturday!  Stay tuned as it is expected he'll announce sometime on signing day!