As expected, Livonia Stevenson tailback Austin White, a Rivals.com three-star and a Scout.com four-star, committed to Michigan this morning. White becomes the 16th commitment for the Wolverines in the Class of 2010, and the third running back, along with Stephen Hopkins and Tony Drake (who may become a slot receiver).
In my opinion, this is a big pickup for Michigan, and should not be looked upon as just another three-star rounding out the class. White has a lot of talent, is the highest rated of the three tailback commits so far, and allows Michigan to focus on landing an elite running back (hopefully Eduardo Clements, Brandon Gainer, or Brennan Clay, if he decommits from Oklahoma). His offer list suggests four-star talent: Michigan, LSU, Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa, Purdue, and Wisconsin all offered, and he received interest from Alabama and Notre Dame.
“One morning a couple days ago I woke up and it just felt like Michigan was the right spot for me,” White said. “I sat on it for a couple hours and it was still on my mind, so I decided to make it official.”
He has some impressive numbers to back up his ratings and offers: According to the Free Press article linked above he rushed for over 1,700 yards with 30 touchdowns as a sophomore, and followed that with a stellar junior year, rushing for 1,610 yards and 28 touchdowns on 228 carries (7.1 ypc) while adding 21 receptions for 310 yards and four scores.
As always, check out TheWolverine.com for more on White, football recruiting, and all else Michigan sports.
Despite the commitment of Rivals three-star Stephen Hopkins, Josh Helmholdt thinks Michigan still has a need at running back.
Football:
Premature Assessments: Michigan picks itself off the mat — Dr. Saturday — Matt Hinton previews the Michigan football season. His “non-binding forecast” puts the Wolverines at 7-5 with a .500 record in the Big Ten, something I’d happily accept. Also, you’ll probably recognize the YouTube video he embeds in his post…
Defender at the Gate: Stevie Brown — Wolverine Liberation Army — WLA member cfaller96 declares this to be the year that Stevie Brown finally has a positive impact on the defense, thanks in no small part to Greg Robinson, his magnificent hair, and the spinner position. If you don’t love the WLA, I really don’t know what to tell you.
Running back still a need for Michigan in the 2010 class — Detroit Free Press — The Wolverine’s Josh Helmholdt thinks Michigan needs to add at least one running back with the impeding departures of Minor, Brown, and Grady. With Austin White announcing on July 15, this may become a moot point in the very near future. Brennan Clay is still a longshot, even with his commitment to Oklahoma, and I would love to see him added to this class as well.
Putting the ball into athletes’ hands — ESPN.com — Brian Bennett pens (keyboards?) a very interesting article on high school athletes’ use of social networking sites in their recruitment. One of the players highlighted is quarterback commit Devin Gardner, who maintains a Facebook page with updates and highlight videos and accepts fan friend requests. Very interesting read, although I find the whole business of “friending” potential players borderline creepy and a potential recruiting gray-area.
2009 Big Ten Preview: Minnesota — Varsity Blue — Tim looks at the Golden Gophers, one of only two Big Ten teams to fall to Michigan last year. Unfortunately, we don’t play them this year, but he still provides a good in-depth look at a team that potentially is on the rise in the conference.
The Great Debate: The Iowa Hawkeyes — Maize n Brew — The Maize n Brew crew debates the merits of Iowa, who hosts Michigan for their homecoming game (a night game at that) this season. Personally, I think Iowa is overrated, but there are a lot of people who think traveling to Kinnick Stadium poses the toughest road test (or game, period) for Michigan this year.
Other Sports:
Former Wolverine Zach Putnam sets his sights on the major leagues — Ann Arbor News — Putnam, who starred as a starting pitcher for Michigan (as well as my alma mater, Pioneer High School), is now moving up the minor league ranks as a reliever in the Cleveland Indians organization. He hopes to be on the big club by next September, and it would be great to see him achieve that goal.
Rivals analyst Tom Deinhart thinks Rich Rodriguez is the second-best coach in the Big Ten
Football:
Ferentz tops Rodriguez for top spot in Big Ten coaching rankings — SI — Rivals analyst Tom Deinhart, writing for SI.com, ranks Michigan’s coach one spot ahead of Jim Tressel. Personally (and I know this is blasphemy) I’d flip Tressel and Ferentz in his rankings. Something Wolverine fans can all agree on: Dantonio is too high at #5. Just because. Jerk.
Michigan Announces Alumni Football Game Roster — MGoBlue — The whole list is out now, courtesy of Michigan’s official site. Also, some notable non-participants will be in attendance: Steve Breaston, Mike Hart, Jon Jansen, and Super Bowl Champs LaMarr Woodley, Ryan Mundy and Larry Foote, who will be honored for their accomplishment on Saturday.
Five Big Ten players on Lott Trophy watch list — ESPN — Brandon Graham heads the list of nominees for the Big Ten. The award recognizes the impact defensive player of the year, “who reflects integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity.” I’m pretty sure “Tenacity” is BG’s middle name.
National Notebook: Clay coming into his own — Rivals — Rivals recruiting editor Jeremy Crabtree takes a look at 2010 four-star running back prospect Brennan Clay of San Diego Scripps Ranch, a former teammate of Tate Forcier and a current target of Michigan. He is trying to make it up to campus for the spring game, and states that Michigan sits in his top five.
Two major hurdles for Edwards-to-Giants trade — Pro Football Talk — PFT addresses the rumors that Braylon Edwards will be shipped to the New York Giants. Right now, the major issues are the Browns asking price and Braylon’s contract demands, both of which are too high for the Giants as it stands right now.
Basketball:
Rivals.com early preseason top 25 — Rivals — Michigan comes in at No. 18, and looks to only move up from there, as the poll assumes all undeclared underclassmen (say that three times fast) will not enter the NBA draft. I’m having a tough time weathering my expectations, but the Big Ten looks to be really tough next year, with Purdue coming in at No. 4, MSU at No. 5, and Ohio State No. 15. Minnesota and Illinois also make the top 25, at No. 21 and No. 25, respectively.
Report Card: Laval Lucas-Perry — UM Hoops — Another report card from Dylan, another link from me. Michigan hoops fans should really be following the guy’s site. LLP struggled with high expectations after a blazing-hot start this season, but I expect to at the very least become a solid role player if (when?) he finds the consistent shooting stroke that practice observers rave about.
Hockey:
Rogers named AHL Man of the Year — aeroes.com — Former Michigan defenseman and current Houston Aeroes player Brandon Rogers earned the AHL Man of the Year award for his outstanding service to the Houston community. It’s always great to see a former Wolverine making such a great impact on his community and representing his school in the best way possible. [HT: The Blog That Yost Built]
"When your team is winning, be ready to be tough, because winning can make you soft. On the other hand, when your team is losing, stick by them. Keep believing."
- Bo Schembechler
“I ask no man to make a sacrifice. On the contrary! We ask
him to do the opposite. To live clean, come clean, think clean.
That he stop doing all the things that destroy him physically,
mentally and morally, and begin doing all the things that make him keener, finer and more competent" - Fielding Yost
“People come up to me and say, ‘I’m sorry.’ I’m not sorry because I received the greatest thing from the University of Michigan anyone can receive: a degree.” - Zia Combs
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