Denzel Ward Becomes Commit #2 For 2014

Yesterday, before the game even started, Michigan fans received some great news as big time Offensive Tackle Denzel Ward from the 2014 class pledged his commitment to Michigan. This kid is 6'9" and 300 pounds. He's just an absolute monster and what many are calling a huge pick up for the Wolverines. Denzel made his first trip to Ann Arbor last weekend for the Illinois game and came away very impressed and with a scholarship offer from the coaches. I had a good feeling about him because he struck a very good bond with 2013 Commit Logan Tuley-Tillman. Sam Webb alluded to it this week that a commitment this weekend was certain and he was right. There's not a ton of coverage on Ward yet, but what scouts have said is that he is very raw and has a ton of upside. He joins Michael Ferns in this class and Michael is one of the top linebackers in the state of Ohio so with the addition of Denzel, Team 135 is off to a great start.

What next for the 2014 class? Well Michigan, has made it clear they want to be deep on the offensive line. Look for the staff to take at least 3 more offensive linemen, if not 4.  Depth at the OL is important and I know Coach Hoke is a firm believer in that. The 2012 and 2013 classes were both very loaded and with this Denzel Ward commitment, that's a good start. A Top-50 player in the country, OL Mason Cole visited as well and Michigan sits very well with him. In my opinion, I think he's blue in the end, but it could be down the road.  It was a big time list of visitors and Cole's teammate, WR Artavis Scott, has Michigan high up there and these two could possibly be a package deal. 2014 DB Damon Webb was also on hand and he came away impressed. I think he's one of the coaches' top priorities for this class. He's a big time player and would be a huge get for Michigan.

Does Loss to ND Hurt Recruiting?

So coming off of the horrible loss to Notre Dame last night, I figured I'd share my opinion on whether or not I think the game hurt us in recruiting.  Right off the bat, I'm going to have to say no and I'll state my reasons why.  There were lots of recruits at the game with interest in both teams such as Damon Webb, a 2014 DB/WR out of Detroit Cass Tech.  However, most of the responses that we heard were in regards to recruits believing that could have an earlier impact at Michigan, which is definitely not a negative sign.

It was a great atmosphere, but a guy like Webb has visited Michigan the last two weeks for needless to say not very big games.  Michigan hasn't had a big game atmosphere at home yet and I believe that come October 20th when the Spartans come to town, it could be huge.  A vast majority of the 2013 commits have scheduled their official visits for this game along with big time 2013 target RB Derrick Green.  Michigan is  2-2 right now, which isn't the start that we had all hoped for, but let's face it, we did lose to Alabama who is I think far and above the best team in college football.  We gave away the game to the #11 team in the country so it's not like we have been upset in any means.

Michael Ferns Is Commit #1 For 2014

Team 135 recruiting has begun and Michigan sure did pick up a good one.  One of the elite players in the state of Ohio and arguably the #1 in the state when it's all said and done is linebacker Michael Ferns out of Saint Clairsville, Ohio.  Michael is marked at around 6'3" tall and 235 pounds.  He is an elite playmaker and has said from the start that his top three were Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State.  Michael has gone about his commitment the right way and I believe that when the Penn State sanctions came out that it became a two horse race.  Michael never officially said so, but that's just my personal opinion.  Not all of the scouting sites have done their rankings for the 2014 class but I'll still chart them out and give a general breakdown.

There's not a whole lot of analysis on Michael so I apologize for the lack of expert feedback.  But this commitment is HUGE for Michigan.  There wasn't much room at the linebacker position given the great prospects they picked up in the 2012 and 2013 recruiting classes, but Michigan is still going to take at least a few prospects in 2014  I literally only see them taking possibly one more linebacker in 2014 and to steal the top player in Ohio was massive.  Brady Hoke is pure genius and he is continuing to snatch top talent out of that state.  Say what u want about the team that plays in the red and gray, but I'll tell you what nobody can deny the great talent that comes out of the high schools there.  Michael is a tremendous player that has ability to go sideline to sideline.  Add on that he's a great tackler and you're talking about one of the best linebackers around.  I have watched his highlights and I was immediately excited when I heard of his initial interest in Michigan.  He took a couple of visits to Ohio State and it's great that Michigan could get him away from Urban Meyer.