Early Signing Day Tracker Comment Count

Seth

Today is Early Signing Day. Here’s a quick list of who’s expected to send in their LOIs to Michigan today, who has already, and who’s committed but not expected to sign today. We’ll keep it updated throughout the day.

Every commit but Otis Reese (who’s going to be a battle to the end) and Kevin Doyle (who’s solid but plans to sign with his HS teammates in February, via Baumgardner) are expected to sign today. Michigan’s official twitter is rolling the announcements out over time so don’t get squirmy if someone hasn’t sent one in yet.

LOI is in:

Can’t sign today but would have:

  • Ronnie Bell, WR, Missouri. Via Sam, because Bell signed an LOI for a basketball scholarship already this year he can’t sign another until 2018 so he went the financial aid agreement route.

Not expected to sign today but committed to Michigan:

  • Otis Reese, OLB, Georgia
  • Kevin Doyle, QB, District of Columbia

Comments

CalifExile

December 20th, 2017 at 9:12 PM ^

generically speaking, I think your point is well taken. We have "silent commits," why not silent signers who would then do the ceremonial thing separately? Unless there is some NCAA prohibition this could be a thing. It would be like a reverse graduation, instead of a ceremony followed by the actual hand over of the degree, the actual paperwork would precede the pomp and circumstance.

mgobaran

December 20th, 2017 at 12:53 PM ^

What are you talking about? 

2015 - Rudock was the best possible scenario as a 5th year transfer, Malzone was a Hoke commit, and O'Korn didn't work out.

2016 - Peters looked pretty darn good in limited playing time, with tons of upside

2017 - McCafferey is TBD

2018 - Patterson was #1 QB in 2016, and has a chance to be great at Michigan. Milton has and NFL arm that needs to get calibrated, and Doyle I have no clue about. These guys are just getting to campus this season...

Two have worked out just fine, two haven't, Speight was a development toss-up (good then bad for whatever reason), and four more QBs are pending results. 

Bill22

December 20th, 2017 at 11:48 PM ^

Yes. I think the big impressive Georgia class actually benefits us with Reese. I expect a month long hard push to keep him in the fold with Partridge and JH setting up shop in South Georgia. There’s something to be said for being the TOP priority for Jim Harbaugh and ‘just another guy’ for Kirby Smart. I would bet on Michigan taking it home in Feb.

Trader Jack

December 20th, 2017 at 11:45 AM ^

I mentioned this in the Hello: Ronnie Bell thread, but I'm curious about Michael Barrett. It sounded like the staff was high on him and I liked his film a lot. I hope he's still a take.

Real and Spectacular

December 20th, 2017 at 11:44 AM ^

Well I guess that answers my question about if we are going to be playing musical chairs with some of the lower rated recruits. We currently have 16 scholarships available and the rumor is 21-22 commits with us having 19 right now. Still after some big targets so I’m thinking we likely won’t finish with a bang like we hoped. If we got Petit-Frere and Friday I would be happy.

Maynard

December 20th, 2017 at 11:48 AM ^

It's going exactly as I thought. The guys who want a spot are taking them so that the guys who are higher rated get the stress instead of the 3 star. It's a good thing in my opinion for a school like Michigan who has a coach that is solid. Unfortunately, we just so happen to be on a down year for the highest of recruits. The one who stands out the most so far is Texas. They are getting themselves a hell of a class again.OSU's is just sick as is Clemson and Georgia's. 

EGD

December 20th, 2017 at 12:21 PM ^

I don't know whether I agree that Reese is "most important."  But I feel like it's a lot more difficult to find good viper prospects than most other positions.  You basically need a guy with enough size and strength to play LB, yet with enough speed and coverage chops to play DB. 

Bill22

December 20th, 2017 at 11:58 PM ^

I think Reese contributes as a true Freshman like Solomon did. That being said, Petit-Frere and Patterson are bigger needs. If we can close out with Petit-Frere, Patterson, Reese and Friday, I’m over the moon! I wouldn’t doubt Harbaugh to make that happen.

Goggles Paisano

December 20th, 2017 at 11:58 AM ^

I think this early signing day is going to take a lot of the fun of NSD away come February.  Today is honestly just not that exciting in terms of potential big flips or other types of drama.

Maynard

December 20th, 2017 at 12:06 PM ^

Only for Michigan. Ask Ohio State. They just had two 5 stars flip on them, one to Clemson and one to Florida in the last few hours. The early signing is great. It's only not exciting here because to be blunt, our class is not that great. But for others today has been exciting. It won't take the fun out of NSD because today is NSD. Almost 1000 have signed or will in the next few hours already. 

Ali G Bomaye

December 20th, 2017 at 12:15 PM ^

I'm less worried about the lack of "fun" (although I agree that will probably be true). I'm more concerned that there are going to be a lot of kids who are pressured to sign early, and then have a situation change to their disadvantage after they are locked in, like OSU's RB coach leaving immediately after Mike Weber signed.