National Signing Day 2012: Another Magic Trick Works for Michigan Wolverines

Note: Offensive lineman Alex Kozan is wavering on his verbal commitment to Iowa, Scout reported Wednesday morning. He is still considering Auburn. Iowa and Michigan.

Whether the Wolverines sign Jordan Diamond or not, the Michigan football team will move forward oozing with confidence.

It was just over a year ago, when Michigan football reached rock bottom. Anyone who watched the second half of the Gator Bowl knew things couldn't get any worse.

The turnaround began when little-known Brady Hoke was introduced as Michigan's 19th football coach. Many expected a household name like Les Miles or Jim Harbaugh, but one look at the audience of Hoke's initial press conference confirmed that something was up.

"

“So far we know he’s hard-working, (and) he’s all about Michigan—he’s a ‘Michigan Man,’ ”defensive end Jibreel Black told the Michigan Daily. “We want somebody to come in, where the atmosphere won’t be so new to him. He’s been in the Big House so we won’t have to introduce that to him. He knows pretty much what Michigan stands for.”

"

Another Last-Minute Commit?

Hoke's immediate tasks were to hire a staff and retain the services of his quarterback. Word leaked out quickly that Michigan was returning to a pro-style offense. How would that affect Denard Robinson, who was exclusively a read-option quarterback under coach Rich Rodriguez.

"When you have talented players, it's your job as a coach to mold that into what's best for your football team," Hoke said.

Robinson decided to stay, giving the new coach just the first of a long series of victories.

Next, Hoke hired a pair of outstanding coordinators. He convinced Al Borges to follow him from San Diego State, and somehow pulled former Michigan assistant Greg Mattison away from the Baltimore Ravens.

Before long, Hoke and his staff drew raves for completing the 2011 recruiting class with 12 commits in the last month.

Probably the best indication that Hoke had arrived was during spring game weekend when 250 former players met to get reacquainted and talk some football.

"

“It’s just different,” said former Michigan All-American and NFL All-Pro Braylon Edwards. “You feel welcome. That right there is enough. You can feel that warmth. That sense of, ‘I played here, I deserve to be able to come back and walk around.’ That wasn’t there. He’s bringing that back.”

"

In just four months, the Michigan family was solidly behind the new Michigan staff. 

The back story through the summer was Hoke's continued success on the recruiting trail. He earlier promised to concentrate on Michigan and Ohio.

In a two week period in May, Hoke picked up recruits from three of the top programs in Michigan: Farmington Hills Harrison, Detroit Catholic Central and Detroit Cass Tech.

By July, the Wolverines had six prospects from Ohio, including 5-Star offensive tackle Kyle Kalis, a decommit from Ohio State. 

The good fortunes continued throughout the 2011 season, as Michigan finished 11-2 including wins over Ohio State and Virginia Tech. After that, it must have been a forgone conclusion that Hoke would win his first, of what might be many, Maxwell Football Club Collegiate Coach of the Year award. Who knows what surprises Hoke has remaining. 

Dennis Norfleet a Real Speedster

Well, one more thing,  Michigan received a commitment from Dennis Norfleet, a 4-Star return specialist from Detroit King, late Tuesday night.

"

"One of the most explosive players in the class," said Scout's Allen Trieu. "Norfleet has great acceleration (4.39 speed), open field elusiveness and a natural knack for making defenders miss." This fall, the 5'7", 165-pound Norfleet will compete for both return positions, before eventually playing some slot receiver and running back. Undoubtedly this de-commit from Cincinnati was quite a steal.

"

The surprise pickup of Norfleet and the recent acquisition of defensive tackle Willie Henry gives Michigan 25 commits going into national signing day. That's third place in scout.com's team standings. 

There's no question Michigan has had a long string of good luck since Hoke took the job a year ago. Hopefully the luck continues and Michigan lands offensive tackle Jordan Diamond.