A Look Ahead to Michigan in 2009: The Newest Batch of Wolverine Pups

We all love pups, Wolverine pups to be specific. With signing day less than a month away, let us take a look at the current batch of Wolverine pups and do a little evaluation.

Who will be the prized show dog? Who is the runt? How many pups will leave, and how many pups will join?

Well, let's find out.

Here is the current batch of pups that are committed to Michigan (bold names are already enrolled).

QB Tate Forcier (Scripps Ranch HS/San Diego/CA)

RB Teric Jones (Detroit Cass Technical HS/Detroit/MI)

RB Fitzgerald Toussaint (Liberty HS/Youngstown/OH)

RB Vincent Smith (Pahokee HS/Pahokee/FL)

WR Jeremy Gallon (Apoka HS/Apoka/FL)

WR Dewayne Peace (South Grand Prairie HS/Grand Prairie/TX)

WR Cameron Gordon (Inkster HS/Inkster/MI)

OL Michael Schofield (Sandburg HS/Orland Park/IL)

OL Taylor Lewan (Chaparral HS/Scottsdale/AZ)

DE Craig Roh (Chaparral HS/Scottsdale/AZ)

DE Anthony LaLota (The Hun School/Princeton/NJ)

DT William Campbell (Detroit Cass Technical HS/Detroit/MI)

DT Pearlie Graves (East Central HS/Tulsa/OK)

DT DeQuinta Jones (Bastrop HS/Bastrop/LA)

LB Isaiah Bell (Liberty HS/Youngstown/OH)

LB Brandin Hawthorne (Pahokee HS/Pahokee/FL)

DB Justin Turner (Massillon HS/Massillon/OH)

DB Mike Jones (Edgewater HS/Orlando/FL)

DB Vladimir Emilien (Plantation HS/Lauderhill/FL)

DB Thomas Gordon (Detroit Cass Technical HS/Detroit/MI)

K Brendan Gibbons (Cardinal Newman HS/West Palm Beach/FL)

That is everyone in the '09 class. As you will notice, seven of them have enrolled early, and there are also three different pairs of high school teammates committed.

Also, Michigan collected three guys with the last name of Jones. That is obviously irrelevant information, but I thought it to be interesting. Think Rich has a fetish or something?

So how does this class stack up?

In his first year as Michigan's head coach, Rich has already built a class that is stronger than that of Carr's first. In fact, this class may be Michigan's finest in a while, maybe ever (class rankings aside).

This class is full of great athletes to the likes no other Michigan class has enjoyed. There are numerous athletes in the class that can play multiple positions on either side of the ball.

So who is the best?

Alpha Dog: William Campbell

This kid is easily the Alpha dog of the class. At 6'5", 315 lbs. this kid is a B-E-A-S-T! The five-star DT from Detroit is about as nasty as they come but also features a nice comedic side (as shown at the USAAB—see picture at top). He will be everything he is expected, and despite his tenacity as a DT, he is also athletic enough to play offensive line if needed.

Prized Show Dog: Justin Turner

Turner is the prize of the 2009 class. Not only did Michigan save him from the grasp of OSU and sweatervest, but he may also be the best in the class itself. Turner is a game changer that can either be a ball-hawking free safety or a dynamic cornerback. He isn't very big for a corner bulk-wise, but he is tall, which is hard to find in a corner.

Turner holds good comparison to a former UM great named Charles Woodson. In the USAAB, Turner made a great sideline interception that just further added to the comparison. If he stays injury free for his career, rest assured he is the real deal. He can play offense, defense, and special teams, so he will see the field one way or the other.

The Runt: Jeremy Gallon

It isn't always bad to be the runt, especially if you are a slot receiver. After a tremendous week of practice at the USAAB, Gallon has found himself in contention for that all-elusive five-star ranking, along with teammate Justin Turner. Gallon only comes in at about 5'8" and 165 lbs.

Small in stature but shows big time, and that is BIG TIME play ability. Could be a future No. 1 at the slot position—he is that good, or could be at least.

Everyone loves the runt.

Most Competitive: Craig Roh

Craig is an exciting DE prospect. High motor and very disruptive at the end position. Got nothing but praises at the Under Armor All-American bowl. After recording numerous sacks during the week of practice, he finished with an excellent game.

Received a lot of attention for his great motor. Was nonstop and gave it 100 percent every play. Even though he is considered undersized, he made up for it with arguably the best spin move in any of the All-American games. He constantly put pressure on opposing QBs, even though he played some of the elite offensive linemen in the nation.

Most Likely to Succeed (Offense): Jeremy Gallon/Fitzgerald Toussaint

Gallon and Toussaint are both small, shifty guys that are extremely athletic. Both will see time in the slot (Gallon will be exclusively slot, Toussaint will see time at RB), where their talents will be utilized to their potential.

These kids will excel in the open space they will see in Rich Rodriguez's offense. Gallon will make a great impact possibly as just a freshman. It may be another year before Toussaint really starts to make an impact.

Most Likely to Succeed (Defense): Justin Turner

Too much playmaking ability to be ignored. He is the best athlete in the class and is the most sound defensive player in the class as well. After a great showing at the USAAB, there is even more reason to believe he holds the most upside of all the defensive commits.

Pup Lying Under the Radar: Teric Jones

Some would think someone like Isaiah Bell would be the under the radar guy, but not quite. Teric Jones of Cass Tech in Detroit has the makings of a very good player. He has a style of running similar to last year's freshman RB Mike Shaw. He is a strong runner that can run you over or blow right past you.

Jones has decent change of direction skills and good hands receiving out of the backfield. In his recent senior video, he shows that he really isn't getting the attention he may really deserve. Michigan got a steal with this kid.

Most Likely to Stray Away: DeQuinta Jones

The athletic DT made set up two official visits in January, none of which was to UM until just recently, when he finally set up his UM official. He has been questioned for a few months now, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he went elsewhere.

Most Likely to Join the Pack: Je'Ron Stokes, Travis Bond, Denard Robinson, Quinton Washington

Je'Ron is a US Army All-American at WR, and he is a big but quick one at that. Landing him may solidify Michigan's chances at landing his younger brother Malik (a 2010 QB dual-threat prospect), though Devin Gardner is still No. 1 on Michigan's board.

Bond is a big OT that has been high on the Wolverines for a while, but UM will have to fight North Carolina for him. He has compared all his officials to his Michigan visit, which bodes well for Michigan.

Denard is an athlete out of Florida. He is being recruited now as a QB since the departure of Beaver after UM had been going after him as a DB. What is great about Robinson is that if Michigan no longer needs him at QB, he is a highly regarded DB so can make the move to the other side of the ball if things don't work out.

Washington is another big OT that has been fairly high on the Wolverines. Of the four mentioned he may be the one that is more on the fence still though. He has two visits left, but as of now UM appears as the leader. We will all have to wait and see.

Just a little fun, we need to get some nicknames for these pups (ideas)

• Tate "The Force" Forcier
• Teric "The Terror" Jones
• William "The King" Campbell
• Vladimir "The Impaler" Emilien
• Justin "The Game" Turner or Justin "The Burner" Turner
• Isaiah "The Victor" Bell
• Pearlie "The Grave Digger" Graves
• Thomas "The Train" Gordon...personal favorite

Well, that is all the nicknames for now. Got any more ideas, please share them.

That is a look at the new pups of 2009 and what may follow. Either way you put it, this is an exceptional class that really settles the debate regarding Rich Rodriguez's recruiting ability. Now Michigan fans can sleep a little easier.