Michigan 2009 Recruiting Class: "Name" Awards

Michigan's 2009 class was setting up to have the "best" uniquely-named players in the country when the de-commitment bug hit some the "named" stars in this class. Michigan lost Shavodrick Beaver, DeQuinta Jones, and Pearlie Graves and replaced them with names like Robinson, Washington, and Stokes.

Michigan went quickly from the top of the mountain in the "mystical" top uniquely-named recruits to middle of the pack. The reason LSU had the top class this year was not the number of four- and five-star recruits that they were able to attain; it's because they were able to sign Barkevious Mingo. That is a five-star name if I have ever seen one.

The best the "Vest" could do was Jack Mewhort, a four-star OL from Toledo. Ohio State's class is full of names like Hall, Carter, Brown, Fields, Jackson, and Bell.

How is anyone going to recognize those names? I know, OSU fan; why don't you give every player on the team a nickname? Things like "Boom" or "Beanie" should do the trick.

Now, on to Michigan's nominee list for this year's award (five player minimum):

1. Fitzgerald Toussaint

2. Vladimir Emilien

3. Tate Forcier

4. Anthony LaLota

5. Taylor Lewan

Players that were not eligible for the Mystical Title include:

1. Isaiah Bell

2. William Campbell

3. Jeremy Gallon

4. Brendan Gibbons

5. Cameron Gordon

6. Thomas Gordon

7. Brandin Hawthorne

8. Mike Jones

9. Teric Jones

10. Denard Robinson

11. Craig Roh

12. Michael Schofield

13. Vincent Smith

14. Je'Ron Stokes

15. Justin Turner

16. Quinton Washington

17. Adrian Witty

As you can see, Michigan's top two names are great! But, after the losses of Shavodrick, DeQuinta, and Pearlie, Michigan never had a clear shot at the title.

There is no way you're going to win this title with two Gordons, two Joneses, a Robinson, and a Turner, for goodness sakes. I like Je'Ron coming in late, but his last name wasn't enough for him to get nominated.

Outlook for 2010? Not good! There is a Miller, Jackson, and Robinson already verbally committed. The names in this class better start getting unique, or we will have to look to 2011 for another trophy.

I think Barkevious might have a younger brother.