Michigan Friday: 2011 State of Ohio Prospects

The University of Michigan football program has a love/hate relationship with the state of Ohio.

Some Michigan fans might even question the use of the term "love" when it comes to the Buckeye State.

However, when you consider that Ohio has produced Heisman Trophy winners like Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson, I would say there is some love there.

Ohio is also known as a great state for high school football and high school football talent. They are in the same discussion with the states of Texas and Florida for producing top collegiate talent.

So when the Michigan media starts to talk about "Michigan State owning (the state of) Michigan recruiting," I say so what? I would rather have Michigan do well in Ohio, Texas and Florida. Don't get me wrong. In-state recruiting is important, but on a year-to-year basis, there is much more talent in other states.

Below is a list of Rival's 2011 Watch List prospect from Ohio. Compared to the list of Michigan recruits on the watch list, Ohio has 12 players on the list to Michigan's five. Coach Rich Rodriguez already has one Ohio commitment for 2011: DB Greg Brown from Ross, OH.

Rival's Ohio List of 2011 Prospects (from their top 250 watch list)

Braxton Miller, Huber Heights (OH) Wayne QB
Cole Stoudt, Dublin (OH) Coffman QB
Trayion Durham, Cincinnati (OH) Colerain RB
Devin Smith, Massillon (OH) Washington WR
Shane Wynn, Cleveland (OH) Glenville WR
Aundrey Walker, Cleveland (OH) OL
Kenny Hayes, Toledo (OH) Whitmer DE verballed to OSU
Steve Miller, Canton (OH) McKinley DE verballed to OSU (I wonder if he will be bringing his band as well to Columbus)
Trey DePriest, Springfield (OH) Springfield LB
Jarrett Grace, Cincinnati (OH) Colerain LB
Andre Sturdivant, Cleveland (OH) Glenville Academic Campus LB
Doran Grant, Akron (OH) St. Vincent-St. Mary DB

Michigan has a number of offers out to the above group, with DePriest as the top priority.

As I mentioned yesterday, Michigan is hosting another Junior Day on February 20. TomVH from Mgoblog ran down a list of who is planning to attend:

Trey DePriest LB - OH

A.J. Jordan, WR: Trotwood, OH—Good friends with Roy Roundtree and Mike Shaw.
Ray Hamilton, TE: OH
Brennen Beyer, DE/TE: Michigan
Kevin Williams, DT: Ohio
Valdez Showers, RB/WR: Michigan
Robert Mincey, DE: Fairfield, OH
Rico Butler, RB/WR: Ohio
Orlando Dr. Philips: Demetrius Hart, Hasean Clinton-Dix and Laquentin Smith (BHB: I wish the Florida kids would visit during the Summer or Early Fall)
Vincent Croce, DT: from Maryland
Ryan Griffin, DB: Ann Arbor Pioneer