Michigan Football: 2011 Signing Day Predictions

With the departure of Rich Rod, the Recruiting Class is looking a little bare.  When Rich Rod was fired, he did not have a Michigan-Level recruiting class and on top of that when Brady Hoke came in we had a couple players de-commit and a handful of players with interest in the Wolverines cross us off their list.  This put Brady Hoke in a bad situation, but he has done a nice job so far in recruiting. 

Hoke has been all over the country looking for elite players to come play for him, and he has been pretty successful, already nabbing four recruits.  With a bunch of players visiting, it looks like he is going to be able to grab a couple more recruits and salvage the recruiting class.  Here is a look at the players that Big Blue is in the running for and my prediction at Michigan's chances at getting them.

Leilon Willingham

6' 2" 240 lbs OLB from Denver, Colorado

Rated: 4-stars by Rivals, 3-Stars by Scout

Leilon Willingham is coming off of a visit with the Wolverines two weekends back.  After his visit, he seemed very high on the Wolverines, "It was nice visit. I had a good time. It's a really good place up there, and the people are great. I'm just going to wait until Signing Day to announce," Willingham said.  He did visit UCF last weekend, but admitted that the U of M visit definitely topped UCF.

Chances he will Sign with Michigan: 75 percent

At this point, it looks like he will choose between only two schools on signing day; Michigan, and Colorado.  In my mind he is a lock for Big Blue.

Chris Barnett

6' 6" 245 pound TE from Texas

Rated: 4-stars by Rivals, 3-Stars by Scout

Barnett is still committed to Arkansas, but has taken visits to Miami and Michigan in the past two weeks.  After visiting Michigan he said, "Everything stood out. They have great academics, they have great facilities." He has great size which creates mismatches for defensive backs.  If Barnett comes to Michigan we will need him to play immediately and he is certainly capable of that, due to his size.  Barnett has a great set of offers that include; Alabama, USC, and Oklahoma.

Chances he will Sign with Michigan: 50 percent

After the weekend he announced that his decision will come down to two schools; Arkansas and Michigan.  Barnett will not be signing a letter of intent on Signing Day.  He will be making his decision on Saturday, February 5.

Darian Cooper

6'1" 275 pounds DT from Maryland

Rated: 3-Stars by Rivals, 4-Stars by Scout

After an in-home visit last week, Cooper decided to come to take an official visit to Michigan this weekend. After his visit he said, "I had a great time with the coaching staff and they have been after me hard. I was around Coach Hoke and Coach Mattison the most, along with the defensive coaches. They just told me my role on defense." Darian Cooper is a very important recruit for Michigan because of a lack of numbers on the defensive line.

Chances he will Sign with Michigan: 40 percent

Normally I would think Cooper is a lock for Michigan, but Michigan just started recruiting him which may make an impact on his decision.  If he does not sign it will probably be because of the coaching change. He will choose from five schools on signing day; Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa and Georgia Tech.

Jake Fisher

6'7" 270 pound OT from Traverse City, Michigan

Rated: 3-stars by Rivals, 4-Stars by Scout

Fisher was committed to Michigan for awhile, but just recently decommited due to the coaching change.  A commitment from Fisher would offer depth at offensive tackle, which is one of the positions Michigan is very thin at.

Chances he will Sign with Michigan: 20 percent

Michigan has never really seemed to high up on Fisher's list after he decommitted.  I think he will end up at Oregon as he seems like a great fit for them.  Michigan has a lot of catching up to do if they are going to sign Fisher.

Frank Clark

6'2" 215 pound OLB/TE from Ohio

Rated: 3-stars by Rivals, 3-Stars by Scout

Clark is listed as a Tight End by Scout, and an Outside Linebacker by Rivals.  Clark would most likely play OLB for Michigan if he signs there.  Clark has openly expressed interest in Michigan, and has been rumored to be a silent commit ever since he received an offer from Michigan in December.  Clark really enjoyed his visit to Ann Arbor.   

Chances he will Sign with Michigan: 80 percent

Clark will be choosing from North Carolina, Michigan State, and Michigan on Signing Day.  Clark his said that academics are his top priority,and with Michigan's academics, it looks pretty likely that he will sign with Michigan.

Already Committed Players In Class Of 2011

Chris Byrant: 6'5"/330 OT from Illinois
Raymon Taylor - 5'10"/167 DB from Michigan
Tamani Carter: 5'11"/180 CB from Ohio
Matt Wile: 6'2"/210 K from California
Russell Bellomy: 6'3"/178 QB from Texas
Keith Heitzman: 6'3"/237 DE from Ohio
Antonio Poole: 6-2/210 OLB from Ohio
Brennen Beyer - 6'4"/222 DE from Michigan
Greg Brown - 5'10"/180 CB from Ohio
Blake Countess - 5'10"/171 DB from Maryland
Justice Hayes: 5'10"/170 RB from Michigan
Delonte Hollowell - 5'8"/162 CB from Michigan
Kellen Jones - 6'1"/209 LB from Texas
Jack Miller - 6'4"/268 OL from Ohio
Desmond Morgan - 6'1"/225 LB from Michigan
Tony Posada: 6'6"/315 OL from Florida
Chris Rock - 6'5"/250 DE from Ohio

Prediction For Signing Day

I believe Michigan will sign three more players in addition to those already committed on Signing Day.

Michigan will get:

-Frank Clark

-Leilon Willingham

-Darian Cooper OR Chris Barnett

At this point it looks as if Michigan has a slightly better chance for Chris Barnett due to his enthusiasm after his visit.  Cooper seems to take top priority rather than Barnett because of the Wolverines lack of depth at Defensive Tackle.

Besides for these for recruits all others are long shots.