Michigan Football Recruiting: How National Signing Day 2011 Affected Wolverines

National Signing Day 2011 did not disappoint.

There were many big signings, a few changed minds and (of course) many excited college football fans surrounding the day.

Schools around the nation had a chance to seriously improve their football teams with just one big signing, and many schools came away from the day as winners.

Let’s take a look at how the University of Michigan fared on National Signing Day, examining just how the day will ultimately impact the Wolverines football program going forward.

Quack Attack: Goodbye, Jake Fisher

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 and Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks react to the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jona

Jake Fisher was originally committed to Michigan, so losing him really hurts.

Fisher is a 6’7’’, 265-pound mammoth of a young man, and no matter what scheme Brady Hoke is planning on running it would have been real nice to have him on the offensive line.

Fisher turned down scholarships from Michigan, Michigan State and Florida.

He signed with the Oregon Ducks.

Quack...

D-Fence: Brennen Beyer

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Members of the Michigan Wolverine defense including Craig Roh #88 and Paul Gyarmati #59 participate in warm-ups beofre a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend,

Michigan’s problems on defense have been well documented in the past three years, so anybody that the Wolverines could bring in to make an impact would be considered valuable.

Brennen Beyer could be the impact player that Michigan needs.

Beyer is projected to play outside linebacker/defensive end.

He was rated as a 4-star player and the No. 12 defensive end in the country by Scout.com, which bodes very well for Hoke and the Wolverines.

The initial plan might be to red-shirt Beyer and let him grow into the position, and by Year Two he could be a force to be reckoned with on Michigan’s defense.

Times Are Getting Tight: Chris Barnett

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ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 09: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines drops back to pass during the game against the Michigan State Spartans on October 9, 2010 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the Mich

Hoke and the Wolverines were able to steal away tight end Chris Barnett from the jaws of Oklahoma.

Barnett is a 4-star tight end from Texas, and you know that they "grow their football players good."

He was ranked the No. 14 tight end by Rivals.

The book on Barnett is that he is a very quick player and that he should eventually be able to fill a huge need at the tight end spot for Hoke and the Wolverines.

No-Fly Zone: Blake Countess

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ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 06: Martez Wilson #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini celebrates a first quarter interception with teammates while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory

When I think about Blake Countess, the one image that comes to my mind is the ridiculous 67-65 shootout that Michigan endured against Illinois last season.

It was an exciting game and all, but the lack of any defensive presence in the Big House was truly disturbing, and the lack of solid coverage at the corner position has haunted Michigan.

Countess was a 4-star recruit and was ranked the No. 10 corner in the country by Rivals.

The reports on Countess are that he has the body of a corner but the mindset of a safety.

He is good at jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage, but he also has the speed to hang with them down the field.

I expect Countess is going to have a big impact at Michigan.

Thank You, Ray Lewis: Kellen Jones

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Linebacker Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates as he leaves the field after their game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty

The Wolverines struck recruiting gold when they were able to lock up Scout.com's No. 12 middle linebacker in the country, Kellen Jones.

At the end of the day Jones had to choose between Miami and the Wolverines.

Oddly enough, it seems like Hoke’s new hire, Greg Mattison, played a big part in the decision. Mattison is the former defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, and he just so happened to coach Jones’ favorite player, Ray Lewis.

Thank you, Ray Lewis. Thank you very much.

No Luck Involved: Justice Hayes

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EL PASO, TX - DECEMBER 30: Fans of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish hold up a sign during play against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Bowl on December 30, 2010 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

In my opinion this is the University of Michigan’s biggest signing, and what makes it sweeter is the two schools the Wolverines swiped the player away from.

Justice Hayes is a running back from Gran Blanc, Mich.

What makes him so special to this Michigan draft class is the fact that he was actually committed to go to Notre Dame until this November, but then he thought again and chose to commit to the Wolverines.

To sweeten the deal for Michigan fans, let me also mention the fact that Hayes grew up a Michigan State fan.

The University of Michigan was able to steal a 4-star running back, ranked No. 3 in the country at his position by Rivals.com, from two of its biggest rivals.

I believe that’s a win for Big Blue.

Hoke vs. Rodriguez

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ANN ARBOR, MI - AUGUST 30: Head coach Rich Rodriguez of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during the second quarter while playing the Utah Utes on August 30, 2008 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Honestly, if I were CBS I would be charging people for the privilege to see that classic interview that took place between Hoke and former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.

Now, nothing eventful really happened, and obviously everybody was extremely polite and professional. But let me tell you—the look on Rodriguez’s face was absolutely priceless.

He looked like he couldn’t tell if he wanted to cry or throw up.

I equate it to walking into a restaurant with your buddies only to find your ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend enjoying a romantic dinner, and then having to talk to them.

Awkward.

Brady Hoke: 1

Rich Rodriguez: 0

Oh, How I Hate Ohio State

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates the Buckeyes 31-26 victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Pho

No slideshow on how National Signing day affected the Wolverines would be complete without a quick look at “that team in Ohio.”

Jim Tressel and the Ohio State Buckeyes were able to snag the nation’s No. 2 prospect, Curtis Grant, and undoubtedly secure their fate at linebacker for the next four years.

Grant is 6'3", 222 pounds and apparently runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash.

I’d be really surprised if Denard Robinson doesn’t have nightmares about this guy.

We Are Sparta

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STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans leads his team onto the field before a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 27, 2010 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The Spartans w

Just as with the Buckeyes, this list could not be complete without mentioning how "that team over in Lansing” did.

At least that’s the case nowadays, which is indeed a sign of the times for Michigan fans.

The Spartans were able to pick up four recruits from the state of Michigan, and the most impressive of the four happens to be the No. 1 player in the state:

Lawrence Thomas, linebacker from Detroit Renaissance.

He’s sure to be a thorn in the side of the Wolverines for quite a while.

Hokemania

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ANN ARBOR, MI - JANUARY 12: New University of Michigan head football coach Brady Hoke talks during his introductory press confrence at the Junge Family Champions Center on January 12, 2011 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

I believe this is a fitting last note for this slideshow. Brady Hoke has walked into the turbulent sea known as the Michigan football program, and he has done all but walk on water for the tortured fan base.

He came in and knocked the cover off of the ball known as his introductory press conference, and he has backed up saying all the right things by also doing all the right things so far.

He had a great first National Signing Day with the University of Michigan.

Brady Hoke is a “Michigan Man,” but more importantly he is a good recruiter.