Another national signing day has come and gone this season and as usual a significant number of Michigan kids put pen to paper making it official as to which school they will attend in the fall. The Great Lakes State had over 80 players sign national letters of intent with Division I programs this year.
Though having 80 or so individuals sign to play college football at the highest level is impressive, I believe the state of Michigan should have no less than 100 gridders every season commit to Division I schools. Michigan has more than enough talent inside our borders to fill rosters of multiple Division I programs, especially at our five D-I in-state colleges.
With that in mind, here are my grades for Michigan's five Division I playing football schools and their overall recruitment and ability to sign our state's top players. Grades are only regarding each school's focus on and ability to scout, recruit and, in the end, attract and sign the best players in Michigan. The grade is not indicative of the overall class, including in-state and out-state players.
Michigan State University -
Grade- C-
The Spartans did fairly well signing wide receiver Aaron Burbridge of Farmington Hills Harrison (my No. 2-ranked player overall in Michigan), along with fellow top 25 players linebacker Riley Bullough of Traverse City St. Francis, linebacker Jamal Lyles of Southfield Lathrup and offensive tackle Kodi Kieler of Gibraltar Carlson. Michigan State, however, missed out on signing running back/slot back/kick returner Dennis Norfleet of Detroit King, offensive lineman/defensive lineman Kelby Latta of Battle Creek Harper Creek (my No. 1 overall recruit in the state), tight end Ron Thompson of Southfield, defensive end Mario Ojemudia of Farmington Hills Harrison and defensive backs Eric Wilson of Redford Thurston and DeAndre Grady of East Grand Rapids. A preferred walk-on of note who committed to MSU is kicker Evan Fischer of Holt (my No. 1 kicker overall in Michigan).
University of Michigan -
Grade- B+
The Wolverines did a very solid job in attracting, identifying and signing an impressive group of players from Michigan. While in recent seasons, MSU has dominated the state, U-M seems to have refocused on making Michigan and its best players a priority. The Wolverines signed Detroit Cass Tech players linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone and defensive back Terry Richardson, along with Detroit Catholic Central defensive lineman Matt Godin, Orchard Lake St. Mary's linebacker James Ross, Farmington Hills Harrison defensive end Mario Ojemudia and tight end Devin Funches, Rockford offensive lineman Ben Braden, Ann Arbor Pioneer running back Drake Johnson and running back/slot back/kick returner Dennis Norfleet of Detroit King. Preferred walk-ons include Fenton punter Kenny Allen (my No. 1 punter in Michigan) and Birmingham Seaholm offensive lineman Dan Gibbs.
Western Michigan University-
Grade- F
The Broncos totally failed when it came to signing players from Michigan this season. Out of a class of 27 signees this year, only two hailed from Michigan. Flint Northwestern wide receiver Michael Henry and Okemos offensive lineman Taylor Moton were the lone Michiganders committing to WMU. With current NFL standouts and former Broncos Jason Babin (Paw Paw), Tony Scheffler (Chelsea) and Greg Jennings (Kalamazoo Central) all from Michigan high schools, one wonders why the WMU staff continues to turn its back on players from the Great Lakes State. When Ball State, Toledo and Buffalo are all signing more players from Michigan than the in-state Broncos, something's wrong.
Eastern Michigan University-
Grade- D+
Of all the Division I football playing schools in Michigan, the Eagles, being in close proximity to metropolitan Detroit and the Ann Arbor area, should have the most players from the state each and every year in their recruiting classes. Once again, however, the EMU staff has been unable or unwilling (or both) to sign kids from Michigan. Out of a class of 24, just five are from Michigan. There is no excuse for EMU not to identify, scout, evaluate, attract and sign at least 12 to 15 players from Michigan each season. Heck, there are 12 to 15 players in the Detroit Public School League or the Detroit Catholic League alone each year who would look good in Eagle green and white, let alone the entire metro Detroit/Ann Arbor area and the state of Michigan.
Central Michigan University-
Grade- A
The Chippewas did an outstanding job of recruiting and signing top-flight players from Michigan this year. Out of a class of 23 players, 17 are from Michigan. Recruiting classes should look similar to this for each Mid American Conference school in Michigan every year. Central Michigan Head Coach Dan Enos and staff did an outstanding job of scouring the state for talent. From Grand Rapids, to Lansing, to the Thumb and to Detroit and its suburbs, CMU was able to identify and attract talent from all over Michigan. The Chippewas signed Battle Creek Harper Creek offensive lineman/defensive lineman Kelby Latta -- my No. 1 overall player in the state. Central Michigan also signed players from Michigan traditional powerhouse and talent-rich programs Birmingham Brother Rice (offensive lineman Dylan Anderson), Detroit Cass Tech (defensive lineman Louis Palmer) and Detroit Renaissance (defensive lineman Jabari Dean).
With the Class of 2012 signed, sealed and delivered, I'll next turn my attention to the Class of 2013. Look for my Top 25 list of the state's best junior prospects in my next blog. The Class of 2013 is loaded with talent and appears to be one of the deepest in recent memory.
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