Grading the 2013 recruiting classes for Michigan's five Division I college football programs

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. This year, the Great Lakes State had 63 players from the class of 2013 sign national letters of intent with Division I programs. Last season, Michigan had over 80 players sign with D-I football programs. In 2011, 59 gridders from Michigan signed with D-I squads.

Though having 63 players or so sign to compete at college football's 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
Grade- C-

I love my Spartans, but c'mon, three players from the state of Michigan? THREE?? This season, Michigan State signed 18 players from six states and one Canadian province. Ohio led the way with five signees followed by Pennsylvania, Florida and Michigan with three each. Wisconsin had two players sign with the Spartans, while Illinois and Ontario each had one player sign with MSU. In 2012, the Spartans signed six players from Michigan out of a class of 21. In the last two years, with 39 total players signing, MSU has managed to ink only nine players from Michigan. That's not good enough -- not even close.

Michigan
Grade- B +

The Wolverines continue to right the ship under Brady Hoke. For the second year in a row, Michigan won the recruiting battle with Michigan State for the state's top football talent. This season, the Wolverines signed eight in-state players out of 27 total. Ohio, with nine players, topped the Wolverines' signing list. Illinois added three players, while seven other states had one player each sign with U-M in 2013. In 2012, the Wolverines inked nine players from Michigan out of a class of 25. Seventeen players signing with U-M from the Great Lakes State in the past two years is a good omen for Wolverine football fans, and more than likely, a portent of good things to come in Ann Arbor.

Eastern Michigan
Grade- D

I just don't understand the Eagles and their apparent inability to recruit the state of Michigan. Situated in one of the richest high school football recruiting areas in the Midwest, if not the country, EMU continues to shun metropolitan Detroit and, even more shocking, the entire state of Michigan when signing players for its football program. This year, out of a total of 21 players, the Eagles attracted, identified and signed only three players from Michigan. I simply don't get it... Signing eight players from Michigan out of 45 total in the last two years is mind-blowing.

Western Michigan
Grade- C+

With five players from Michigan signing with the Broncos out of a class of 17, Western Michigan is definitely heading in the right direction under first-year coach P.J. Fleck. Michigan and Illinois led the way in 2013 with five players each signing with the Broncos. That's a terrific start for the new Bronco head coach. Last season, WMU signed two players from Michigan out of a class of 28. Hopefully, for Bronco fans, Fleck and his staff will continue to rebuild the WMU program with Michigan talent. This year was a positive first step.

Central Michigan
Grade- A

Chippewa fans rejoice. For the second straight year, CMU dominated the state of Michigan signing 14 players from the Great Lakes State out of a class of 21, compared to eight total between EMU and WMU, the state's other Mid American Conference playing schools. Coach Dan Enos is slowly, but methodically, building not only a MAC power, but a perennial national top 25 and bowl-bound program filled to the brim with Michigan talent. In the past two years, out of a total of 44 players, the Chippewas have inked 31 from Michigan. No one recruits the state of Michigan better than Enos and his staff. Enos is building a strong program from top to bottom with the foundation being filled by Michigan kids. Central Michigan fans should be pleased with what Enos is building in Mount Pleasant.