Michigan Tuesday: Fans Have Spoken, Don't Sign a QB in the 2012 Class

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!

I wrote a post last week, questioning if Michigan really needed a QB in the 2012 class with a probable redshirt for Devin Gardner making him a redshirt freshman next year, don't forget about true freshman Russell Bellomy coming this summer and 2013 instate QB Shane Morris already verbally committed to Brady Hoke. 

Michigan was also heavily involved in a number of top 2012 prospects but those kids seem to be looking elsewhere.    So what are the fans choice to fill that spot?  Well, it's not a QB.

I asked Big House Blog readers if they really wanted a QB in this class?  Over 85% said no.  

63% wanted a defensive tackle instead of a QB and I agree.   Michigan is in a strong position with 3 defensive tackles right now. 

#1: Ondre Pipkins, 6'3 325 pound player from Missouri has an impressive offer list from the top SEC schools and Big Ten schools.  He is a high 4 star prospect and won the defensive MVP at last months NIKE camp in Columbus.   Ondre has Michigan in his top 7 and the Wolverines might hold a slight lead at this point, even though he hasn't taken a trip to Ann Arbor yet.  Update: Latest plan is that Ondre will visit Ann Arbor on the 27th of this month.

#2: Aziz Shittu, 6'3 275 pound 5 star DT from California.  Has you might imagine Aziz's offer list has all the big time programs on it and Aziz seems truly interested in the Wolverines.  He tweeted last week that he hopes, Michigan's class doesn't fill up before he makes a decision.   So do I!

#3: Danny O'Brien, 6'2 295 pounds 4 star DT from Flint.  Danny seems to have been up and down on Michigan's priority list over the past 6 months.  He attended Michigan's camp and got everything worked out with the Michigan coaches and is now being recruited by Hoke's staff.  Danny is good friends with Michigan commit Matt Godin and I believe the Wolverines have a "fighting chance" to land him.   Danny originally had Tennessee leading in his recruitment but now declares he is open. 
Michigan was the second school to make an offer early last season, back when Rich Rodriguez was the coach. While O'Brien said all the right things about the embattled Rodriguez at the time, he believes that the program is heading in the right direction under new coach Brady Hoke.

"Their new coaching staff is unbelievable," O'Brien said. "Coach (Greg) Mattison (defensive coordinator) and coach Hoke are big defensive line guys. They start from the inside out is what they're selling me. They're really big in that area. I think they're going to make a big turnaround, especially with the recruiting classes they're pulling in."

#4: Sheldon Day, 6'2 268 pound 4 star prospect from Indy.  Sheldon was very high on the Wolverines this spring and even made two un-official visits to Ann Arbor.  Sam Webb did a Detroit News article on him and then it seems his recruitment to the Wolverines fizzled out.   What happened?   Not sure, but Sheldon remains a strong DT prospect and I hope the Wolverines can keep his recruitment alive. 

The Michigan coaches have told some of the recruits that they will only take one more interior defensive lineman in this class.   I think they will at least take 2.  Why?

• You don't turn down a 5 star guy if he wants to jump on board.
• Michigan needs depth and quality players at DT.
• Instate recruiting is important and if Danny wants to come to Ann Arbor, you need to find room for him.

So all of Michigan's "2012 QB eggs seem to be in Gunner Kiel's basket".  If he goes to Oklahoma or stays local and attends Indiana, Michigan should pass on a QB this year and sign another highly ranked DT.    I know spots are limited right now but you could talk me into taking 3 out of 4 guys on the above list.