Michigan football: Even if Hoke leaves, U-M will salvage 2015 class

As the losses mount, it becomes more apparent that the Michigan football team will have a new football coach in 2015.

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Which leaves us to wonder what will become of the 2015 recruiting class.

DE Darian Roseboro and CB Shaun Crawford recently decommitted, and if Michigan loses to Michigan State and Ohio State, others may jump ship. WR George Campbell and RB Darien Harris, also members of the 2015 class, said goodbye to the Wolverines after last season.

New coach should have recruiting experience

But one shouldn’t fret too much. Of course, that’s assuming Michigan doesn’t hire a total unknown who doesn’t already have a footprint in the recruiting game.

That, of course, won’t happen.

Some believe AD Dave Brandon erred when he brought head coach Brady Hoke over from San Diego State. Now Hoke and his staff could be accused of poor player development, but they’ve done well recruiting potential stars, that is, if you have any respect for recruiting services like Scout and Rivals.

Hoke started strong

Hoke had no trouble completing the 2011 class, even though he was handicapped by Rich Rodriguez‘ impending departure.

Between the beginning of January and National Signing Day, Hoke landed 11 prospects, six who’ve made solid contributions to the Wolverines. DE Frank Clark, CB Blake Countess, CB Raymon Taylor and K Matt Wile are starters, while TE Keith Heitzman is a regular contributor and RB Thomas Rawls showed promise before transferring to Central Michigan.

Even Rodriguez had a solid recruiting debut when he left West Virginia for Michigan in 2008.

In that similar one-month period, Rodriguez penned WR Martavious Odoms, RB Michael Shaw, WR Roy Roundtree, OG Ricky Barnum, OG Patrick Omameh and CB JT Floyd, all who played on Hoke’s 2011 Sugar Bowl championship team.

Urban Meyer recruits

And let’s not forget Michigan’s thorn down south, Urban Meyer.

Called by many one of the best recruiters in the nation, Meyer acquired seven recruits for his first class in 2012, four who are still on the Ohio State depth chart.

Whoever becomes the next coach will hopefully retain two or three of the current assistants, in hopes of keeping continuity in the recruiting effort. If the new coach is currently in the game today, he will most likely bring a few recruits with him.

Even if the Wolverines come a few recruits short, Michigan is practically guaranteed a solid roster through 2016. That’s due to the top-five classes of 2012 and 2013.

Should star ratings be questioned?

The 2012 class which totaled 25 prospects, featured one 5-star and 14 4-star recruits. Scout.com rated it the No. 4 class in the nation. The 27-member 2013 class was rated No. 2 and boasted four 5-star and 15 4-star prospects.

So while the quantity is there, it will be up to the new coach to create solid Big Ten quality players from a group which hasn’t quite lived up to its potential.

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Bolded players and coaches are linked to Sports-Reference, an enhanced statistics website.