in the finals. 4x state champ Zeerip is one of if not the best recruit to come out of Michigan this year and proved that he is for real with his 3rd place finish at Senior Nationals. David Johnson, a Sr National all-american, and Erich Smith, arguably the most promising wrestler ever to come out of the UP, are both nationally tested and capable of developing into top competitors in the Big Ten. UM addressed their lightweight needs with Lara and Russell, who could both possibly see time right away at 125 and 141, while Johnson, Zeerip and Smith should all fit in nicely in the next couple years to fill voids as all-americans Churella, Tannenbaum, Luke, and Todd graduate. Jones of Hartland has really proven himself this year, winning a D1 state title in March and going undefeated at Disney this summer, he should be a career 125lber that will provide depth with Lara and could step in and hold his own. The only real flaw to the class was that they did not make any moves to improve their thinning upperweights, however, all in all it was a very solid recruiting year for Mcfarland's Wolverines.
Report Card:
Talent = A+
Depth = B
Needs = A-
Instant Impact = A
Overall = A
Who they'e signed:
Alex Gorton (Rockford, MI), 125
Adam Draves (Grand Rapids, MI), 125
Andrew Novak (New Boston Huron, MI), 133
J.J. Johnson (Rockford, MI), 141
Corey Philips (Canton, MI), 141/149
Justin Joseph (Lapeer, MI), 157
Derek Foore (Wadsworth, OH), 157/165
Thomas St. Louis (Neosha, MO), 174
Wes Schroeder (Addison, MI), 285
Matt Pettigrew (St Johns, MI), 285
Analysis: Coach Delporto brought in by far the largest class of all the Michigan school's this year with 10 incoming freshman. EMU has a very thin squad right now with little returning and this is exactly what they need, a very deep class that will build up their room and they should reap the benefits in the future, maybe not right away but their squad should be solid in the next couple years. They signed alot of the best in state recruits with 4 of the top 20 seniors from our top senior list: Phillips, Johnson, Novak, and Gorton. Derek Foore of Ohio is multiple time state finalist and took 2nd this year, losing only to Ohio phenom Sean Nemec in the finals by a score of 5-3. JJ Johnson and Alex Gorton were both Senior National all-americans and Corey Phillips was a D1 state champ this year, beating JJJ in one of the better matches of the state finals. Novak, Schroeder and Joseph are also Michigan state champs, while Pettigrew was a finalist. Novak, Johnson, Phillips, and Foore all have the ability and oppurtunity to step in right away as EMU has little returning at those weights. It looks like Delporto has the Eagles heading in the right direction with this class as these guys should give EMU a solid talent base to build off of.
Report Card:
Talent = B+
Depth = A+
Needs = A
Instant Impact =B+
Overall = A-
Who they signed:
Carson Beebe (Montini Catholic, IL), 125
Dave Priest (Swartz Creek, MI), 125
Jeff Shutich (Rockford, MI), 133
Jarod Trice (Highland Park, MI), 285
Landon Winowiecki (St.Johns, MI), 285
year left in Mount Pleasant. Bubba will depart and Doughboy should step right in and make an immediate impact on the heavyweight scene. Shutich is one of the best lightweights coming out of Michigan this year and his style should mesh well with college wrestling. Carson Beebe of Illinois will join his brother Connor, the current CMU 133lber, and will provide depth at 125 and could compete for the starting spot early in his career. D2 state champ Priest also has the potential to be competetive for the Chipps. Trice and Shutich are big pickups, however, this class is very thin and Coach Borelli will have to be pretty active come next year (he already is as they got an early commitment for 07-08 from Ohio stud Eric Cubberly).
Report Card:
Talent = B+
Depth = C+
Needs = B+
Instant Impact = B
Overall = B
College recruiting for the fall of 07 incoming class is pretty much over and all the Michigan schools were very busy this spring to finalize their recruiting needs. Here is an in depth look at who each team signed and how their squad will be be impacted from the additions.
University of Michigan
Central Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Olivet College
Who they signed:
Wayne Bogue (Central Montcalm, MI), 125
Adam Wilson (Harper Creek, MI), 133
Brian Burk (Reading, MI), 133
Jon Pelham (Pittsford, MI), 141/149
Jesse Bain (Hartland, MI), 149
Nate Beilby (Climax, MI), 149
Vince Lahar (Clio, MI), 149/157
Tyler Smith (Carson City Crystal, MI), 157
James Zerenbiny (Westland John Glenn, MI), 157
Justin Jaynes (Richmond, MI), 165
Jim Neal (Marysville, MI), 165
Rob Disbrow (Lansing, MI) - Olivet, 184
Mason Ley (Caro, MI), 184
Ryan Connors (Ann Arbor Pioneer, MI), 197
Aaron Sullenger (Alpena, MI), Olivet, 197
Chris Behnke (Olivet, MI), 197
Jason Weatherspoon (Napolean, MI), 285
Analyis: It is amazing what coach Todd Hibbs has done with Olivet. He has brought this program back from the depths and given so many talented wrestlers from the great state of Michigan the oppurtunity to continue their wrestling career in college. This year is no different as the Comets have landed at least 17 in state recruits to add to their already solid squad. Olivet is developing into one of the top DIII programs in the country and this class should help them continue to rise. 3x state champ Lahar was their biggest pickup as he and 4x D1 state placer Bain could have the most immediate impact. (note that the report card is on a DIII grading scale)
Report Card:
Talent = B+
Depth = A+
Needs = A
Instant Impact = B
Overall = A-
Analysis: Not a very large group of signees for Coach McFarland and the Wolverines, however, what they lack in quantity they make up for in quality. Senior National champ Kellen Russell is one of the top prospects in the country and could make an immediate impact, along with Lara, who was a California state champ beating top ranked Nikko Triggas
Michigan State University
Who they signed:
Eric Olanowski (Virginia Beach, VA), 125
Collin Dozier (Cox, VA), 141
David Cheza (Grand Blanc, MI), 149
Phil Khozein (Hesperia, MI), 149
Anthony Jones (Highland Park, MI), 149
Ian Hinton (Mishawaka, IN), 184
Tyler Dickenson (St.Johns, MI), 184/197
Analysis: This class got a huge boost this spring with the late addition of Senior National Champ Eric Olanowski and the spring signing of Sr national all-american David Cheza. Coach Tom Minkel's top early signing was 4 time Virginia state champ Dozier, who is a blue-chip recruit that has placed at all the top national tournaments over the past few years. Ian Hinton is a 2x Indiana state champ and former Cadet double all-american. State champ Anthony Jones of Highland Park, a very athletic kid with great potential, has little national expeirence but did place 3rd at the Fila Cadet nationals last summer and had a good showing at Sr Nationals. 2x state champ Khozein and 2x state placer Dickensen are both tough, scrappy wrestlers that should both provide depth and look to contribute in the next few years. Olanowski, Dozier, and Cheza could make an immediate impact, and Hinton and Jones look to be key components for the Spartans in the future. MSU appears to have eased the departure of the Simmons bros. with the VA duo of Olanowski & Dozier, and Hinton will help improve their upperweights, however, the upperweights are still thin. With 7 solid grapplers on the way to East Lansing, this could be one of if not the best incoming class MSU has seen as of late.
Report Card:
Talent = A-
Depth = A-
Needs = A-
Instant Impact = B+
Overall = A-
Analyis: Not a really busy recruiting year for Coach Borelli and the Chippewas, however, they dont really have much needs as they are only losing one senior. Senior National Champ Jarod Trice was a huge pickup for CMU as he is one of the best heavyweights in the country who should fit in perfectly after a redshirt year as All-American Bubba Gritter has only one more
The Comets' dynaymic duo of Sparta natives Kyle Vanderhyde (left) & Jason Brew (right) will have some company next season at Olivet.
Jason Lara (Calvary Chapel, CA), 125
