Its important to remember that recruiting is about filling both short term and long term needs. While it is true that Michigan currently has commitments from 2 TEs, the jury is still out whether either can contribute right away. Michigan has an immediate need for TEs for this upcoming season and while David Funchess could end up a great TE, he currently sits at 220lbs and is not physically ready to contribute at TE. Williams played all of last year at the OT spot and while both he and coaches want him at TE, his body may no cooperate with the plan leading to him outgrowing the TE position.

Despite the commitment of 2013 QB Shane Morris, Michigan’s need at QB remains. By not taking a QB this year, Michigan has placed itself in the position of entering its 2nd straight season with only 3 scholarship QBs. The commitment of Morris for 2013 has not changed the need at the QB position. With Denard Robinson graduating at the end of the year, Michigan will likely go into a 3rd straight season with only 3 scholarship QBs in 2013. In addition, the lack of a 4th scholarship QB ensures that Morris will not have the opportunity to redshirt in 2013.

The RB position is in the same situation. Michigan enters fall camp with only 4 scholarship RBs, one of whom will likely move to WR before the end of the year. If Fred Jackson’s comments on Norfleet are to be believed, the depth situation at RB has not improved.

Long and drawn out may have been the wrong verbiage? My contention, at least for this 1 year, is that in a majority of the cases where recruits when through the full process (taking official visits, hosting in-home visits by coaches, etc) Michigan lost the recruit. Ohio and Michigan recruited Reeves over the same period of time, though I admit having the ability to also recruit Cam Williams was an advantage (no more so than Michigan enjoyed with Grant because of Kalis though IMO). Michigan and Oklahoma also recruited Grant over the same period of time, though I believe Michigan re-offered two weeks in advance of Oklahoma. In addition they enjoyed other advantages.

I certainly admit that Michigan trailed with several of its final prospects heading into the last 2 1/2 months of the season. Whether those teams enjoyed insurmountable leads is the question. I think it is easy to sit back now and say that Michigan faced insurmountable odds with its final targets because of where a majority of them ended up. We and other programs have certainly taken over the lead with prospects in the past. We’ve lost our share of players who have had us as their leader as well.

1. Armani Reeves: Armani was dropped when Anthony Standifer and Terry Richardson committed. Interest was only renewed during the past 2 months of the season. Cameron Williams commits to Ohio making this recruitment an even bigger uphill battle. Was it a loss? Of course, but it was hardly a year long battle for his services.

2. Alex Kozan: was a late season offer (late October?), putting UM pretty far behind Iowa. Another short battle.

3. Sam Grant: was under the impression he had an offer last spring, but didn’t. After the decommittment of Pharaoh Brown, Michigan attempts to reignite it’s relationship with Grant. This is after 6 months of zero contact with the kid. Again, not a drawn out battle.

4. Garnett: sure, we lost this one I guess. However, not many of the experts expected him to leave the west coast.

5. Jordan Diamond: TBD.

If you would’ve told me last January that UM would end up with a top 10, maybe top 5 recruiting class I would’ve taken it all day long. Sure we lost a battle or two (we also held on to Kalis, Bolden and Strobel despite Urban Meyer trying to turn them), but we did win the war. Just my opinion of course.