The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/high-s...562663001/

This article illustrated what an EXCELLENT job Coach Lester is doing in recruiting. I looked at how many of these kids are committed (or offered) to Western as compared to some of our biggest rivals, and it straight blew my mind:

CMU Commits: #49 Offers to: #47 & 34
Toledo Commits: #48
Minnesota Commits: #36 Offer to: #19

WMU commits: #46, 31, 30, 28 Offers to: #47 & 34

Maybe it doesn't mean as much because Michigan may be weak in talent as opposed to neighboring states like Ohio and Illinois, but winning your home state recruiting battles against your main rivals is key, and this coaching staff is straight up smoking our nearest competitors...

Michigan has arguably just as much, if not more talent, than Ohio or Illinois.

(08-18-2017 09:41 PM)ColinApocalypse Wrote:  Michigan has arguably just as much, if not more talent, than Ohio or Illinois.

Over the past five years Ohio has produced almost twice the # of Blue Chip
FB players as Michigan. Ohio HS's rank 5th in producing Division 1 FB talent behind Texas, Florida, California, and Georgia.

Michigan high schools are 11th best in producing FBS talent. Not near CA, TX, FL, LA, GA, OH or PA but solid enough of a talent base to help sustain 5 football programs. Should MSU continue to falter on the field that could benefit our program. A win in East Lansing as I've stated before could go a long way towards recruiting top in state talent. The release of Curtis Blackwell from that program was viewed by many as a fall guy situation. I've heard that a major Georgia connection who was similar to Blackwell with Sound Mind, Sound Body, will not bring any of his kids up to MSU. And the same sentiments may be shared by those around Detroit PSL as Blackwell was and still is well respected by coaches and parents in the city. Possibly evidenced by our recent success in getting commitments from JuJu Jordan-Detroit Central, Andre Carter-CassTech, & Desjuan Johnson, East English Village. Dantonio (Narduzzi?) is credited with coaching up 2 & 3 Stars to NFL talent. Precisely the recruits that Lester & Co. are battling for. Harbaugh clearly has gained the upper hand taking 8 of the top 12 in state.

We have taken some of the Free Press top 50 players in state with the 2017 class (31 Holley, 32 Chapman, 48 Hubbard & 49 Motz) 3 others that we were in on followed the previous regime to Minnesota. and we continue that momentum into this next recruiting cycle. We are clearly beating our arch rival on the field and in recruiting. CMUs top MHSAA commit is at 49 on this list. I look forward to a great season and getting some of the best in state kids to play in Kalamazoo. LET'S RIDE!!!

An interesting case for Lester's recruiting prowess is the saga of Ben Van Sumeren, one of the best TEs in the state, #47 overall Freep. After a great showing at the Nike combine he promptly de-commited, 5/19, from Western after hearing from P5 programs. Following that we secured a commitment from Lee Payton, a Higher rated TE from River Rouge, #31 Freep, on 6/26. Van Sumeren may turn out to be a very good player but the move to get Payton could turn out to a great pickup.

p.s. About a month ago there were several 247 crystal balls for Van Sumeren to Minnesota and as recently as this week the tide seemed to be turning in favor of Cinci.

(08-18-2017 09:31 PM)CincoDosAdios Wrote:  WMU commits: #46, 31, 30, 28 Offers to: #47 & 34

Maybe it doesn't mean as much because Michigan may be weak in talent as opposed to neighboring states like Ohio and Illinois, but winning your home state recruiting battles against your main rivals is key, and this coaching staff is straight up smoking our nearest competitors...

Winning your home state (including local talent)recruiting battles helps put fannies in the seats.
Also gives mlive an excuse to write an article.

VanSumeren is apparently playing QB this fall.

(08-18-2017 09:31 PM)CincoDosAdios Wrote:  http://www.freep.com/story/sports/high-s...562663001/

This article illustrated what an EXCELLENT job Coach Lester is doing in recruiting. I looked at how many of these kids are committed (or offered) to Western as compared to some of our biggest rivals, and it straight blew my mind:

CMU Commits: #49 Offers to: #47 & 34
Toledo Commits: #48
Minnesota Commits: #36 Offer to: #19

WMU commits: #46, 31, 30, 28 Offers to: #47 & 34

Maybe it doesn't mean as much because Michigan may be weak in talent as opposed to neighboring states like Ohio and Illinois, but winning your home state recruiting battles against your main rivals is key, and this coaching staff is straight up smoking our nearest competitors...

Michigan is no longer a weak state to recruit. In fact it is quickly becoming one of the better states in the country. You only have to see how many schools that never recruited in Michigan before are doing so now.