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Local players among stars of recruiting showcase

Rodriguez sends message

When Justin Boren left Michigan last week, his parting shot indicated that the practice atmosphere cultivated by the new regime is undesirable. An indictment like that from a legacy player surely will impact recruiting in a negative way, right?

In the short term, the answer is actually no. Ironically, the day Boren made clear his intentions to leave, two of the visiting prospects on campus were anything but put off by the approach of the new coaching staff.

"They really get after you," Massillon (Ohio) Washington High cornerback J.T. Turner said to GoBlueWolverine.com after observing last Tuesday's practice. "They're strict, but they just want you to work hard. They want everything done at a fast pace. They want it fast, quick and correct."

Added Isaiah Bell, a safety from Youngstown (Ohio) Liberty High: "It was fast-paced, the coaches were on everybody, and it was intense. But that's something I've already seen in high school."

Bell (6-3, 215), who could grow into a linebacker, clearly wasn't fazed by the coaches' methods, since he decided to pledge to the Wolverines on Monday. Turner, who opted for Michigan last Friday over an offer from Ohio State, is equally versatile. At 6-3 and nearly 200, he too has the frame to grow into another position should the need arise.

The two Ohioans have gotten Michigan off to a strong start in the Buckeye state, and ball could continue rolling in the near future with Bell's big-play teammate at Liberty High, Fitzgerald Toussaint. The 5-10, 185-pounder is a high school tailback, but he would likely utilize his 10.59 100-meter speed and outstanding open-field ability as a slot in Rodriguez's offense.

Toussaint would help further fill a pressing need that was addressed with Michigan's third pledge in recent days, Detroit Cass Tech tailback Teric Jones. The 5-10, 193-pounder committed to U-M on Saturday after taking in a spring practice, giving the Wolverines their second PSL player in the 2009 class, joining Cass Tech teammate Will Campbell.

Jones was limited early in his junior campaign due to injury and the presence of future Indiana RB Cortez Smith. However, his blazing 4.39 40-speed and outstanding hands sold Rodriguez on his long-term potential.

Based on these developments, it seems the notion that Michigan has a declining family atmosphere and little interest in recruiting Detroit are cases of perception not meeting with reality.

Sam Webb is managing editor of GoBlueWolverine magazine and GoBlueWolverine.com, and co-host of the "Michigan Insider" morning show weekdays on Sports Talk 1050 WTKA. His column appears every Thursday.