The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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he would. "This process has been acceler- ated," he said. "Is it fair to kids? No. I don't think so. Is it the way it's go- ing to be? I think so. It's tough. There is so much stuff out there, so much misinformation. Is it going to slow down? I don't see how it's going to be pulled back. "Do I wish it would be? Yes. I wish we'd have visits the first two weeks of June." That certainly would present a different look in Ann Arbor than re- cruits see in December and January, particularly in the rugged winter of 2013-14. In the end, though, it doesn't matter, in the eyes of Michigan's coaching staff. Those who wanted to be Wolverines, now are. As to who among them might play early, Hoke wouldn't go there, even with Peppers. He offered a wait-and- see for all, not wanting to rush an- other process. "That's always a tough question," he said. "You hesitate to say because all of a sudden you say it and then everybody thinks that's gospel, and then when a guy doesn't play for one reason or another, they start ques- tioning the kid. "We really got away from this be- ing about the kids playing the game. It's not going to go back; it's not go- ing to get any better. But I think there are five or six guys who may have an opportunity." While 16 aren't a lot in a recruiting class, the head coach will roll with what he has here. "We really hit the sweet spots on where we needed help and depth," Hoke said. "I was pretty proud of being able to keep that all together. We were really happy with that." ❑ Small Class Doesn't Mean Small Impact Michigan garnered just 19 players in its class of 1998, tied for the third-lowest total in the past 25-plus years. Out of that group, though, came performers who would bolster the Wolverines' fortunes for years to come. Drew Henson, David Terrell, Marquise Walker, Bennie Joppru, Victor Hobson, Larry Foote, Hayden Epstein … all became standouts over the course of three to five years in a Michigan uniform. Henson challenged and pushed future three-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady at quarterback from day one. Terrell and Walker ranked as two of Michi- gan's most productive receivers of all time. Joppru posted the best statistical season ever by a Michigan tight end, Hob- son and Foote became linebacking stalwarts, and Epstein settled in for the long haul as Michigan's placekicker. In other words, it's not all about numbers, but putting the right people in place. "There's always pressure," noted Michigan recruiting coordinator Jeff Heck- linski, with regard to making good decisions in a lower-number class. "This is a business filled with pressure. If there's added pressure, and if you approach it that way, that's when you tend to make mistakes.