Michigan prospects fit Spartans style

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Not only has Michigan produced players that have made a big splash early in their careers, with the likes of DE William Gholston (Detroit/Southeastern), QB Robert Bolden (Orchard Lake, Mich./St. Mary's) and WRs Ronald Johnson (Muskegon, Mich./Muskegon) and Mark Dell (Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison), but the running backs alone from the state of Michigan have been fantastic, including Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram (Flint, Mich./Southwestern Academy). He was a prospect who had little film out publicly, and we did not actually insert him into the ESPNU 150 for the 2008 class until January of that year because we had not seen enough. Glad we did!

The Michigan State Spartans have been the beneficiary of two fine in-state runners, both of whom were in the ESPNU 150 from the 2009 class in Edwin Baker (Oak Park, Mich.) and Larry Caper (Battle Creek, Mich./Central). Michigan, in our opinion, is often like Virginia year-in and year-out in the sense that there are always going to be three to five obvious BCS prospects followed by a slew of good, yet not quite developed prospects with BCS-level potential.

Based on what the Michigan Wolverines would like to be on offense, they are going to continue to move southward and nationally in search for more skilled, speedy athletes, but that is not going to make coach Rich Rodriguez anymore popular within the state. Mark Dantonio's style and philosophy at Michigan State may be a better marriage for the style of player being produced in state. However, if there is a speedy in-state prospect at a skill spot or a difference-maker on the defensive front you can bet both programs will be battling until the bitter end.

Top prospect

Arnett

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Taylor

Taking up residence

Here are the colleges that are doing the best with prospects from Michigan.

Michigan
The addition of RB Demetrius Hart (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips) is huge. He is the type of back Rodriguez covets, and the Wolverines beat Alabama for his services. Michigan has addressed its defense early on. Seven of the team's 12 incoming prospects are on the defensive side of the ball, including two four-star prospects, cornerback Delonte Hollowell (Detroit/Cass Technical) and defensive end Brennen Beyer (Canton, Mich./Plymouth). Hollowell does a good job reading the quarterback and jumping routes in zone schemes. He can mirror tightly with his fluid hips and turns in off man coverages. He's effective in press and bump-and-run coverages, too.

Michigan State
Dantonio has done good job thus far by landing 16 prospects, including the No. 1 defensive player from the state of Michigan in ESPNU 150 linebacker Lawrence Thomas (Detroit/Renaissance). The 6-3, 230-pounder is athletic and demonstrates the ability to take on or avoid pass-blockers with good playing strength and change of direction moves. He has a quick closing burst to the quarterback, too. Expect MIchigan State's terrific evaluation efforts at the RB position to continue with Onaje Miller (Lansing, Mich./Sexton), who could also play defense.

Tom Luginbill is ESPN's national director of football recruiting.

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Tom Luginbill

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• Senior National Recruiting Analyst for ESPN.com
• Coached in four professional football leagues
• Named ACC Rookie of the Year in 1994