Michigan, MSU busy on National Signing Day

National Signing Day revs the engine of millions across America as the landscape of college football’s future is etched by the promise of unproven prospects.

High school scouting and analysis is an imperfect science, but with scores of fans focused on this day, signing ceremonies have taken on a new life – celebrations of accomplishment with an eye to the next level.   In many ways, they are early commencement ceremonies for these talented young men.

The scene plays out numerous times across the U.S., an athlete signing his name on the dotted line as he pulls on a logo-cap, pledging his allegiance and commitment.  Hours later, head coaches standing at a dais, lauding their staffs’ efforts and describing exactly why they got “who they wanted.”

We don’t know, and in many cases they don’t know, if today’s commits will be tomorrow’s stars.  Finding examples of disappointment is just as simple as finding examples of success. 

At 18 years old, many of these young men are at a crossroads.  They’ll be challenged mentally and physically in ways they never have before.  Some will thrive.  Some will succumb to unexpected struggles and fall by the wayside.  

Today, though, may best be described as a day of celebration and promise.  Celebrating accomplishments of the past and peering into the future with the hint of promise and potential that can turn a college program around or help it sustain the success its already achieved.

Today, the Detroit Public School League honored its top recruits, including Dennis Norfleet from Detroit Martin Luther King Jr.

Norfleet’s last-minute switch from the University of Cincinnati to the University of Michigan is the headline of the day.  An elusive running back with incredible speed, Norfleet consistently made plays throughout his career at King. 

Michigan head coach Brady Hoke said during his news conference this afternoon the Wolverines began recruiting Norfleet, "yesterday, because the numbers were there."

Hoke also indicated Norfleet could fill a role immediately in the kick return game, where recently dismissed Daryl Stonum was expected to contribute.

Norfleet, in many ways stunned by this late turn of events, shared his thoughts on a dramatic last-minute change of mind.

"I didn't mean to hurt no feeling, do no harm to anybody," said Norfleet.  "I was just doing what's best for me and my family." 

When I asked him about the conversation he had with the Cincinnati coaching staff, Norfleet didn't mince words.

"Depressing," said Norfleet.   "Me knowing that they put the time in to get to know me as a person and me knowing that they really wanted me how they wanted me.  It's just that at the time, that's just the way my family felt and we had to make a decision and it comes down to that sometimes." 

A genuinely humble young man, Norfleet reflected on the recruiting process and his good fortune.

"I never dreamed of myself as a being this D-1 prospect," said Norfleet.  "I never asked for none of this.  It's just something that God brung upon me and it's something I'm going to take advantage of now that I'm here while doing it.

"A team like Michigan is not an offer you get daily or not an offer you can pass by or you want to pass by.  So me knowing that I have an offer from Michigan, I'm going to take advantage of it."

For more information on college football recruiting and the Class of 2012 for Michigan and Michigan State , click on the words highlighted in this sentence.