The secondary was a major source of worry throughout 2006 even as the UM defense dominated, and those fears came true when Ohio State and USC gashed the Wolverines through the air in consecutive games, tarnishing what had been an amazing year for UM.

Now with Cissoko, Donovan Warren, Michael Williams, and other top prospects in the mix, Michigan is reloading in the defensive backfield under position coach Vance Bedford, who coached the 1997 National Champion defensive backfield.

Boubacar made a name for himself on the camp circuit when he started turning heads with his physical, never-back-down attitude and incredibly quick feet. His highlight videos confirm how fast he can change directions, which is a big plus for any CB and an attribute that can set them apart from their peers.

Cissoko is listed at either 5'8 or 5'9 depending on where you look, however, leading to a difference of opinion in where he should be ranked in the 2008 class. Scout.com has him as the third-ranked CB in the country while ESPN.com has him only 22nd.

ESPN's Tom Lugenbill said that the lack of height is a major red flag considering how many big, physical receivers are coming up in college football these days. He also said the Cissoko's on-field performance hasn't matched his camp performances.

But these fears can be assuaged a bit by the following facts.

First of all, Cissoko will be playing alongside the 6'1 Warren for most of his college career at UM if all goes well, so he can handle the bigger receivers if necessary. Also, Cissoko has extremely long arms, something common among basketball players and something that doesn't get taken into account often enough in football, and they allow him to bat away passes at the last second that it doesn't look like he may be able to get to.

As for the concerns about his on-field performances, part of that has to be attributed to the low level of resources and coaching skill in programs in the city of Detroit. These programs often don't throw the ball very much or very well and Cissoko doesn't get a lot of balls thrown his way.

At any rate, there's no denying the incredible athleticism, physicality, and great attitude Cissoko brings to the field, and that's why he will be a good college player probably sooner rather than later at Michigan.

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Lloyds Apple said:

Cass Tech's Cissoko rethinks going to U-M December 21, 2007 By MARK SNYDER FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER The first commitment of this current class came on last year's signing day when Detroit Cass Tech cornerback Boubacar Cissoko pledged to come to Michigan. After Thursday's mass firings of the U-M staff, Cissoko cut the cord, saying today he's no longer a Michigan commitment. “I'm looking at Penn State and am going to visit after the bowl game,” Cissoko said. “I'll go back this week and look at some more schools I want to go you. Yeah, they have" contacted me. Any chance he'll return to Michigan? “I don't know right now,” said Cissoko, who found out about the firings from U-M defensive coordinator Ron English. “All the coaches got fired. I don't know nobody on the new staff. I have no connection with them.” Michigan has 15 other oral commitments and, while many of them will be evaluating the new U-M staff, Rodriguez will also be evaluating them. Offensive line commitment Dann O'Neill from Grand Haven said today that he has spoken to new Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez and, though Rodriguez told him last Sunday his position coach, Andy Moeller, would not be brought back, O'Neill plans to stay with Michigan. “I talked to a lot of the other (commitments) and they're all planning to stay with it,” O'Neill said, including after learning of the staff firings on Thursday night. He also said all of the oral commitments will be honored by Rodriguez because Lloyd Carr went to U-M athletic director Bill Martin before he retired and received that guarantee. .

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