football

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704281204575002852055561406.html

Have been some threads about our players and their endurance performance.

Truth is.... not exactly an endurance sport. 

I spoke with AJ Jordan (WR/Trotwood, OH) today, and he told me that he'd like to commit to a school before his senior season starts. When I asked him if Michigan will be that school, he said, "There's a good chance it might be them." 

AJ is going to try to make it up for the BBQ on the 21st, but might have a track meet on the same day. 

To offer my two cents, I really like Jordan, I think he'd be a really good addition as a wide receiver to complement what we already have. 

Floridia WR Sammy Watkins (Scout 5*, #3WR, Rival 4*, ESPNU 150 Watch List) is featured in this gatorsports.com article.  Previously featured here, Watkins appears to have Michigan in his top 3 along with UF and The U.

With more colleges showing interest in Sammy, he said he will use his summer to visit schools rather than competing at camps. He realizes schools won’t get to see him showcase his skills, but he’s not concerned with that because he’ll have the season to show coaches what he can do.

“I don’t really care about (working out at camps) because I can work out with my coaches and my teammates or I can just train myself,” he said. “I don’t need anybody to motivate me so I don’t care about any camps.

Sammy said he and his coach will sit down next week and narrow his list of schools down to 10. As of now, the only schools he knows will make the cut are Florida, Miami and Michigan.

Convincing Watkins to leave the comfort of home and brave the cold of Michigan is quite a tall order for RichRod and his staff, especially given that...

...there are two schools that have stuck out for him since his recruitment began — Florida and Miami. Watkins said he grew up watching the Hurricanes and having them close to home has helped him learn more about the program.

“I like them,” Watkins said of Miami. “It’s close to home, good school with good academics. They are all right.”

But he’s got a special bond with Florida. His half-brother Jaylen is a true freshman cornerback for the Gators, and Sammy said reuniting with Jaylen would be nice, but he’s still got to make the right decision for himself.

“My brother is over there, but at the same time I have to choose the place where I want to go, but I like them,” he said. “I’ve visited there and it’s pretty close to home, so they’re looking pretty good.”

All that said, Watkins' Michigan Spring Game experience was clearly very positive and has put the Wolverines on his short list.  Here's hoping he follows in the footsteps of the greatest Michigan WR of all time (and fellow Floridian).

So I went to the mailbox today and noticed a yellow envelope from the University of Michigan. I received an offer for the all-in package this year last week, so I wasn't sure what to expect from the envelope.  I opened it and the letter stated that they could offer season tickets to Victors club members in the arsity level ($100-499).  I gave my first and only donation last year of $400.  It said that I could get tickets in the blue tier with an annual donation of 125 per seat each year.  I guess my questions are did I really get an offer for renewable tickets after only 1 year on the wait list and only a $400 donation?  Also am able say I want endzone season tickets instead of being the blue section?  And finally my form allows me extra tickets to the mass.,bowling green, Indiana and Purdue games.  What do I need to do to get extra tickets to the state game or any of the other big ten games.  Do those go to individuals that have donated more?  I am just a bit surprised I got this offer much sooner than expected.

Rather than editorializing I am just going to paste the relevant bit from this (non-paywall) ESPN recruiting story:

Wide receiver DeAnthony Arnett (Saginaw, Mich./Saginaw) may have arrived in Columbus with a chip on his shoulder. Arnett has approximately two dozen scholarship offers, including Michigan State, Michigan, USC, Oklahoma, Alabama and Notre Dame. However, the one school he has visited, but has yet to offer is Ohio State. Arnett walked into the Woody Hayes Athletic Center wearing Michigan garb. But the talk around the OSU indoor facility did not center on the Wolverines when it comes to Arnett's eventual destination.  If Arnett ends up anywhere but Michigan State (his slight current leader), USC or Oklahoma, it will be a surprise.

DB Jonathan Aiken out of Hollywood, FL just received an offer from Michigan, according to JC Shurburtt. 

Here's his highlight video. 

LB Lamar Dawson, from Danville, Kentucky also received an offer. I spoke with him today, and he told me that it's too early for a top list, but Michigan is definitely in the mix. He's going to try to make it up for a visit soon. He and his coaches are going to sit down, and figure out a schedule. 

Here's his highlight video. 

WR Darius Patton also received an offer sometime last week. Darius now holds offers from Michigan, MSU, West Virginia, Toledo, Boston College, Cincinnati, Wisconsin, Indiana, Bowling Green, and Miami of Ohio. 

I spoke with Darius, and he's VERY excited about the Michigan offer. He said that Michigan is in his top group, right now. Michigan is going to try to get him on campus soon. He's going to try to make it up in the summer.

He's also friends, and former teammates with current Michigan signee Cullen Christian. 

Here's his highlight video.