Evan Baylis

Chris Barnett was a big pickup for Michigan in the 2011 class, but Brady Hoke would like to add more depth at the tight end position this year. Evan Baylis (6'5", 225 lbs) is one of the prospects the Wolverines are going after for 2012. The Colorado native talked about his visit to Michigan this past week and how he feels about the Wolverines in general. Here's a look at his film and his thoughts.

TOM: Tell me where you're at right now with the process. What trips have you taken so far?

EVAN: I took some trips over spring break. I went out to Michigan last week [March 28th & 29th], Oregon, and also Stanford. I was thinking about revisiting some places, but I have lacrosse right now so I'm just trying to figure out some time.

TOM: When you were at Michigan what all did you do and see?

EVAN: I was there for two days and got some good time with the coaches. We missed practice, but we got to see everything else. We met with all the coaches, saw campus, and talked to the academic advisors. The next day we went on some more tours and more personal meetings with the coaches. I got to talk to Coach Ferrigno about how they'd use me in the offense. We also talked to one of the professors in the engineering department.

TOM: Is engineering what you want to go into? 

EVAN: I'm not quite sure yet. I think I either want to go into engineering or business; I'm kind of up in the air about that. 

TOM: So it sounds like academics are really a priority for you then?

EVAN: Yeah, academics is really important because I want to make sure that I'm all set after football. I want to have a good degree and everything.

TOM: Backing up to the coaches meetings, when you talked to Coach Hoke what was he talking to you guys about?

EVAN: Coach Hoke was more general about the program and what do as a football team. He was telling me how they felt about me and that Michigan would be a great place for tight ends. They're coming in with a winning mentality, which I like.

TOM: After you talked to the coaches you said you got a tour, did that include the Big House?

EVAN: Yeah, we saw the locker room, the weight room, and the Big House. That was my first time in the Big House and it was shocking. On a good day we have maybe 2 or 3 thousand people, so it was shocking. It's nothing compared to what we see.

TOM: A lot of the schools that you have offers from and that you've mentioned are closer to the west coast. What made you initially interested in Michigan?

EVAN: I have relatives in Michigan, and my grandparents used to live out there. I've been out to Michigan a lot, and I like how they're switching to a pro style offense. I really liked talking to the coaches too, I think I got along with them really well. 

TOM: For anyone that doesn't know a lot about you, how would you describe yourself as a tight end?

EVAN: I'm kind of intense, and I really like to get after it. I play hard for pretty much the entire game. I think I have good footwork and good speed. I like getting passed to a lot, but I also like blocking a lot too. 

TOM: And where are you at right now with the process? Do you have a top group yet?

EVAN: I'm kind of narrowing down my schools right now. I'm not too far into it yet, but I want to make my final decision by the beginning of the summer. I haven't been everywhere that I'm considering so I don't really have a ranking right now. I have a general idea, but I'm trying to figure out which schools would work best. 

TOM: To go back to the west coast thing. Is distance going to factor into this for you?

EVAN: Being far away from home doesn't have too big of an impact for me. I have relatives in Michigan, which would make it feel somewhat like home. That wouldn't be a problem.

TOM: When do you want to make your final decision then?

EVAN: I want to make it by the beginning of the summer and just get it out of the way.