Catching Up With Vic Enwere Comment Count

Brandon Brown

Vic Enwere

This past weekend almost every member of the 2014 recruiting class was in Ann Arbor to bond, catch a basketball game, and recruit a little bit themselves. Jabrill Peppers headlined the group as well as 2015 committed defensive back Shaun Crawford, mostly because there had been some rumors that they may both be interested in visiting elsewhere. Ace, with the help of others, all but squashed those rumors. Perhaps the most intriguing prospect among the commits was running back Vic Enwere, the Texas native who is currently committed to California.

Enwere is a 6’1”, 215 lb. bruiser of a running back with good speed, strong leg-drive, and phenomenal balance. He grades out as a 3-star prospect according to the 247 Composite and his offer list matches with some of the more notable schools being Kansas State, Michigan State, Missouri and obviously California and Michigan. I caught up with Vic to see how his visit went and where exactly the Wolverines stand for him after his first trip to Ann Arbor.

After talking to Vic a few times prior to his visit I’ve already determined that he isn’t the most excitable kid, keeps his responses short and sweet, and also doesn’t sugar coat anything. He said his visit to Michigan was “pretty good” and that he really enjoyed hanging out with the other recruits. As we know by now the future members of Team 135 are a very close knit bunch and Enwere said that he didn’t feel like he was an uncommitted guy while he was hanging out with everyone. “I felt no different than anyone else. They treated me the same. They are a good group of guys.” He then admitted that he definitely felt like he could be part of that group.

The coaches did their homework and paired Enwere up with Amara Darboh as his player-host due in part to both young men being of African descent. He said that Darboh was really cool and made the stay extremely comfortable for him.

Now that he is back home and waiting to take his official visit to Cal in January he says that his commitment is still the same, a soft verbal to the Golden Bears. I asked him if either team had an edge right now and he said, “I wouldn’t say it’s 50/50 yet. It all depends on how my visit to Cal goes. Cal still has the edge right now.” Once that visit is complete he will evaluate all of his options and make his final decision near National Signing Day.

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My Crystal Ball pick right now is for Enwere to flip to Michigan but honestly after talking to him tonight I’m not so sure. He says Cal still has the edge, remains committed (albeit softly) even though he hasn’t taken a visit to Berkeley yet. He will take that visit in January and then sign his letter of intent while it’s still fresh in his mind. It will be very interesting to see how aggressively the Michigan coaches pursue him and what effect that has on his commitment. At this point it would be an impressive job if they can get him to flip.

Comments

Magnus

December 17th, 2013 at 8:15 AM ^

I'm not convinced that Enwere will flip to Michigan. I just haven't seen him say anything that indicates they've made a jump, whether it's excitement about playing time, playing for a potential winner, being like some of the other running backs that have played for Michigan, etc. The one thing Michigan has going for it is a better record/chance of winning than Cal, who just had a terrible season. And while that's significant, it just seems like he's not super interested in coming to Ann Arbor.

boliver46

December 17th, 2013 at 9:07 AM ^

Since the initial excitement he displayed after getting an offer - seems things have cooled.  Shocked a visit with all those commits plus the Men's BB game resulted in a response that the visit was "pretty good".

Wherever he goes, wish him luck...but wish he would Go Blue!

GoBLUinTX

December 17th, 2013 at 8:25 AM ^

Does Enwere have a connection to Cal that isn't readily apparent?  Perhaps relatives that attended or live in the Berkley area?  Maybe an undergrad program that interests him?  He's a three star that hasn't been offered by many traditional power teams, yet over them he picks Cal. Of course the young man may not be confident that he could make an impact at Michigan or MSU given their respective stables of running backs. 

One other thing that may well be working against Michigan is that he knows Fred Jackson won't be coaching next year while Cal has the young hard charging Pierre Ingram coaching running backs.

team126

December 17th, 2013 at 8:34 AM ^

One other thing that may well be working against Michigan is that he knows Fred Jackson won't be coaching next year while Cal has the young hard charging Pierre Ingram coaching running backs.

 

mgobaran

December 17th, 2013 at 8:27 AM ^

I mean what is he down to? Just Michigan and Cal? Leaving M and still being committed to Cal doesn't bode well, but if he isn't making his final decision yet, than why say you are uncommitted?

I still think there is a good chance to land him. If the visit at Cal doesn't live up to Ann Arbor, than I can see that 60/40 Cal lean switch into a 60/40 Michigan one easily.

MGoBlueChip

December 17th, 2013 at 8:47 AM ^

Here's my crystal ball prediction: he says Cal has the edge, they get the last visit, and our RB depth with Green, Smith, drake Johnson, and Harris the following year will cause him to stick to Cal.

CR7

December 17th, 2013 at 9:14 AM ^

also have a RB pedigree, at least in recent years. Marshawn Lynch, Shane Vereen, Jahvid Best have been drafted and played a lot of football in the pros.

ontarioblue

December 17th, 2013 at 9:19 AM ^

and never have visited Cal and to have Cal as a slight lead does not bode well for Michigan.  How does one even commit to a school to spend 4 years without ever stepping a foot on campus?  This is truly a strange one.

JTrain

December 17th, 2013 at 9:58 AM ^

I'm sure the entire weekend of sub freezing temps and blowing snow was exciting and a huge turn on to him. I hear the climate is similar where he is from....
Seriously tho, it's no wonder a lot of these kids from down south stay down south. Good thing Jabrill is from Jersey!!

True Blue Grit

December 17th, 2013 at 2:25 PM ^

and after walking through blowing snow here on Saturday noticed it was in the 60's in Berkeley.  Just a possibility.  But to answer your main question - he may just be looking to go to the school with the best combination of academics and a strong football program, and Cal was the best one that offered up to now.  It's hard to say without knowing more about him.  But since he seems pretty reserved, anything is possible.  

chatster

December 17th, 2013 at 10:18 AM ^

While hoping that Malik McDowell doesn't take Da'Shawn Hand's route, so that We Won't Get Fooled Again, if McDowell goes elsewhere and Enwere sticks with Cal, (a) will the coaching staff be Getting In Tune for Going Mobile after National Signing Day, looking for a Bargain among some uncommitted prospects for the Recruiting Class of 2014, or (b) will they just say that The Song Is Over for adding anyone else to the Recruiting Class of 2014 . . . unless they can find a talented player named Baba O'Riley?

MLaw06

December 17th, 2013 at 10:21 AM ^

Since when did Amara Darboh become Nigerian???  Isn't he from Sierra Leone?  Isn't his nickname "Freetown's Finest" (i.e., Sierra Leone's capital)??

What's next?  All Asians are from China? /s