An Interview With Holmes Onwukaife Comment Count

Brian

Michigan managed to score two commits while I was in an airport or waiting on a runway for two bonus hours of incredible fun or actual in transit or watching Italy-USA, about which I have to say aaaargh aaaargh Rossi aaaargh.

Tom Van Haaren caught up with commit #1, TX OLB Holmes Onwukaife, this afternoon. Commit #2 is SC QB Cornelius Jones, about whom more later. First, Onwukaife's awesome highlight video, which features the best highlight music ever and lightning bolts.

On with the talking:

TOM: So you committed today, have you gotten a chance to talk to Coach Rodriguez?

[Note: commitments are apparently not 100% official-official until Rodriguez has been called, which is probably why neither premium site has an article up yet. FWIW.]

HOLMES: No sir, I told Coach Jackson, and some other coaches. I'm just waiting for the camps to get over with today, so he can talk.

TOM: Have you been to Michigan yet?

HOLMES: Last summer, at the AAU track meet, I went to Eastern, but never to the University of Michigan.

TOM: What have the coaches told you they like about you as a player?

HOLMES: They like me for the outside linebacker position. They told me they just really like my explosiveness, and my pursuit. They like that I don't give up on the play, and I go after the ball.

TOM: Ok, so what made you decide to commit? What was the difference maker?

HOLMES: I was just waiting for school to finish, and once that happened, I sat down with my family and we decided that Michigan is the best place for me. It's got the best mix of academics and football. It's a great school, with great tradition. Coach Jackson has come out to me, and he's seen me three times now. The effort he put in was well done. We built a good relationship, and developed a bond. I've talked to Will Campbell, Roy Roundtree, and Tony Drake. I just asked them what they liked about it, and how they felt. They all had the same message, that it's just a family once you're there. You're part of something special, and the University really wants you to succeed academically.

TOM: So when do you plan on taking a visit?

HOLMES: I'm not sure the date yet, but I plan on taking my official visit to Michigan. I'm still planning it out.

TOM: So, what's next for you?

HOLMES: Just working hard, focusing our team, we're trying to do big things. I want to stay in contact with Devin Gardner. Stephen Hopkins, and some other guys.

Comments

Irish

June 15th, 2009 at 10:58 PM ^

Some big pickups, defense looks to be catching up to offensive recruiting. I thought Jones would be your best fit as a 2nd QB out of the current offers. Though I do always worry about commits who haven't been to campus yet.

Hoken's Heroes

June 15th, 2009 at 11:48 PM ^

Always have to worry about guys who commit without seeing the campus but I understand that he has family in the area (maybe even works for U of M) and the decision was done with his family after looking everything over. The kid sounds like a very well rounded kid. He's a Michelin 3 star recruit! Gotta like that.

West Texas Blue

June 15th, 2009 at 11:08 PM ^

Damn I love the NFL Primetime music. Can't wait for football season to get here. You can't go wrong with lightning bolts also. Major kudos to whomever put together that highlight video.

lunchboxthegoat

June 16th, 2009 at 1:09 AM ^

look I'm happy we got a big fast linebacker type, but maybe this is typical of HS LB folk...but he had a tremendous propensity to grab shirts and not hit nor wrap up. Hopefully that will progress with some coaching. Love the ability to shed blocks, pursue, though.

Magnus

June 16th, 2009 at 8:57 AM ^

That is a common problem amongst high school players. The top players are bigger and stronger than their fellow players, so they can take them down that way. Onwukaife does that a lot, and so does Paskorz. Luckily, that's a fairly easy thing to teach, especially when you get to college and guys run through those arm tackles every time.

Seth

June 16th, 2009 at 8:13 AM ^

Do you think those were added during editing, or do you think we picked up a defensive player who is powered by lightning bolts? Do we need to provide our own lightning-bolt producing blimp or does he bring it with him? Does the NCAA have any rules about defensive players being charged by lightning bolts immediately before the snap?

What happens to Onwukaife if he isn't charged by a lightning bolt before the play? How many downs can he get off of the 1.21 gigawatts of electricity generated by the lightning bolt? If he stunts and, say, Will Campbell ends up outside, will he accidentally get hit by lightning? I don't think Big Will would like that...

Those are just my concerns. Overall, I think having a cyborg player that gets charged by lightning bolts is a really cool idea -- never would have happened under Carr I bet!

sammylittle

June 16th, 2009 at 9:37 AM ^

Thor can handle a little lightening. If you notice, there were some plays on the film where the lightening was absent and Onwukaife still made the play. My guess is he will adjust to non-lightening play just fine. If not, I've heard that Barwis can scowl at the sky to produce lightening. If so, maybe he can recharge Onwukaife early each game day.

The real question is whether he is physcially attractive enought to play for Michigan. I haven't seen his photo yet.

aawolve

June 16th, 2009 at 9:56 AM ^

made that highlight video should be selling their services to high school seniors around the nation. Lightning bolts and no shitty rap or metal music, that's what I'm talking about!

mgovictors23

June 16th, 2009 at 12:30 PM ^

I like this kid, he seens to be very physical and can shed blocks and looks like a good tackler. That's always a nice thing to have for your linebacker recruits.

kofine05

June 16th, 2009 at 12:50 PM ^

i gotta say that is a totally fake 40 time. Ill bet he runs maybe sub 4.8. he seems to klunky(no idea how to spell that) to be able to run anything under that. He has a great nose for the ball though. Im very impressed how he always seems to get around the defender even though he really isnt that fast or at least doesnt seem like it. anyone know what the level on competition is he plays against? Div of school? Looks like a good pick up though. Im a little hesitant since he hasnt even seen the campus yet nor even met rich rod from what it seems like. Seems like he just jumped at the big offer?