Brandon Ifill Visit Update
I just spoke with Brandon Ifill about his recent visit up to Ann Arbor. He was laughing, and seemed blown away the whole time we were talking. It was a good visit, to say the least.
I asked him how it compared to his other visits, and he said, "It wasn't the same, but it was the same excitement being around a college atmosphere. I mean, it's the University of Michigan. The tradition there is so much greater than any other school. (laughs) The Big House, there's no comparison to any other school, or stadium. That was the icing on the cake. Walking down that tunnel; I got chills. I wanted to put my pads on right there. Walking on that grass, there's been so many great players to play on that field."
One of the most important things for Brandon was to get to know the coaches better, and get a feel for them. Although the Big House was overwhelming, it seems like the coaches were the best part. "I had a good connection with all of them, I liked them a lot. They were really straight forward, and that was cool. I'm pretty laid back, so I liked that. The best part of the whole visit was talking with coach Rodriguez. He was just so laid back, and he really made me feel like he wanted to get to know me as a person. Most coaches talk about their program, and football. He made me feel like I was his friend, and he cared about what I liked. It was just a normal guy, that was talking to me about football and life. There was no big spotlight, or big ceremony, it was just real," he told me.
Besides Rodriguez, the coach that caught Ifill's attention the most was, of course, Mike Barwis. "(laughing) That guy, wow. I spent most of my time with him. From what I've heard, and what I've seen, he's the best. His whole philosophy is incredible. He's somebody that can motivate you to be the best, and pull the best out of you. Just to see him that fired up about what he does is great. I've never met anyone like him before," said Ifill.
Brandon spoke to Cullen Christian, his teammate, about the visit, and expressed his excitement about everything he saw. The only thing in the way of a commitment now seems to be time. Brandon said, "I'm just waiting to build a better relationship with the coaches. I want to talk to them more, and get more comfortable with them. Everything was great, so I just want to see how that relationship gets built."
I asked him how it compared to his other visits, and he said, "It wasn't the same, but it was the same excitement being around a college atmosphere. I mean, it's the University of Michigan. The tradition there is so much greater than any other school. (laughs) The Big House, there's no comparison to any other school, or stadium. That was the icing on the cake. Walking down that tunnel; I got chills. I wanted to put my pads on right there. Walking on that grass, there's been so many great players to play on that field."
One of the most important things for Brandon was to get to know the coaches better, and get a feel for them. Although the Big House was overwhelming, it seems like the coaches were the best part. "I had a good connection with all of them, I liked them a lot. They were really straight forward, and that was cool. I'm pretty laid back, so I liked that. The best part of the whole visit was talking with coach Rodriguez. He was just so laid back, and he really made me feel like he wanted to get to know me as a person. Most coaches talk about their program, and football. He made me feel like I was his friend, and he cared about what I liked. It was just a normal guy, that was talking to me about football and life. There was no big spotlight, or big ceremony, it was just real," he told me.
Besides Rodriguez, the coach that caught Ifill's attention the most was, of course, Mike Barwis. "(laughing) That guy, wow. I spent most of my time with him. From what I've heard, and what I've seen, he's the best. His whole philosophy is incredible. He's somebody that can motivate you to be the best, and pull the best out of you. Just to see him that fired up about what he does is great. I've never met anyone like him before," said Ifill.
Brandon spoke to Cullen Christian, his teammate, about the visit, and expressed his excitement about everything he saw. The only thing in the way of a commitment now seems to be time. Brandon said, "I'm just waiting to build a better relationship with the coaches. I want to talk to them more, and get more comfortable with them. Everything was great, so I just want to see how that relationship gets built."
Sounds like he really enjoyed it. This is good news to me.
Thanks for the great work as always Tom.
Now we need to put our best foot forward and lock up Brandon and Buck. This will also keep up RR's streak of signing high school teammates in a class, though we still have a shot with the Talbott boys.
This kid is one of the strongest kids in the county. Has a max bench press of over 405lbs, Was at the Senior Elite camp in June and did very well, Played with Tate Forcier and Brandon Clay last season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWyGXjKDFwA
Excellent work Tom. Thanks for the info.
but this just does not seem right ... i could have sworn i read that RRod has no family values
Was this visit his official? Or is he coming back sometime in the fall during one of the games?
This was an unofficial. He'll be coming back for an official sometime in the fall. He's not sure when yet.
Thank you, sir.
Awesome. It's been said a million times, but I can't wait to see what these recruits are saying when we're coming off a winning season.
Provided we have a good/great year (7-5 or 8-4), I think our 2011 class will be Top 10.
Have our standards been lowered that much already?
Please note that this is not an attack on you. I am just concerned that I have seen this kind of sentiment expressed with greater frequency than I would have anticipated.
At UM 8-4 is a "meh" year. That has not changed because of one sh*tty year.
I think he means that in relative terms. 7-5 or 8-4 could reasonably be thought of as good/great for that year, not necessarily overall
You're completely right, but in the long run (one or two more years). With so much change going on right now, we're going to have some growing pains. Once our reinvention is complete, we'll have no excuse to accept 7-5 as a good year or 8-4 as a great year.
I could go either way on Ifill but obviously would love to get cullen christian and being at michigan we can always use safteys
It seems pretty consistent that RR can really make his recruits feel relaxed and listened to. Personable nature > Snake oil.
Exactly. I think the recruits are buying into Rich Rodriguez' plan. Not because of "snake oil" but because they know about his intensity on the field and get to see him as we dont get to off the field.
-1 to you, I understand the sarcasm, but, like the three star comments, this one needs to meet its demise.
KBlow,
Ditto on the snake oil.
scout gives him four stars. rivals three, but ranks him as a WR. we're recruiting him as a safety.
Family values and three star sarcasm is still not played out. Snake oil is close, however.
-1 for failing to properly reply.
safeties are such a huge need, i hope we can lock this kid up soon. i wonder if there's any benefit to having a corner and safety who have played together before.
Ifill will be a safety for us correct? Rivals has him as a WR, but I guess Maryland wants him for that as well as safety.
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:43 PM ^
We want him at safety, Maryland wants him at WR.
He's ranked the 84th WR on Rivals. Why be excited about him? Or is it thought that he and Christian are a package. With only a handful of scholarships left the need is DL, LB, and CB.
and Scout has him as a 4* and No. 18. He can play both S and WR but UM is definitely looking at him for S (and outside chance at CB).
We're not recruiting him as a wide receiver. He's being recruited as a safety. It's thought that he has a better future at a db position.
I think they will both make up their own minds, but one will help with the other.
Thanks for clearing that up. The rest of you little girls can kiss my ass.
to world domination - mwaaa-haa-haa. This is great news...
Excellent and timely work!
So commit already!
Ditto on the thanks to Tom. Real content is a godsend in the dog days of August.
that 7-5 or 8-4 is a great year or a meh year. What's important is what standards and goals the coaching staff and players have, and on that issue all indications are that RR is a very hard man to please. Which is exactly as it should be.
Thanks Tom! From what I've heard/read it looks like Michigan is def in the drivers seat for Ifill and Christian...both 4* star DBs on Scout. It looks pretty much UM gets them barring a major meltdown or surprise showing from another school, seeing they have discussed going to the same school.
Also, how great would it be if Josh Furman and Rashad Knight both commited as well. That would surely solidify that secondary and give them plenty of early playing time to be some beasts come junior/senior seasons. Oh yea...dont forget about a Marvin Robinson too.
Looks like we really want Brandon Ifill and pulled out all the stops to impress him which is great. However, from Tom's interview with Terry Talbott is seems like the coaching staff showed them around but didn't give a really hard recruiting push. Did I misread that interview or does it seem like we aren't chasing the Talbott brother's that hard?
I forget which one is which. My impression and thoughts are that they would prefer the dline talbott over the db talbott. However looks like it might be a package deal but they said if one feels one school is a fit and the other isnt, they might go seperate ways. Im sure Michigan would rather have Mathis, Christian, and Knight over Talbott.
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:20 AM ^
Thanks Tom. Great post.
From what I have read the Big House is quiet and has no energy.
Checklist:
1) Tunnel = excitement! Check!
2) Coaches = family Check!
3) Barwis = PUMPED Check!
4) Tradition = More than ANYONE ELSE Check Check!
Does this man have a Facebook account, can he get an interview with the Mothership?
Methinks, the proof is in the pudding and UM is on the right track. Go get 'em Rod!
Excellent work and great things to hear.
Keep them coming!
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