Catching Up With Jaron Dukes

Submitted by Ace on

Columbus (OH) Marion-Franklin WR Jaron Dukes made his first-ever trip to Ann Arbor yesterday for an unofficial visit to his childhood favorite, Michigan. Dukes told me earlier this week that he was "ecstatic" upon receiving his Wolverine offer and "[has] my mind set on where I want to go," but he's heeding the advice of his coaches and parents and making sure to check out not only Michigan, but other schools as well before me makes a commitment. I spoke with Jaron last night when he returned from his visit, and needless to say he enjoyed the trip:

ACE: How'd you enjoy the visit?

JARON: Oh, I loved it. It was the best.

ACE: Do you want to expand on that? Take me through what you saw in Ann Arbor.

JARON: I'll tell you what I saw. I saw a love for Michigan. Everybody I talked to loves the university, loves everything about it. They were a family, you could tell there was a bond everywhere you went, you could just feel it. It was just a great place to be. They took me through the facilities, they showed me the field, academic center, athletic center, I talked to the dean, everything—it was just great.

ACE: Who hosted you on the visit and what coaches were you talking to?

JARON: It was myself, Coach Heck, Coach Montgomery, and another coach, I think he was the linebackers coach.

ACE: What was your impression of the coaching staff?

JARON: (laughs) We were just over there having a good time, laughing and talking, making sure Michigan will be a place that I will be happy at. It was just having a great time getting to know the school and everything, not putting pressure on me, just letting me enjoy seeing the campus and everything for right now.

ACE: What would you say was the high point of the visit? Can you pick out a particular thing that stood out to you?

JARON: Easily. Easily I can say the highest point was me starting from the very top of the tunnel, running down the tunnel, jumping, and just walking out onto the field. I went from the 'M' in the center of the field, to end zone, to end zone, and back to the center, and a tear came down my face.

ACE: Is Michigan a place you could see yourself playing?

JARON: Oh, yes sir.

ACE: I know you didn't want to make a snap decision, a commitment on the visit, but what is it going to take it terms of knowing when you'd like to make a decision? Also, what's it going to take for another school to be able to match what Michigan offers?

JARON: I don't think, well, I don't know. I guess they have to show, they'd have to impress my parents. If my parents are happy, then I'm going to be happy, but as long as I feel I'm safe there, then it'll be OK.

ACE: What did your parents think of the trip?

JARON: My parents really liked it, they loved it. They just want me—and they should—they want me to go around and make sure that I've got everything else out of the way that I want to see. They want me to go around and see what other colleges have to offer. Show me that there's more than just one school out there.

ACE: Do you know what other schools you want to see at this point?

JARON: Yes. I would like to take a trip to Cincinnati, Michigan State, I'd like to go up to West Virginia, maybe Illinois.

ACE: Do you know when you'd want to take those visits and when you'd want to be done with your recruitment, or is that still to be decided?

JARON: That still has to be decided with my parents, and me and my coaches would have to go over it.

Comments

EnoughAlready

February 11th, 2012 at 1:15 PM ^

We often praise the maturity of the kids in these interviews.  Well, I'm going to do that again: Jaron sounds like a mature, thoughtful kid.  I for one am heartened that Hoke is pursuing talented athletes who also show a lot of character.

ChopBlock

February 11th, 2012 at 2:43 PM ^

Miami (YTM). If you're a relatively straight-edged kid, you can hit the beaches for a few days and show nominal interest in their program that's rotten to the core. If you're a wilder kid, you can hit up Nevin Shapiro's boat and get yourself some drugs, hookers, and booze. Or at least you used to be able to...

ppToilet

February 11th, 2012 at 2:01 PM ^

I am really impressed with his comments and respect for his parents and coaches.  I am equally impressed that our coaching staff goes after kids like him.  Hopefully he decides to come to U of M!

cigol

February 11th, 2012 at 3:28 PM ^

Why people keep repeating that it "sounds like" his parents want him to hold off and take other visits?  I know we all like to read into words spoken in these interview, but the kid expressly said it twice.  I guess someone saying "I like ice cream" sounds like they like ice cream, but does it really need to be stated?

BlueRude

February 11th, 2012 at 6:11 PM ^

Looking at other schools only helps us. Word gets around with players and as we have set great school and athletic standards they can see first hand what A2 has that others do not. Credibilty.

 

scottmaure

February 11th, 2012 at 7:29 PM ^

I can't see how this kid going to other schools could hurt. While he's taking visits to other schools he could tell other recruits on visits at the same time he is how much better Michigan is than the campus they are currently visiting. Maybe get a couple kids never before interested in Michigan to consider it

YoBoMoLoHo

February 12th, 2012 at 12:38 PM ^

Put yourself in this kids coaches position; The kid has always DREAMED of playing football for Michigan, he LOVED his visit to Michigan, in his heart right now, he clearly wants to attend Michigan...yet, you're a coach in Columbus. If one of your players immediately commits to the Buckeyes MOST HATED rival, can that be good for your (the coach) reputation?...So, you advise the kid to "Look around, check out other schools", in the hope that maybe some hot recruiter from the hometown school can find a way to twist this kid away from Michigan...This would help save your reputation among the local media, and (maybe as importantly) will also help save your reputation among the parents of your prospective players...High School Coaches, PLEASE stay out of these kids collegiate decisions! Coach em, lead em on the field, & lead em in the classroom; but what do you really know about which school would be best for the kid? You are a high school math teacher, you attended Ohio Wesleyan, stay in your place! Let the kid decide.