Hello: Me
Sorry, my mind is still swimming from the whirlwind of this past week and I couldn't come up with a better title, but I figured I'd introduce myself.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with me, my name is Ace Anbender, and I've previously written at The Wolverine Blog, The Wolverine Magazine, and The Ace of Sports (I was quite the humble college freshman, I guess). I've been following football recruiting with more than a passing interest since high school, and while it has never been the main focus of my writing, I will be doing everything I can in the upcoming weeks and months to provide the expert analysis that you guys have enjoyed from the great work of Tim and TomVH, who both leave big shoes to fill.
I graduated from U-M with my bachelor's in history last December, after four-and-a-half years (including five, shall we say, interesting years in the student section) as a Wolverine. Though I was born in San Francisco, the undisputed greatest city in the world, I have lived in Ann Arbor since the age of five and started attending football games with my father during the 1994 season. I almost never made it here, as my first game in Michigan Stadium was supposed to be the Colorado game that season, but a serendipitous work trip kept my father from taking me and my mother sold the tickets - who knows what would've happened had I experienced my first soul-dong punch at such an impressionable age.
My favorite Wolverines of my lifetime - well, the part of my lifetime when I've been able to follow a football game - are Charles Woodson, Brandon Graham, Mike Hart, and Tim Biakabutuka, while my favorite games that I have been able to attend are '97 and '03 Ohio State, '07 Michigan State, '08 Wisconsin, '09 Notre Dame, and '10 UConn. I realize those games have a very recent flavor (a flavor which, I admit, had some bitter aftertaste), but I hope you understand that attending games as a student is an altogether different experience.
None of that has much at all to do with what I'll be working on here, and when it comes to recruiting I welcome any and all input, which will be a huge help especially as I get acclimated to the new job. Don't hesitate to contact me via Twitter (@aceanbender) or email (aceanbender [at] gmail [dot] com) with any advice, criticism, helpful recruiting tidbit or article, anything that you think would help me do the best possible job I can at the best Michigan blog in existence. I'll also be a constant presence on the board, posting under the moniker "Ace", so you can track me down there as well.
Thank you all for what has already been an outpouring of support, which is very much appreciated - I know that I'm following in the footsteps of a couple of great guys who did fantastic work, and I hope you all enjoy what I bring to this fine establishment.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:45 PM ^
Welcome to the MGoCommunity. Make yourself at home. Just make sure you do your job well or the MGoMasses will run you out of town. /just kidding (but not really)
Also, you should make it a point to seek out "DGDestroyer" on the Board - he has been an outstanding recruiting poster, in addition to Mangus and others, of course.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:53 PM ^
I think you mean DGDestroys. DGDestroyer is his evil twin
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:55 PM ^
I knew it didn't look right when I typed it. Always go with your gut!
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:00 PM ^
No worries, just wanted to help his MGoNetworking
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:04 PM ^
...and Mangus has an evil twin named Magnus?
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:09 PM ^
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:36 PM ^
Hahaha I thought you were pulling a DarkBlue by calling him Mangus, along with Brain. I laughed either way.
They're all friends with Miposogon.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^
I sense the makings of an NBC drama.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^
DGDestroyer will wear eye makeup and have a moustache and a goatee.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^
...who has posted on Ace's blog as Jack Slice, so Ace is already very familiar with his work.
August 22nd, 2011 at 7:12 PM ^
We cool, we cool.
But seriously, I've been working with Ace for about 5-6 months now at TWB. Quite the delight.
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:40 PM ^
Seconded. I'll miss working with him, but this is a phenomenal gig for Ace. The best always do rise up.
August 22nd, 2011 at 5:08 PM ^
too soon?
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:22 PM ^
awesome... looking forward to the MGoFaithful calling for the "Ace Signal" during times of dire need.
<br>
<br>(is it ok if I miss TomVH?)
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:45 PM ^
Welcome Ace. I look forward to hearing from you a ton in the future. I would add one player to your list and that's Lamarr Woodley. The guy was / is a beast.
August 22nd, 2011 at 4:22 PM ^
You can't tell a man who HIS favorites are/were.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:48 PM ^
Scout has him as a 5 star. Rivals and 247, a high 4 star. ESPN, the only outlier at 3 star. Another solid addition to the Hoke era. Welcome!
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:20 PM ^
stubby legs as the reason for only giving him 3 stars.
August 22nd, 2011 at 6:57 PM ^
I believe areas for growth include hair and nails.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:39 PM ^
I heard it was an issue with pad level. If you keep the level too high it can expose you as a recruiting ninja, which is un-ninja-like.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:49 PM ^
is listed at 110 words per minute.
I'd give it four FAKES out of five.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:49 PM ^
Welcome Ace. Following on Twitter and am ready for the next commit!
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:53 PM ^
you can catch a cat.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:53 PM ^
Can't wait to see your work, welcome.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:55 PM ^
I already asked Heiko so I'll ask you: Will you be continuing the Friday Night Lights series to document our current commitments in Michigan and take HD video for our viewing pleasure?
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^
Can you say anything about your knowledge of the game of football itself (e.g. Xs and Os)?
It's great to hear about recruit's timelines, leans, and visits, but even better to have some substantive information about the way they actually play the game.
Either way, it's exciting to have you join the staff! I enjoyed your work at TWB.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:26 PM ^
Standing at a solid 5-11, 145 pounds, football was never much of an option for me. My knowledge, in terms of X's and O's, extends as far as doing a fair amount of reading on the subject, growing up as great friends with a couple guys who went on to play at the college level, and watching an absurd amount of football. I have done some scouting before for The Wolverine, and know generally what to look for from players at most positions (some of the intricacies of line play still escape me, but I'm learning). I will do my very best to give you a solid idea of what I see in a player's game, both positive and negative, and I'll be working my tail off to make sure that analysis improves over time.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:38 PM ^
Fatass.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:55 PM ^
We need to get this guy in touch with Craig Roh and his 7,000 calorie/day diet.
We'll have him up to interviewing weight in no time.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^
Welcome Ace! Glad to have you and your passion for Michigan football here bringing on the recruiting intel.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:58 PM ^
Your work at the Wolverine Blog has been outstanding and we're happy to see you here at MGoBlog.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:58 PM ^
Another three star....JJ
Welcome and looking forward to reading your work
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:02 PM ^
i enjoy your clean writing style.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^
Let the mgobrown-nosing begin!
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:04 PM ^
Danny O' Brien is there room for him or not?
Seriously welcome and good luck.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^
We eagerly await your great news of the top talent headed our way!
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^
Shout out to Kathy Evaldson
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:16 PM ^
Love passionate subjective writing regarding UM everything.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:20 PM ^
Welcome aboard Ace. For your first recruiting hornet's nest: I'd be interested in your take on Mick McCabe's article on Wilcher at Cass Tech, saying he's not at fault for Campbell's underwhelming fundamentals. I'm surprised this article hasn't created a thread--except since everyone has sworn off reading the Freep, maybe no one saw it. The article actually has some merit--but more to the point, the whole controversy has potential to ruffle some recruiting feathers. Since I like Wilcher's status as coach of a UM pipeline (not to mention I like him anyway), I'd prefer not to upset the status quo there.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:39 PM ^
Seawolve, just read the article - I'm not sure McCabe is being entirely fair to Campbell, as it doesn't appear that BWC's quote ever mentions Wilcher directly, so he might be making a big deal out of an out-of-context quote (stunning coming from the Freep, I know).
That said, Big Will is saying that he never knew the fundamentals, which is obviously a huge issue, though one I wouldn't blame on Wilcher. By all the accounts I've read (including McCabe's), Wilcher is a very good high school football coach. If Big Will doesn't know fundamentals by now, the problem is either with Campbell himself, the old coaching staff, or (most likely) some combination of the two. Not knowing first-hand where the issue is there, I'd rather not put forth any unfounded conjecture.
August 22nd, 2011 at 4:44 PM ^
I'm not even really sure we "need" the cass tech pipeline. I understand that they've sent us a lot of recruits but frankly none of them have panned out. (Here is the list since 1997)
William Campbell | 2009 | 5 Stars | Michigan |
Dior Mathis | 2010 | 4 Stars | Oregon |
Boubacar Cissoko | 2008 | 5 Stars | Michigan |
Joseph Barksdale | 2007 | 5 Stars | LSU |
Vernon Gholston‡ | 2004 | 3 Stars | Ohio State |
Kishon Wilcher | 2011 | 2 Stars | Toledo° |
Delonte Hollowell | 2011 | 4 Stars | Michigan° |
Daniel Easterly | 2010 | 3 Stars | Mizzou |
Teric Jones | 2009 | 3 Stars | Michigan |
Thomas Gordon | 2009 | 2 Stars | Michigan |
Cortez Smith | 2008 | 2 Stars | Indiana |
Julian Easterly | 2008 | Indiana State | |
Aaron Archie | 2008 | 2 Stars | Indiana State |
Mackenzie Lyons | 2004 | 2 Stars | Eastern Michigan |
Allen Langford | 2004 | 2 Stars | Wisconsin |
Dezmond Gray | 2003 | 2 Stars | Western Michigan |
Emory Jones | 2003 | 2 Stars | Toledo |
D Bryant† | 1998 | Duke | |
Kenny Nelson | 2011 | Illinois° | |
Dawan Moss | 1997 | Michigan State | |
Marco Cooper | 1999 | 4 Stars | Ohio State |
Roderick Maples | 1999 | 3 Stars | Michigan State |
John Jackson | 2011 | 2 Stars | Western Michigan |
Dalton Barksdale | 2010 | 2 Stars | Buffalo |
Anthony Anchrum | 2008 | Indiana State |
August 22nd, 2011 at 6:15 PM ^
Wow. That is a pretty impressive list of impressive recruits having unimpressive careers. Given that we have some guys on the present team and two hot shot recruits coming up, we should all be hoping the list balances out sometime soon.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:23 PM ^
...your The Wolverine Blog icon as your avatar.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:27 PM ^
Good idea, wasn't sure what to go with - changing that over now.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:31 PM ^
Or not quite this second, I guess - the icon apparently might take an hour or so to show up.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:33 PM ^
My only advice to you, Ace, is when you see the spotlight in the sky, show yourself.
Has it been made yet?
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:46 PM ^
Ace, can you bring back the posbangs?
August 22nd, 2011 at 4:41 PM ^
That's definitely in Brian's realm - I could barely keep up with running a functional website on Wordpress, so anything involving tech-savviness isn't exactly in my wheelhouse.
August 22nd, 2011 at 3:48 PM ^
Welcome Ace! Goodluck restoring the reputation of the name "Ace" that Ace Williams has worked to disparage.
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