...talks about how UConn hasn't been in contact and how they're out. (HT: UMHoops)
An Interview with OL Joshua Garnett
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When Michigan fans hear Washington offensive lineman they typically think of 6-foot-9, 310-pound Zach Banner who has said he will take an official visit to Michigan. Banner, however, isn't the only highly touted lineman from Washington that has interest in Michigan.
Four star OL Joshua Garnett (6'5", 275 lbs) holds an offer from the Wolverines as well. Garnett also happens to be the 22nd overall prospect in the nation, which ranks higher than Banner at 31. Here's a look at Garnett's film and what he had to say about Michigan.
TOM: We haven't heard too much from you, is Michigan recruiting you?
JOSHUA: Yes, they are. Coach Ferrigno is recruiting me, he's a very nice guy and we talk quite often actually.
TOM: It's tough to gauge someone's interest when they live in Washington. Are you interested in Michigan?
JOSHUA: Yes, very much interested. Michigan has a great football tradition and is also one of the top academic schools in the nation.
TOM: Are you interested enough that you think you'll take a visit to Michigan?
JOSHUA: Yes definitely. It will most likely be an official visit.
TOM: From the sounds of that I assume that you'll be taking your time with your recruitment then? Do you have a plan on when you want to narrow things down?
JOSHUA: Yeah, I plan on taking my time. I'll most likely have it down to five before the season starts.
TOM: Since you said you want to take an official to Michigan does that mean that they will most likely make the top five? I understand this isn't 100%, but as of right now, most likely?
JOSHUA: Yes, that's correct.
TOM: Michigan isn't just a car ride away for you. Is distance going to factor in to this at all for you?
JOSHUA: Distance is definitely never an issue. I like to say that a plane ride is a plane ride whether it's two hours or six hours.
TOM: What's the main reason you're interested in Michigan? Did you grow up a fan?
JOSHUA: I have always wanted to play in that Michigan - Ohio State game. I think that is a big reason why I like Michigan. That game is probably the biggest in college football, and the rivalry is unexplainable.
TOM: That's an answer that Michigan fans will enjoy hearing. Since they probably haven't heard much on you can you explain what type of lineman you are?
JOSHUA: I'm a bullet, not a bowling ball. I'm very fast and explosive. I really use my agility to beat defensive linemen instead of just my strength.
May 27th, 2011 at 2:36 AM | 
Really nice kid, really smart
Really nice kid, really smart
May 27th, 2011 at 3:32 AM |
High praise indeed.
High praise indeed.
High praise indeed. Congrats, Joshua -- we'd love to see you in a winged helmet.
May 27th, 2011 at 9:37 AM |
I can see how a kid like him
I can see how a kid like him
I can see how a kid like him would be garnering lots of praise.
"The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates.
May 28th, 2011 at 8:00 AM |
Conflict of Interest
Conflict of Interest
Doesn't this prospect subscribe to your "U Recruit" Service? And if he does (which it sure looks like it does, just like Pierre Aka and Jordan Simmons), don't you think you should be disclosing that financial relationship to your readers when you post an article like this?
May 28th, 2011 at 11:19 AM |
No, I don't, since there is
No, I don't, since there is
No, I don't, since there is no financial relationship. They all signed up on their own for free. I actually didn't even realize that Joshua was signed up with us until a few weeks ago.
This was the first time I've spoken directly with Joshua, and anyone that signs up for free doesn't get direct help from us so there is no conflict.
Tom VanHaaren I TomVH on Twitter I U Recruit I Email
May 28th, 2011 at 1:50 PM |
Fair enough.
However, you
Fair enough.
However, you
Fair enough.
However, you really ought to vet those recruits who are in fact signed up to your website before posting an article, and also acknowledge at the bottom of your post that the recruit is in fact a member of your site, lest you get questions from people other than me wondering about the motivations for you interviewing prospects and publishing their articles at MGo.
/ombudsman'd
May 28th, 2011 at 1:52 PM |
Joshua was well aware of who
Joshua was well aware of who
Joshua was well aware of who I am and where this article was being posted. He has the link to this article as well.
Tom VanHaaren I TomVH on Twitter I U Recruit I Email
May 28th, 2011 at 8:00 PM |
Stop being such a douche.
Stop being such a douche.
Stop being such a douche.
May 29th, 2011 at 8:44 AM |
Dude, shut up already.
Dude, shut up already.
Dude, shut up already.
May 28th, 2011 at 6:55 PM |
furthermore
furthermore
I also think that Magnus should have to disclose if Erik Magnuson really isn't his actual son. That is a relationship that this reader needs disclosed to him !
"Underwear Wearing Basement Dweller"
May 27th, 2011 at 2:58 AM |
Love the Michigan- Ohio State comment
Love the Michigan- Ohio State comment
If a kid wants to come to Michigan to play in the rivalry game - I'd spread out the maize and blue carpet for him.
If we get both Banner and Garnett .. I'm pretty sure we'll win the rivalry game.
GMAT score =800 = Defensive POTY
May 27th, 2011 at 3:13 AM |
droid
droid
Sounds like a stud.
ALL ABOARD THE A-TRAIN!!!!!
" ~ Herm "
May 27th, 2011 at 3:46 AM |
Really smart
Really smart
He sounds like a smart kid that understands the whole process. The O and D line are gonna be amazing in this recruting class, actually the whole class is gonna be great...
May 27th, 2011 at 3:48 AM |
Tom
Tom
You bring life to my graveyard shift. Thanks for the update, as always. I wasn't aware we were: A) Pursuing him, and B) Actually have a legit shot.
"Þetta Er Ágætis Byrjun" Formerly Dlash15
May 27th, 2011 at 3:50 AM |
Knowing nothing about him other than the interview
Knowing nothing about him other than the interview
he just sounds like a smart, quick on his feet guy. I liked his description of himself. I wonder if he has seen Omameh play?
T
May 27th, 2011 at 1:40 PM |
I have never heard an OL call
I have never heard an OL call
I have never heard an OL call themselves a bullet. If it means that he is strong and fast I'm all for it.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
May 27th, 2011 at 4:33 AM |
Stephen Schilling
Stephen Schilling
Stephen Schilling should let them know how you just can't go wrong by moving to Michigan from Washington.
May 28th, 2011 at 8:05 PM |
I know Steve is from Bellevue but..
I know Steve is from Bellevue but..
Agree with the sentiment, but Schilling may not be the best example. Seems like he didn't really live up to the potential that all of us had hoped.
May 27th, 2011 at 5:06 AM |
Interesting comments. It'd
Interesting comments. It'd
Interesting comments. It'd be great if he took an official out here to check everything out. I assume our main competition is everyone. Important note: that rivalry game is a home game this year. Sounds like a good time for an official visit, to me.
The one thing I'm worried about is that a lot of these top prospects (Banner, Garnett, Jenkins, Washington) seem to want to take their time with everything through the season. If the class keeps filling at the rate is has been, we might not have the room at that point (since I'm assuming there are lower-ranked guys at the same positions that might be more willing to commit earlier). How are we going to deal with that? I'm all for signing 'em up, but I also don't want to miss out on top-flight recruits because of it. I mean the class is half full already and we're nowhere near official visit time.
Denard has spent the offseason working really hard and smiling at people.
May 27th, 2011 at 8:23 AM |
Standard Issue
Standard Issue
The standard issue response to this question is this: They will fit him in.
--
Benjamin in Ann Arbor.
snowfox web design + development
May 27th, 2011 at 1:41 PM |
I was thinking about that
I was thinking about that
I was thinking about that too, but I think the coaches are smart enough to save space for the specific number of OL they want.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
May 27th, 2011 at 7:37 AM |
This kid is officially the
This kid is officially the
This kid is officially the must get lineman of this class. I could see him playing as a redshirt Freshman. What an explosive punch!
May 27th, 2011 at 7:49 AM |
These coaches are shooting
These coaches are shooting
These coaches are shooting for the stars with recruiting. If things go our way we could end up with our best class of the rivals era. I absolutely love that we're going hard after some of the nation's elite prospects.
I've decided to lay off the food for a while, and go on the booze.
May 27th, 2011 at 8:22 AM |
I just like the name of his
I just like the name of his
I just like the name of his city.
Puyallup.
That would be fun to say for the next four or five years.
May 27th, 2011 at 1:21 PM |
Poo ya'll up... interesting
Poo ya'll up... interesting
Poo ya'll up... interesting
May 27th, 2011 at 1:50 PM |
What do you think of him as
What do you think of him as
What do you think of him as an OL prospect?
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
May 27th, 2011 at 2:30 PM |
He looks like a left guard to
He looks like a left guard to
He looks like a left guard to me. I don't think he has the height/wingspan to play tackle. But he moves his feet well and has that nasty streak where he blocks to the echo of the whistle. He reminds me a bit of Patrick Omameh, but bigger than Omameh was at the same time in his career.
I did see a couple plays where it looked like he could have been called for holding, but it's not like that negates all of his other skills. I'm also not sure how good his competition is, but the skills are obvious.
Overall, he's a very good player. I would take him in a heartbeat.
May 27th, 2011 at 10:57 PM |
I noticed the holding thing too
I noticed the holding thing too
But they seemed to derive from an attempts to pancake absolutely everyone. He wasn't in bad position, and he wasn't reaching; he just wanted to smash a motherf*cker into the turf.
Holding is obviously bad, but I'd prefer "mean streak holding" to a guy who holds regularly 'cause he's getting beaten off the edge. Being smarter about hand use can be taught. Learn to not get out of position is tougher.
May 27th, 2011 at 2:54 PM |
Especially if you pronounce it like the locals...
Especially if you pronounce it like the locals...
Pee-whallop
May 27th, 2011 at 3:13 PM |
Is it bad that I only know
Is it bad that I only know
Is it bad that I only know that name from Shadowrun?
/geek switch off
May 27th, 2011 at 6:05 PM |
i live about 15 minutes from
i live about 15 minutes from
i live about 15 minutes from where he plays. Puyallup is one of the most mispronounced names in the state.
Its said (pugh-all-up)
May 27th, 2011 at 8:43 AM |
not a big a fan of the music
not a big a fan of the music
in his highlight video. But i hope we get him because he looks extremely athletic in his video i see what he means by plays like a bullet
But sir, but sir, BUT NOTHING
May 27th, 2011 at 9:07 AM |
I bit OT but I liked the
I bit OT but I liked the
I bit OT but I liked the music, I thought it was a nice change of pace from what most of the music is on the highlight videos.
Semper Fidelis
May 27th, 2011 at 9:14 AM |
well i dont like rap or country
well i dont like rap or country
so most recruiting videos i have to mute my computer. i wanna see a kid use metal for his video one time
But sir, but sir, BUT NOTHING
May 27th, 2011 at 12:05 PM |
I am not a fan of country
I am not a fan of country
I am not a fan of country music myself but it was...interesting...to hear it used in a HS football player's highlight film.
Kind of refreshing to hear a different sound than the standard hip-hop/rap stuff (not a fan of that music, either) that is pretty much ubiquitous in those vids.
We ARE Michigan....COME GET SOME!!!
May 27th, 2011 at 9:05 AM |
i know the broad answer
i know the broad answer
but can someone let me know the details of an official vs unofficial visit. who pays airfare, lodging, meals? is there a time limit from departure to return? who tips the skycap? do they sit first class or coach or charter? do coaches go there and ride on the plane to michigan with them to detroit to make sure they don't get lost and have some extra recruiting time?
2013 resolution - make it onto the 2014 favorite MGoPosters post, not ironically
May 27th, 2011 at 9:07 AM |
Quick version
Quick version
Unofficial Visits are paid for by the recruit / 's famliy. That's why a lot of the Michigan/Ohio guys have visited already, they can afford to so they just drive to AA.
Official Visits are paid for by the Universty (or athletic department probably). Students can only take 5 official visits and there's paperwork and what not to make sure that they're all Kosher. You'll see people use officials to go farther, like these WA or CA kids coming east, or FL kids coming north. I think they can only happen in season, so that's why no one has taken an official yet.
Gurus please add info and correct below..
"Over? Did you say, over? Nothing is over until we decide it is!"
May 27th, 2011 at 1:46 PM |
When a recruit from out of
When a recruit from out of
When a recruit from out of the area visits now it is a pretty big deal because it is totally on their dime.
You are correct about people taking officials to school further away. I can't remember who, but the person opted not to take an official to a closer school since he has visited it multiple times in the past.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
May 27th, 2011 at 9:30 AM |
All right, then
All right, then
Scout: 5*, #1 OG
Rivals: 4*, #22 in the country as Tom said (they haven't ranked positions yet)
247sports: 4*, #7 OT, #40 in the country
ESPN: Watchlister, and their fake rankings had him rated as 82, the #9 OT (based on what they had up a few weeks ago http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/espn-2012-rankings-mistakenly-out)
Auburn, Cal, Nebraska, ND, Oregon, Stanford, USC, UCLA, Washington offers
May 27th, 2011 at 11:04 AM |
wow
wow
Concensus 4+ stars, top 100 overall, and top 10 OL. This kid sounds like he'd be a huge commit. Thanks for the info!
For my privacy, my new username is "non-Oriental non-Andrew"
May 27th, 2011 at 1:48 PM |
If we get him I will feel
If we get him I will feel
If we get him I will feel less bad about losing out on Dan Voltz.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
May 27th, 2011 at 9:48 AM |
Granted I haven't followed recruiting that long
Granted I haven't followed recruiting that long
But I've never heard a player straight up say "I want to play in The Game." Man, I know some people are worried about the lack of OL commits so far, but with Banner and Garnett and some of the other guys (Magnuson and Diamond), I'm very excited about the potential of this OL class. Banner seems like an absolute lion/leader. Garnett has a good head on his head. I've been impressed with both Diamond and Magnuson as well.
Avatar is a reference to this. Go Blue!
May 27th, 2011 at 10:12 AM |
just a moment...
just a moment...
locking in "has a good head on his head". There, carry-on
I do agree with you other non-head-on-his-head comments
May 27th, 2011 at 10:45 AM |
Drop me on my head?
Drop me on my head?
How can you drop me onto MY head?
Intensity is a lot of guys that run fast.
May 27th, 2011 at 7:16 PM |
No problem
No problem
F=m*g
Abort, Retry, Fail?
May 27th, 2011 at 10:07 AM |
Playing Time
Playing Time
Playing Time, an new regime, academics and a great looking class so far should mean some great OL recruits.
May 27th, 2011 at 10:42 AM |
Question for Tom
Question for Tom
I read this blog multiple times a day but post rarely, so forgive me if I'm not following protocol by asking this here.
Tom, do you know if Michigan has offered Daniel Gibbs an OL from Birmingham Seaholm? I know he has visited but haven't seen his name anywhere on any recruiting updates lately. I had heard that he was hearing from Wisconsin and I don't want to see Michigan losing our own kids to them.
I know the kid is a real good student and dominates the league he is in, but that may not mean he is a premier talent. Any insight?
Stop the Pain!
May 27th, 2011 at 11:16 AM |
I'm not Tom, but I have heard
I'm not Tom, but I have heard
I'm not Tom, but I have heard very little buzz on Gibbs. I wouldn't expect Michigan to offer him.
May 27th, 2011 at 11:52 AM |
This is usually pretty well updated
This is usually pretty well updated
May 27th, 2011 at 10:48 AM |
I live over on this side
I live over on this side
and I'll tell you first hand this kid has All-American written all over him. He's a good size kid who packs a hell of a punch. He moves very, very well as you can see on the video. I have seen Banner multiple times as well, and if we can somehow get both these kids in this class it would be unreal.
Really nice kid, really smart kid. If he does visit Michigan it will be a big deal for them.
Tom VanHaaren I TomVH on Twitter I U Recruit I Email