An Interview with TE Evan Baylis

Submitted by TomVH on

Chris Barnett was a big pickup for Michigan in the 2011 class, but Brady Hoke would like to add more depth at the tight end position this year. Evan Baylis (6'5", 225 lbs) is one of the prospects the Wolverines are going after for 2012. The Colorado native talked about his visit to Michigan this past week and how he feels about the Wolverines in general. Here's a look at his film and his thoughts.

TOM: Tell me where you're at right now with the process. What trips have you taken so far?

EVAN: I took some trips over spring break. I went out to Michigan last week [March 28th & 29th], Oregon, and also Stanford. I was thinking about revisiting some places, but I have lacrosse right now so I'm just trying to figure out some time.

TOM: When you were at Michigan what all did you do and see?

EVAN: I was there for two days and got some good time with the coaches. We missed practice, but we got to see everything else. We met with all the coaches, saw campus, and talked to the academic advisors. The next day we went on some more tours and more personal meetings with the coaches. I got to talk to Coach Ferrigno about how they'd use me in the offense. We also talked to one of the professors in the engineering department.

TOM: Is engineering what you want to go into? 

EVAN: I'm not quite sure yet. I think I either want to go into engineering or business; I'm kind of up in the air about that. 

TOM: So it sounds like academics are really a priority for you then?

EVAN: Yeah, academics is really important because I want to make sure that I'm all set after football. I want to have a good degree and everything.

TOM: Backing up to the coaches meetings, when you talked to Coach Hoke what was he talking to you guys about?

EVAN: Coach Hoke was more general about the program and what do as a football team. He was telling me how they felt about me and that Michigan would be a great place for tight ends. They're coming in with a winning mentality, which I like.

TOM: After you talked to the coaches you said you got a tour, did that include the Big House?

EVAN: Yeah, we saw the locker room, the weight room, and the Big House. That was my first time in the Big House and it was shocking. On a good day we have maybe 2 or 3 thousand people, so it was shocking. It's nothing compared to what we see.

TOM: A lot of the schools that you have offers from and that you've mentioned are closer to the west coast. What made you initially interested in Michigan?

EVAN: I have relatives in Michigan, and my grandparents used to live out there. I've been out to Michigan a lot, and I like how they're switching to a pro style offense. I really liked talking to the coaches too, I think I got along with them really well. 

TOM: For anyone that doesn't know a lot about you, how would you describe yourself as a tight end?

EVAN: I'm kind of intense, and I really like to get after it. I play hard for pretty much the entire game. I think I have good footwork and good speed. I like getting passed to a lot, but I also like blocking a lot too. 

TOM: And where are you at right now with the process? Do you have a top group yet?

EVAN: I'm kind of narrowing down my schools right now. I'm not too far into it yet, but I want to make my final decision by the beginning of the summer. I haven't been everywhere that I'm considering so I don't really have a ranking right now. I have a general idea, but I'm trying to figure out which schools would work best. 

TOM: To go back to the west coast thing. Is distance going to factor into this for you?

EVAN: Being far away from home doesn't have too big of an impact for me. I have relatives in Michigan, which would make it feel somewhat like home. That wouldn't be a problem.

TOM: When do you want to make your final decision then?

EVAN: I want to make it by the beginning of the summer and just get it out of the way.

Comments

wlubd

April 7th, 2011 at 12:07 AM ^

Like his film. Kid can move and make plays in the pass game but has the frame to fill out and block too. Could be the bigger TE the coaches are looking for but still a threat receiving.

thedayiscoming

April 7th, 2011 at 12:07 AM ^

He looks raw in his film, but seems to have the frame to become a great big ten TE.  His film is focused mainly as a reciever, I'd like to see what he can do as a run blocker...if he keeps his pads low etc...  With some coaching, I'm sure he could be a great weapon.  It seems as though our recruiting is gaining some momentum...lets keep our fingers crossed!

Salinger

April 7th, 2011 at 7:44 AM ^

He's a big, athletic kid, decent speed in the open field.  The second half of his film was all blocking and it looks like he's got a motor that keeps going.  I'd like to see how he does blocking off the line more, but a team's offense is a team's offense, there's no getting around that.  He would be an asset in this new (old) scheme for sure.  

 

Thanks Tom for the update.

Jasper

April 7th, 2011 at 7:55 AM ^

He's going to put some emphasis on the classroom.  Excellent.  Which of these is not like the others?  :)

A. Michigan

B. Oregon

C. Stanford

WolvinLA2

April 7th, 2011 at 9:44 PM ^

Michigan and Stanford are much closer academically than Oregon is with either.

I thought the same thing as the poster above - if you honestly care about academics, why visit a school like Oregon?  What this kid means, and what so many recruits mean when they look at schools is this:  I'm going to go to the best football school for me - if they also have good academics, awesome. 

Some kids list academics as a factor and then only look at Michigan, ND, Cal, Stanford and Vandy.  Other kids list academics as a factor and have a top 5 of Michigan, Texas, Auburn, Oregon, and Oklahoma.  You can tell which kids mean it and which ones really don't.

stetgor

April 7th, 2011 at 8:55 AM ^

The first thing I noticed in the tape was how quick he got off the line.  He seems to have decent speed, but I wouldn't say it was special for a TE.  He seems to us his body a lot on receptions but turns it up field fairly quickly.  When blocking, most of the tape had him off the line and having a head of steam before contact.  I'd like to see more on how effective is run blocking is when lined up on the line.  I'll be real interested to see how his speed changes as he gets bigger.  Overall, intriguing. 

MGoSoftball

April 7th, 2011 at 9:05 AM ^

"I play hard for pretty much the entire game."

I might be reading way to much into this statement but I would prefer him to say, "I go 100% every snap".

Brimley

April 7th, 2011 at 9:44 AM ^

My guess is that he's just a little uncomfortable talking himself up and doesn't want to come across as braggert.  He says he has "good" speed and footwork, etc., not "great" or whatever.  Coupled with his academic focus, my guess is that he he doesn't want to look immodest and that he works soooo much harder than every other kid.  Plus I seriously doubt he would get the offers he has if he's a lollygagger (love that word).

jerseyblue

April 7th, 2011 at 9:20 AM ^

The word around here is we're after 2 TE's and 3 LB's. I'd be fine with taking 1 TE whoever it may be if we could land Ringer, Bolden, RJS and Ross.

jethro34

April 7th, 2011 at 10:21 AM ^

Looks like he could easily support another 30+ lbs on his frame.

I only watched the first minute or so of his film, but I couldn't help thinking Greg Robinson must have a ton of sons working as HS DC's in Colorado!

fanoftheblue

April 7th, 2011 at 1:27 PM ^

Some TE's are clearly blockers.  Some TE's are clearly receivers.  This kid can block, AND catch, AND run with the ball after the reception.  Hard to find a kid that can do all three.  Give him time with the Wolverine strength and conditioning program, put 30 lbs of lean muscle on him, and we have a weapon!

UMdad

April 8th, 2011 at 9:38 AM ^

Honest question - How many of these kids that say that education is a big factor actually end up choosing a respected academic institution?  Without looking into it, my gut reaction is to believe most of these guys say it because it sounds good and then end up picking Miami or something.  Sort of like a MegaMillions winner saying how they are going to give a large sum to charities and helping their family and then end up bankrupt after spending everything on yaghts and hookers.  I am curious if my instincts are wrong.