Matt Godin Visits, Reacts
DE Matt Godin just got back from an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor, and I caught up with him to get his reaction. There was no commitment on this trip. Matt will take a little more time with his decision just to make sure it's right.
TOM: How was the trip?
MATT: I loved it. It was probably a 9 out of 10.
TOM: So walk me through what happened, and who you met. What made it a 9?
MATT: I came in and saw Coach Singletary in Schembechler Hall. That was my first time there, so I was blown away by that. It was awesome. Coach Singletary took me in to see Coach Montgomery, and I sat with him for awhile. He told me everything basically, how they would use me, the scheme and where they want me.
TOM: How do they want to use you on the field?
MATT: They said probably in the 5 technique, possibly playing around 290. They said that would let me stop the run, but I could still get some pass rush in too. [Ed.: This would be the strongside DE spot.]
TOM: Did you get a chance to meet with Coach Hoke and Mattison, too?
MATT: Yeah, I talked to Coach Hoke for about 30 minutes in his office. We talked about everything, and you can tell he doesn't take any crap. He's ready to bring Michigan back. He was basically telling me how they need defensive linemen, and they think I can help bring Michigan back. I talked to Coach Mattison before that, and he threw on the Ravens film to go over. It was funny because I brought one of my friends and he joked before hand that Coach Mattison would probably put the Ravens film on.
TOM: It sounds like the trip was a success then?
MATT: I absolutely loved it, a lot of it was more of what the coaches were saying and how they want to bring Michigan back. Also, at some schools you don't really see the players that much, but I walked in there and all the players were in the locker room joking around. It was a good experience, especially for my dad to be there. He's a season ticket holder for 30 years, and for him to see his son get a scholarship from the university he loves is great.
February 22nd, 2011 at 7:50 PM ^
Are those guys kidding with that article? The headline says "Michigan DT has fell [...]" and the first sentence starts off with "[i]f your wondering." That's just embarrassing.
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:17 PM ^
lets wait and see what O'Brien thinks about TN after the NCAA announces penalties......wait, TN is in the SEC nevermind
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:32 PM ^
the G and O in the GO Blue!
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:51 PM ^
Lets see how this plays out before freaking out. He might not want to go there if they are on serious probation, was my point.
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:46 PM ^
This was the the headline for a story about Dan O'Brien on Scout.com UT site: "Michigan DT has fell [sic] in love with Rocky Top."
I don't really have anything to add; just wanted to get that fantastic title on the record before someone at the site, you know, like, proofreads or something.
My main question to O'Brien re: his strange fascination with UT: Why in the name of all that is holy would anyone voluntarily (see what I did there) wear the ugliest uniform in all of organized sports for 4-5 years?
February 22nd, 2011 at 7:41 PM ^
It seems like it's only a matter of time...
February 22nd, 2011 at 7:53 PM ^
As in Godin starting in 2013?
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:30 PM ^
him bursting his dad's dream.... Hopefully his dad's birthday is coming up so we do not have to wait till father's day for it to happen.
Go Blue!
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:02 PM ^
What an incredible feeling it must be to see all of your dreams unfolding right before your eyes. If Matt commits, than we should take two true defensive tackles and two true defensive ends. Matt can play both so that would give us 5 defensive lineman. We need 5 or 6 offensive lineman( I guess RR forgot that you need offensive lineman on your team), 2 WR and 2 tightends, 2 LBs(hopefully Ross and RJS) and the highest rated defensive back you can get it doesnt matter which position. That puts us at 17-18 scholorships and that is right around what we are going to have available. I would not take any RBs this year because we have more than enough and the only way I would take a QB was if it was Pike or Kiel, if not than we can wait a year as we have solid Qbs right now.
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:08 PM ^
Always take a QB, especially when we haven't taken more than one in any year recently. Also, we can manage with 1 TE better than with 1 DB, since we need some safeties. I agree with you that 5 DL is a good idea and that we could manage without an RB. Take 5 OL and make them good - 6 OL is probably overkill for a class this size, even with our need.
Hopefully we have around 20 scholarships to give out, so we don't have to be quite so stingy.
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:29 PM ^
Hopefull we do end up with around 20 scholorships so we can be a little looser with them. I do not think that 6 offensive lineman would be overkill. The depth chart at that position is quite scary. How do we even know that the younger backups we have right now are any good? I would take 6 offensive lineman if quality guys were available to us. I would not take a below average lineman just to get 6, if that was the case I would be happy with 5. I really think we need two tight ends, we are going to be running a lot of Two tight end formations so we need 4 on the roster. Two starters and two backups. I think the true safety thing is overrated. Take the best DB available, we have tons of DBs on the roster and some of them will be able to play safety.
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:09 PM ^
Happens, can't get all the recruits on the dream & want list. Got 11 months 1 week to worrk about for a decision for UT, UM or any other school for O'Brien.
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:45 PM ^
While one recruit doesn't make a class, I do think the concern about O'Brien is legitimate. We certainly have a good shot at him, but relatively speaking he's probably going to be the most difficult of the in-state kids to get a commitment from (minus the ones from MSU feeder schools). A commitment from Godin would go a long way and it's still awfully early. It'll be the toughest battle for the coaching staff, though.
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:21 PM ^
but it's nice to see he had a great experience. Hope Hoke can make some recruits see the light!
February 22nd, 2011 at 9:58 PM ^
and not "god", as in God in' Country? Because that would be quite awesome.
Enjoy the moment Matt, your time now. But it probably only gets better from here - the story of Michigan's gridiron renaissance will be one of the biggest in college football. As a fan, I can't wait. Couldn't imagine what it would be like to be a player.
February 23rd, 2011 at 7:58 AM ^
Knew his cousins back in college and can verify the pronunciation. Met Matt once when he was only about 7 or 8 years old, he's grown a bit since then!
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:07 PM ^
and I definitely thinks Michigan leads. His family and family friends are BIG Michigan fans. He is a pretty good player, probably about a low to mid four star. He has good potential but he needs to make sure his attitude allows him to maximize his potential.
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:12 PM ^
Ravens tape or 2010 Michigan defense tape? Which to show to impress recruits...
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:15 PM ^
February 23rd, 2011 at 8:46 AM ^
Need more Cowbell!
February 23rd, 2011 at 1:35 AM ^
How can you not love the passion by Mattison and Hoke?
February 23rd, 2011 at 8:55 AM ^
It's not easy but players can be swayed to go somewhere other than their childhood favorite. It happened with Jake Fisher, it can happen with Danny O'Brien.
I'm not counting UM out of the race for him until either signing day or the day Hoke says the offer is off the table - which I don't believe will ever happen.
As mentioned above - the combination of a best friend likely to commit to UM and potnetial sanctions at UT, there are certainly some factors that could help UM over the next 11.5 months.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:23 AM ^
I believe he will get o'brien to commit, it's going to be like hasean in dee harts ear
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:45 AM ^
Hoke and Mattison. Now that's what I'm talking about.
No spur this, or spinner that.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:01 PM ^
It's time.
February 23rd, 2011 at 3:39 PM ^
BK Finest this kid
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