Taylor Lewan and Craig Roh Interview

Is Lewan like Jelani Jenkins, in the sense that he's still considering any and all offers at the moment and there's no point in trying to speculate favorites?

I guess the Jake Long thing kind of works in our favor. Not a whole lot, though.

"They treat everyone like family, whether you're a freshman or not. I really like that each player gets treated the same, and with respect." Don't tell that to Justin Boren. His response will be "See! He's been brainwashed already, and he hasn't even set foot on campus!"

Tom, once again you've outdone yourself. This is great.

I love how Roh said that the coaching staff "treats everyone like family". LOL.

Man, with his teammate Roh committed, his adulation of Jake Long and the fact that he prefers to play in the cold all taken into consideration you have to feel pretty good about this kid ending up in Ann Arbor.

Tom Van Haaren lives in Arizona? That narrows the suspects down to 6,166,318.

Is it legal to have a former player call a recruit on the behalf of Michigan? It seems a call from Jake would go a long way in getting him to Ann Arbor. Thoughts..........

I have a good feeling about Taylor Lewan. Not only does he seem to like us, but he seems to fit our offense perfectly. For some reason, I'm pretty confident that he'll come to Michigan.

Dear Jake - Please call Taylor and tell him to go to Michigan. Thanks.

Sounds like the guy is pretty close with his father. Did you get the impression that distance would be a factor?

Thanks Tom.

One quick question....do any of the recruits ever tell you which coaches use "negative recruiting"? For example, any coaches telling him not to come to Michigan because of the Spread Offense? I feel like it's some dirty little secret that everyone knows, but no one will just come right out and say which coaches do it.

recruiting on behalf of the school, unless of course they are doing so Ed Martin style.

Just as TomVH can call up Lewan if he wants to take Jake Long's phone call, there is no problem with it. If it is done at the request of the coach, would probably be regulated by NCAA rules with respect times and number of contacts, but right now, Long is just citizen Long.

If the illegality doesn't apply to Tom Brady, then why is the NCAA investigating whether writing on a kid's Facebook page is a potential recruiting violation?

13.01.3 Off-Campus Recruiting.
13.01.4 Recruiting by Representatives of Athletics Interests.
Representatives of an institution's athletics interests (as defined in Bylaw 13.02.13) are prohibited from making in-person, on- or off-campus recruiting contacts, or written or telephonic communications with a prospective student-athlete or the prospective student-athlete's relatives or legal guardians. Specific examples of exceptions to the application of this regulation are set forth in Bylaw 13.1.2.2 (see Bylaw 13.1.3.5.1.1).

13.02.12.1 Recruited Prospective Student-Athlete.
13.02.13 Representative of Athletics Interests.
A "representative of the institution's athletics interests" is an individual, independent agency, corporate entity (e.g., apparel or equipment manufacturer) or other organization who is known (or who should have been known) by a member of the institution's executive or athletics administration to: (Revised: 2/16/00)

(a) Have participated in or to be a member of an agency or organization promoting the institution's intercollegiate athletics program;

(b) Have made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletics booster organization of that institution;

(c) Be assisting or to have been requested (by the athletics department staff) to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;

(d) Be assisting or to have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families; or

(e) Have been involved otherwise in promoting the institution's athletics program.

It's pretty hard to enforce, but people conected to a university aren't supposed to try to sway recruits one way or the other. USC got into a bit of hot water with Joe McKnight's recruitment.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/news/story?id=2759774

Direct contact may not be allowed, but I don't see why RR can't tell Taylor (as long as it is true) that he told Jake that Taylor was a big fan and Jake was really excited about having Taylor come to Michigan. "Jake watched some of Taylor's film and he said that he sees a lot of himself in Taylor's play and he thinks that Taylor would be a great fit as part of the Michigan family."

Or something to that effect. . .

That would just be a statement of fact - Jake said this - not an in-person, written or telephonic communication. Use every angle without violating the rules.

Players would help recruit some of these players. I follow Pa. High School Football and wear my Michigan jacket to every game I can. Michigan Football has alot of support in Pa. and even though Michigan was taken for a ride by T. Pryor, many great Pa High School Players would love the chance to play for Michigan. Michigan's Fan Base is really nation wide. If I hear rumors about a Pa. High School Player thinking about Michigan, Ill go watch him play. My suggestion is that other Michigan Football Fans across the country do the same and wear their Michigan shirts and caps, it tells their families and friends yea I saw the Michigan Fans checking you out at the game.

I want to go to high school at "Cactus Shadows"

Thanks for sharing. This kid is much needed at UM. There is no Jake Long caliber kid on the team now. TL would be a fixture at LT for 4 years if he decides to be a Michigan Man. The best to him in any event.

Hey Tom, just curious where you're located in AZ.
I live in Chandler, and have seen Chaparral play on many occasions (not this year, unfortunately).