There's absolutely no way that ends up on a bulletin board somewhere
TomVH: Joe Bolden on His Commitment to Michigan
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I normally don't post anything on a commitment, and don't want to take away from Tim's front page Hello post but I wanted to share what Michigan's newest commit Joe Bolden had to say about Michigan and why he committed.
TOM: There was a Cincinnati journalist that tweeted you were going to make your decision this weekend. I know you said you were undecided earlier, so what made you change your mind?
JOE: Yeah, he tweeted that and I got some phone calls and text messages about it. I told everybody that I wasn't sure. That was for me to keep it on the down low until me and my family had made the decision. I didn't want it to be a big deal, or anything to happen like what happened with Kaleb Ringer in the newspaper. I thought what that reporter did was wrong and I hope he realizes that. It's also just about being humble, too.
TOM: How did you tell the coaches?
JOE: I'm actually on my way back from Ann Arbor right now, we went up there with my siblings and my grandparents. Family was important to me and that's part of why I chose Ann Arbor. I wanted to do it in person because it shows more respect when you say it in person and look someone in the eyes to tell them you're coming to their school.
TOM: When did you really know it was Michigan? Or a better question, you said God gave you some signs that Michigan was the place. What were some of the signs?
JOE: After my second visit up to Michigan with my mom and dad. We had just gotten home about 10:30 at night, and my dad has a twitter account. Someone had tweeted right when he checked it that everything this guy says is gold, and it was about Coach Mattison. That was just one, but it was just odd the timing of everything and what we just saw.
TOM: I know that you're mature for your age, so I'm assuming that Michigan is the only school you'll be looking at? No wavering.
JOE: I'm very solid on it. I wouldn't have made the decision if I wasn't. There were a lot of factors that played into it, and there were some factors on why I did it so early. I thought why wait if it's the right school, with the right people, and I don't see any better opportunity to play college football and get an education.
TOM: Caleb Stacey was trying to convince you to come to Michigan, are you going to reciprocate and try to recruit anyone yourself?
JOE: I'm obviously going to encourage the guys Michigan has offered to choose Michigan because I want the best for my recruiting class and Michigan. At the end of the day it's going to come down to their decision. I'm not in their shoes, they need to do what's best for their family.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:34 PM | 
Joe is one of the more mature
Joe is one of the more mature
April 29th, 2011 at 7:46 PM |
always a good place to start
always a good place to start
always a good place to start
Current Smug rating: "lethal"
May 1st, 2011 at 1:35 AM |
Great post!
Great post!
Always appreciate the inside scoop from you Tom. This recruit sounds like a class act and wouldn't surprise me that he'll turn out to be a real leader on the field.
Go Blue!!
Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:36 PM |
Joe has class!
Joe has class!
"I wanted to do it in person because it shows more respect when you say it in person and look someone in the eyes"
April 29th, 2011 at 5:16 PM |
What a great quote. This kid
What a great quote. This kid
What a great quote. This kid oozes character and I'm proud he's Blue.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:37 PM |
"I wanted to do it in person
"I wanted to do it in person
"I wanted to do it in person because it shows more respect when you say it in person and look someone in the eyes to tell them you're coming to their school."
This kid's already a winner...
April 29th, 2011 at 4:38 PM |
Hi Tom, I get the feeling you
Hi Tom, I get the feeling you
Hi Tom, I get the feeling you generally like this kid as a person even more so than as a football recruit. Must have a great personality.
Thanks for the updates.
"Anyone who isn't confused, really doesn't understand the situation." - Edward R. Murrow
April 29th, 2011 at 4:38 PM |
"I wanted to do it in person
"I wanted to do it in person
"I wanted to do it in person because it shows more respect when you say it in person and look someone in the eyes to tell them you're coming to their school."
My favorite part. Thanks TomVH for sharing this interview. I can't wait to see what the future brings for Joe and the Wolverines.
“What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve and those who stay will be champions.” - Bo
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April 29th, 2011 at 4:41 PM |
totally agree. i love this
totally agree. i love this
totally agree. i love this kid so far.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:16 PM |
That's awesome the way he did
That's awesome the way he did
That's awesome the way he did it. I have tons of genuine respect for him and am excited that he is going to be a Michigan Wolverine. He will be a great ambassador for our school on and off the field.
"Son tell me if I'm right, but its probably better without a big ugly rectum in front of you, and there are some big ugly rectums here. Am I right?"
-Mike Barwis
April 30th, 2011 at 7:43 PM |
posted from iPhone
posted from iPhone
If he is willing to drive up all those times I know for sure he us committed. What a great kid.
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
April 29th, 2011 at 4:40 PM |
Great interview Tom.
Great interview Tom.
I think the guys at Scout seemed a little bitter that you got this info before them!
April 29th, 2011 at 9:43 PM |
Beaver has his standard post
Beaver has his standard post
Beaver has his standard post that is essentially - The recruit texted us at the same time, we were professional and tried to get a quote, while a free-blog just threw it out there jibber jabber. Then he goes on trying to explain why TomVH's, MGoBlog, and Rivals names comes up in asterisks over there.
It's his right to do that as the owner, moderator, whatever the hell he, but it comes across as bitter that they lost the scoop by a few minutes, when you could really just let it go and not come across as petty.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:45 PM |
posted from iPhone
posted from iPhone
It seems like both scout and rivals are both hating on Tom and his reporting.
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
April 29th, 2011 at 4:41 PM |
Thanks for the insight Tom.
Thanks for the insight Tom.
Thanks for the insight Tom. Your posts are always informative and appreciated. Keep up the great work and GO BLUE!
April 29th, 2011 at 4:43 PM |
Tom I gotta agree. Even if
Tom I gotta agree. Even if
Tom I gotta agree. Even if this kid can't play a lick how can you not be impressed with him?
Sounds like a true Michigan Man
GoBlue
This is Michigan
GoBlue
April 29th, 2011 at 4:49 PM |
Eye Contact, personal interactions, and integrity
Eye Contact, personal interactions, and integrity
lessons learned from reading MGo. Nice to hear this from a future Michigan man. More kids like this will take Michigan Football back to the top and help us stay there in the coming years.
Brady Hoke - High quality recruits one or two at a time.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:52 PM |
Good stuff, Tom. The more I
Good stuff, Tom. The more I
Good stuff, Tom. The more I see/read/hear of Bolden, the more I like him. I thought it was particularly thoughtful and mature to point out what the reporter did to Kaleb Ringer and say, in no uncertain terms, that it was wrong. He's not afraid to say what he thinks.
April 29th, 2011 at 4:54 PM |
Refreshing
Refreshing
This kid sounds like he's twice his age, and that's refresing to hear these days. Awesome get for Michigan both on and off the field.
GO BLUE!
April 29th, 2011 at 4:56 PM |
Sounds like a MICHIGAN MAN if
Sounds like a MICHIGAN MAN if
Sounds like a MICHIGAN MAN if i've ever heard one.
this kids a leader
wait for it.....
and the best
April 30th, 2011 at 12:14 PM |
Isnt that amaizing
Isnt that amaizing
that he is a Michigan Man before he puts on the uniform. This kid is going to be fun to watch. I wish him all the luck in the world and Go Blue.
From the Red Cedar Message Board: "God hates us." Yes He does Lil Bro, yes he does. Everyone hates you.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:01 PM |
Explosivamente...
Explosivamente...
Liking what the Defensive Side of the coaching staff is doing. And there are still 9 months to go !! Looking forward for new faces to our 2012 recruiting class.
" David Baas & Mario Manningham Super Bowl XLVI Champions "
April 29th, 2011 at 5:09 PM |
Sounds like a smart, matrure
Sounds like a smart, matrure
Sounds like a smart, mature kid. Can't wait to see him play in the maize and blue.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:07 PM |
I can only imagine what kind
I can only imagine what kind
I can only imagine what kind of work ethic this kid must have. Totally psyched for this pickup.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:14 PM |
Great pickup and you can just
Great pickup and you can just
Great pickup and you can just tell this kid handles himself with class. Very impressive when someone this young really gets it about the importance of family and respect.
Welcome to the family Joe, no doubts you're going to be a true Michigan Man
BTW - Can't wait to see you knocking the snot out of OSU RB's!
April 29th, 2011 at 5:22 PM |
What a great kid...
What a great kid...
and now, a Michigan Man!!!
neoavatara.com/blog
April 29th, 2011 at 5:48 PM |
Tom, we encourage you, in the
Tom, we encourage you, in the
Tom, we encourage you, in the future, to post on commitments with great bountifulness. Tim will get over it.
"There was a time I could have been mistaken for Burt Reynolds. I had a moustache and so did he. But he was the number one star in the world, so there wasn't really much confusion."
April 29th, 2011 at 8:50 PM |
I think this was a one-time thing
I think this was a one-time thing
Tom's really impressed with this kid, and this is another way of showing it. If you value Tom's opinion, which most besides aaamichfanwhonegshim do, this says a lot.
April 29th, 2011 at 5:59 PM |
Tom do you think this closes
Tom do you think this closes
Tom do you think this closes the door on Biggs?
April 30th, 2011 at 1:02 PM |
Nope
Nope
While it's been talked about quite a bit if this class could have 4 LBs or not, much of that was before the Cullen transfer. That should mean another scholarship is available so UM could take 4 LB's (even with as loaded as the position is) and not have to take away from another need.
I think adding Biggs to this LB class (and the previous one) is like the Lions drafting Fairley. Why not make the position that much stronger? That type of depth means rotating in fresh players, insurance in case of a (heaven forbid) injury, etc. I would love to see a strong LB core for the next 4-5 years.
It would just mean zero need whatsoever for LBs in the 2013 class, but then back to getting 1-2 in 2014.
April 29th, 2011 at 6:02 PM |
Wait, so his sign from God
Wait, so his sign from God
Wait, so his sign from God was a twitter comment? Does this mean that people stalking recruits is actually a good thing instead of being creepy?
April 29th, 2011 at 6:06 PM |
I love when you put icing on
I love when you put icing on
I love when you put icing on the cake. Your icing tastes so good.
April 29th, 2011 at 7:13 PM |
Tom drinks pleanty of oj just
Tom drinks pleanty of oj just
Tom drinks plenty of oj just for you
I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers. -Mahatma Gandhi
April 29th, 2011 at 7:33 PM |
If Joes football career
If Joes football career
If Joes football career doesn't go the way we all would like I have a feeling we still have a person who will be great for Michigan football. He will go on to greatness either on the field or in the classroom (probably both). I'll take kids like Joe all day long. Go Blue!
"I'm the baddest man on the planet" - Joe Warren
April 29th, 2011 at 7:58 PM |
Silent Commit?
Silent Commit?
Was this the guy or are we getting another recruit soon to follow???
Those who stay will be champions.
April 29th, 2011 at 10:14 PM |
Bolden is not the silent commit...
Bolden is not the silent commit...
it's been noted that the silent commit is in-state... perhaps Godin
April 29th, 2011 at 8:34 PM |
Michigan Man
Michigan Man
My first thought after reading TVH's interview was that Joe sounds like the walking definition of "Michigan Man". Welccome Joe Bolden. Now help recruit some DL guys of your caliber to make sure the opponent's offense never gets into our backfield!
GO BLUE!
All In Worldwide
April 29th, 2011 at 9:06 PM |
Does anybody know...
Does anybody know...
Does anybody know anything about if Bolden is/was this infamous "silent commit"?
"To hell with Notre Dame."
"You're my boy Lloyd!"
April 29th, 2011 at 9:28 PM |
Comments From Duane Long
Comments From Duane Long
......"Joe Bolden is the best inside linebacker in the state. I do not think it is even close. He has offers from seven Big Ten schools, Penn State, Michigan, Iowa, Northwestern, Illinois, Indiana and Purdue. The Buckeyes have not shown a lot of interest. He is a fine player who has some offers outside the region but with that many offers from Big Ten teams the odds he is going to improve the chances of some Big Ten team coming in to knock us off are pretty good. A good number of Cincinnati players go to Boston College. Bolden holds an offer from Boston College."
Good to see Ohio lose him to us.
April 29th, 2011 at 9:34 PM |
He took his grandparents and
He took his grandparents and
He took his grandparents and siblings to commit. . .I wonder if that's been done before. I have a feeling we might hear that story again during a big nationally televised game when the color guy is filling out the profile of one of Michigan leaders on defense.
April 29th, 2011 at 9:57 PM |
Love getting solid academic types.
Love getting solid academic types.
He does seem very mature and very serious about his decision to attend Michigan. This is one young man that I don't see complaining about playing time or getting homesick and wanting to transfer out after being there a short time. We have been reading that he was really high on Michigan and it is really good to see it come to pass. Go Blue and welcome Mr. Bolden!
Hard work beats talent...when talent fails to work hard! Go Blue!!
April 30th, 2011 at 1:10 AM |
From the sounds of it the
From the sounds of it the
From the sounds of it the family is very strong and close, I can see his family being in Ann Arbor often.
April 30th, 2011 at 9:39 AM |
God
God
needs to hurry up and give me some signs on what to have for breakfast. i'm starving.
May 2nd, 2011 at 2:03 PM |
Only a true jerk makes fun of
Only a true jerk makes fun of
Only a true jerk makes fun of someone's heartfelt faith decisions, especially an earnest, sincere 17 year old who just commited to play football for Michigan.
"We will be a swarming defense however we line up" -- Greg Mattison
April 30th, 2011 at 1:55 PM |
Welcome
Welcome
young man, emphasis on the man...This is exactly the type of recruit that is good for UM football. Shows class, integrity, strong family, and intelligence. Hope he blows up at Michigan, and destroys blocks and ball-carriers. Go Blue!
Wolverines! Go Blue!
May 1st, 2011 at 2:42 AM |
I love that Bolden committed
I love that Bolden committed
I love that Bolden committed and I also love your avatar.
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
April 30th, 2011 at 7:41 PM |
posted from iPhone
posted from iPhone
He seems like a really good player with a good head on his shoulders. Im really excited about or linebacking corps for the next couple years.
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 3rd, 2011 at 9:21 AM |
sounds like a real class act
sounds like a real class act
sounds like a real class act and a great pickup for michigan. I cant wait to see what mattison can do with him. go blue!!
Joe is one of the more mature recruits I've ever talked to. I feel like I'm talking to an adult when we speak on the phone. I think Michigan just got themselves a helluva linebacker, especially between the ears.
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