TomVH: Weekly Update: Danny O'Brien, Erik Magnuson, BBQ at the Big House and More

Submitted by TomVH on

The Kyle Kalis commitment was a huge deal for Michigan. With 19 commitments on board there's no reason to think they won't be sitting at 20-22 by the time the season starts. They're on a roll and that momentum should continue soon. Here's a look at what happened this week and what's happening in the future. As always you can follow me on Twitter @TomVH and send me any tips or questions at [email protected].

Mario OjemudiaMario Ojemudia

6'3", 220 lbs.

Defensive End/Linebacker

Farmington Hills, Michigan


Mario was one of the five commitments in Oregon for the Nike event The Opening. He, along with the other attendees, got to work with some top NFL talent while there.

I didn't run the forty as good as I thought I could. We got to work with Ndamukong Suh though. He had a lot of stuff to tell us about technique. We were doing ball get offs and one on ones. I think I did pretty good.

He also got a chance to meet some of the other Michigan commitments and do a little recruiting. 

I already knew Terry and James [Ross] but I met with Erik Magnuson and Anthony Standifer. We did some recruiting. We were recruiting Sheldon Day, Danny O'Brien, and anyone that we thought Michigan wanted. I didn't talk to Zach Banner, but I heard he was saying Michigan was in his top group.

As for what he was saying to try to recruit prospects to Michigan.

We were joking around mostly, but we were saying come to Michigan. Look what we're building, look where we're taking the program and all these commits we have. 

This event seemed to be a positive all around for everyone involved. All the prospects have been raving about the experience.

Erik MagnusonErik Magnuson

6'6", 280 lbs.

Offensive Lineman

Carlsbad, California


Magnuson was also in Oregon, but was working on the opposite side of the ball as Mario. He also got a chance to work with some NFL talent.

We got to work with Russell Okung, the offensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks. It was cool because he's in the league but he's young enough to joke around with us. He's out there helping me and he wasn't acting too big. He was out there telling me what to do better. He talked to me about my hand placement with my punch on pass rushing. He said he liked my footwork and aggression too.

Erik was also in on the recruiting pitch with the other commitments.

It was cool to hang out with the other commitments, it was good to put a face to the name. We were all doing some recruiting. Josh Garnett is really liking Michigan a lot, and Zach Banner this is my second week in a row being with him. I'm still trying to get Isaac Seumalo.

I asked Erik the same question as Mario, what is he telling recruits as to why they should choose Michigan.

I just ask them if they want to win a National Championship. Someone said that Michigan has the number one or number two recruiting class. Look at what Coach Hoke did at San Diego State. Give me one good reason why he won't do that at Michigan. I know Coach Hoke more than anyone else and there's no reason to think he won't win at Michigan.

The other recruits were listening to the pitch, and as you already know Josh Garnett and Zach Banner are both planning official visits to Michigan.

Danny O'BrienDanny O'Brien

6'2", 295 lbs.

Defensive Tackle

Flint, Michigan


The theme with The Opening continues as O'Brien was also at the event. As Mario mentioned the commitments were trying to convince Danny to jump on board. He spoke very highly of the event.

It was sick, they over did it with everything. They had everything for us, three barbers on hand to cut our hair, and we got to play NCAA Football 2012 which was sweet. Ndamukong Suh worked with the defensive line the whole time. During one on ones he'd pull you aside and critique you. He said that my pad level on pass rush needs to get lower and he was showing me different stances and moves.

He was obviously around the Michigan commitments and took in what they were saying.

I hung out with Terry [Richardson] and James [Ross] a lot. We hung out with them and Ron Thompson and Anthony Standifer too. They were just saying comments here and there, and talking about how many spots are left.

As for what's next for Danny, he plans on taking some more visits in the near future.

I'm going to come out with a top six here pretty soon, Michigan is definitely in there. The plan is still to take some official visits then decide. I'm going down south from the 17th of July to the 23rd. I'm going to Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee. If Godin is going to the BBQ [at Michigan on the 31st], then I'll be there too [Tom ED: Godin is going as you'll see below]. 

Danny is well aware of the defensive tackle situation and knows that Michigan wants Ondre Pipkins as well. We'll see how that situation plays out, but I still think there's a decent chance the coaches would take two defensive tackles if those two were Pipkins and O'Brien.

BBQ at the Big House

The BBQ at the Big House is still happening this year. It's taking place on July 31st. Still a lot of time until it happens but I've confirmed some names that will be there so far, and a few that are undecided. 

YES:

Commit OL Caleb Stacey

Commit LB Joe Bolden

Commit LB Kaleb Ringer

Commit LB Royce Jenkins-Stone

Commit DB Terry Richardson

Commit LB James Ross

Commit DE Matt Godin

Commit DB Allen Gant

Commit TE Devin Funchess

Commit DE Tom Strobel

Commit OL Ben Braden

DT Danny O'Brien

2013 RB Wyatt Shallman

WR Jehu Chesson: He told me he believes he will be there.

2013 OL Steven Elmer: His father told me they will be at the BBQ. As I reported on Twitter earlier, he and his father were on campus on Monday the 10th. It wasn't a football related visit, just more to walk around campus and see things.

NOT SURE:

OL Kyle Kalis: Says he's not sure yet. I'd imagine he'd be there, but we'll see.

DT Ondre Pipkins: There's a chance, but he doesn't know yet

OL Jordan Diamond: They're not sure if they are yet, but there's a good chance they will be. His mom told me, "Any excuse to visit. We'd like to go."

RB Bri'onte Dunn: He was invited, but his father told me he doesn't know if they'll be going yet. It might help if new commitment Kyle Kalis is on hand as well. We'll see if he makes it up.

Extra:

Speaking of Bri'onte Dunn. I also tweeted this, but for you non-tweeters, if Ohio State's self imposed sanctions stick with the NCAA then I'm not expecting him to leave Ohio State. However, if they get a two year bowl ban then I think that's too much for him and there's a good chance he would leave. Just something to keep an eye on. The OSU compliance meeting is in August, so we won't know what the official word is until then.

The offensive line situation now that Kyle Kalis is committed has stayed the same so far. The plan for now is to take one more lineman, as long as it is one of the elite prospects on their board. That's the plan for now, it could always change but it looks like that's what will stick.

The commitment of safety Jarrod Wilson was a win for the Michigan coaching staff. Greyshirt commitment Jeremy Clark told me that he is still 100% with Michigan despite the Wilson commitment. This sounds right since the coaches laid out the scenario to him pretty clear.

MaxPreps has moved Michigan ahead of Texas with the number one recruiting class in the country with the addition of Kalis and Wilson.

If you missed this, you can see some pretty cool videos from The Opening event.

 

Comments

Wolverman

July 10th, 2011 at 11:17 PM ^

 All your Recruits belong to us!

 It's like playing recruiting red rover

 Have fun with the post game comments and quotes by coach Boucher's Mama and the quality of drinking water at OSU games.

Mr Mackey

July 11th, 2011 at 9:07 AM ^

Ha, I saw the same thing. I went to sleep after responding to the troll, then I woke up and everyone was yelling at me! Basically, dumb Ohio troll making fun of MGoPoints... He tried to make a formula about MGoPoints and having friends

EDIT: And I just want to clarify - my first comment is a very sarcastic one about "oh this is spot on good job I value your contribution blah blah" and that sarcasm was NOT directed at Tom, as it appears.. I realize that looks bad, but it was in response to the troll.. I really do value Tom's contribution!

jmdblue

July 11th, 2011 at 8:33 AM ^

If we were to pick up both Dunn and Washington (if room left on d-line) I'm pretty sure The Weekly World News should set up shop in Columbus to report on the incredible rash of humans (semi-humans? human-like creatures?) spontaneously combusting. 

TomVH

July 10th, 2011 at 10:35 PM ^

I don't remember what it was in reference to, but basically what happened was this. He was planning on committing on his visit the first time he went up to Ann Arbor. His coach told him not to and told him just to wait a little bit.

He went up, loved the visit and knew he wanted to pick Michigan. He wanted to wait until everything died down because he was getting hit up by a lot of Ohio State fans pretty bad. He wasn't a silent commitment as some people were reporting, but he knew that he was coming to Michigan.

He had been telling a few Michigan commitments that he was coming, and recently has been recruiting a few kids to Michigan. He asked that I not mention who they are, so I won't. He set up this visit with his family with the intention to commit, and he did.

Mr Mackey

July 10th, 2011 at 10:38 PM ^

Thanks, Tom. Definitely understandable that he wanted to wait. I'm actually a little surprised it didn't take longer, as those OSU fans are still wishing him to get injured and he still has a season to play down there in Ohio.

It was great to have Strobel recruit Kalis, and now with them working together, I'm even more excited.

Mr Mxyzptlk

July 11th, 2011 at 12:37 AM ^

You would have to have some big ones to talk trash to this kids face.  Have you seen the tap on him?  Wow, that is one large human and he plays with with a nasty streak.  I stopped counting after a dozen pancakes and laughed out loud at the one where knocked his opponents helmet off.

TomVH

July 10th, 2011 at 10:49 PM ^

If you remember awhile back when Michigan was somewhat recruiting his teammates. I had asked Kyle if he had interest in Michigan, if he would listen to the coaches if they were to try to recruit him, and if he would visit if his teammates did. 

He answered yes to all of those, and I reported it. Bucknuts got a hold of it and got him on their radio program. He basically said it wasn't true, because they were grilling him on the spot and he was committed to OSU still. He's always had some interest, but the NCAA stuff pushed him out. 

He wanted to know that Fickell would be there permanently, and eventually realized that he couldn't get that guarantee. After he realized that he visited Michigan and was wowed by what they had to offer. Combine that with Tom Strobel, his good friend, telling him he would love it and this is what you have.

DrFeelGood

July 10th, 2011 at 11:02 PM ^

Any worries about Kalis and his family now?  I've been reading the idiots on the buckeye forums, and they're seriously deranged!  Did Kyle mention any real worries about himself and his family down there?  It seems silly, but I'd hate to see his senior year ruined by some lunatic.

 

Also, do you see him as being completely sold now on Michigan?  Or any of the former OSU recruits for that matter?  It's a long time until NLOI signing, any chance any of these guys flip back if the NCAA doesn't hammer osu like we assume they will?

 

Hate to be the skeptic here with all the great news, just wondering.

Tater

July 12th, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^

I hope Bri'onte Dunn takes a long look at how the Bucknuts are treating his friend for decommitting.  Maybe he will ask himself if he wants to spend the next three or four years with people like that.

WolvinLA2

July 10th, 2011 at 10:50 PM ^

That's awesome that he's recruiting other guys to come here.  I hope his pitch includes "speak now or forever hold your peace" because spots are a fillin'. 

I imagine one of the guys he's recruiting is Wormley though.  Pretty surprised that guy hasn't pulled the trigger yet.

Mr Mackey

July 10th, 2011 at 10:30 PM ^

Man, having all those commits there for the BBQ will be a great time for them to bond together as a class and do some serious recruiting to anyone who shows up. 

It's also great to hear Diamond's mom wanting to come up to AA for any reason. 

Thanks for all these, Tom. Great job. If Bri'onte comes for the BBQ, would there be a chance he'd bring Dymonte Thomas along?