Visit Reactions from Jonah Pirsig and AJ Williams

Submitted by TomVH on

These updates are a little late, but I tried to space everything out so it wasn't all one big bombardment. Here are two more updates from last week's junior day visit from Minnesota OL Jonah Pirsig and Ohio TE AJ Williams.

Jonah PirsigJonah Pirsig

6'9", 300 lbs.

Offensive Line

Blue Earth, Minnesota


Yes, Jonah is 6-foot-9 and he's from a place called Blue Earth. [Ed: Next time Tom talks to him I'll have him ask if he's got a pet ox and has been bewilderingly located in East Lansing of late.] Pirsig has racked up some big time offers--Auburn, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, MSU, Ohio State, and Wisconsin to name a few. He took in Ann Arbor this past weekend and got a chance to talk with his potential position coach.

Right away we had a meeting with Coach Funk. We didn't watch tape or anything, but he gave me some history of the coaching staff and what he's done with offensive linemen. He went over the  depth chart and his coaching style. He said they'll be running pro style but they're going to still run Denard. I think I definitely fit in that offense. Coach Hoke was talking with my dad and me. We didn't talk much about football, just about random stuff like two guys.

Pirsig came up on a off practice day so they weren't able to watch any actual coaching. That may not have been a negative though as it gave him more time to interact with the coaches.

We went in the Big House and it was pretty overwhelming walking out on the field. They gave us some facts and told us that they're planning on adding about 10,000 seats eventually. We got a tour of the locker room and the training room. I think this visit helped Michigan because I was just talking to the coaches, and now I can put faces and personalities to the name. 

Jonah said he wants to narrow things down pretty soon, but he's not exactly sure when that will happen. Like he said, this visit helped Michigan but I have a feeling they still have work to do. 

A.J. WilliamsAJ Williams

6'6", 260 lbs.

Tight End

Cincinnati, Ohio


Williams has put together a nice offer list himself with Boston College, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, MSU, NC State, and WVU among the programs interested. AJ journeyed up to Ann Arbor with his father and both seemed to like what they saw.

It was great. I love the facilities and the way the coaches welcomed us in. I went with my dad and he loved it too. He loved how the coaches showed me how I would fit in and how they were honest about everything. 

Williams was also up on a non practicing day, but there's always plenty of things to see and people to talk to.

We talked to Coach Hoke and he is a great guy. I love how cool he is with just talking about life and how it's not all about football. He was having a good talk with my dad. I would say this trip was a solid 9, and it helped Michigan. 

This visit really seemed to make an impression on both AJ and his dad. He's not sure when he'll make his final decision, but he said it will be either before his football season or before his basketball season next year. After this visit Michigan has put themselves in good position. 

Comments

ken725

April 1st, 2011 at 2:01 AM ^

In your opinion who leads for Pirsig at this moment?

I'm very curious to see how the TE recruiting will play out this season.  I'm wondering if we recruit more prototypical TEs or guys like Ricardo Miller to play the H-back role.  

Is there a chance that AJ Williams moves to OL in the future.  He might make for a very athletic OL.

Magnus

April 1st, 2011 at 7:57 AM ^

I think we're recruiting both types.  My guess is that the coaches would like to get one pass catching tight end/H-back and one blocking tight end.

Mark Harrell and AJ Williams fit the latter category, whereas Ron Thompson and Devin Funchess fit the former.

LumberJack

April 1st, 2011 at 2:47 AM ^

It's sort of funny how these recruits' reactions to Hoke are similar to previous recruits' reactions to Rodriguez.  Are there coaches of major college programs that aren't personable or who don't talk about "random stuff"?  Shooting the shit just seems to be part of the job, I guess.

LumberJack

April 1st, 2011 at 2:47 AM ^

It's sort of funny how these recruits' reactions to Hoke are similar to previous recruits' reactions to Rodriguez.  Are there coaches of major college programs that aren't personable or who don't talk about "random stuff"?  Shooting the shit just seems to be part of the job, I guess.

mejunglechop

April 1st, 2011 at 2:51 AM ^

I don't do prognostications, but based on his quotes I'm a little more optimistic than TomVH on Pirsig. Recruits will often say they "got to know the coaching staff better", but the details in Pirsig's description make it more real, at least for me. Maybe he just has a future in creative writing, but I'm gonna read in that Pirsig had a great visit.

Bodogblog

April 1st, 2011 at 8:44 AM ^

whether it be off the record, or non-verbal, or lack of relative enthusiasm.  I agree based on the comments it looks good, but Tom provides those signals to get a message accross w/out stating anything directly. 

I think it probably means Pirsig has a leader, and it's not us.  But I'm curious too (as someone asked below), as to who that is.

bleedzblue

April 1st, 2011 at 6:35 AM ^

Is it just me or does AJ Williams look a lot like Devin? When I first looked at the picture I thought it was Devin, then after looking more closely I realized it wasn't. Dudes could be brothers.

stetgor

April 1st, 2011 at 8:14 AM ^

I saw Pirsig's comments and wondered if anyone knows much about coack Funk.  I see tons of press on Mattison, Borgess and Jackson and it seems everyone drools all over those guys but didn't get that impression about Funk.  I know it's only one short commentary but am curious what his reputation is.

Indiana Blue

April 1st, 2011 at 10:39 AM ^

recruits get shown their "tat" options and discuss their personal automotive preference  -  so they know which booster .... oops I mean, which car dealership they need to visit to have their Chevy GEO "repaired".  So not a whole lotta football is discussed there either .... just sayin.

Go Blue !

caveman.lawyer

April 1st, 2011 at 1:35 PM ^

I grew up not too far from Blue Earth, Minnesota and Blue Earth was in the same sports conference as my high school. It is not a big place, but it also happens to be the hometown of two Division I wrestlers, Ty and Luke Eustice, who were both All Americans at Iowa. 

Undefeated dre…

April 1st, 2011 at 1:46 PM ^

But how is he with Zen? And the art of motorcycle maintenance? I think he may end up in Bend, Oregon.

No, I'm not on LSD. I can't believe Brian isn't dropping the Pirsig references.