Incoming Recruits from the State of MI Talk About Their Recruiting Experience

Submitted by nmumike on

This is done yearly by the Detroit News, and I always think it is an interesting read. Their list of Blue Chip recruits around the state get asked some questions about their experience, and they reflect on it.

Some of the highlights of the article:

4. Lawrence Marshall

Southfield

DL, 6-4, 240

Commitment: Michigan

Best recruiting experience: The Michigan-Ohio State game my junior year. That was my best by far. The atmosphere was intense. It was like you understood why it was a rivalry after watching it.

Worst recruiting experience: After I decommitted (from Ohio State), it was uncomfortable, but they understood. The social media? It comes with the territory.

Why not MSU? It wasn't the school for me. I like the school. I liked the staff. But it wasn't for me.

9. Maurice Ways

Detroit Country Day

WR, 6-4, 196

Commitment: Michigan

Best recruiting experience: When the coaches came to the school and the feeling of being wanted. The fact that they wanted me to be a part of their program. The whole process was great.

Worst recruiting experience: I didn't have one. It was positive all the way through.

Why not MSU? They didn't officially offer me. I guess they were going to. I liked it up there on my (unofficial) visit.

Notable: The youngest of three children, Ways is a quiet person for the most part. He likes going to movies with his friends and spending time with his family. “I don't like to boast,” he said. “I let my game speak for itself. I'm a goofy guy. I like to have fun. I know what's serious and what not to take seriously.”

Link: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140204/SPORTS05/302040001/Detroit-News-Blue-Chip-players-talk-about-their-recruiting-experiences?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports

Simps

February 4th, 2014 at 8:30 AM ^

Damon Webb is a [inappropriate insult]. 

ED:BISB - Fair warning to all: personal insults toward high schoolers will not be tolerated.

GoWings2008

February 4th, 2014 at 9:08 AM ^

So he's gone from "he IS a..." to "he SEEMS like a..." in quite short order.

Look, I don't like what he said about "the better program" either, but that's his school now. I would expect him to be 110% committed to it.  If memory serves, he's the only osu commit on that list.  I'd say UM did just fine in state.

Rabbit21

February 4th, 2014 at 8:47 AM ^

Could he have perhaps refrained from taking a shot at UM, yes.

Was he asked an awkward question that if not answered exactly right will cast you in a bad light, yes.

Let it be and realize that he is probably taking cues from Urban as to how to talk about rival schools.  Similar to the way the MSU guys spoke at UM.  

BeatOSU52

February 4th, 2014 at 9:14 AM ^

His comment about being OSU being the better program than UofM, is only factual if you're going by this past decade, as they've been much much better than us the last 10 or so years.

 

That being said, I don't really think it's a big deal if a poster wants to call him a "douche" on a message board - not the end of the world.

Artie

February 4th, 2014 at 8:40 AM ^

Nothing too inflammatory as there has been in years past. Nick Padla's comment about looking towards the future is about as bad as it gets (which...you didn't even get offered guy). Always enjoy this annual article. Kind of neat to hear about recruits' experiences.

Jack Daniels

February 4th, 2014 at 8:46 AM ^

Also, I don't mind Webb's comments. They may come off as cocky to some but I see it as being honest. He's going to OSU, so there's clearly no love lost for Michigan, which is fine

LSAClassOf2000

February 4th, 2014 at 8:51 AM ^

Very interesting to see the insight that these kids have into the process now that they have been through it.

I found Tyler Wiegers remarks interesting, about how the worst experience for him was the decommitment from Rutgers. Even though he gave the reasons why he did, you can see how it is disappointing as he says because obviously a lot of energy and time - his and various coaches - went into the initial decision. It rather plays off what Avonte Maddox said about the stress and making atypical decisions. 

gipsydanger

February 4th, 2014 at 9:33 AM ^

I can only imagine the stress these young men have to go through; and then to decommit from a place and switch has to be horrendous. Just look at the way Harris was treated with his decommitment; Drake and Damien. 

I was impressed by Williams and his answers about wanting to stay close to home for family reasons. He came across as very level headed and one who does not want to belittle others and their programs. I am excited for the future at Michigan and proud of the Tradition.

itauditbill

February 4th, 2014 at 8:55 AM ^

From Bryon Bullough... Why Not U of M: something to the effect of if they would have offered I would have thought about it...

What and be excommunicated from your house. Please... I totally understand why you would go to MSU, don't try and soft sell it.

cbs650

February 4th, 2014 at 8:58 AM ^

Webb's line about the coaches trying to talk him out of his commitment and it didn't seem right is interesting. It's called recruiting and thats what coaches do.

Wolverine Devotee

February 4th, 2014 at 9:05 AM ^

Worst recruiting experience: When I committed to Ohio State. Since I went to the U-M camp, the U-M coaches came to the school to talk me out of (my commitment). It didn't make me feel uncomfortable; it just didn't seem right.

Isn't that the point of recruiting?

Former_DC_Buck

February 4th, 2014 at 10:07 AM ^

And just didn't want to admit it because it made him seem weak, in some way?

I look at it kind of like getting married.  So at one point he was engaged to Michigan and for whatever reason decided that was not his choice and decided he wanted to marry Ohio State.  You've thought you've made up your mind, and your former fiance comes back and keeps trying to convince you that she is better for you than that new tramp you are going to marry.  Even for just a little while it might make you uncomfortable, especially if she makes some good points.  You may still want to be with your fiance but the process makes you feel uncomfortable. 

Kind of like Tyler Wiegers' comments. 

LJ

February 4th, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^

I never understood why they ask the kids who don't have offers to UM or MSU "why not UM?"  The answer is always some sad form of "you'd have to ask them that."

SECcashnassadvantage

February 4th, 2014 at 9:25 AM ^

If we don't oversign next year we are in a world of hurt. Ohio "lost players" And here in Florida players leave and jucos come in. We just don't have a coach that can drive emotion to overcome that.

JudgeMart

February 4th, 2014 at 11:04 AM ^

I don't have a problem with what Webb said about 'the better program'.  OSU's football program  is better RIGHT NOW.  It's up to Michigan's football program to change that.

Rochester Blue

February 4th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^

I like the kids we got, based on this feedback.  And with all of these guys, you get some unique insight into their struggles to decide.  Some more than others.  This is an interesting feature to see each year.  Humanizes these "football players" even more.

CalifExile

February 4th, 2014 at 3:04 PM ^

"Worst recruiting experience: I didn't have one. If I did I wouldn't tell you because I don't like trash-talking.

. . .

"Why not MSU? They never offered me. Not to be cocky, but there's other places (to go to college). That's all right."