Michael Ferns and #Project135
The colors look a little off because of my camera, trust me when they’re right on #Project135pic.twitter.com/XqTbunVh
February 15th, 2013 at 7:19 PM ^
Your move, Mr. Morris
February 15th, 2013 at 7:22 PM ^
Shouldn't it be just be #ProjectTeam if its for future commits as well as commits for 2014.
February 15th, 2013 at 7:32 PM ^
The bonding of the class together first, especially since that is allowed right now by NCAA rules, IS whats best for the team right now IMO
February 15th, 2013 at 7:22 PM ^
Great idea. I think they should starting jumping guys in.
February 15th, 2013 at 8:24 PM ^
see the S&C staff for the first time.
February 16th, 2013 at 1:31 AM ^
If they get jumped in they would have to get jumped out to decommit. It seems like a great tactic to nail down a class.
February 15th, 2013 at 7:23 PM ^
I have obliged to the request of the powers that be at mgoblog to not follow UM recruits.
Too bad.
February 15th, 2013 at 7:40 PM ^
I dunno if that is MGoBlog policy. I think the only hard-and-fast rule is that you not TWEET recruits.
February 16th, 2013 at 12:14 AM ^
Maybe don't follow them because it's god damned creepy?
February 15th, 2013 at 9:24 PM ^
...doesn't Ferns know that commits come in pairs, not one at a time!
February 15th, 2013 at 7:27 PM ^
It's ok Mr. Ferns, the University can't seem to figure out the correct shade of yellow either. We wouldn't expect you to.
February 15th, 2013 at 7:51 PM ^
What is this yellow color you speak of?
February 15th, 2013 at 7:31 PM ^
but ever since (I'm guessing) Shane Morris started recruiting people heavily, I feel like all of our commits have been recruiting way more than I ever remember anyone doing before Shane. It's almost an expectation now amongst commits.
February 15th, 2013 at 7:43 PM ^
Ricardo Miller did a bunch of recruiting also. Outside parties-espn and rivals and such-didn't take as much notice of it because he wasn't as highly ranked as Shane. However, I do think you are quite right that Shane raised the bar as to how much recruiting is done, especially with the proliferation of twitter and all these camps. It seems like each time a recruit recruits-ha-he is taking it up a notch, and I like that.
February 15th, 2013 at 7:39 PM ^
Well this is pretty sick.
February 15th, 2013 at 7:50 PM ^
would be pretty cool to see and may give even a little extra incentive
February 15th, 2013 at 7:56 PM ^
The Ohioites that manage to escape make good Michigan Men.
February 15th, 2013 at 8:00 PM ^
To sell through the MGoStore. Good job Mr. Ferns!
February 15th, 2013 at 8:14 PM ^
A little blown out of proportion due to expectations from yesterday, but still a great idea. Shane's really started something in terms of going out and actively recruiting kids. Props to Ferns for going out and doing this. I'm sure he's done his HW, but I hope he's going about this the right way. Last thing we need are NCAA violations.
February 15th, 2013 at 8:29 PM ^
A bunch of people might have had delusions of granger and started posting with no idea what was coming. That should hardly have set any expectations.
Why would you even find it necessary to make your last statement? What is wound so tightly in people that they have to turn over rocks looking for issues that might not exist?
February 15th, 2013 at 8:31 PM ^
To be honest, I don't remember reading about any delusions of grainger around here.
EDIT: I love how you edited "grainger" to "granger."
February 15th, 2013 at 9:12 PM ^
I've almost forgotten the phone number for the local Grainger. I can still remember the number for the McMaster-Carr branch in Cleveland, though.
February 16th, 2013 at 12:48 AM ^
I'm hoping you knew that
February 15th, 2013 at 8:18 PM ^
Are "special" t-shirts that only the cool kids get to wear??
February 15th, 2013 at 8:18 PM ^
Pretty cool. ...but shouldn't he have made maize shirts for the media?
February 15th, 2013 at 8:23 PM ^
He did. He even said the maize shirts are for the media.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:32 PM ^
No, he said the "yellow" shirts are for the media. Not mad about it or anything, just explaining the comment.
February 15th, 2013 at 8:21 PM ^
No other school can display this kind of dedication and love for their school. Great initiative and this is a welcoming trend the recruiting classes are coming up with on their own. Proud to be Blue, proud to be Michigan.
February 15th, 2013 at 8:26 PM ^
Maybe mention Sparty too. Why is it necessary to contrast other schools. This is great to see, period.
February 15th, 2013 at 8:31 PM ^
I didn't have a twitter accout. But, this makes me want to get one.
February 15th, 2013 at 8:31 PM ^
I hate rules more than anyone, but here's a consideration. I'm assuming these have to be paid by HIM. If his mom or dad is funding these, wouldn't they be considered boosters? In other words, committed players' parents could funnel gifts to recruits through their son. I, of course, don't think that's the case here. However, that strategy could circumvent the system if left unregulated.
February 15th, 2013 at 8:39 PM ^
I see what you're getting at, but because they're cheap t-shirts, it's probably not going to trip anything. Technically, the value doesn't matter, but in reality it does. It's not like Ferns is sending an iPad to every kid when he commits.
As long as it's trinkety like that, I doubt the NCAA bats an eye. But then again you never know.
February 16th, 2013 at 3:05 AM ^
So if he were to send a letter with paper bought by his parents, would that b a violation? Cost DOES matter.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:08 PM ^
Gotta love the passion he has. Man that's impressive.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:19 PM ^
Free GoBlueWolverine article from Sam Webb: Ferns Seeks Top Class w/ Project 135 Campaign
Over the years Michigan has had the great fortune of seeing many of its verbal commitments turn into some of its most valuable recruiting tools. Fifteen years ago the first member of the Wolverines’ 1998 class, All American quarterback Drew Henson, played a vital role in helping secure the #1 class in the country. He was instrumental in helping lure the top two receivers in the country (David Terrell andMarquise Walker), the top tailback (Justin Fargas), and host of other blue-chippers. More recently the first commitment in Michigan’s 2013 class, All American quarterback Shane Morris, proved to be a central figure in helping the Maize & Blue lock down the nation’s second best class. Both Henson and Morris were effective in communicating to others the attributes that that made Michigan so appealing to them with frequent phone correspondences and occasional campus visits. The first member of Michigan’s 2014 class is committed to conveying the same message in the same manner, but today he augmented his approach in a way that makes it truly unique.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:20 PM ^
Or is that still considered a violation? I wouldn't think it would but that makes too much sense
February 15th, 2013 at 9:29 PM ^
Licensing department at Michigan will not like that.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:26 PM ^
I refuse to wear yellow (maize). It's Go BLUE.
EDIT: I mean yellow/maize as the dominant color. If you guys say that true fans wear maize, then why don't we just have maize football jerseys? or all-maize unis (like we do in basketball; ugh)? It's because maize as the dominant color sucks, and it's Go Blue or go home. Sorry, that's just my opinion.
February 16th, 2013 at 1:16 AM ^
Ummm... So I guess you're not in the maize rage. Or have ever been to a maize out. Or had any of the many many official shirts which are maize.
A maize crowd looks a lot better than a blue crowd.
February 15th, 2013 at 9:23 PM ^
Not sure it infliences any recruits but it says a lot about Ferns' passion for UM.
February 15th, 2013 at 10:08 PM ^
This kid is awesome. I love it. Those who were expecting miraculous announcements from a commit, chill. Ferns has heart.
February 16th, 2013 at 10:10 AM ^
chest pump x2
February 15th, 2013 at 10:29 PM ^
Just fucking awesome'
February 15th, 2013 at 10:41 PM ^
Great leadership and initiative, Mr. Ferns! This kid has "future captain" written all over him.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:09 PM ^
What's he gonna do with all these shirts once Urbz flips him?
/s
February 16th, 2013 at 1:25 AM ^
He should start a line of Kate Upton tank tops.
February 16th, 2013 at 3:08 AM ^
I actually think this is one of the coolest recruiting ideas I've ever heard. I guess Michael Ferns is the Shane Morris of this class.
February 16th, 2013 at 8:14 AM ^
Really is an awesome idea. Also pretty generous on his part as I am guessing he is paying for these shirts out of pocket.
February 16th, 2013 at 5:28 AM ^
Not trying to incite panic but a friend close with the program told me that Ferns is shaky in his commitment.
/s