Scout.com Erik Magnuson Interview
Chris Smith of GoBlueWolverine has posted this (non-paywalled) article on Erik Magnuson.
Highlights:
- When Magnuson told Brady Hoke he was committing, the coach gave him a hug and made such a commotion that the assistants all came into Hoke's office
- The visit was his first to that state of Michigan. "I didn’t know what to expect. Thinking of Michigan being near Detroit, it isn’t what you might think it would be in Ann Arbor. I’m really happy I got to see it before committing on the phone or something. I liked it a lot. People care about football there, and even freshman lineman, so it’s just a cool feeling.”
- Will be recruiting other prospects (also mentioned in TomVH's interview)
- Is considering taking a few officials including Michigan. "...if coach is ok with me taking an official visit to place where I have friends at, then I might do that, but if not then it’s not a big deal to me. I’m going to Michigan. I don’t care about any other school.”
- He does NOT intend to enroll early. He expects that he'll redshirt so he doesn't see the benefit.
I'm curious how the coaches would handle a commit taking visits elsewhere. He sounds solid, but it's always a little concerning when other schools get to give a prize recruit their best shot...
I agree. I'm not worried, but would consider myself more "uneasy". From his point of view though I can understand why he wants to. If I have the opportunity for a free trip I would want to do it as well, especially if I had some friends at the school.
...and give me a big hug.
"the coach gave him a hug and made such a commotion"
It's only the first of many "touches".
Always touching kids.
I'm kind of glad he isn't enrolling early. It seems like a lot of early enrollees from out of state get home sick. They give up a piece of the best time of their life when they forego the second half of their senior year of high school.
Some benefits of enrolling early even if you will be redshirted:
- More coaching
- More S&C
- Team chemistry building
- Head start academically
- Preparedness if injuries burn your redshirt (not that Michigan ever has defensive injuries)
Although those are all legitimate, for a kid who knows he won't see the field as a true frosh, finishing HS with his friends in CA isn't a bad thing. There isn't all that much coaching going on during spring ball and they can give him a S&C schedule to follow at his HS gym/track/whatever in San Diego. The non-EEs show up in June anyway, so he'll be fine.
Honestly, while I see the benefits for Michigan football, if a high school kid asked me what to do I'd tell him to stay and enjoy his senior year. 2nd semester senior year in high school is one of the best times in life.
He will probably have 5 years as is playing Michigan football. Let him enjoy his 2nd semester senior year. Its fun times and most of his friends probably won't be coming to UofM/Michigan for school, so its good to see them. Take it from someone who just graduated: enjoy all the time you get.
Then there's the thought of moving from the San Diego area to Ann Arbor in JANUARY! As someone who grew up in Michigan, then lived in socal for over ten years (before moving back to the land of snow, slush and mosquitoes) I don't think it would make a very good impression on a youngster. Arriving in the summer with other freshman recruits would provide a much better transition and allow him to get comfortable before the weather turns to crap.
Agreed with all that except the last bullet point, Erik will be playing offense so the defensive injuries wouldn't matter. Hopefully the team can stay healthy when practice begins again and we don't have to worry about any of that.
Since Magnuson is an OT I don't see how defensive injuries would have an impact on him.
Yeah, I meant to say offensive obviously, but couldn't edit it.
Good to hear he'll be recruiting other kids. Someone give Erik Bri'onte Dunn's twitter handle. And Dwayne Stanford.
I understand it's that school's risk and all to pay for it but at some level, some point, it's taking an opportunity from a peer
This Magnuson kid just looks like a freaking stud lineman. He seems to be true BLUE, and Hoke really has to let him go out and take some more visits. Let the kid be a kid, and allow him to take in some free trips. He's going to AA in the end, and that is all that matters.
Love to get these type of recruits! High quality young men who love Michigan. The fact that he looks like a very good tackle in the future doesn't hurt either!
If he is leaving Encinitas, California and wanting to come to your school, he is sold. That's a great place.
Kid seems blue through and through, a very solid pickup.
Looking forward to big things from him, hopefully in that #77 jersey.
And Boren said we were losing family values.
Love this kid. This interview did get me curious, though, about how many recruits from outside the midwest equate Ann Arbor with Detroit... because they are definitely not the same place.
With that said, I hope he brings his cousin Magnus Ver Magnuson. Based on the Worlds Strongest Man film I've seen of him, he could be the solution at DT.