Visitors this weekend
It's been a while since Michigan has had much recruiting activity. With the new coaching staff being put in place (and I guess that's still in progress with the departure of Greg Scruggs) and some repositioning of folks within the football program, it's been quite a lull. Perhaps the longest that I remember. Even when Rich Rodriguez, Brady Hoke, and Jim Harbaugh were taking over, there was a late push in January/February to try to nab some guys by the signing day in February. But that hasn't been the case this cycle, since most kids sign in December.
Anyway, this is Michigan's first big recruiting weekend in a long time. The headliner is probably Kansas 5-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola, but not too far behind is North Carolina safety JaDon Blair (#143 overall), Indiana DE Damien Shanklin (#107), and in-state OT Avery Gach (#226).
If you want to check out the full list, it's here (LINK).
March 22nd, 2024 at 10:42 AM ^
Hearing announcers say babalola repeatedly would be pretty epic. That’s a must get based on name alone!
so much we could do with the name shanklin as well.
March 22nd, 2024 at 10:51 AM ^
Thank God Shanklin is not a kicker.
March 22nd, 2024 at 10:54 AM ^
Word. The ob/gyn doc down the street from me was named Dr Finger. Just saying
I hope Dr. Finger's first name isn't Richard.
I once saw a GI named ‘Anas Bitar.’ Can’t make this stuff up
My gastroenterologist is Dr. Kolon. My ophthalmologist is Dr. C. Ing. Sometimes I think I'm in The Truman show.
March 22nd, 2024 at 10:56 AM ^
Maybe it'd be okay. He could "Shank" his kicks but maybe they'd stll go "in".
Extra points perhaps
March 22nd, 2024 at 11:09 AM ^
At first I read his name as Balboa, so I'm just gonna call him Rocky from now on.
March 22nd, 2024 at 11:21 AM ^
I prefer when announcers are not repeatedly mentioning our OT's because that typically means things are going well for the offense.
March 22nd, 2024 at 12:11 PM ^
Unless M lines up with four of them and Corum is scoring another TD.
March 22nd, 2024 at 12:12 PM ^
Came here to say this. Unless the OT is just pancaking guys left and right, hearing their name from the announcers usually means the OT is getting beat off the edge.
March 22nd, 2024 at 11:24 AM ^
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
March 22nd, 2024 at 12:02 PM ^
A babalola is a babalola is a bablola is a babalola.
March 22nd, 2024 at 12:22 PM ^
babalola babalola babalola babalola babalola babalola babalola babalola
I don’t like announcers saying OL names. When you hear their names a lot, it usually means bad things
Like when Chop Robinson is having himself a day. Agreed.
Mentioning the OL as a collective unit = usually good.
Singling out one guy = usually bad.
March 22nd, 2024 at 10:56 AM ^
A nice spring rainfall of quality commits for Coach Moore would be much appreciated as company to the twist and turns of the hoops coaching search.
March 22nd, 2024 at 11:24 AM ^
the twist and turns of the hoops coaching search
This has been the quietest, non-dramatic search so far. There's basically been no news while we wait for the primary candidates to bow out of the tourney.
March 22nd, 2024 at 11:24 AM ^
Spring flowers bring Fall Victories.
March 22nd, 2024 at 11:16 AM ^
I feel like Gach is going to commit here soon, he’s been a frequent visitor since last fall, has expressed interest in Moore and Michigan, and is an in state kid. Would be good to secure commitments soon for 2025, which from what I’ve read the staff is hoping is a big class (especially the back 7).
March 22nd, 2024 at 11:57 AM ^
Nice that the weather cooperated.
Michigan doesn't recruit the soft ass Buckeyes. March snow is perfect to see who can and who cannot handle it. If you cannot, glad you are not taking up a roster spot.
March 22nd, 2024 at 12:08 PM ^
Will be interesting to see what, if anything, emerges about the new regime's approach to recruiting and their ability to execute. It seems very plausible to me that Sherrone Moore might simply prove himself to be low-key better at this.
I find it very easy to believe that Sherrone is 100% focused on the Team. I'm not sure we could always say that with the drama that constantly accompanied Jim. So, yes, this staff may well just be better at this. Fingers crossed.
PS - recent quotes from Wink make it sound like he is into the recruiting. If that's the case, that is a huge, unexpected bonus.
March 22nd, 2024 at 12:57 PM ^
La-la-la, la Babalola...
This is difficult information to process as I am still sifting through all the clamor to hire a basketball coach with enough experience to have personally played the ancient Mayan sport of Pok-ta-Pok in 2000 BCE. Are these guys even old enough to have known Walter Camp?
Well, Michigan is recruiting kids named Caesar, Cortez, and Gideon, so they do have some experience under their belts.
Methuselah Jackson, Jr. is already committed to Notre Dame, though.