umchicago

December 28th, 2010 at 10:43 AM ^

but maybe there's another angle.  it could be possible that if he commits now, he could bolster the current recruiting class and thus have some positive influence on the coaching decision - keeping RR.  just a thought.

Joined: 02/05/2009

MGoPoints: 33625

kalamazoo

December 28th, 2010 at 10:57 AM ^

I would consider announcing 4 days before a potential coaching change if I wanted RR to stay and I was a great commit.  This is very good strategic timing.  His announcement may just be: "I'm committing to Michigan since I like the program and I like RR."  If RR leaves, then he can open up his recruitment again.  Easy.  Sure, the extra pressure to keep RR may not sway DB to keep him, but by the definition of "extra", it is more than not adding any pressure.  And sure, other possibilities are that he's going elsewhere or is comitting to Michigan "The Program" but doesn't care about the coach.

Joined: 08/20/2010

MGoPoints: 2564

NateVolk

December 28th, 2010 at 10:30 AM ^

Michigan is a very powerful place and for many, way bigger than any coach. This is a young man who grew up loving the team under another coach, but has shown he also really likes the current coach.

Having seen him in person, his skill sets will transfer to any system on any team. If he loves Michigan and has ultimate confidence we'll be excellent no matter what, that could still be more than enough. 

Joined: 07/19/2010

MGoPoints: 6863

neoavatara

December 28th, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^

...what to think.  I think Zettel was a Blue lean...but why decide this week, when you can wait 7 days and know for sure?  If he commits to us...he is all Blue, regardless, and will be beloved.  But I dont know...agree with the above poster, I am not mentally prepared for this today.

Joined: 08/01/2009

MGoPoints: 1726

MH20

December 28th, 2010 at 10:40 AM ^

The recruiting board isn't always up to date.  Plus, with someone of Zettel's abilities, we'll let him come in and start at whichever position he wants (which will most likely be on the defensive line).

Joined: 10/30/2008

MGoPoints: 40453

steve sharik

December 28th, 2010 at 10:44 AM ^

...Michigan will be well-coached at OL or DL over the next five years, and only Penn State can match us academically.

Michigan:

  • well-coached, perhaps competing for B10 titles, national titles
  • best academic school on his list
  • close to home

None of the other schools on his list have all three.  Even ignoring his emotional allegiance to M, if he's rational, he's Blue.

Joined: 08/08/2009

MGoPoints: 13860

michgoblue

December 28th, 2010 at 11:25 AM ^

" perhaps competing for B10 titles, national titles"

I am all for optimism, but after the past three years, and the fact that we lost pretty handily to ALL of the better schools that we played, I think that this may be a bit much.  If we are perhaps competing for B10 and national titles than the schools that we are up against for this kid - Iowa, MSU, PSU - all of whom beat us pretty handily must also be able to make this claim and can do so with more credibility. 

As for well coached, that's a hard argument to make when we don't know who that coach will be.

But, I agree that our academics are the best on the list.

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: 32160

blueheron

December 28th, 2010 at 11:25 AM ^

It has been noted that he grew up a Michigan fan, so there's that.  Not insignificant ...

I wonder where he is academically?  Is he someone for whom UMich would ultimately make a big difference?  (I'm of the opinion that, for some athletes, the difference between the two schools wouldn't matter much.  If you're hawking ball bearings / axels, schmoozing is more important than intellectual virtuosity, right?  The same idea would apply to other occupations that would be heavier on street smarts than book smarts.)  Is he, say, a Zac Ciullo type?

Also, when you consider his hometown (a big speck on the map in that part of the world but still relatively tiny at 2K or so of population), MSU might be a better cultural fit.  I've been all over the state and I've found that smaller, out-of-the-way places tend to have a Sparty flavor.  (That wouldn't explain his supposed life-long UMich fandom.)  He'd find more people of his background in East Lansing.

When the "coaching instability" (such as it is) is considered, he might just as well head elsewhere.

Anyway, I hope he goes blue.  Sounds like a difference-maker ...

Joined: 03/26/2009

MGoPoints: 30649

Dreisbach1817

December 28th, 2010 at 10:50 AM ^

We had Zettel's last official visit.  So we had the ability to get in the last impression from a visit standpoint.

I just find it hard to believe that we would get the last visit, be his favorite since the beginning, and still lose out before the coaching decision is made.  Would be an enormous upset in my mind, but again the timing concerns me.

Joined: 01/12/2010

MGoPoints: 5991

UMICH1606

December 28th, 2010 at 11:02 AM ^

As a frequent visitor of the Zettel family establishment over the years, as I own a cottage in the area, Anthony's folks have made it no secret that they would like Anthony to attend The University of Michigan. They value the education he would be getting first and foremost, but the family are Michigan fans, and it has been a dream of theirs since Anthony has become a Michigan level recruit that he would continue his academic and football career at the University of Michigan.

However, his coach does not think that Michigan is the best fit for him as it stands currently, and in my opinion, this, as well as the CC, has caused the delay in Anthony's recruitment based on my own conversations with Anthony's Mom and Dad.

They are letting Anthony make his own decision though, so we shall see how much their opinion as influenced Anthony's decision.

Joined: 02/21/2010

MGoPoints: 4729