TVH Weekly: Visit Reactions from Chris Wormley, Kaleb Ringer and More
This past weekend was Michigan's junior day and by all accounts was a success. There were a ton of prospects in to watch practice and take part in a few tours. Here's a look at how a few of those recruits felt about the trip.
Chris Wormley
6'4", 255 lbs.
Defensive End
Toledo, Ohio
Wormley is one of the top ranked prospects in Ohio for 2012 and is also one of the main targets for the Michigan staff. He's been on campus before, but this was his first chance to see the new coaches in action.
My mom and dad were up there with me. We watched practice first, went to lunch, and then they took us on a tour of the locker room and everything. I noticed in practice that the coaches are real patient and there's not a lot of yelling. It definitely helped me get a better understanding of how they coach and how they work. This visit definitely helped Michigan.
Chris also got a chance to get some one on one time with Coach Montgomery and Mattison.
We were just talking about general stuff, just chit chat. They talked about the defense and that I would most likely be playing what they call the rusher position on the outside.
While Chris has been on campus before, this visit gave him a little bit of a better understanding for the program in general. He talked about the academics and when he wants to make his decision.
I think what stood out to me the most was how seriously they take the academics up there. The academics are first and football's second; I like that. My parents were having some good conversations too, so it was good. I either want to make my decision before the season starts or after. It will be too big of a distraction during the season. If I'm not 100% comfortable then I'll do it after the season.
Michigan has been high on Wormley's list for some time and the new coaching staff has made a definite impression on him and his family. It's a race now between Michigan and Ohio State for Wormley.
Kaleb Ringer
6'0", 220 lbs.
Linebacker
Clayton, Ohio
Ringer decided to make another trip up to Ann Arbor, and he has also decided on a date to make his final announcement.
I'll be making my announcement on April 15th at 6:00 [EST]. But yeah I was up there for a photo shoot with Tom Lemming and then I stayed for practice. When I got there Coach Hoke came up to me and hugged me. It was cool, but I didn't stay for the junior day. I just wanted to make sure I spoke with the staff before I left.
I then asked Kaleb if this visit let him see anything new or different from what he had already seen from the coaches and the University.
No, they have been real with me from day one. I was mostly checking out the linebackers to see how they play. They really stress physicality and I like that.
While he didn't necessarily see anything new while watching practice there was an aspect that he saw that stood out to him.
I saw a family on the football field, not just a team. You couldn't tell who the stars were on the team, everyone blended. I think they have accepted Coach Hoke's vision and bought into it, and so have I.
Ringer currently has offers from Michigan, Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisville, and Toledo. Like he said, he will be making his announcement on April 15th. It's an announcement to tune in to.
Mario Ojemudia
6'3", 220 lbs.
Defensive End
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Mario made it up to Ann Arbor with his teammate TE Devin Funchess. They both took in practice as well.
We went to practice and talked to Coach Jackson and saw all the coaches. I had a long talk with Coach Hoke, too. He basically talked about what Michigan has to offer and the tradition there. I liked the visit more than I thought I would. I liked it more because of the coaches, they're just really easy to talk and get a long with. I didn't expect all that. We were all just talking about life a lot, especially with Coach Jackson.
The visit seemed to make an impression on Mario, and practice gave him a better view of how the Michigan coaches operate.
They said I would be a hybrid type. I could put my hand in the dirt or drop back into coverage. Watching practice I liked how it was ran. Everyone was hustling and it was 100%. I was basically trying to watch the ends and outside linebackers. After that Coach Singletary took me around by myself and gave me a tour. He was just telling me how Michigan is different.
Ojemudia is hoping to make his final decision before the season starts. He's going to wait until the summer to narrow down his list. He also told me that this visit definitely helped Michigan in his mind.
Wayne Morgan
5'11", 188 lbs.
Cornerback
Brooklyn, New York
Morgan is a prospect who hasn't been talked about too much yet. He already has offers from Alabama, Boston College, UConn, Maryland, Miami, Penn State, and now Michigan.
I sat down with Coach Hoke and he asked me if I think I have a scholarship from Michigan. I said no, and he said well you do.
Rutgers has a slight edge right now because of familiarity and how much he knows about their program. This visit was big for Michigan in that regard, and it gave him a better feel for what Michigan has to offer.
We went around the stadium, the weight room, and the academic center. Coach Mattison was showing me coverages that they run. I saw a lot and all my questions were answered. I basically wanted to know about academics and how I would stand in a school like that. The visit got me closer to the coaches, so that helped.
Besides the coaches, the Big House was an exciting part of the visit for Wayne.
Practice was good, it showed me how they coached. But it was great to be in the Big House. I've never been inside something like that, it just blows your mind to be in the Big House.
Morgan will take more visits and try to gain more comfortability with some of the other programs that have offered. He could end up being a key recruit because of his versatility. He could potentially try out at the corner or safety spot at the next level.
Extra:
Michigan TE Ron Thompson (6'4", 210 lbs) might be announcing his decision this week. Michigan is in good position with Thompson.
If you missed it, here are the reactions from Michigan's first commitment Ben Braden, and another visitor in LB Joe Bolden.
Instate DE Matt Godin decided to head over to Michigan's practice after the Tom Lemming photo shoot as well. He told me that Michigan keeps moving up every time he goes there. He's still not sure when he wants to decide, but I have a feeling he's getting closer. He's likely to take a few more visits though.
Massachusetts LB Camren Williams committed to Penn State while on his visit. His teammate ATH Armani Reeves was also on the visit with him, but won't be making his decision until December. Michigan still has a chance with Reeves despite his teammate committing to PSU.
March 27th, 2011 at 10:49 PM ^
Thanks for the update Tom. It's shaping up to look like a pretty good class, considering that our staff has had less time to recruit these kids than a lot of other programs.
Would love to hear his reaction....
<br>
Pike is coming on Tuesday.
March 28th, 2011 at 12:08 PM ^
Does anybody think it may be a good thing that Pike is coming on Tuesday? He will basically get the attention of all of the coaches as he will be there by himself. Anyways, it will be interesting to hear what he says after the visit.
March 27th, 2011 at 10:50 PM ^
Thanks Tom. Any read on Pittman's visit? I'm curious how big time prospects like Wormley and Pittman get along on a big junior day.
At this point, I think Pittman is looking like a longshot. That is just my opinion based on what I have read.
March 27th, 2011 at 10:55 PM ^
You know, Coach Hoke needs to cool it on the hugs and touching.
If he's landing recruits left and right I don't care if they invite Chris Hansen to Junior Day.
just likes to touch kids, alright. Why is that so weird?
"You don't wanna hurt yourself dancing, you better stretch out those creamy hamstrings"
March 27th, 2011 at 10:59 PM ^
for the update. It certainly looks like Hoke is projecting a family atmosphere. I dont know about al the touching though. /s
March 27th, 2011 at 11:03 PM ^
Ojemudia's picture in this post is frightening.
March 27th, 2011 at 11:13 PM ^
Yeah, he looks like a ghost.
I wouldn't want to line up opposite from that cat.
March 27th, 2011 at 11:04 PM ^
We need. He good. That all.
March 27th, 2011 at 11:13 PM ^
"I think they have accepted Coach Hoke's vision and bought into it, and so have I."
Is this a hint for Ringer?!?
Also, that pic of Ojemudia is very odd.
March 27th, 2011 at 11:33 PM ^
he also mentions that you should tune in to his announcement...
March 27th, 2011 at 11:40 PM ^
OMG Shirtless says Sam Webb's gut was about a kid who was going to commit the day before the Spring game (4/15). GoBlueWolverine has a story up titled "Michigan still #1 with Ringer", and he stopped by WTKA to record an interview on his way back home.
<br>Scout has him as 3* now, and the #16 player in Ohio. #1 LB though
<br>Add RJS and Ross and we're done at LB
Even though he's a 3* on scout, he is a ESPN150 watch lister. Either way, being the number 1 LB in OH is pretty good I'd say.
March 28th, 2011 at 12:57 PM ^
See the post above re. Allen Trieu's comments. It would seem odd that Scout's #1 LB in OH wouldn't end up being a 4*, but I think it's a matter of high quality in front of him rather than a statement on his ability.
Though I don't think he's on the ESPNU Watchlist at the moment - I see Joe Bolden and Josh Perry (who are the #17 and #18 players in OH for Scout, just behind Ringer), on ESPNU's list. But no Ringer at the moment. Insert boilerplate on trusting of coaches over stars here
#1 LB. I don't want to know anything more about this kid, ever.
For the star gazers, Allen Trieu at Scout said that there could be 20+ 4* and 5* players in the state of Ohio this year. With Ringer being ranked #16 it is pretty safe to say he'll be a 4* when the rankings are updated.
For the non-star gazers, this kid can flat out play. Only negative seems to be his height, but at 6' he's plenty big enough to make an impact.
Being the #1 LB in Ohio, I expected him to be in the Rivals 250 watchlist. On the other hand I think this is just rivals basically ingoring the midwest when they evaulate players.
They somehow have an analyst to scout just the state of Florida, but they do not have a dedicated midwest recruiting analyst.
March 27th, 2011 at 11:13 PM ^
March 27th, 2011 at 11:17 PM ^
I think we're really starting to pick up some momentum. I feel really good about Ringer, Thompson, and Godin going BLUE. I have a gut feeling (not quite Sam Webb gut feeling) about Funchess really liking UM and being in the ear of his teammmates.
As for Mr. Wormley, GO BLUE!!
March 27th, 2011 at 11:26 PM ^
HUGS!!!
March 27th, 2011 at 11:29 PM ^
Yeah, when he said he's also bought into Hoke's vision that pretty much told me he's going to be a Wolverine.
Was just wondering if you or anyone has seen him in person? Film is good but I think you notice more in person. Anyways he seems like a soild player and we need linebackers!
First time I've seen his film. Looks to have some spectacular vision.
It's nice to see him hit people and drive them back instead of them spinning away or falling forward for a couple more yards. Looks to be a very solid, hard hitting LB that would look good in the Maize and Blue.
March 27th, 2011 at 11:58 PM ^
Too bad we lost a LB and DE to Penn State this week.
March 28th, 2011 at 12:20 AM ^
March 28th, 2011 at 12:35 AM ^
Brent Wilkerson from DeMatha.
March 28th, 2011 at 12:42 AM ^
Ahh, OK. Was he that high on our list? It seems like we'll take 3 DEs at most, with two of them likely to be Godin and Wormley. This doesn't bother me much.
I'm not too worried either. We've offered 21 DEs so far.
Wilkerson's pretty good, but there are others like him. I'm kind of just waiting for a couple kids to commit to Ohio State, because I think things will fall into place for Michigan after that happens. We've offered several kids in Ohio and the surrounding areas, and I think we'll essentially have our pick of the litter whenever OSU is finished.
How many DL can osu realistically take? I have heard osu people say maybe 6-7 DL, but that seems really high.
I don't think it will be that many. They have about 16 defensive linemen who will be on the roster in 2011, and only 2 of them are seniors. If depth is spread out evenly throughout the roster, then you want about 3.75 players per position.
So 16 is a good number, and they'll be at 14 (unless players transfer or quit). I don't see how they could possibly take 6-7 defensive linemen.
March 28th, 2011 at 12:37 AM ^
He is one of the four big time prospects out of DeManta. But PSU can have him if we can get Diggs *fingers-crossed*
I'm not sure if you know this, but Diggs is from Our Lady of Good Counsel.
Ron thompson, the 6'4 receiver out of East point is gonna be a michigan commit. He had a sweet camp at the best of the midwest and his junior season was solid. We are the only major school to offer him, i think he'll be a real steal.
Check him out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HRtrK6MxFk
But - doesn't he have grade issues?
That is Aaron Burbridge.
Great News shaping up to be a nice class Any more word on the OlieO State commit
Bri'onte Dunn?
I think this class is forming up very, very nicely. We will have 20+ scholarships, and getting a head start on some of these kids is fantastic. Clearly there is an environment there with Hoke that is conducive to appealing to some of these kids.
It would be awesome to have 2-3 more kids drop to us before the spring game.
Thanks Tom for the update, it will be interesting to see what Pike has to say after his Tuesday visit.
Sounds like Ringer is a silent commit maybe??
" I just wanted to make sure I spoke with the staff before I left."
I think he let is slip out on the internets with his interview with Sam as well.
They were talking about the hats that were going to be on the table, and Sam was joking with Kaleb about Iowa's hat missing from that group because Kaleb's dad is in the room. Kaleb's dad is an Iowa alum.
Kaleb was laughing as he was telling Sam that both of his parents have been supportive of any school he wants to visit, and are supportive of his decision. However, his dad will "just have to watch Iowa lose for 4 years".
Go Blue Kaleb!
March 28th, 2011 at 10:17 AM ^
Wasn't he the guy whose father was a long time Michigan fan, who called his visit here a "10" and said how wowed he was by everything, who had 4-5 more visits to make and who said he was going to decide in June? Then he goes on his second visit and commits to PSU? You can never put too much stock in what recruits say when they visit.
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