An Interview with OL Joshua Garnett

Submitted by TomVH on

When Michigan fans hear Washington offensive lineman they typically think of 6-foot-9, 310-pound Zach Banner who has said he will take an official visit to Michigan. Banner, however, isn't the only highly touted lineman from Washington that has interest in Michigan.

Four star OL Joshua Garnett (6'5", 275 lbs) holds an offer from the Wolverines as well. Garnett also happens to be the 22nd overall prospect in the nation, which ranks higher than Banner at 31. Here's a look at Garnett's film and what he had to say about Michigan.

TOM: We haven't heard too much from you, is Michigan recruiting you?

JOSHUA: Yes, they are. Coach Ferrigno is recruiting me, he's a very nice guy and we talk quite often actually.

TOM: It's tough to gauge someone's interest when they live in Washington. Are you interested in Michigan?

JOSHUA: Yes, very much interested. Michigan has a great football tradition and is also one of the top academic schools in the nation.

TOM: Are you interested enough that you think you'll take a visit to Michigan?

JOSHUA: Yes definitely. It will most likely be an official visit.

TOM: From the sounds of that I assume that you'll be taking your time with your recruitment then? Do you have a plan on when you want to narrow things down?

JOSHUA: Yeah, I plan on taking my time. I'll most likely have it down to five before the season starts. 

TOM: Since you said you want to take an official to Michigan does that mean that they will most likely make the top five? I understand this isn't 100%, but as of right now, most likely?

JOSHUA: Yes, that's correct.

TOM: Michigan isn't just a car ride away for you. Is distance going to factor in to this at all for you?

JOSHUA: Distance is definitely never an issue. I like to say that a plane ride is a plane ride whether it's two hours or six hours.

TOM: What's the main reason you're interested in Michigan? Did you grow up a fan?

JOSHUA: I have always wanted to play in that Michigan - Ohio State game. I think that is a big reason why I like Michigan. That game is probably the biggest in college football, and the rivalry is unexplainable.

TOM: That's an answer that Michigan fans will enjoy hearing. Since they probably haven't heard much on you can you explain what type of lineman you are?

JOSHUA: I'm a bullet, not a bowling ball. I'm very fast and explosive. I really use my agility to beat defensive linemen instead of just my strength.

Comments

jg2112

May 28th, 2011 at 8:00 AM ^

Doesn't this prospect subscribe to your "U Recruit" Service? And if he does (which it sure looks like it does, just like Pierre Aka and Jordan Simmons), don't you think you should be disclosing that financial relationship to your readers when you post an article like this?

TomVH

May 28th, 2011 at 11:19 AM ^

No, I don't, since there is no financial relationship. They all signed up on their own for free. I actually didn't even realize that Joshua was signed up with us until a few weeks ago. 

This was the first time I've spoken directly with Joshua, and anyone that signs up for free doesn't get direct help from us so there is no conflict.

jg2112

May 28th, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^

Fair enough.

However, you really ought to vet those recruits who are in fact signed up to your website before posting an article, and also acknowledge at the bottom of your post that the recruit is in fact a member of your site, lest you get questions from people other than me wondering about the motivations for you interviewing prospects and publishing their articles at MGo.

/ombudsman'd

Bluestreak

May 27th, 2011 at 2:58 AM ^

If a kid wants to come to Michigan to play in the rivalry game - I'd spread out the maize and blue carpet for him.

If we get both Banner and Garnett .. I'm pretty sure we'll win the rivalry game.

AlbMichFan

May 27th, 2011 at 3:46 AM ^

He sounds like a smart kid that understands the whole process. The O and D line are gonna be amazing in this recruting class, actually the whole class is gonna be great...

Crentski

May 27th, 2011 at 3:48 AM ^

You bring life to my graveyard shift. Thanks for the update, as always. I wasn't aware we were: A) Pursuing him, and B) Actually have a legit shot.

ryebreadboy

May 27th, 2011 at 5:06 AM ^

Interesting comments.  It'd be great if he took an official out here to check everything out.  I assume our main competition is everyone.  Important note: that rivalry game is a home game this year.  Sounds like a good time for an official visit, to me.

The one thing I'm worried about is that a lot of these top prospects (Banner, Garnett, Jenkins, Washington) seem to want to take their time with everything through the season.  If the class keeps filling at the rate is has been, we might not have the room at that point (since I'm assuming there are lower-ranked guys at the same positions that might be more willing to commit earlier).  How are we going to deal with that?  I'm all for signing 'em up, but I also don't want to miss out on top-flight recruits because of it.  I mean the class is half full already and we're nowhere near official visit time.

JimLahey

May 27th, 2011 at 7:49 AM ^

These coaches are shooting for the stars with recruiting. If things go our way we could end up with our best class of the rivals era. I absolutely love that we're going hard after some of the nation's elite prospects.

Magnus

May 27th, 2011 at 2:30 PM ^

He looks like a left guard to me.  I don't think he has the height/wingspan to play tackle.  But he moves his feet well and has that nasty streak where he blocks to the echo of the whistle.  He reminds me a bit of Patrick Omameh, but bigger than Omameh was at the same time in his career.

I did see a couple plays where it looked like he could have been called for holding, but it's not like that negates all of his other skills.  I'm also not sure how good his competition is, but the skills are obvious.

Overall, he's a very good player.  I would take him in a heartbeat.

BiSB

May 27th, 2011 at 10:57 PM ^

But they seemed to derive from an attempts to pancake absolutely everyone.  He wasn't in bad position, and he wasn't reaching; he just wanted to smash a motherf*cker into the turf. 

Holding is obviously bad, but I'd prefer "mean streak holding" to a guy who holds regularly 'cause he's getting beaten off the edge. Being smarter about hand use can be taught.  Learn to not get out of position is tougher.

Logan88

May 27th, 2011 at 12:05 PM ^

I am not a fan of country music myself but it was...interesting...to hear it used in a HS football player's highlight film.

Kind of refreshing to hear a different sound than the standard hip-hop/rap stuff (not a fan of that music, either) that is pretty much ubiquitous in those vids.

TrppWlbrnID

May 27th, 2011 at 9:05 AM ^

but can someone let me know the details of an official vs unofficial visit.  who pays airfare, lodging, meals? is there a time limit from departure to return? who tips the skycap? do they sit first class or coach or charter? do coaches go there and ride on the plane to michigan with them to detroit to make sure they don't get lost and have some extra recruiting time?

JeepinBen

May 27th, 2011 at 9:07 AM ^

Unofficial Visits are paid for by the recruit / 's famliy. That's why a lot of the Michigan/Ohio guys have visited already, they can afford to so they just drive to AA.

Official Visits are paid for by the Universty (or athletic department probably). Students can only take 5 official visits and there's paperwork and what not to make sure that they're all Kosher. You'll see people use officials to go farther, like these WA or CA kids coming east, or FL kids coming north. I think they can only happen in season, so that's why no one has taken an official yet. 

Gurus please add info and correct below..

ken725

May 27th, 2011 at 1:46 PM ^

When a recruit from out of the area visits now it is a pretty big deal because it is totally on their dime.

You are correct about people taking officials to school further away.  I can't remember who, but the person opted not to take an official to a closer school since he has visited it multiple times in the past. 

Bodogblog

May 27th, 2011 at 9:30 AM ^

Scout:  5*, #1 OG



Rivals:  4*, #22 in the country as Tom said (they haven't ranked positions yet)



247sports:  4*, #7 OT, #40 in the country



ESPN:  Watchlister, and their fake rankings had him rated as 82, the #9 OT (based on what they had up a few weeks ago http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/espn-2012-rankings-mistakenly-out)

Auburn, Cal, Nebraska, ND, Oregon, Stanford, USC, UCLA, Washington offers

BrownJuggernaut

May 27th, 2011 at 9:48 AM ^

But I've never heard a player straight up say "I want to play in The Game." Man, I know some people are worried about the lack of OL commits so far, but with Banner and Garnett and some of the other guys (Magnuson and Diamond), I'm very excited about the potential of this OL class. Banner seems like an absolute lion/leader. Garnett has a good head on his head. I've been impressed with both Diamond and Magnuson as well.

Loukdogg

May 27th, 2011 at 10:42 AM ^

I read this blog multiple times a day  but post rarely, so forgive me if I'm not following protocol by asking this here. 

Tom, do you know if Michigan has offered Daniel Gibbs an OL from Birmingham Seaholm?  I know he has visited but haven't seen his name anywhere on any recruiting updates lately.  I had heard that he was hearing from Wisconsin and I don't want to see Michigan losing our own kids to them.

I know the kid is a real good student and dominates the league he is in, but that may not mean he is a premier talent.   Any insight?

CR509

May 27th, 2011 at 10:48 AM ^

and I'll tell you first hand this kid has All-American written all over him. He's a good size kid who packs a hell of a punch. He moves very, very well as you can see on the video. I have seen Banner multiple times as well, and if we can somehow get both these kids in this class it would be unreal.