TomVH: A Few Quick Updates

Submitted by TomVH on

Just wanted to give a little update so you don't think I'm leaving you hanging. Neither of the offensive linemen, Eric Olson and Adam Brisnowaty, committed on their visit to Michigan. I should be talking to both today, so I'll have more from them soon.

Fullbacks have been quite the talk lately, and it seems like if Michigan doesn't get one of the high end running backs like Bri'onte Dunn they could try to reel in a fullback. Utah FB Sione Houma is visiting this weekend, I should also have more from him later or after his visit. Most likely after his visit.

On the same note I spoke with Texas FB EJ Fatu and he told me that Michigan is in fact his top school right now. I couldn't get too much out of him like when he plans on deciding, but he said that Michigan is top for him because they're Michigan and it's a great school. 

Another interesting note is that Cali OL Erik Magnuson will be on hand for the unveiling of the Michigan Throwback jerseys Friday night at the Big House. I'd say that's a pretty cool scene for a recruit and his dad to take in on their first trip to Ann Arbor.

I'll have more info as always in the Weekly Update. If you have requests you can put them in the comment section here. 

BlockM

June 9th, 2011 at 12:33 PM ^

That's the thing. Oregon's jerseys are awesome. For them. Our identity is tradition, theirs is flashy jerseys. If Michigan decided sometime in the early 1900's that they were going to design new jerseys for each game, everyone here would be saying, "Hah, look at all those lame schools that have had the same one jersey for decades."

That said, I'm not going to let jerseys with striped arms ruin my day.

MGOUSMC

June 9th, 2011 at 12:08 PM ^

I was wondering has Michigan offered any fullbacks for this years class, or as you stated, are they waiting to offer until the guys at half back come off the board? By coming off the board i mean, giving a solid verbal to another program?

seanml11

June 9th, 2011 at 1:01 PM ^

Tom are we slow playing some of these OL recruits? I assume we take 5 OL recruits, and since we already have 2 OL commits, I assume it is not first come first serve with some of these recruits. It looks like magnuson and Diamond are in very good position for UM so are we waiting on the higher tier recruits like Banner to decide before we take an Olsen? Just seems like we can be very selective on OL and was wondering what you have been hearing.

Jasper

June 9th, 2011 at 12:41 PM ^

I don't think Michigan has had any of those players recently. At the risk of veering into the land of political incorrectness, I wouldn't mind seeing Michigan get on the Pacific Islander football train. To date, it's belonged almost exclusively to the Pac Ten schools, which is understandable when geography is considered.

J. Lichty

June 9th, 2011 at 2:03 PM ^

the mormon's missionized in the South Pacific with a great deal of success, in particular in Samoa and Tonga.  The prevalence of islanders on BYU and Utah is no accident.  Each Pac Ten school as at least one islander on their roster. 

A samoan is 40 times more likely to make it to the NFL than an American.

http://espn.go.com/gen/s/2002/0527/1387562.html

Here is a list froma few seasons ago of the Somoans and Tongans in the NFL

SAMOAN

1   JONATHAN FANENE    AS    BENGALS    DE

2   DOMATA PEKO    AS    BENGALS    DT

3   PAUL SOLIAI    AS    DOLPHINS    DT

4   JUNIOR SIAVII    AS    COWBOYS    DT

5   ISAAC SOPOAGA    AS    49ERS    DE

6   REY MAUALUGA    CA    BENGALS    DE

7   TALAVOU KELLY    USA   RAVENS    NT

8   KALUKA MAIAVA    HI    BROWNS    LB

9   TROY POLUMALU    CA    STEELERS    SS

1 0  VINCE MANUWAI    HI    JAGUARS    G

11   JUNIOR SEAU    CA    PATRIOTS    LB

12   PITOITUA ROPATI    USA   JETS    DT

13   SAMSON SATELE    HI    RAIDERS    C

14   BRANDON MANUMALEUNA   CA    CHARGERS    TE

15   AL AFALAVA    HI    BEARS    SS

16   PISA TINOISAMOA    CA    BEARS    LB

17   MATT TOEAINA    CA    BEARS    DT

18   ROY MILLER    WA    BUCCANEERS    DT

19   MIKE SELLERS    WA    REDSKINS    FB

20   LOFA TATUPU    MA    SEAHAWKS    LB

21   CJ AH YOU    HI    RAMS    DT

TONGAN

1   HALOTI NGATA    UT   RAVENS    DE

2   DAVID VEIKUNE    USA   BROWNS    DE

3   CHRIS KEMOEATU    HI    STEELERS    OT

4   FILI MOALA    USA   COLTS    DT

5   FUI VAKAPUNA    UT   BENGALS    FB

6   TAHI NAUFAHU    UT    VIKINGS    FB

7   MAAKE MEOEATU    HI    PANTHERS    DT

8   FENUKI TUPOU    USA   EAGLES    T

9   DEUCE LUTUI    USA   CARDINALS    G

10   MOISE FOKOU    USA   EAGLES    LB

Interestingly, the players almost all come from American Samoa, as opposed to the separate nation of Western Samoa which is a protectorate of New Zealand.  Western Samoans are very prevelant in the ranks of New Zealand's representative rugby teams including theAll Blacks.

Having played Rugby with many Samoans and Tongans, it is easy to see why they have had so much success in NFL and international Rugby.  Athletically, they have amazing genetics, frequently with an unbelievable combination of size and speed.  While many islanders play finesse style in Rugby (or some would pejoratively say soft) leading to a lack of great success in the 15 a side game  there is never any doubting the physical skill and power of individual players, and much of that is likely due more to island culture. Indeed, the Western Samoa rugby side which is made up almost exclusively of New Zealand born and bred players has been a formidable opponent in the 15 a side game over the last 20 years. 

Blue in Yarmouth

June 9th, 2011 at 5:31 PM ^

I have followed international rugby for the better part of three decades and the best rugby player I have seen has been Jonah Lomu from New Zeland. There has never been a player of his size, skill, speed and power in the game since (and not many before from what I have seen in older footage). The man was simply amazing.

TomVH

June 9th, 2011 at 12:47 PM ^

The decision timelines for everyone probably make it so that it will just play itself out. There's a chance that there could be some overlap, but I think it should play out fine.

hausoian

June 9th, 2011 at 12:54 PM ^

Tom, what are the fullback prospects saying about how they will be used in the offense? Also, how many fullbacks do you think the coaches want on the roster?

jethro34

June 9th, 2011 at 1:14 PM ^

You are correct about the Mormon thing.  Tonga and Samoa each have Mormon temples on the islands (also there are 2 in Hawaii and one each in Tahiti and Fiji).  This is pretty significant considering the size of the populations there and that Mormons don't just build a temple any old place.  For several years the onlt US temple west of the Mississippi was near Washington DC.  There are 134 worldwide and 14 are in Utah.