Hand, Settle, Burrell UTL2 Trip

Submitted by canzior on

As some of you may know, I went to the game last weekend.  In the car was Da’Shawn Hand (and father), Tim Settle, Matt Burrell (and father), Coach John Harris, Coach Richard Mcfee(David Terrell’s high school coach), Kevin Johnson of Team Ascension (personal trainers for the kids), and Reid McCoy (Richmond Atlee QB) (and father).  The drive was interesting because Burrell and Settle had played each other than evening, so there was plenty going around about who got the best of who.  We left Virginia around 1 am and met Coach Singletary at the team hotel at 10 am.  We met with all of the coaches in the lobby as they took the team out for a walk-through.  We had breakfast with Singletary and a couple recruiting coordinators.  Beilein and staff were in the hotel having breakfast with some players as well and made their way over to speak and jo0ke around with the guys.  Bacari Alexander has a great sense of humor and challenged Burrell to a game of 1 on 1. Coach Jordan lobbied Singletary to get out on the field, saying he had one redzone-jumpball-toe-tap in him if he were needed.  He had pretty big hands, I think he might’ve done well, but fortunately he wasn’t needed.  After breakfast, Da’shawn and his dad went to go take the academic tour again, and speak with advisors.  This trip was a little divided because Hand was on his official and the other guys were on an unofficial.  So everything from breakfast, team dinner, hotel room was paid for by the recruits except for Da’shawn and his dad.

I would like to point out that Singletary was very aware of everything going on with our trip.  He made it a point to keep Coach Harris informed as to what was allowed and not allowed according to the NCAA and even little things that I’m sure could’ve slid by, he stayed on top of.  It was nice to see, and it makes me even less of a believer of those who claim ignorance when caught.  Even the next day when Da’shawn told him who he hung out with, he already knew.

After watching the start of the UVA game, where Oregon took no time in making people lose interest in the game, we left the hotel around 4 pm to head to the Junge Center for dinner.  Once again, we had to drive separately and pay for parking to stay compliant. We went inside, where we got our tickets, and a delicious meal and we hung around there until 7pm. The recruits filed in with their parents and coaches, and I despite everything I have read, it looked like a reunion of sorts.  So many people knew each other (and of course I’m pointing out all the guys to Burrell and Settle, because I’m THAT guy) and were very close.  It really had the family atmosphere that everyone spoke of.  Parents were introducing themselves to other recruits and making friends with other parents and it was as comfortable a room as one could’ve expected.  The coaches came through a little later including Mattison’s wife ,who Da’shawn asked for some of her famous cookies…and Coach Mattison replied that he doesn’t get cookies for body slams or sacks until he gets to campus.  I also saw Chris Perry, (who I do not know personally, but we did attend the same high school and know many of the same people from there) and while we spoke, he was asked to leave by the compliance staff, because apparently…right.

This is when things got surreal.  Da’shawn steps outside the Junge Center and once he was noticed, there is a rush of people to the gate.  People were screaming (grown men) and yelling and taking pictures, shaking hands, and giving their best pitches for Michigan, most of which included (You gotta choose us”  ‘It’s the only choice” and the ever so eloquent “pleeeeeease come here.”  It was interesting watching the other players sit back and marvel at how much of a celebrity he already was.  And for me, it was the first time I had personally seen Da’shawn embrace and experience how big he really was.  He was having fun taking pictures, although he was told not to do any autographs, he was pulled back inside for the pregame speech from Singletary.  Singletary gave a teary non Rich-Rod-esque speech about the campus and the tradition after showing a video, and then we were ready to hit the field.  We filed out of Junge, and onto the field, to a chorus of cheers from the fans around.  We walked down the tunnel and onto the field and it was great watching these kids see the field for the first time.  There were only about 30,000 fans in the stands at the time, but the environment was incredible.  Da’shawn walking with George Campbell, Drake Harris, and Wilton Speight walked past the student section and began to shake hands and hi-five those who were chanting for a commitment.  We stood out on the field talking and taking pictures until the band came out.  Da’shawn and Wilton were sitting next to each other on the front row, Jashon Cornell was a row behind them, and I was Section 23, Row A, which is 3 rows back on the 48.5 yard line.  For those who were there, the game was spectacular, it was loud, and all of the recruits around me seemed to genuinely enjoy the game.  I was sitting beside the DC from Cass Tech who was under the impression that HE was Brent Musburger and commented after every play on all of his former players. 

After the game, we walked out on the field and back through the tunnel.  I won’t name any names, but there were more than a couple people back at Junge who mentioned to Da’shawn how badly we need a pass rush specialist.

The next morning, Professor Needs-A-Raise met with Da’shawn and his father for breakfast at somewhere swanky I believe, and then he went to go watch film with Coach Mattison and Hoke.  When we arrived at Schembechler Sunday around 11, Hoke was in his office speaking with a few parents.  I noticed he took time to talk to the committed guys and their parents, not just the uncommitted ones.  At the time we left, he had been in his office with Mone and his family for nearly 40 minutes.

It was another awesome experience, I don’t believe Settle or Burrell received offers on the visit, but the coaches and Mrs. Mattison knew who both of them were and where they were from which puts her in the category of greatest wives of all time (along with Carmela Soprano among others.)   They were told that they only expect to take 15 in the 2015 class, so offers will be hard to come by.  As far as which schools they like the most, I can’t speak on, but they both loved Michigan.  They didn’t know that much about the school, but aside from the environment, it was a unique experience to each of them, and I would expect that they are both hoping for a Michigan offer. 

 

 

 

In the pictures:  Hand in the camo (he doesn’t wear school colors on his visits), Burrell with dreads, his dad looks like him but supersized, Coach John Harris (who has worked with Da’shawn, Matt, and Tim) is in the gray Michigan shirt, Coach McPhee (David Terrell’s high school coach and good friends with Hoke and Fred Jackson) is in the black shirt with yellow pants.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hryobq5dxeapunc/tbpvohAUOl

Monocle Smile

September 12th, 2013 at 2:46 PM ^

Thanks for the time and effort put into this.

It might come across as a tease because you don't speculate at the end about Hand's present leanings, but I actually think that reflects well on you.

ilah17

September 12th, 2013 at 2:54 PM ^

What a cool experience for all of you. I have been anxious to read everything I can about what Hand thought on Saturday. I thought it was the perfect game for him to attend. He could see how the team needs him/can use him, but UM still won, so he was able to experience that excitement too. Looking forward to seeing what school he chooses!!

TRIPP3

September 12th, 2013 at 2:57 PM ^

Thanks for the info. It's cool to hear what it is like to be a recruit. Also good to hear Michigan is doing it the right way. Keep the stories coming!

Hail-Storm

September 12th, 2013 at 3:46 PM ^

I thought it felt short.  The OP is a good writer.  

this is cool to get insite into Hand, but almost even cooler to get insite into the recruitment. Despite what Spartan's want us to think, the secret really seems to be genuine guys, who create a family atmosphere, who also know a lot about football.  I loved the pictures too, because as much pressure and following as these kids have, it is fun seeing them (and their dad's/ coaches) just getting to be kids and enjoy the atmosphere. Thanks OP for this. 

Michigan Eaglet

September 12th, 2013 at 3:16 PM ^

Thanks for the update! Awesome picture gallery too. I had to send one of those pictures to my friend who was in the front row in the student section and right in the middle of a picture.

aiglick

September 12th, 2013 at 3:19 PM ^

There are pics so it must have happened.

Seriously really great write up and I hope Ace links to it in the recruiting round up. I bet the pay sites are all going to try to link to it too. Thanks for sharing these tid bits and for being a great, impartial representative of the school to these kids.

Prince Lover

September 12th, 2013 at 3:26 PM ^

But thank you for sharing this info. Well written and you do do a good job of not showing too much bias. I've reread it a couple times hoping to catch a slip up and confirmation of a soft commit but to no avail. Hopefully all 3 at least did have a good time and that's what is important.

Wolvmarine

September 12th, 2013 at 3:26 PM ^

Thanks for the write-up and the info.  Great pics.  Its refreshing to hear how conscious the staff is with maintaining compliance with NCAA rules and regulations. 

Logan88

September 12th, 2013 at 3:45 PM ^

I'd be interested to know how Burrell and Settle feel now that they have visited but STILL haven't been offered. That has to put Michigan behind some other big-time programs. Just weird.

MgoblueAF

September 12th, 2013 at 3:45 PM ^

So, based on your language, obviously C Perry (and others) were coming close to infringing on impermissible benefits. What exactly is wrong w/ former players endorsing the program, though? Is it considered a tangible benefit to just meet an alum?

Moleskyn

September 12th, 2013 at 4:18 PM ^

I interpreted that exchange as "we don't even want to be called into question on the possibility that impermissible benefits were provided to these kids, so you gotta go CP." Personally, I like it. Gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, the UM program really is different and above that crap.

woodfeld

September 12th, 2013 at 4:56 PM ^

If I remember correctly, current or former players (not working as coaches ala Singletary) are not allowed to initiate contact with recruits, unless they knew them before they were recruits.  I seem to remember everyone being in a kerfuffle about James Onwaulu (current ND WR) tweeting at Jashon Cornell, but it passed w/o incident because they went to the same HS.....though if I remember correctly, wasn't Tajh Boyd tweeting at Artavis Scott this summer?  Either way, it doesn't sound like CP was initiating contact here, so maybe it was just a better safe than sorry situation.

alwaystrueblue

September 12th, 2013 at 3:52 PM ^

think that it bothers the recuits to be in such an electric atmosphere as M vs. ND knowing that the series is ending and that they wont get to experience it for themselves on the field of play?

 

Not a big deal i guess....but i bet it does cross their collective minds.

bubblelevel

September 12th, 2013 at 4:02 PM ^

assuming all on the trip said go ahead and post your diary.  Purely opinion but I think that this kind of stuff shouldn't be shared but I guess this is the age of spreading the word electronically.  Hopefully Hand and others don't think they are as great as a bunch of star struck fans (or posters to this site) think they are.  They will have to come in and work and go to the back of line in most cases and learn how to play on an offense/defense for Borges/Mattison.