An Interview with Kris Frost

Submitted by TomVH on

Kris Frost (finally!) made the trip up to Ann Arbor this weekend, with his family. This was a crucial visit for Michigan, as it was the Frost parents' first time up to Michigan. The whole family got a chance to take in the campus together, and here's what Kris had to say about that experience. First the highlights, then the questions. (This is film from this year's State Championship game. Butler won 48-17. Kris is #4)

TOM: How was the trip? 

KRIS: It went fantastic, it really did. I've been up there for camps for the past two seasons, but I've never really gotten to check out the real campus. My family and I went out and looked at everything, it was great. Coach Singletary took us on the tour, and we went out on our own a bit, too. My family and I really loved it. We're all planning on coming back another time before the season starts, this summer.

TOM: Oh wow. You guys are coming back before the season starts, and during the season then?

KRIS: Yeah. The coaches answered a whole lot of questions that we had, just about the general school and everything. They talked about how prestigious the school is, and all that. We really just want to take another look. Every time we go to a school, we go back and try to continue to get that feeling of home. It's been a little harder to get up to Michigan, because it's a little further away than other schools. WIth Michigan, we didn't really get the chance to get up to as much, so we're really trying to make up for that. I'm definitely going to try to make it up to two games during the season, too. I'm not sure the exact date this summer, but my parents are trying to figure that out right now. I believe we might drive to Atlanta, then fly up to Michigan, because it's cheaper. We don't know when, but we're definitely coming up.

TOM: Since your parents had never been to Michigan, what were they expecting, and what did they get out of the visit?

KRIS: They were worried about me being lost in the crowd, because it's such a big school. I was never worried about it, but they were worried I would get lost in the excitement. My mom and dad talked about that, and they said everything was great and more. They saw it wasn't too crowded, and that the attention on the football players is great. The athletes get a lot of attention, so it showed them I wouldn't be on my own. I'd be at a place that I would get taken care of. We all got to see how great the academics are, and how big Michigan is worldwide. They have the most living alumni, except for University of Phoenix, since that's an online program, but that doesn't really count. They were amazed by that, and all the support you get for playing for the University of Michigan. They realized how much opportunity there is in life after football there.

TOM: You got a tour with Coach Singletary you said, did you get a chance to sit down with any other coaches?

KRIS: We had a chance to sit down with Coach Rod(riguez). We talked about how I would fit in at michigan, and that I would have the chance to play receiver. That's always a big plus in my book. It's not all too important where I play, I'd rather play receiver, but that's not going to tell where I go. They've seen me play receiver and linebacker, so that's a plus that they said I would get the chance to try out for both spots. It really exposed me to them, and really made me feel at home.

TOM: What is your relationship like with the coaches?

KRIS: Coach Gibson is recruiting me, but I have a great relationship with Coach Rod, and all the coaches. They're all great guys, they really take care of all the kids there. They really feel like learning is a top priority there, and it's not all about football to them. Obviously we all want to win football games, but there's more than that. I got a lot of feedback from them.

TOM: You've been to Michigan now a few times, how was this visit different for you?

KRIS: Well, like I said, I had never gotten to see the whole campus. I didn't really get to see it at camps. I really got to see everything, and there's a lot more that I'm going to see before the summer's up. It really helped me see different aspects of the school. I actually got to see some of the classrooms, and what those are like. It was great, and it was a great look into the school side of it. It showed me how I would be living, and everything. It showed me how much I enjoy being there, and what it would be like to be a student there. That's what I really look at when I go to schools. Michigan really came off as a great place to live.

TOM: At this point, can you rank or compare this visit to the others?

KRIS: Of course I've taken more visits to Auburn, but I haven't taken visits to my other top schools (LSU, Cal, Clemson). With Auburn, it's pretty close. Michigan is a school that I love a whole lot, and I always have. Auburn has put a lot of work in to recruiting me. Both of those schools seem closely related in how the visits went, and they're almost identical. They don't look the same, but I'm getting a similar feel out of it. When I go to all the other schools, I'll be able to tell you how they all match up.

Comments

MGoAndy

June 23rd, 2010 at 12:22 AM ^

I'll be very disappointed in RR if he doesn't land this kid.  Excellent head on his shoulders from the sound of things, and a top 30 player who grew up loving Michigan.  Exactly the kind of guy RR should make the centerpiece of his recruiting classes.  

MgoViper

June 23rd, 2010 at 12:42 AM ^

I am cautiously optimistic.....like Kris said....he will have a better feel for things after he goes on the other visits... again, nice piece Tom

HartAttack20

June 23rd, 2010 at 12:51 AM ^

Sounds like Frost is cautiously excited about Michigan. I like the way he's attacking his recruitment, and he is making sure he gets all the info he needs on his top schools. I don't just say that because he wants to come to michigan multiple times before he decides, but I would feel the same way if I were being recruited. I wouldn't just pick a University that I rooted for growing up, I'd want to see what else was out there. I'm sure he'll make the right decision in the end. Hopefully the right decision for him is Michigan.

jvblaha

June 23rd, 2010 at 1:12 AM ^

Butler and Charlotte Independence have been winning 4A state championships as long as I can remember.  Having a pipeline into the Charlotte area (one of the most rapidly growing in the country) would be great for the future.

jvblaha

June 23rd, 2010 at 1:34 AM ^

Mecklenburg County had a school of choice program for a while that allowed Independence to stock up on talent and win 7 consecutive state championships.  Now that the program has been limited the talent in the area is distributed a little more evenly.  Northern Guilford is turning into a recruiting hot bed as well and Cal may have the pipeline there after flipping Keenan Allen away from Alabama on signing day.

Magnus

June 23rd, 2010 at 5:49 AM ^

I get the feeling that Frost would be a Cam Gordon type - play receiver for a year, then move to defense.

Butler is definitely loaded, though.  He's the #27 prospect in the country (on Rivals) and he got lost in the crowd in those highlights.

DGDestroys

June 23rd, 2010 at 8:09 AM ^

I want your opinion.. do you think he's worthy of the #27 prospect in the country? Or do you agree with Scout's more conservative view on him. I know the first time I saw his tape on scout I was blown away that he was rated in such a mediocre fashion, but I don't know if you share this opinion or not.

Magnus

June 23rd, 2010 at 8:40 AM ^

To be honest, I'm a little surprised that he's ranked that high on Rivals.  I expect him to drop some over there.  He'll probably end up being a top 100 player, but not #27.

How highly I think of him depends on whether he's playing receiver or linebacker.  As a receiver, I'd definitely take him but he's not the burner I'd like to see opposite Shawn Conway in this class.  As a linebacker, I think he has a ton of potential.  He plays a little bit reckless at times, but that can be reined in, I think.

By the way, you should definitely not praise the ground I walk on.  It's littered with dirty diapers and used hypodermic needles.  Also, I have Athlete's Foot.

OHbornUMfan

June 23rd, 2010 at 8:07 AM ^

In reference to comments about establishing a pipeline:

It seems that often teammates who are friends and both being recruited begin by saying that they might be a package deal and end by going their own way.  Given the individuality of kids and the salesmanship of many top recruiters, does getting a kid from a top program into your school have much impact on where those following him might end up?  It seems that the most important link to establish is with the coaching staff.  However, when a team that is chock full o' talent sends kids to different schools, can any of team claim a pipeline?

What is the most important element to establishing a true pipeline, i.e. an annual conduit for the top talent on a given high school team to a given university?

jvblaha

June 23rd, 2010 at 11:31 AM ^

In my non expert opinion, it kind of depends on the school.  I think less affluent schools are more likely to send a lot of players to the same place because the players need to trust that the schools are going to be the place to take advantage of their opportunity to move beyond what may have been a rough childhood.  In other words, if a teammate has had a good experience it seems like less of a risk.

Kids from wealthier families may take looks at more schools and feel comfortable knowing they have the family support if football doesn't work out.

Those are just my thoughts and they could be way off base.

Magnus

June 23rd, 2010 at 12:09 PM ^

Kids from wealthier families may take looks at more schools and feel comfortable knowing they have the family support if football doesn't work out.

I don't think you can assume that wealthier families automatically have more family support than poorer families.

Six Zero

June 23rd, 2010 at 9:25 AM ^

(Stealing a line from... not sure, was it Mark Messner's recruiting visit?)

"Frost, you're coming to Michigan... because you know any other school you go to will be second best!"

john22

June 23rd, 2010 at 1:48 PM ^

Seems like he had a great visit. and he is coming back up, even better sign. just let the season play out and before you know it michigan will land all the guys they suppose to and more!!!

Durham Blue

June 23rd, 2010 at 2:22 PM ^

Frost is an elite football player, he plays a position of need for Michigan, he is articulate and knowledgeable ("...and how big Michigan is worldwide. They have the most living alumni, except for University of Phoenix, since that's an online program, but that doesn't really count...").  I chuckled when I read that.

WolvinLA2

June 23rd, 2010 at 10:19 PM ^

How can one school have a fighting chance if he's a lock to another school?  And how can you say a kid who just said "I loved it, my parents loved it, we're coming back again, it's about even with Auburn" is a lock to anywhere?

Better question - why did I bother responding?

GRIGGS616

June 23rd, 2010 at 8:39 PM ^

Sounds like auburn will get him, b/c of the distance. It was brought up a few times, and in the end i think his paents will keep him closer to home, seeing how he likes both schools around the same level.. but i hope im wrong