TomVH: Two Quick Updates
For those of you that follow me on Twitter you already know this, but OL Jake Fisher is announcing on Signing Day at 8pm. I'm not sure what he's going to do, but I'm not really optimistic about it. We'll see.
The second part is great news. LB Kellen Jones was selected to play in the USA Football Team USA vs. The World game on Signing day. There's a ton of big names in that game so it will give Kellen a great chance to go up against some top talent.
Details and the website are here. http://www.usavworld.com/2011/
January 31st, 2011 at 4:45 PM ^
Tom NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
January 31st, 2011 at 4:46 PM ^
That's a guess, so it's nothing that I really know that you don't. The Oregon analysts seem to think they'll get him, but they always do.
January 31st, 2011 at 4:55 PM ^
Tom you have forgotten more about recruiting then i will ever know. Appreciate all the hard work and where can I send a Fisher gift basket?
January 31st, 2011 at 4:58 PM ^
If you send him a gift basket sign it from Chip Kelly and send a photo to the NCAA at the same time.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:47 PM ^
Why stop there? Gift Basket? Why not send Oregon Ducks Girls Gone Wild DVD's from Chip?
January 31st, 2011 at 8:41 PM ^
January 31st, 2011 at 9:38 PM ^
I too like it loud and honky, Oregon cheerleaders. I too.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:00 PM ^
its a two-horse race between us and oregon or do MSU and florida have a legitimate shot as well?
January 31st, 2011 at 5:04 PM ^
wonder if the 8pm announcement was a consideration for the time difference for oregon.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:35 PM ^
I thought the same thing for Avery Walls when he announced early morning EST. He still picked Cal.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:05 PM ^
I wouldn't take what they say too seriously.
Its possible that Fisher was impressed by Oregon's campus and facilities, but honestly AA is a more attractive place to take in. If Fisher goes there he'd have to really feel tied to the spread offense or that coaching staff.
Fisher committed to Michigan once and its hard to imagine that Rodriguez's offense and that staff are the only factors in his recruitment. Michigan also has a clearer path on the depth chart, since Oregon's already landed several high end OL prospects and Michigan has only Tony Posada who may end up at OG.
I have no insider information, but I'd guess that if he didn't love Gainsville on his visit he might not love Eugene either. Circumstantial evidence says he might be inclined to reaffirm his committment, but who knows.
January 31st, 2011 at 6:18 PM ^
We also have chris Bryant as an OL recruit
January 31st, 2011 at 7:40 PM ^
Though I think he was referring to the Tackle position specifically, where Fisher plays and we're dangerously thin. Miller is C/G, and both Posada and Bryant project to G.
<br>Fisher is on the 2-deep nearly immediately as RS freshman
January 31st, 2011 at 6:52 PM ^
Maybe he was attracted to the offense and who has the best RR-type offense in the country? the Ducks.
January 31st, 2011 at 8:14 PM ^
would neg Tom. You must be a complete loser. Tom, thanks as always.
January 31st, 2011 at 4:46 PM ^
And thanks as always Tom
January 31st, 2011 at 4:46 PM ^
I hope Hoke is able to sway Fisher to coming to Michigan. And that is great news for Jones. I can't wait to see him in the winged helmet.
January 31st, 2011 at 4:46 PM ^
January 31st, 2011 at 4:49 PM ^
From what I have heard his parents did not go with Fisher on his official to Oregon. Does this not at least favor us a little bit?
January 31st, 2011 at 4:52 PM ^
Plus, getting from Traverse City to Eugene is awful. I bet they'd have to fly from TC to DTW to Portland and then drive 2 hours to Eugene.
I can't imagine any parent being excited about that. FL would make much more sense (and no time change).
January 31st, 2011 at 4:53 PM ^
You're 18 years old. You're traveling across the country to a college town where everyone is trying to do everything they can to impress you and show you a good time. Do you really want your parents to come along on the trip?
These facts are not boosting my confidence about landing Fisher.
January 31st, 2011 at 4:56 PM ^
Recruiting trips really are not what you think they are. Now if you are being recruited by anyone in the SEC or Lane Kiffin, then yeah, they are exactly the way you think they are.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:02 PM ^
"Getting to know my new teammates" = "Doing blow off a cheerleader's ass in the hot tub"
That is something that is a lot easier to lie about over the phone than it is if you have to do it to your mom's face because she walked in to see what the new dorm rooms Phil Knight paid for look like.
January 31st, 2011 at 4:50 PM ^
It's too bad that the two biggest uncertainties (Cooper and Fisher) are also the two biggest needs at this point
January 31st, 2011 at 4:50 PM ^
is there a reason why he isn't on the roster, or is he a late addition
January 31st, 2011 at 4:51 PM ^
Is the dead period that is in effect right now for all forms of communication or just in person like at the beginning of January?
January 31st, 2011 at 4:55 PM ^
Just in person, they're allowed to call.
January 31st, 2011 at 4:56 PM ^
I don't see this on the non subscribing intertubes.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:05 PM ^
This young dude is everything you want a commit to be – he's got the love, excitement, and desire to be a part of a great institution. I hope everything lives up to his expectations and he can become something great in Ann Arbor, both on the field and in the classroom.
As for Fisher, whatever he ends up doing will be the right thing.. well, mainly because it's what was meant to be. But unless this kid makes it to the NFL.. Oregon just aint the smart answer.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:05 PM ^
the world has no chance against kellen.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:07 PM ^
Why cant we have anything nice?
January 31st, 2011 at 6:08 PM ^
Kellen's nice
January 31st, 2011 at 6:47 PM ^
I guess the ad-less big house, the luxury suites, the new scoreboards coming next year, the stadium lights, the world class marching band, the education, the storied program, the national championships, the big ten championships, the heisman winners, the WINGS, GMAT, the Hoke-a-mania, the Hulk, the indoor training facilities, the money, the team, the team, the team, the other sports, the not-ohio-ness........(I know I'm missing something/s)......don't count?
January 31st, 2011 at 5:10 PM ^
All I can say is I'll be very dissapointed in Jake Fisher if in fact he has chosen to go elsewhere. Michigan is his childhood favorite and it would be horrible to see a kid abandon his dream of playing football in A2. I can see why he would want to look into other options given all the uncertainty that has surrounded the program over the past few years. But this is a great program and with a new great staff. In short it's still Michigan...
January 31st, 2011 at 5:18 PM ^
well that is my initial reaction also, but imagine that the recruit themselves may be more disappointed in turning away from their childhood favorite... but something that is usually least considered is perhaps the new staff is not as high on the prospect as the former, yet are simply honoring the prior committments as hoke said they would. makes one wonder why zettel threw out a feeler last week to the staff and then abruptly said he'll stick with penn state. what was he searching for? that was a slight digression however, the recruit may be more disappointed than us.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:12 PM ^
I'm not going to hate on Fisher (as the kids say) is he chooses someplace else, even though UM would be a great choice.
Congrats to Kellen, though, on taking on the world. I expect it to be similar to Scott Pilgrim, save for less video game violence and emo love and more kicking ass.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:15 PM ^
I'm not going to hate on Fisher (as the kids say) is he chooses someplace else, even though UM would be a great choice.
We dont say that G-Unit
January 31st, 2011 at 5:17 PM ^
I haven't been encouraged by anything we've heard from Jake Fisher since he de-committed. For whatever reason, I don't think he'll be going blue, and if he does it will just be a pleasant surprise.
Now, I know people have mixed feelings on using the term "Michigan Man," but this whole courting process Fisher has driven over the past few weeks has turned me off to the kid a little bit. To be clear, it is his decision and he should go wherever he's most comfortable. But with the enthusiasm surrounding the new staff and the dedication to get back to being MICHIGAN, it's starting to look like Jake was more of a "Rich Rod kid" than a Michigan one. If he's not excited about the brand of football that will be played under the new regime, it's quite possible that he's better suited elsewhere. (You don't need me to point out that the favorite now seems to be Oregon, which just happens to run an offense quite similar to the RR offense Jake originally committed to.)
Wish him the best of luck regardless, and I hope he surprises me and picks UM. But it doesn't look like things are heading that way. Regardless, Hoke-A-Mania rages on.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:26 PM ^
and double that for Zettel.... I mean, to think Penn State has something far and away, better than what we have, especially for such a "lifelong" M fan, and especially when the program needs him and has lost 9 of the last 10 vs tOSU....... but as I mentioned in an earlier post... perhaps Hoke and staff prefer bigger and/or different players than RR, and odds are this is the case, and have carried themselves this way. Sam said that Zettel contacted our staff last week, and then later on, said he was sticking with PSU. Maybe Hoke wants to jumbo-size the lines like the old days, and has less appeal for RR's "fast" linemen with quick feet.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:19 PM ^
A buddy of mine (a CU alum) was at the basketball game when Jones made his official visit to Boulder. He said when the recruits walked by it looked like a bunch of high school kids following around their favorite NFL player (Jones). He promptly turned to his brother and said, "Well, I know which guy we probably aren't going to be able to sign." He didn't say so, but I'm pretty sure he started crying after that. You could tell from his voice.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:25 PM ^
He's commiting to Michigan. I know it.
No sane kid would want to be a duck after he's commited to Wolverine-ness.
Jake of "Eugene"? Not a chance.
Jake of the Big House?
Book it.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:31 PM ^
Aw fuck me. You had to say book it. Have we learned nothing from BKFinest?
January 31st, 2011 at 6:16 PM ^
We need to end this trend of BKFinest'ng things. No good can possibly come from it.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:38 PM ^
Does anyone know if the games if going to be televised?
January 31st, 2011 at 5:46 PM ^
I still have hope, but the choice of time/convenience for both early AND late sportscasts on the west coast worries me (like Michigania above...)
but hey, I live in TC, so perhaps I should just go convince him to stay in state and head down to AA
January 31st, 2011 at 6:37 PM ^
If I was at home I'd join you. I don't know that he'd appreciate it.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:46 PM ^
Thanks for the updates Tom. Much appreciated as always. Cooper and Fisher seem like "long shots" at this time. I hope we get both, but I'm not holding my breath.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:59 PM ^
Should we look anything into the fact that he's waiting so late in the day to announce?
January 31st, 2011 at 6:00 PM ^
He is not a morning person.
January 31st, 2011 at 6:12 PM ^
where they will be in the thick of things (maybe he's waiting to see if a specific recruit signs with the Ducks?)