TomVH: An Interview with Dan Voltz
Offensive line is one of the harder positions to recruit because it takes longer to evaluate players who will change vastly in college. In addition, there are different styles of offense that require different types of linemen.
However, every year there are a few standouts in recruiting that everyone wants no matter the offense. This year Illinois offensive tackle Dan Voltz (6'5", 290 lbs) is one of those recruits. With around twenty offers already from some of the biggest programs, Voltz will be one of the more sought-after linemen in this class. I caught up with Dan to ask him about his recruitment, and how Michigan factors in. Here are his highlights, then the interview.
TOM: First, for anyone that has never seen you play, can you describe what kind of football player you are? Maybe what you bring to the table.
DAN: I bring 100% effort all the time. I am an extremely hard worker, and I will do anything to become a better football player. I think I play physical and I play offensive line the way it's supposed to be played. I also think I'm pretty athletic for a big guy.
TOM: With your recruitment, Michigan has offered you already, is that a school that you want to learn more about?
DAN: Yes, I'm really interested in Michigan. They offer a great combination of top notch academics, and a legendary football program. I will definitely be looking at them hard.
TOM: Someone like you who's being recruited by a ton of schools, how do you plan on letting everything play out? Do you have a timeline?
DAN: I am actually making a top five or top six list in the upcoming weeks. I'll let you know which schools are on there when I make it.
TOM: When you go to make that top list, how does a school get in the top group? What are you looking for?
DAN: The schools will have, like Michigan does, a good combination of football and academics. It has to be a school that I feel comfortable being at because I will be spending the next four to five years of my life there. Lastly, there has to be a stable coaching staff, that will play a part in it.
TOM: Once you develop the top list, what comes after that? How will you decide from there?
DAN: I will try to visit those schools as many times as I can before the start of my senior year, and hopefully choose one school to call home. If not, I will push my decision timetable back and possibly take a few official visits.
TOM: So the plan for right now is to commit before the season, but it could go into the season?
DAN: Yes, that's right.
TOM: A lot of times with southern kids they like to stay in the south. Since you're from the Midwest, are you more comfortable staying in the Midwest, or even playing in a Big Ten type offense?
DAN: I would love to stay close to home and play Big Ten football. If there is a school that I visit and like outside of the midwest or Big Ten, then I won't hesitate to seriously consider them.
TOM: Last question, to go back to Michigan specifically, what are you looking to find with Michigan? What are you looking to learn about them?
DAN: Right now I just want to see the campus for myself and talk to the coaches more; gain that comfort level with them.
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:07 AM ^
could you imagine lewan bryant and this kid on the same line. I might be able to rush for a 1000. (i'm 5'11" 210 and speed is something i left back in HS)
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:43 AM ^
Not to mention Jordan Diamond too. That would be one killer OL.
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:05 PM ^
When these guys arrive at Michigan Lewan will be a redshirt junior. True freshmen play offensive line like never. If he's an unreal talent maybe he'll play as a redshirt freshmen, but sadly Taylor Lewan will most likely be in the pros. Lewan is going to give J. Long a run for his money before he is done.
February 22nd, 2011 at 2:18 PM ^
Jake Long gave up one sack and had two holding penalties in his entire college career. I'm as excited about Lewan as the next guy, but let's not compare him to Long just because Long is a recent wearer of #77. He's an all-time great.
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:08 AM ^
"I play physical and I play offensive line the way it's supposed to be played." Sound a lot like Hoke
Go Blue Danny
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:47 AM ^
I was going to say that he's "electrifyin'"
But your's works, too ;)
February 22nd, 2011 at 1:52 PM ^
stud.
Ahem. I thought I'd keep with the Zoltan theme given I assume this potential future star may also be from space. And yes, he is the one that I want.
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:31 AM ^
kidding aside, how do these kids factor the likelihood of red-shirting into their decision? do they see not playing for a year as a benefit or a detriment?
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:43 AM ^
But voltz seems to know it's a possibility (as it's usually a probability for lineman) when he says he's going to spend the next "4-5 years" there. as he does in Tom's interview
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:06 PM ^
I got a charge out of that myself. Hopefully Voltz stays grounded and this kid comes in like a live wire.
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:53 PM ^
he offers huge amounts of resistance to the other team's defense, regularly impedes pass rushers and discharges his anger on donkeys left and right
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:18 AM ^
Who and when will we get our commit? I say matt godin march 12.
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:35 PM ^
Godin is suppose to be on campus today. Could we get our first commit today?
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:35 PM ^
Matt Godin will be our first commit and it will be today as he is on an unofficial visit.
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:40 AM ^
The coaches sure aren't afraid to go after top notch talent, I already can't wait to see how this class fills out and there's still 11 months and change till NSD. Damn, hurry up already.
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:40 AM ^
Voltz highlight film is shocking.
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:39 PM ^
lightning in a bottle....
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:58 AM ^
Ohm my god, watts it going to take to get him on campus? Hertz just to think of taking him on at the line.
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:02 PM ^
Wow, you seem totally AMPed. Resistance is clearly futile. We obviously can't remain static in our recruitment of this guy. He'll bring a great deal of energy to our class. I think I'll go drink a mint joule-ip.
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:36 PM ^
good,we have a chance. We just have to get him on campus.GO BLUE!!!
February 22nd, 2011 at 1:18 PM ^
kid is very impressive. Has ideal size for a guard and looks to have good enough feet to possibly play a tackle postion
February 22nd, 2011 at 2:29 PM ^
Does anyone know what HS that is in his highlight reel who robbed our maize and blue winged helmets hah?
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:52 PM ^
I thought it was our starting D
February 22nd, 2011 at 6:02 PM ^
ZING!!!!
February 28th, 2011 at 4:51 PM ^
I'm pretty sure the school with the winged helmets is Glenbrook South High School.
February 22nd, 2011 at 2:37 PM ^
It appears Mr. Voltz hates donkeys.
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^
Guys with names like Voltz are the standard ND recruits.
i've mentioned this countless times before in the last couple of years, and will say again:
we should have gotten Kelly instead of Rogriguez. We will be contending for the NC this year under Kelly.
Damn!
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^
he keeps a bottle of syrup in his pocket for all those pancakes.
February 22nd, 2011 at 6:39 PM ^
Football pants don't have pockets.
February 22nd, 2011 at 5:30 PM ^
Just logged in an excited to see comment field here. Like said on here before, the current Michigan football players are excellent recruiting tools because they are family and easy to get along with. Easy for someone like Dan to feel comfortable around.
February 22nd, 2011 at 7:54 PM ^
This Kid is a beast!!!!, Hope we can get him on campus
Go Blue
February 24th, 2011 at 3:28 PM ^
I write for the school paper at Barrington, we just interviewed Dan. He says his top five is Michigan, Wisconsin, MSU, Iowa, and Northwestern.
It seems like we're in good shape here.
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