Junior Day Visit Reactions
Damien Harris and Nussmeier, BFFForeverever!!!! [MFRHQ Facebook Group]
I plan to add to the few prospects that I didn’t hear back from yet, but I wanted to post the information that I did gather. Still waiting for responses from some of them; those will be added as they come in this evening.
2015 Commits
CB Shaun Crawford - It was great! We toured campus, ate together, and watched the game!
K Andrew David – It was awesome! I’ve never been to a basketball game there before but it was a crazy atmosphere! I couldn’t have picked a better first game though. I got to catch up with some of the other guys which was nice too. I talked with Jake Ryan and Dymonte Thomas who are close friends of mine. I was with Shaun Crawford and Tyree Kinnel most of the time. I was next to Thiyo Lukusa for a while during the game and he was enjoying it to say the least. (laughs) I talked to a couple of the 2016 guys. They seemed really enthusiastic with everything.
S Tyree Kinnel – It was great!
2015 Targets
ATH Brian Cole
LB Tyriq Thompson – It was nice, I had a good time. I got a chance to meet the entire staff for the first time. It was a laid back visit. I just sat back and enjoyed the game. Of course I like Michigan but I don't have a leader right now. I'll probably visit again when spring practices start. After that I want to focus on my senior season and my team before I even think about making a decision. No commitment plans or anything like that will happen until my senior season is over.
LB Darrin Kirkland Jr. – It was a great day and a great overall experience. I really hope they pull the trigger soon! The coaches and I did talk about an offer a little bit. They said that they would call me later this week. I could see myself as a Wolverine and if they offer I will strongly consider them.
LB Troy Henderson – It was amazing! From talking to the coaches, the game, meeting the other recruits, and seeing the facilities. I could definitely see myself rocking the Maize and Blue!
LB Asmar Bilal – It was good. Great tradition, winners, with nice facilities! The stadium was huge! Yeah, it was nice overall. The coaches didn’t mention an offer they just said they were going to keep in tough and that they brought me there for a reason. I could possibly see myself playing there.
RB Damien Harris
TE Austin Ervin – It was really good. I was able to see the practice field, walked onto the game field, interacted a lot with the coaches, and of course the basketball game was fun. Talking with the coaches was real casual. Coach Ferrigno wants me to come to camp this summer to see my blocking skills. He already likes how I can spread out, my athleticism, my hands, my ball skills, but he wants to see me block on the line.
TE David Edwards – It was great! It really stuck out to me that the coaches are extremely committed to making sure that you're set for life after football. Their athletic advisors set up a program and they have this huge networking. There was a lot of emphasis on education.
TE/OL Harrison Moon – Loved it! I had a great first visit! We didn’t talk about an offer but hopefully one will come through. I got to meet the coaches, see the facilities and the academic areas, eat, watch the basketball game and toured The Big House. The Big House was crazy! It was the coolest stadium I’ve ever seen. It’s a special place. If Michigan decides to offer me I’d still keep my options open because it’s early, but they are definitely a place of interest. I would really like to go back up there and just keep building the relationships. I think we will try to get back up there this spring or over the summer.
2016 Targets
ATH Daelin Hayes – The visit was great. (Daelin said he is waiting until tomorrow for other comments.)
OL Thiyo Lukusa – It was sweet, super fun! I decided to put my commitment on hold for now. I just have to be 100% sure. The visit and the activities were 1st class as always. I’m still all Michigan right now but I just want to enjoy my recruitment.
WR Desmond Fitzpatrick (via his father, Greg) – It was a great visit! We took a tour that included the academic center, The Big House, the weight room, and we also met the entire staff. After all of that we attended the basketball game. We also spent time with the new offensive coordinator, Doug Nussmeier and spent a ton of 1-on-1 time with Coach Heck. An offer wasn’t specifically mentioned, but I feel as though Desmond is on the right track based on the growing relationship and the evaluation of his film. We never talk about potential offers. He knows that if he continues to get bigger and stronger, the offers will come. The coaches were shocked when they saw how much he’s grown since they last saw him. He measured in at 6’2” and 184 lbs. He’s working hard hitting the weights, running track, and playing 7 on 7. That’s the regimen for the next few months. We develop this work ethic now and it becomes second nature later.
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*Dre’Mont Jones, Mike Weber, Ray Buford Jr., and Kentrail Moran didn’t end up making the trip.
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:11 PM ^
NUSS!!!!!
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:15 PM ^
didn't wear Ohio colors on his visit. Gotta feel like he is leaning blue (again)
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:16 PM ^
great stuff Brandon, thanks for the quick writeup. So no word back from Harris? I'm sure he is just too overcome with joy from his visit to formulate thoughts yet
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:19 PM ^
Harris is my white whale. I had contact with him long ago but not anymore. I'm working on it...
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:25 PM ^
The fact that you don't really have contact with him anymore isn't a good sign for michigan...is it?
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:29 PM ^
I never really had contact with Harris. I honestly think I may have been badmouthed by another recruiting personality...just a hunch though because I've heard of it happening in other cases.
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:49 PM ^
That pesky Ace Williams...
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:29 PM ^
Right site wrong person
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:42 PM ^
Steve? Fir real?
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:47 PM ^
It wasn't the 247 guys...at least I don't believe so.
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:50 PM ^
Tom??
February 24th, 2014 at 9:54 AM ^
Tim Sullivan, Josh Helmholdt, Chris Balas, Tom Beaver, Sam Webb, Allen Trieu...?
I know you probably won't say. I'm just curious. I have a suspicion, though...
February 24th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^
Nm the fact that the kid and his family want people to back off. Just keep trying, they couldn't possibly mean "recruiting personalities." Smh
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:18 PM ^
Is that a tweed jacket Nuss is wearing?
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:29 PM ^
His jacket looks like my grandma's couch from the '70's.
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:52 PM ^
Give him a break. He did live in Alabama. They still like segregation and plaid.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:57 PM ^
That's window pane, son! Bad color on Nuss, though.
February 24th, 2014 at 2:26 AM ^
was just 40 years ahead of the curve.
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:18 PM ^
No comments from Harris and Cole?
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:19 PM ^
I should get one back from Cole and I'm working on Damien.
February 24th, 2014 at 9:08 AM ^
What does this mean? Perhaps the best way to "work on him" is to leave him alone. Let the kid play it his way, dont force him to play it yours.
February 24th, 2014 at 9:50 AM ^
I don't want this to turn into another post where people try to tell me how to do what I've been doing successfully for 2 1/2 years, but what I meant was reaching out to his mother and his coaches.
Seriously guys, I believe you have the best interest of most people in mind when you give me suggestions and what not, but like I've said before, I'm a teacher and a coach, I understand how to conduct myself when it comes to this stuff.
February 24th, 2014 at 10:51 AM ^
If anyone needs to be criticized about his conduct with recruits, it's me. Although I really thought the Valentine's cards I personally delivered to the recruits was a real winner idea.
Seriously, thanks for the good work, Coach!
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:19 PM ^
All the guys who don't have an offer really loved themselves there and the guys who do have offers, I'm sure they enjoyed themselves, but they are much less vocal than Kirkland, Henderson, Edwards, Moon, etc. Thiyo being the exception to the rule. I'm glad he's taking his time. He's a high school sophomore. No need to rush it.
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:30 PM ^
Thanks for the write-up Brandon. Please keep 'em coming as you get more reactions.
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:31 PM ^
or Harris is on the short side.
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:48 PM ^
Nuss is 6'3"
Harris is 5'11""
Source: The Internet
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:49 PM ^
I also imagine Nuss is in a nice pair of wingtips to go with that sweet jacket, adding a slight height advantage over Harris in sneakers presumably.
February 24th, 2014 at 9:56 AM ^
I have it on good authority that Damien Harris was wearing some maize and blue Manolo Blahniks.
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:34 PM ^
Is there a correct fist to pump when singing the Victors? Since I was a child I knew that you raise your right hand during hail to the victors. I sat one section over from coach Nuss and the recruits and he was using his left hand despite the fact that the recruits were all using their right hands. I'm probably overreacting but I'm thinking that if he started using his right hand that Harris would commit.
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:36 PM ^
Nuss is a lefty! I'm not sure if there is a correct fist to pump, but left probably just feels right for him.
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:37 PM ^
You're probably overreacting?
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:54 PM ^
not probably, you are.
February 24th, 2014 at 2:10 AM ^
... And left handed. I pump with my left hand. Deal with it.
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:48 PM ^
Thanks for the update CB3.
February 23rd, 2014 at 8:52 PM ^
For those interested in the basketball side of things, it appears that (per the tweet below) Jamal Murray ended up not visiting Michigan today. Would have been a great game for him to attend.
2016 Ontario PG Jamal Murray did not make it to Michigan for a visit today, per his father. #Illini, Syracuse, Louisville and UM target
— Derek Piper (@DerekPiper247) February 23, 2014
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:28 PM ^
He was probably up by 7am with his family and friends, like everyone else in Canada, to watch the Gold Medal win by Canada's men's hockey team.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:05 PM ^
Has Nuss ever seen a basketball with 2 good teams before? Washington wasn't anything special when he was there right? Maybe he got a year of Paul George while at Fresno St
February 24th, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^
He was QB coach for Sparty...
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:08 PM ^
Harris' Twitter comments were positive although he'd stayed pretty positive regarding other schools.
I will say that the fact that he's wearing a Michigan shirt is good news. And I'm in the camp that believes this comes down to Michigan and Kentucky for his services.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:32 PM ^
This is a very good start, perfect to have an upbeat atmosphere that these guys get to take in. Hopefully they will return for football games too, we don't exactly have a UTL game like the last two but the Big House needs to be experienced in person (as many times as possible!!)
The greatest gift that Nuss can give us is a simplified effective blocking scheme (for the OL) that the RBs can go nuts with some 6 months from now. The scenario forming in my mind is Green & Smith combine for a lot of total yards, something that Harris and other RBs can see themselves having success in also. I believe that will seal the deal better than badass maize country club jackets.
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:31 PM ^
Badass maize country club jackets are pretty sweet.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:38 PM ^
didn't experience Crisler and a big UM win. Good to hear Crawford, Kinnel and Brown are solid commitments.
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:50 PM ^
Lets not try too hard to get a quote from Harris. Give him the space he seems to want.
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:09 PM ^
with all recruits
February 23rd, 2014 at 9:55 PM ^
Looks like all positive reactions from Michigan's visitors, which is expected. Tyree Kinnel believes Michigan is in good shape with Cole.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) February 23, 2014
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:32 PM ^
Let him hold us all via the Twitters
February 23rd, 2014 at 11:11 PM ^
Get him a job as mentor to freshmen or something. "Develop this work ethic now, and it becomes second nature later." Love it!
February 24th, 2014 at 12:24 AM ^
4 to 6 loss seasons will not attract many top recruits to our program. Hopefully the staff can coach these young kids up and we can win 9 or more games. We need to win at least one of the big road games against ND, MSU or OSU! If we do, showing the program is headed in the right direction will give confidence in these top recruits to commit. If we don't, then Hoke will be on the hot seat and none of them will have confidence in our football program.
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