Calvin Anderson- Grad OT target- latest statements
Since this is a position of great need, and as the recruiting services aren't showing Crystal Balls for grad transfers like Calvin Anderson, I put together a few recent quotes from him. I'm not going to post the earlier info Brian did a great job of running through on MgoBlog, nor am I trying to cherry pick. So far Anderson has taken visits to Texas, Auburn and Michigan. Hopefully this gives people an idea of (at least what he is communicating as) his thought process. Caveat: recruits generally talk up every school they visit, so you may have to read between the lines some.
On his decision to transfer in general, Anderson stated that after his redshirt junior season in Houston, he talked his possible NFL future over with his father. The two agreed he had legitimate NFL dreams that could best reach their potential at a Power 5 institution.
I am trying to go to the best place for seven months to get prepared the best.
On his thoughts about Auburn:
“I think they helped themselves greatly. I already thought pretty highly of Auburn and I didn’t know much about it, and now that I know a lot more than I did, I think they went from being great to more great,” Anderson said. “For placements and all that, I got to think through it, but I think they certainly — it’s certainly pluses. So, how many pluses, I’ll figure out, but certainly pluses.”...
“A lot of it speaks for itself. Obviously SEC football is the biggest football you can play at the collegiate level.”
On his thoughts about Texas:
“Proximity to home is not really much of a factor, because I am trying to go to the best place for seven months to get prepared the best. So it’s great to be at home. All that’s great. But that’s not really weighing into this decision, because it’s a business decision,” Anderson said. “So I’m taking into account what can help me be better, and I don’t think proximity to home has anything to do with that.”
On his thoughts about Michigan:
“The thing that sets Michigan apart, other than how much I like [Michigan director of recruiting Matt] Dudek and coach [Tim] Drevno, is the opportunity to play against Ohio State and Nick Bosa,” Anderson said. “That’s a huge deal to me because it’s a high-profile game and gives any high-level tackle a chance to boost their stock. Also, the importance of the alumni bases is a big benefit. “He’s the best defensive end in the country, so I would love the opportunity to display my talents against him. I love the chance to play against big-time defensive ends.”
As much as I would willingly argue with Anderson on that last point, he also explained that going up against Rashan Gary in practice on a daily basis is another benefit to choosing Michigan. (I've also included the paywalled site interview regarding Michigan for those who have 247, but have only posted public info).
Any and all other wildcard information out there:
Anderson's father was just promoted to "full bird" Colonel in the army. That's a big mark that few career officers attain. Michigan and Texas both sent him congratulatory letters. Not so much the other schools. That appears to not have been lost on Anderson, either.
Today my dad had the honor of being promoted to the rank of full bird Colonel in the army! I’m incredibly proud of his dedication to not only our family, but to our country. Thank you @UMichFootball and @TexasFootball for the tributes to him as well! #HookEm #Michigan pic.twitter.com/DcJ3Zfyxik
— Calvin Anderson (@THE_CONDA25) February 3, 2018
He stated he plans on making a decision by March 25th.
February 13th, 2018 at 12:02 PM ^
One of my all time favorites.
February 13th, 2018 at 4:14 PM ^
It's just one year, and he's lived his whole life in Texas. He seems like a super bright guy who could see value in broadening his horizons. Not that Texas isn't a good school, but Michigan is Michigan. That's my pitch.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:26 AM ^
If Shea is eligible, or if Peters or McCaffery step up, he could be a part of a very special turn around. Michigan sucked last year, largely because of the QB situation, but probably more so because of our lack of tackles. If he can play, his press will be crazy good next year. He will not find a bigger spotlight.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:34 AM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 9:38 AM ^
He did say that, but it was before CA's visit.
I think the backup plan is Skule, Vanderbilt's starting LT.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:06 AM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 10:02 AM ^
Could be worth something, but I have started to alter my stance on UMBig. He clearly has knowledge and I appreciate everything he does for this blog, but he isn't perfect with what he has said. I believe he said something along the lines of more offensive staff changes coming, which clearly isn't coming to fruition. I am not saying that any of this is his fault, but like with recruiting, things change. Maybe at the time of UMBig's comments, it was likely that CA was heading to Austin, but as we all know, things change. I will further go on taking UMBig's information as more informed than most, but not as gospel as many others tend to do.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:14 AM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 2:35 PM ^
I'm not one to look down on free info from a likely insider. I also understand that its a fluid environment and things do change.
It's like asking for a company or division's financial balance sheet (more of a snapshot in time) and then coming back in a year later with a statement of cash flow and alleging that they mislead you.
February 13th, 2018 at 3:34 PM ^
That's my point. I apologize if my note came across as an indication that I don't appreciate what we get from the insider. It is more a criticism of what his word has become on this blog, through no fault of his own. People have realized that he is almost always right, and prefer to take his word as gospel, even though most of the situations he is speaking on is way too fluid to be taken as so.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:35 AM ^
Eh even our weak pass pro gave JOK the opportunities to win the MSU and OSU games, and were good enough to be in the Wisconsin game until Peters got hurt. Not saying the OL was great, but it was largely good enough to win 11 games. QB was 90% of our troubles last year.
February 13th, 2018 at 12:57 PM ^
Not exactly an easy fix (since it SEEMS we have QBs who can be average B1G QBs) but a lot easier than fixing Oline.
February 13th, 2018 at 1:19 PM ^
So, the OL had nothing to do with clear shots on Speight and Peters? JoK has the sense to run because he is a runner; Speight and Peters are prototypical pocket passers. JoK's running can soften the blow of a weak OL.
The OL didn't really create much holes for our RBs either.
February 13th, 2018 at 1:09 PM ^
I'm more excited about Grant Newsome coming back and Calvin Anderson playing at Michigan than Shea Patterson. Dont get me wrong, I want all three playing at Michigan next season! But, I think we have a nice stable of quarter backs and I want to see McAffrey play.
February 13th, 2018 at 11:06 PM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 9:26 AM ^
The emphasis on Bosa seems odd, like he is really reaching for something to say to a Michigan audience. If he really knew a lot about the Michigan team, seems like he would have commented, as the OP noted, on how going up against the likes of Gary every day would help his development.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:37 AM ^
Auburn - "Helped themselves greatly" means they were already playing from behind. He later says something about playing the best competition to prepare himself*. Going against Bama will do that for you.
Texas - Proximity to home will NOT win this battle according to Anderson, other than that im not seeing anything in the quotes that stick out to set them apart.
Michigan - Seems high on his position coach and the guy who manages on campus visits. Nothing here that really separated us from what I can read other thant he fact of playing against Bosa.
*He states this in the Michigan segment.
EDIT - comments below from Sam Webb make it appear Auburn is the lead so my reading between the lines is really bad
February 13th, 2018 at 9:29 AM ^
But given our recent track record I'm not putting energy into this beyond 'Boy that would be nice'.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:30 AM ^
"very effusive praise for Auburn"
"SEC football is the biggest football you can play at this level"
"One of the biggest facrors, if not THE biggest, is development for the next level."
We've had one OL drafted (Glasgow) since Jim arrived, and our OL has not been cast in a very good light the last few years.
Maybe I'm affected by the many recent misses in OL recruiting, but I'm expecting Anderson to choose Auburn.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:32 AM ^
I think you'd be the only person picking Auburn here
February 13th, 2018 at 9:45 AM ^
(old guys gotta stick together)
February 13th, 2018 at 9:58 AM ^
Haha I know I saw, what I should say is that "Auburn leads" is the extreme minority opinion. I don't think any of the "expert" type people would put Auburn in the top two, even after the visit.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:35 AM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 9:37 AM ^
When I heard Sam's segment on Anderson yesterday morning, that was my immediate conclusion as well.
The current narrative that Michigan/Drevno is doing a poor job of developing OL talent—regardless of whether it's a sensible analysis or not—is a huge hill to climb.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:53 AM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 10:12 AM ^
Not sure how much impact an analyst is going to have on offensive line play.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:17 AM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 11:03 AM ^
"His title is offensive analyst." —Jim Harbaugh
February 13th, 2018 at 11:41 AM ^
That current narrative has been wholly created by Michigan snowflakes. The fact Drevno and Harbaugh took Hokes horrible OLine and turned them into a servicable unit where most of them caught on with an NFL team, contradicts that uninformed, disingenuous, woe is me opinion.
Last years line had a center playing LT, a true sophomore at LG, another Hoke holdover that nevr saw the field until his 5th year and 2 true freshmen. Maybe give it a season or two before you dismiss them.
This fan base has become a detriment to team success. No need to negative recruit Michigan, our fans do it themselves. /vomit emojii
February 13th, 2018 at 12:59 PM ^
"Last years line had a center playing LT, a true sophomore at LG, another Hoke holdover that nevr saw the field until his 5th year and 2 true freshmen.'
Having trouble lining this up.
Center playing LT = Cole
True sophomore at LG = Bredenson
Hoke holdover that never saw the field until his 5th year = Kugler
2 true freshmen = ?
Ruiz (true freshmen) and Onwenu (true sophomore) split time at RG
RT was RS Sophomores or RS Junior
February 13th, 2018 at 10:45 AM ^
...Drevno and Harbaugh can point to the fact that at Stanford they turned David DeCastro and Jonathan Martin, both three-star guys, into first-team All Americans and high draft picks (first round for DeCastro/second round for Martin). Chase Beeler went from three-star to All American under them too.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:23 AM ^
Harbaugh/Drevno have literally been here for TWO NFL draft classes!! Jump to conclusions much??
They put a walk-on into the NFL (glasgow)
They inherited Magnuson, Kalis, and Braden and ZERO experienced depth behind them thanks to HOKE.
That horrific lack of depth forced Cole back out to LT because for C, other than Kugler, they had TRUE FRESHMEN.
Newsome was going to be a star and gets kneecapped by a fuckhead Badger CB.
Cole is only the 6th starting OL under them to graduate and he IS going to be drafted, too.
Stop being Chicken Little and wait for their OL recruits to bear fruit.
Look at Clemson and their patience with Dabo Swinney. Let's follow suit.
February 13th, 2018 at 11:33 AM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 11:48 AM ^
And yet, Swinney took 4-5 years before his teams started getting national attention, let alone getting to the playoffs. I'm agreeing with Bucknekkid on this - the UM fanbase does a better job of negative recruiting itself than any rival does...
February 13th, 2018 at 9:32 AM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 9:45 AM ^
I really like his attitude. It seems like he is looking for all the right things that will get him to the next level including personal accountability. I'm a big fan of anyone who relishes going up against the best and seeing it as a challenge and opportunity.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:51 AM ^
How to break it to him, but the only way he would be going against Rashan Gary on a daily basis would be as a back up, since the starters don't practice against the starting defense. I get what he's saying though.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:59 AM ^
I thought they all went against each other in drills? We're always seeing videos from spring and fall camps showing one-on-one drills, not just the scrimmage type full plays.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:56 AM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 10:14 AM ^
He got it wrong, Bosa is not the best DE in the country. He will get to go against the best DE's in the Country in practice everyday at Michigan.
February 13th, 2018 at 11:59 AM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 10:39 AM ^
I'll be excited when he commits.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:48 AM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 11:01 AM ^
I believe that James Hudson and Chuck Filiaga will have something to say about the lineup, also. But yeah, I like that battle. A LOT!!
February 13th, 2018 at 11:25 AM ^
Bredeson factors in
February 13th, 2018 at 6:41 PM ^
than can both pass pro and run block on a consistent basis!
February 13th, 2018 at 11:00 AM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 11:26 AM ^
It seems to be that early in the process his heart wanted Texas, and after some time and his visit his analytical brain said Michigan. As a mathematical econ major pursuing graduate studies in Finance, I am guessing his analytical side will win out. That's just what his recent quotes sound like to me - a kid that's trying to figure out the best way to let the locals down.