Calvin Anderson- Grad OT target- latest statements

Submitted by Arb lover on

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.

Arb lover

February 13th, 2018 at 2:49 PM ^

I was actually going for his most recent statements on the schools in question, so that's what you got. 

I can give you his earlier statements about Texas, though I couldn't find any from the past two weeks. This is from right after his Texas visit on January 22: 

"I had some very high expectations. And those high expectations were exceeded."

And regarding his recruiter now at Texas from Feb 1 statements: 

“I love Coach Herb. He’s awesome. I think he’s a great guy,”... “The next time I saw him he was in a Texas shirt. But I know this business is a business. When I found out about it on Twitter I asked the UT coaches immediately and they responded and we talked it out. They explained it was what happened and were pretty transparent about it.”

 

Mongo

February 13th, 2018 at 11:19 AM ^

who is weighing all the options ... practice competition, in-game competition, coaching, style of offense, track record of that school's LTs in the NFL. 

I mean if it is truly down to U-M and Texas, then we hit harder on all the buttons that count.

  • Practice competition is Rashan Gary - 5*, All-B1G and likely future NFL first rounder 
  • In-game DL competiton is stout - ND, MSU, Wisconsin and yes Bosa at OSU
  • Coaching - seems to have hit it off with Drevno and JH has fantastic NFL contacts 
  • Offensive scheme - we are definitely pro-style compared to Texas / Big 12 
  • Track record of U-M's LTs in the NFL - I mean it doesn't get much better than U-M's history of LTs in the league with Jumbo Elliot, Jake Long, Taylor Lewan

If this is truly a business decision coming down to U-M vs Texas to play LT, then he is coming to Ann Arbor for those 7 months to prep for an NFL career and protect Shea's blind side in pursuit of titles.   Go Blue !!!

M-Dog

February 13th, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^

Holy Cow, Ohio State is so good at recruiting, they are even starting to recruit for us by osmosis.

Hey, whatever works.  I'm not too proud.

 

 

DMack

February 13th, 2018 at 3:20 PM ^

I'm just not as entusiastic about SEC Football as they are. To be such a big conference, only 4 teams tend to be any good with Bama being on a whole other level. Sure at Auburn, you get to play Bama in one of the biggest games in the sport but the Michigan Ohio State game eclipses that game. 

I think unless you are playing out of your mind during the season, you have to believe that the Michigan connection to the NFL is stronger because relationships play a huge factor in who's attention you get. Michigan is looked at all season long whereas Auburn is looked at mainly when they play Bama.

Finally, Michigan is projected to do very well next season and when they out perform expectations everybody eligible will get a hard look for the next level. Without being biased, I really believe if he went to Michigan, and if he is good enough to beat out the guys already here, the teams success would thrust him into the spotlight among the nations OL talent. U of M could win a National Championship next year. I dont think Auburn or Texas wins 8 games.