Erik Swenson Officially Re-Opens his Recruitment
https://twitter.com/Eiek77/status/689855063330832384
Very classy status considering the circumstances.
January 20th, 2016 at 12:50 PM ^
On his Twitter, Erik said on January 3rd, "one month until I sign with UM." That was 17 days ago, so at that time he obviously thought he was coming to UM. When people say he has known for awhile, awhile must mean less than 17 days.
January 20th, 2016 at 1:50 PM ^
and to who I have no idea I suppose it was on his Twitter. I doubt Harbaugh checks all the kids Twitter acconts.. I wish he would have spoke to Jim Harbaugh about it.
January 20th, 2016 at 3:01 PM ^
Sounds like he tried to talk to Harbaugh and got ignored.
https://twitter.com/SRKinnee/status/689872080184176641
2016 OT Erik Swenson: "Harbaugh didn't talk to me. I asked for him, but never came in contact. Drevno called me a week ago."
January 20th, 2016 at 12:52 PM ^
this is shady as hell. JH will piss off high school coaches while our rivals continue to lap us. smh
January 20th, 2016 at 1:07 PM ^
Just like how Urban and Saban's practices have caused their recruiting to suffer...
January 20th, 2016 at 1:09 PM ^
Ok well the team is only going to get better and better so probably best if you moved on to another team to root for. Also people who think like this I hope you guys weren't complaining about the last 7 years or so. This is what it is to compete at the level we want to be at. Really wish things would have worked out for Swenson and if the staff didn't do this in exactly the right way I hope they fix that in the future. Stuff like this is going to happen though when you're trying to be the best. No rules have been broken just some feelings hurt.
January 20th, 2016 at 12:54 PM ^
So Harbaugh made a tough decision on what would be best for the program. Let the man do his job, if the kid slacked off all year because he thought he was guaranteed a spot, well tough luck kid. Harbaugh wants to get the best kids that fit what he wants to accomplish, if Swenson did not meet that criteria, then so be it.
January 20th, 2016 at 12:58 PM ^
All other factors aside...Would you rather have Eric Swenson or EJ Price?
January 20th, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^
Pulling a kid's offer a month before signing day is not something I like to see.
January 20th, 2016 at 1:11 PM ^
we don't know this is the case.. could also be that he was told six months ago... but didn't want to hear it... and tried to up his game since then, to earn it, and fell short....
January 20th, 2016 at 1:14 PM ^
I think SQ's comment was made under the assumption the kid is telling the truth.
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January 20th, 2016 at 1:08 PM ^
Jim running the program like an SEC power. cant say I blame him.
January 20th, 2016 at 1:10 PM ^
Lets see what level of program he commits to, in the end.. it'll be telling to where his skill level rose to...
January 20th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^
People also need to remember that kids can totally screw over a school. Remember Hoke's shock when Deshawn Hand didn't pick us on signing day? If that can happen, it's only to be expected that coaches are going to have to "over-offer" then figure out what their best options are closer to signing day. The whole system is ugly, but it's a two way street in recruiting.
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January 20th, 2016 at 5:39 PM ^
Seems like this would be good justification for an early signing period. Kids are in with months to go and coaches know who they have so they don't have to over offer as much
January 20th, 2016 at 6:09 PM ^
Hand committed to Bama in October, not NSD. Once he did, he never waivered. He was never committed elsewhere throughout the recruiting process.
January 20th, 2016 at 1:22 PM ^
Unethical yet understandable
January 20th, 2016 at 1:32 PM ^
is anyone going to commit B4 National Signing Day? Can I just check back in then and skip any posts about Balz?
January 20th, 2016 at 1:34 PM ^
I love Harbaugh and support him, but this codes come off has kinda shitty. I'm fine with cutting loose a scholarship quite a few months early, giving the kid some time but a month out is kinda bad. I know people say the kids do this stuff all the time, but I think I read he committed quite awhile ago and has been loyal and committed to Michigan. Idk, not a big fan of this.
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January 20th, 2016 at 8:43 PM ^
I understand. I'm sure the recruits' feelings are a little hurt and he may be embellishing the "out of nowhere" situation. Everything I've heard up to this point shows that Harbaugh puts his cards on the table, rather than playing them close to the vest.
January 20th, 2016 at 1:37 PM ^
Is what I understand and if he did he will remain comitted to Iowa State "Because he takes his comittment seriously" his words not mine.. It really doesn't matter where he ends up even if it's the NFL. UM needs a OT that will play as a red shirt freshman. They know he won't be ready by then and are persuing another OT that they feel will. There is no conspiracy to screw him they are trying to help him he did not even take an official visit. He was planning on it but he has never taken one. By the way he was a Hoke recruit and Harbaugh does not have to be saddled with another Hoke recruit for another 4 years if he chooses not to. If Harbaugh were to recruit him 3 years ago and never talk to him then tell him suddenly that he does not have a comittable offer, then the Harbaugh haters would have something I would agree with but this is a special circumstance that he could have avoided had he called and or visited. Harbaugh when he became coach.
January 20th, 2016 at 1:41 PM ^
He just retweeted it. Nebraska or Northwestern is probably where he'll end up.
January 20th, 2016 at 1:38 PM ^
Between Bucknuts, RCMB, and our own fans, it appears nothing more needs to be said.
Well, except from the guy who's in charge of the program. But who cares what that guy thinks.
January 20th, 2016 at 1:40 PM ^
Right on. I hope the folks riding the horses don't hit their heads on the overpasses.
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January 20th, 2016 at 3:18 PM ^
Pretty much
January 20th, 2016 at 1:44 PM ^
Why is it sooo hard for many to understand that he was a Hoke recruit and Jim wanted to re-evaluate him again before bringing him in. Hoke was all about stars (and we saw where that les us) where as JH is about performance on the field. Its simple, the guy didnt perform or developed up to JH and Devrons's standards.
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January 20th, 2016 at 2:56 PM ^
Yea and that should have been communicated to the mid more than three weeks out from signing day. Why is that so hard for you to understand?
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January 20th, 2016 at 1:46 PM ^
I guess Harbaugh was serious when he said that next year we're "going for the big one".
January 20th, 2016 at 1:46 PM ^
that could have been handled better, I trust that either Hackett or the new AD will work with Harbaugh to improve the process for all concerned. It's possible in this Swenson situation, the staff just didn't get around to reviewing his senior tape until after the bowl season/practices. And they collectively thought, holy shit, it looks like he isn't nearly as good as we thought. Then, they were caught in an unfortunate place timing-wise. Again, we don't know all the facts. Someone may ask Harbaugh about it at the NSD press conference, but I doubt he will provide a specific or substantive answer.
January 20th, 2016 at 2:25 PM ^
Harbaugh and co. have been quite busy, so this seems logical. Life isn't rainbows and unicorns, sometimes tough decisions are made and feelings get hurt. If that makes people sad, then buck up Nancy!
January 20th, 2016 at 1:51 PM ^
As long as Harbaugh isn't breaking any rules, I'm fine with his recruiting. Bring in the best and watch 'em win.
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January 20th, 2016 at 2:26 PM ^
Kid said he and his family were in shock when Drevno told him lasrt week and that it was totally out of the blue. Wow, I didn't expect this type of thing.
January 20th, 2016 at 3:01 PM ^
I'm not accusing anyone of anything without all of the facts. One interesting facet that I noticed is some of the big national recruiting analyst for 247 (Wiltfong and Lorenz) have already predicted that the kid is going to Northwestern. Since those guys usually wait until they have real solid information, it is not unreasonable to believe that they are right. This is great news for the kid because Northwestern is not a bad second choice academically or athletically.
It does seem strange that the kid is already leaning towards Northwestern after just hearing from the Michigan coaches a week ago. I am not him, but if it was me I would want to use up as much time as I have and take a couple of visits before I decided what plan B was for me. I am not saying he has committed to Northwestern, but it seems like a strong possibility.
This could be evidence that the kid was on notice prior to last week that he may not be a part of the Michigan class, or maybe the kid did a good job of preparing for the worse.
January 20th, 2016 at 3:06 PM ^
even if the coaches noticed something the day before Signing Day that made them think again, well it's better to tell the guy 'nah thanks' than to bring a kid in that you don't think fits your plans.
I don't know what happened here but IF it happened to be the case that the coaches decided they weren't enthusiastic about this kid - who was recruited by the previous regime - then I think it'd have actually been more unfair to the kid to sign him if the coaches don't really want him. Both parties are committing to 4 years and a football career. Would it be fairer if he had to transfer 2 years in because he's buried in the depth chart?
January 20th, 2016 at 3:11 PM ^
I seem to see these things through the parent lens and I'm just glad my kids aren't elite athletes. Just applying to college is stressful enough. Whether you're Swenson or Rashan Gary, with all options open to you, this is a lot to put on high school seniors. Welcome to the real world whether you're ready or not.
January 20th, 2016 at 3:31 PM ^
for about 35 years before I moved to Florida.
This is sad, since this young man has always been a Michigan fan. I sent a newspaper clipping to Brian when Erik was a young man (he was about 13 and a big kid, and a huge Michigan fan - you can look it up).
The timing of this is terrible and I really feel sorry for him - but I hope he succeeds wherever he ends up.
January 20th, 2016 at 4:00 PM ^
I don't know how active everyone is on Twitter but if you follow Bobby Kunz, please unfollow. That kid is the worst. He pretends to be a UM "insider" all the time but he either steals info from behind pay walls or makes an erroneous claim and hopes it sticks. He's been called out a few times by Webb and few other true insiders. He is saying he was the first to prove that UM pulled the scholarship from Swenson with a Twitter DM conversation. However if you look at the picure he posted of the conversation, he never puts the top of the message (where the proof of who you're talking to is) into the tweet. Bleacher Report even used him as their "source" when they said the scholarship was pulled. I'm not doubting whether or not the staff pulled the scholarship, but a guy like this (who has admitted he is 16 and then later said 25) should not have 20k followers and be used as a source of information.
January 20th, 2016 at 5:23 PM ^
to the edge, you all should go. info from a coach, you all will find.
January 20th, 2016 at 5:58 PM ^
Not a huge deal IMO. Kid never took an official? Why? It's not like this is happening on signing day. He has time to take 2-3 visits and get a free education? I don't understand?
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January 20th, 2016 at 6:57 PM ^
Yeah I think I'll be okay about all this eventually. My heart will go on.
January 20th, 2016 at 7:21 PM ^
I hope all of you who are OK with this, for any of the reasons articulated above (which are fine, btw) never have this happen to your kid.