Sam Webb recruiting article featuring Michael Ferns III and much more

Submitted by Blue boy johnson on

Sam has penned a very interesting article on an impressive recruit from Ohio: Michael Ferns III. The article features Ferns III, but also gives some interesting insights on Joe Bolden, DL Coach Jerry Montgomery, the impressiveness of M in general, and of course the one and only Brady Hoke.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120628/OPINION03/206280472/1131/sports0201/U-M-Notre-Dame-Penn-State-big-impact-small-town-star

This quote from Papa Ferns regarding DL Coach Jerry Montgomery really caught my attention.

 

He is as strong a recruiter as we've dealt with," the elder Ferns said about Montgomery. "He's pretty on top of the game, and he's real good about informing you. He's a real asset to Michigan. He is very open. You get comfortable talking with him to where you can ask him or tell him anything, and you don't feel like you're being put to some sort of sales pitch. So instantly, you feel good about that."

sundaybluedysunday

June 29th, 2012 at 9:36 AM ^

Wow, definitely one of the better Detroit News articles that Sam has done, I highly recommend that everyone follow the link. Most of the time Webb just turns to his Scout colleagues to get a fluff scouting report and has one or two quotes from the prospect where they give generic answers about what they're looking for in a school, but this really went in-depth into his specific situation. It's very cool to see recruiting from an intimate perspective like that and get taken through what a recruiting visit can be like step by step. These coaches just seem so damn good at selling Michigan to these prospects, and it's exciting to see what that entails.

LSAClassOf2000

June 29th, 2012 at 10:06 AM ^

This was a great, detailed piece on Michael Ferns III and the state of things regarding his recruitment. Good work by Webb here.

I found this interesting:

"The respect and admiration for Hoke stemmed from the recommendation from one of his star players at Ball State, former quarterback Nate Davis. A high school star in nearby Bellaire, Ohio, the Davis family has been effusive in its praise of Hoke. When the Ferns met Hoke face to face they found that praise to be well deserved"

One of the things that I really like about Hoke is that even the players and staff at jobs from his past speak highly of him, and if their network extends to kids such as Ferns, then I can only see this as helping us in the future, at least potentially. We obviously won't get every target, but it seems that all of the networking that goes on around recruting and the fact that people hold Brady Hoke in such high esteem is a good combination for us. It is a great advantage to have a head coach that people recommend visiting basically regardless of which job he may currently have.

Lac55

June 29th, 2012 at 10:42 AM ^

Since his introductory press conference, Hoke has just been flawless. I can't think of anything he's done or said wrong. Maybe I'm just a homer, but we got a hell of a man leading this program.

True Blue Grit

June 29th, 2012 at 11:11 AM ^

as far as Ferns III coming here potentially.  It sounds like the parents were VERY impressed by the campus and the entire visit.  These are the kinds of student/athletes Michigan really must get.  4.0 students who are also studs on the field or court.  Given his 3 main options, I like Michigan's chances. 

Jack Daniels

June 29th, 2012 at 11:27 AM ^

I would be surprised if Ferns didn't commit to Michigan, considering he truly sounds invested 100% in academics, and isn't blowing smoke like some other recruits.

The Wolf

June 30th, 2012 at 11:11 AM ^

This.  I think this may be the most important take-away from the entire article (aside from the fact that Michael Ferns seems to be a great young man with his priorities straight).  I feel like we have been seeing this theme emerge more and more as we progress through the current recruiting class (Coach Montgomery doing a fantastic job on the recruiting trail).  It really is wonderful to hear about the coaches doing such a great job, but it also makes me wonder how long Coach Hoke will be able to hold on to all of them . . .