Michigan Thursday: Advertising Inside The Big House

As Michigan fans, we really don't want advertising in the Big House or patches on the iconic jerseys but we know its coming.  NIL has raised the stakes and athletic departments now need to be run like a Fortune 500 company instead of an academic athletics organization.   Michigan announced that Google, Meijer and Coca-cola will all have their logo's in the Big House in a few weeks.   Now, it seems to be tatesly fully done and will give each company plenty of exposure.  The last thing we want is the Big House to look like a Nascar.  

One area that is really starting to get some good buzz out of camp is the offensive line.  Yes, an 18 year-old Bryce struggled at times last year but so did the pass protection.  Michigan by all reports are much improved on the offensive line and have great depth pieces as well.   This should be great for Michigan's run game and giving Bryce a few extra seconds to find an open WR or TE. 

• In a surprising development, Michigan Basketball has added another Guard for next season's team out of the transfer portal.  Kenny Noland from Columbia averaged 17 points per game and 3 assists last season.  He can play backup point or play off the ball.  The team leaves for Europe today and it will be interesting to see if he is with the team or not. 

• Former Michigan QB news, Davis Warren has been named the starting QB for Stanford.  I'm planning a story on all the former Michigan QB's still around on Friday. 

• Michigan kicker commit Ryan Jung is now eligible to play his final HS season in Georgia.

Wolverine Wednesday: "I'm Your Captain Now"

When the undisputed GOAT says the biggest honor he ever received playing football was being named a Captain of the Michigan Football Program, it should give you chills.  Tom won every award a professional football player could receive and the honor he received from his teammates meant more then any other football award he received.  

Michigan announced their captains a couple days ago:

• Bryce Underwood, the Sophomore QB will have the season and this teams success riding on his shoulders and his play.  It's a ton to ask for a 19 year-old but him being voted a captain must mean he is putting in the work and being a leader at the same time. 

• Jordan Marshall, is Michigan's star RB.  From all accounts he is a great guy and perfect fit to lead on the offensive side of the ball. 

• Rod Moore, is a no brainer.  The guy should be in the NFL but injuries has cost him playing time and he is back for one more go.  Can't ask for a leader with more experience.  

• Trey Pierce, I don't know a ton about, but the coaches have him in very high regard.  So much so they even brought in his brother to the team.  This will be his senior year in Ann Arbor and the expectation is he is set up for a big year. 

4 great choices as we approach Game 1 in a few weeks. 

• Michigan comes in at #16 in the first AP poll.  OSU is #1 then Oregon and IU is #6.  

• Najee Harris gets signed by the Giants.  Just get on the flight to DTW and pick up the rental car Najee! Now he will have played for 2 Harbaugh's

• Don't forget the Michigan Basketball Team is set for its European tour that last 9 days with 3 games.  The dates are 8/20-8/29

Michigan Tuesday: New Prez from Nashville

University of Michigan is expected to name Vanderbilt Provost C. Cybele Raver to be its next President.  

Couple of facts on Raver:

• She is a psychologist researcher 
• 2nd female President in UM history 
• Seemingly beat out former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan
• Prior to Vandy, she was the Deputy Provost at NYU and a professor of applied psychology 
• Raver's research focuses on self-regulation and school readiness in young children
• She has degrees from Harvard and Yale 
• Prior to NYU she held academic positions at Cornell and University of Chicago. 
• Her sister is actress Kim Raver 

Sounds like a strong hire!  

Michigan Monday: Some Scrimmage Buzz

This past Saturday marked 3 weeks before the WMU game in the Big House.  Thank goodness its not in Germany.  3 weeks is very much the halfway point of Fall Camp, but it's also starting to feel like football will be back soon.   This past Saturday the Wolverines gathered in the Big House for the first "live" scrimmage of the year.    

There is not a ton of intel coming out of Schembechler Hall but it sounds like the true Freshman Travis Johnson and the Offensive Line had a good day.  Johnson continues to get good reviews from camp insiders and it sounds like he is heading for the WR#3 spot with Marsh and Buchanan.    We shall not forget, Texas transfer Jaime Ffrench who will also have something to say about that 3rd WR spot.   Others might be wondering about 5 star WR Moa? Sounds like he has put a few solid practices together and is in the mix for some playing time at one of the backup WR positions. 

The most important fact coming out of the scrimmage is the team left the field 100% healthy. 

• Sorry I missed this when it happened but Chris Wormley retired a week or so ago.  I loved the Worm at Michigan and he had a nice run in the NFL.  I also read he just got a new gig with BTN as an analyst.   Go Worm!

• Ryan Day is moving Senior Day to Week 1 so the focus can be on the Wolverines.  At least we are not in Ryan's head 24/7.

• 2028 Cass Tech QB Donald Taborn II commits to Texas A&M