Wolverine Wednesday: Michigan Picks Up A Commitment From Stephen Loszewski

Just when you thought Michigan had stop recruiting the class of 2014, they reel in the biggest recruit in the class, 5 star recruit Stephen Loszewski.

On Tuesday, Stephen was welcomed by his new teammates.  





 

Thanks to Make a Wish, ESPN and The University of Michigan, Stephen got his wish of becoming a Michigan Wolverine yesterday.    Loszewski has spent the last three and half years in a tug of war with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many immature white blood cells. There was chemotherapy. There were long stretches in the hospital.
 
A few weeks back, Jake Long knocked on Loszewski's door. The current St. Louis Rams offensive tackle and former Michigan Wolverine arrived armed with letters from U-M coaches to begin the recruiting process. The two sat in the family living room talking about football and life and everything in between.

Stephen's day was a special one and included many things including: a tour of Michigan's facilities, a film session with U-M coaches, a one-on-one meeting head coach Brady Hoke, lunch with quarterback Devin Gardner and linebacker Jake Ryan, meeting Dave Brandon, meeting Desmond Howard, announcing his college choice by picking a Michigan hat over MSU, ND and OSU and putting on a helmet and getting to touch the banner with his new teammates. 



"Once I hit the ground and realized I hadn't fallen, I took a second to look around me," Loszewski later said. "I've got to say, it was pretty breathtaking to go from years of watching it on TV, whether it be from my house or a hospital room, and then to stand on the field … that was, uh … I don't even know if I've realized it yet."

 Devin Gardner @DevG98

 People will forget what you said & what you did but they will never forget how you made them feel! w/ @DesmondHoward

 

 

Welcome to the family Stephen, you are a perfect example of a Michigan Man!

 

Michigan Tuesday: Has Recruiting News and Another Title Change

More Recruiting News:

• Alex Malzone has been invited to the Elite 11 camp.  That is a great honor for a senior HS QB! He tweeted: This won't be the last time he is in a good mood driving home from Columbus!  I like this kid.

• I had no idea Miles Boykin's family were big Michigan fans:  ($ HT to Mgoblog)“My dad and my brother are the biggest Michigan fans I know,” Boykin said. “So they loved it.”
  Boykin adding, “When we got back home my brother looked at me and he said, ‘Miles, you’re a better man than I am.’ And I asked what are you talking about? And he was like, ‘I would’ve committed already bro.’  I think Michigan has a shot at landing the Midwest's best WR prospect! A very good shot.

• Michigan is the top 5 but not the top 3 for Mike Weber.   Urban Meyer is trying to get former commit Damien Harris to drink Scarlett and Gray Kool-aide and Michigan didn't take a RB in the 2014 class because of the depth in the 2013 class and Weber and Harris on the board.   Today's visit by Ty Isaac and family, is a very important one folks.   He will most likely have to sit out a year (unless he gets a waiver from the NCAA) and would have 3 to play.   Isaac was very high on Michigan before he headed West to Snoop Dog and USC.   Come on Coach Nuss!

• If David Brandon ever leaves Michigan, he has a job waiting for him as the Duck Dynasty Wal-Mart Branding Guy.   He now has sold the OC position title for $3M.  It will now be known as the Sanford Robertson Offensive Coordinator.   Sadly, David Brandon's soul did not sell, that would have cost a potential Michigan booster $5M.   (Thank you to BHB reader Scott K, who reminded me of this news.   I had clearly blocked it out)

Michigan Friday: More Basketball News

Michigan will play Syracuse at Crisler next year for the ACC Challenge.   Talk about a fun game, I hope the young Wolverines will be ready for that zone defense. 

• Reports are that Cole Huff looked at the Michigan roster and took a pass from the Wolverines, because he wants to play 3 and not the 4.  Michigan of course needs him to play the 4.  "Ultimately, my family and I just felt -- and I'm not one to shy away from competition -- but going to Michigan was just such high risk with all the guys they have coming in," Huff told MLive, adding, "It was a really hard thing to do to; to turn away Michigan. We had gotten pretty far in the process." --- "This is my last go around and I don't want to me unhappy," Huff said of his next destination. "Michigan was a high risk, high reward type of thing."

• Michigan has made the top 10 for LB Darrin Kirkland Jr.

• Local product 2015 OL David Moorman got offered by Wisconsin

• Michigan has made the top 8 for 2015 LB Osa Masina

• Michigan DB commit Tyree Kinnel was named the Defensive Back MVP at a Rivals camp last weekend.  Here is a video for your viewing pleasure.

Michigan Thursday: BBall Recruiting Keeps Changing

It was assumed that when Mitch left school that Michigan would offer Cole Huff, the Nevada transfer.  He would not be eligible next season but he was expected to come in, learn the system, get stronger and be ready to play in late fall 2015.   Something happen on the way to that plan.  

Cole's AAU coach tweeted he was down to Creighton and Iowa and would make a decision soon.  

Michigan doesn't offer kids until they visit.  Since there doesn't seem to be a visit schedule it seems, the Wolverines will bank the scholarship for next year.   I'm guessing with the recent commitment of Dawkins led to Michigan holding on to that last scholarship.

• MAA-R has signed and ready to play!

• Jamal Crawford who was a short lived Wolverine, won 6 man of the year in the NBA

• Michigan is in the top eight for 2015 LB Osa Masina

• Michigan coaches are out to see Ohio Trotwood Madison QB Messiah deWeaver today.

Michigan Thursday: More Information on Possible Transfer Situation

In this Mlive article it seems we now have a clear understanding of Michigan's strategy to replace, Nik, GR3, and maybe Mitch.   Right now, there is one scholarship left for this class.   Which is another clear sign they are keeping Austin Hatch on full scholarship. 


Option A:  McGrary stays and Dawkins signs

Option B:  McGary stays, Dawkins goes to Dayton, and Nevada transfer Cole Huff is offered

Option C:  McGary leaves, Dawkins signs and Huff is offered

Option D: McGary leaves, Dawkins goes to Dayton, Huff is offered.   Bank one or look for another transfer.


Here are some quotes from Huff's meeting with Coach Jordan yesterday:

"The meeting was good," Huff told MLive. "It was nice of him to come out here and we had a good conversation. He talked about the opportunities they can offer, but really, when it comes to Michigan, you don't need a coach to talk to you too much because of all that tradition. It was just an added bonus to have coach Jordan come out here and give me the specifics."

"I guess I'll know more after this week," Huff said.

We should know Mitch's decision anytime now as the deadline is Sunday at midnight.   Insiders are expecting him to turn pro, but he is clearly still wresting with the decision.   I guess Jon Horford had a crystal ball.

Huff has visits scheduled to Iowa, Creighton, and Dayton.  

Michigan Monday: Some Recruiting Notes from Easter Weekend

We all know about the champ committing, but here are a few other things going on in both basketball and football.

• Going into the weekend, it was thought that Michigan would take just one of the two players visiting.  After MAAR committed, Michigan offered Aubrey Dawkins.   That was a bit of a surprise.   It sounds like Aubrey really enjoyed his visit but is still going to visit Dayton this week.   Dayton has been recruiting him for a long time, so it seems like the right to do in keeping that visit scheduled.   It sounds like we might have resolution to losing Nik and GR3 as early as this weekend.  

• VOR had a question regarding Austin Hatch and his ability to play D1 basketball.  Many had thought that as soon as Austin hit campus, Michigan would give him a medical redshirt which would not allow him to play in any games in his Michigan career.  Coach has said, he does not plan to do that and is willing to give him a chance to heal and see if he can get his game back.  I am hoping he can come back and be a contributor but many believe that is a long shot.   Either way, he will be the hero of this team moving forward. 

• TE Chris Clark who just de-committed from UNC, visited Ann Arbor and C-Bus this weekend.  He loved both visits.  I also expect ND and others to be play in his recruitment.   A decision late summer is expected.

• Michigan also hosted OT from NJ Grant Newsome.  His recruitment is very early in the process.

Wolverine Weekend Update: "The Champ" Commits

Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman has committed to the Wolverines on his visit today.   It seems he got a scholarship offer and shook John Beilein's hand and said, "I accept".

MAA-R is a 6'4 180 pound guard that is in serious need of a nickname.   This from UMhoops:   Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman, a wing from Allentown, Pennsylvania. Abdur-Rahkman had a monster senior year for his Central Catholic high school team, averaging 23.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game this past season. Before his senior year, Abdur-Rahkman held offers from mostly mid-majors: Bucknell, Drexel, Lehigh and Harvard were all in on his recruitment. But since then, he has caught the attention of some high-major schools. One of them is Michigan.

Abdur-Rahkman would be a slight departure from the prototypical Michigan recruit in that he isn’t known for his shooting. In fact, the graduating senior said that while his shot has improved, he made his living getting to the rim and playing great man-to-man defense.

"The Champ" said Coach Beilein was calling him at least 3 times a week, which is a clear sign Coach liked what he saw on tape.  Coach Bacari Alexander was at one of his workouts just last week.

He is the 5th player in this class joining:  Kam Chatman, Ricky Doyle, Austin Hatch, and DJ Wilson.

Welcome to the team Mohammad!

Michigan "Good" Friday: A Couple BBall Recruiting Updates

Sam Webb on the radio today discussed the two players (Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Aubrey Dawkins) visiting this weekend and noted Michigan is probably only interested in one.   Both are expected to jump at a Michigan offer if offered.   Sounds like the Michigan players might have a role on which guy gets the offer. 

Another area of recruiting is in players looking to transfer.  (BTW: Did you hear that Florida is interested in Jon Horford?)   A couple guys on Michigan's radar include:  6-8 forward Cole Huff from Nevada and 6-9 forward Sean Obi from Rice.   I like that Michigan is looking at some bigs, I don't like that they probably won't be eligible to play for a year. 

Sean Obi seems to be a hot prospect as more of a traditional low post player.  He has already visited Vandy and plans to visit Duke next.   He shot almost 60% from the field, averaged 11 points and 9 boards a game.   That is exactly what the Wolverines and many other programs need.

Cole Huff seems to be more at the beginning of his process.  He just had a compromise with Nevada to let him to go Southern California schools in the PAC 12 or WCC.   Cole seems to be more of an outside shooter, then a low post big.  It seems he would be a fit for coaches system, but maybe not the type of player the Wolverines need at this point.   His AAU coach said Cole is most interested in: Dayton, Iowa, Creighton, Vanderbilt and Michigan.

USC's leading scorer is 6-foot-5 wing, Byron Wesley who is also looking for a new home.   He is more of a slasher then a shooter and the Los Angles Daily News reports he is looking and Michigan and Indiana.  It's still unclear if Michigan is considering him.

Michigan has a ton of room on the roster right now and it seems this is a long way from over. 

Have a great holiday weekend!

Wolverine Wednesday: They Gone

As expected, sophomores Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III will leave Michigan early to enter the NBA Draft.   It's hard to argue with these decisions.   Nik is the Big Ten Player of the Year and GR3 has an upside that the NBA loves.   It's funny because Nik is probably close to his ceiling and GR3 is expected to have plenty of room to develop. 

I never thought we would have a basketball program sending guys to the NBA at the rate John Beilien has put together.   He really has a great eye in recruiting and developing kids into NBA caliber talents.

It will be fun to see who Michigan brings in during the spring signing period to fill the spots left by Stauskas, Robinson and Horford.   Let's hope McGary isn't on the list.    Coach is on record saying he will start looking for bigger/shot blockers type of kids with the new defensive rules that are now in place.

Here are a couple names to watch:  Ryan Taylor, Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Aubrey Dawkins.  Muhammad is expected in this weekend for a visit and Aubrey is the son of Stanford coach and former Duke assistant Johnny Dawkins ( I wonder why he isn't going to Stanford to play for his dad?).   Aubrey is also expected to visit Ann Arbor at some point.  The great thing about basketball recruiting is there is a ton of talent out there and limited scholarships.   The Michigan coaching staff could can easily go out and find a Spike or Caris this late in the cycle.

• When Michigan plays Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, there is a good chance the Volunteers will lose their head coach.   First Bruce Pearl and now Cuonzo Martin has taken the CAL job.

Wolverine Wednesday: Thank Goodness That is Over

In one of the strangest recruitments ever, Malik McDowell sent in his LOI to MSU last night.   I wish him good luck but his college career sure has gotten off to a strange start. 

• Mlive's Nick Baumgardner tweeted out that Freddy Canteen is running with the one's during practice.  He also quoted Freddy as saying he might be the fastest player on the team.  Freddy was known as a great route runner but not exactly a speed guy, so hearing he is fast is a nice upside.  I take this news a little differently then the Mason Cole news from yesterday, WR's can make an impact as a freshman and should if they are very talented.   I guess we have a couple more reasons to watch the Spring Game on Saturday.

• Northville's QB/Safety Joey Hewlett has agreed to walk-on to the Wolverines this fall.  

• Desmond and the photographer who took the "Hello Heisman" photo finally reached an agreement on how to handle the copyright.

• Hagerup talks about his suspension and being back with the team: “I think of it as a part of me growing up,” Hagerup said on his suspension. “I think everybody goes through, especially a time like this when you’re in college you go through ups and downs. For me it just so happen to be more public, but I am proud of what I accomplished on the field. I’m not proud of some of things I have done off the field. But I think both were necessary to bring me to where I am today.”

• MSU's opener against Jacksonville State has been moved to Friday Night Aug.29.  Jacksonville State finished ranked 10th in the FCS last year.  

Being Malik McDowell

Your a 5 star defensive end and have been recruited non-stop for at least 2 years.   You picked your school on signing day but  your mom didn't agree and hasn't signed your letter of intent to the school you picked. 

So now what happens?

First let us try to clear up a couple of rumors.  Per Sam Webb at Scouts:

• MM's mom did not throw Malik out of the house the night before signing day.
• Mom also did not throw Mark Dantonio out of her house, when he met with the family. 

Now What?

I guess the recruiting process continues.  Here is what his dad had to say:  "I know he is open to taking some unofficials to Florida State and Ohio State," Greg McDowell, Malik's father, told Rivals.com's Josh Helmholdt. "We plan on doing some unofficials and see if he and his mom can resolve this. It's possible she'll be open to Michigan State as well, so we'll have to see."

Greg McDowell also told Rivals.com that the Wolverines are not out of the running for his son at this point.

So it doesn't look great for Malik to head up to MSU unless Malik's mother has a big change of heart.   It seems OSU and FSU now have a window to try to pull Malik in late.   So why not Michigan?

Malik feels there is a big social difference between East Lansing and Ann Arbor.  He has visited Ann Arbor many times but one example visit was the night of the ND game when many of the players just headed back to their dorms or apartments and didn't go out to parties.    During the BBQ the students weren't even on campus.  So Malik is looking for a good time and I think his mom wants just the opposite.    Michigan may still be on the list but I think they are #4.  The only chance Michigan has to gain his signed LOI is to pull him back to campus for maybe the Wisconsin or MSU basketball game and hang out with a couple football players.   The trip to Ann Arbor doesn't seem like a top priority at this point.

I think FSU is too far from home, which lives that team in Columbus.   Which is really too bad. 

• Michigan has offered 2015 LB Josh Barajas and 2015 RB Ronald Jones II

• Michigan has another tough road game tonight in Columbus, 9:00 PM ESPN

• Crawford, Kinnel and Runyan all are committed to Michigan for the 2015 class, rated 4 stars from Scouts and on their top 300 list.

Michigan Friday: It's Quiet After a Busy Week

Malik is not coming to Ann Arbor and most of  these type of situations get ironed out and the player gets to go to the school he wants to attend.  Since it's the only drama in the area, here is a quick update:

Malik told friend and teammate Lawrence Marshall that he was going to big Michigan before his announcement and Lawrence was shocked when he heard his choice of Michigan State.  Maybe he forgot to mention the word "state" when speaking to Lawrence.

Here is Rivals Mike Farrell's take: 

“The mom is the issue,” Farrell said. “She hates Michigan State. The father wants Ohio State. The mother wants Ohio State or Florida State. Malik wants Michigan State. He’s upset how public his mom has made it -- on radio, social media and elsewhere.

“They’ve got to get it resolved. They’ve had months to talk about this. But I don’t see her as the giving-in type of person.”

 

 

To Mike's point this recruitment has been going on about 2 years.  These issues should have been brought up early in the process and resolved by now.   Either way I wish him good luck on his choice. 

 

I'm sure OSU would find room for him but they stole a DE from MSU on signing day, so they are probably full at that position now.   There always seems to be room for a 5 star. 

 

------------

 

The Michigan Basketball Team takes the floor again on Saturday against a good Iowa team at Iowa.  This game and their trip to Columbus next week will be a good test to see if the Wolverines truly has a chance to win the regular season Big Ten title. 

 

• Michigan players invited to the NFL combine in Indy include:  Taylor Lewan, Mike Schofield and Jeremy Gallon.

 

• Taylor is 11 and 12 in separate ESPN Mock Drafts.

 

Michigan Thursday: I Guess They Didn't Enjoy The Loss

John Beilein's club didn't enjoy the loss on Super Bowl Sunday and took it out on Nebraska in almost a 30 point win.   Michigan dominated from the opening tip and never looked back.  

It seems GR3 was tired of being the 3rd or 4th option and lead the team in points with 23, Levert threw in 16, Irvin was hot in the first half and contributed 16 points and Nik only shot the ball a couple times but added 8 assists.  

This was the type of win that good teams have at home.   In the Big Ten this year, you just have to try to survive on the road and dominate at home.   That is what the Wolverines did last night.   When the 3 drops, this is a very hard team to beat. 

The Michigan schedule now heats back up again with back to back road games at Iowa and Ohio State.

• The Malik McDowell saga continues as his LOI has yet to reach East Lansing. Mom is the legal guardian and she has made it very clear, she does not want her son in East Lansing. “I’m not legally able to do it because I’m not the custodial parent,” Greg told The Detroit News, noting that Malik is only 17. “She has to sign it and I have to sign it, too. I don’t know when it will happen. Malik has to handle that with his Mom. I’m willing to do whatever my son wants. It’s been a long process and an uneasy process.

• Denard, Devin and Big Will were all together at the Nebraska game last night.

• Florida athlete DJ Law signs with 3 schools on NSD.   The guy just wants to have options! :-)

Coach Speak: Hoke Talks About the 14 Class

Small Class but all guys right fit for Michigan

Hoke says recruiting seems not about the kids anymore, it's about services and the internet.

Peppers has the right attitude mentally and gifted athletically

Many questions about Gibbons no answers

Mike, Wilton and Drake were helping recruit other players and truly like each other

Negative recruiting happens every year

On Peppers, lets get him in here and be a corner for awhile, can he return kicks and be on offense.  Let's let the kid get on campus and be a freshman

7-6 is not good enough, class stayed together

JBB was a bball player and the his best football is in front of him, just started playing football his junior year.

Bunting has lost a bit of weight playing bball

Likes the LB's in this class and their length

Noah took his cast off with a hedge trimmer this past season

Canteen a slot guy

Moe's size gives an advantage in the redzone all 3 receivers compliment each other

Hoke talked to Jabrill twice yesterday

Hoke was clearly upset with all the Gibbons questions, that he knew was coming and that he received but didn't answer.  He walked off with a Gibbons question.

He had a tense exchange with Drew Sharp and then made a strange comment about Russell Wilson winning the Super Bowl. 

Michigan Tuesday: NSD Eve

National Signing Day is tomorrow and it seems Michigan is losing it's grips on the only prospect on their board.   Here is a quote from Malik's father:  (via mgoblog via 24/7)

“From when we talked Friday he’s coming around because he knows how adamant we are about him not attending Michigan State,” the elder McDowell said. “I don’t have anything bad to say against Michigan State but I don’t think they’re the school for my son. I think the coaches are cool and they’re establishing a good program, but this is my son and I choose to not want him there. If he were to choose Michigan State I don’t know what I would do. It is what it is. I just want my son away from this environment and Michigan. I want him out of here.”

His mom is quoted as well as saying something like: "anywhere but Michigan State".  

So it seems Malik wants to go to East Lansing and his parent what him anywhere but there.  Now it seems they want him out of state which means Ohio State or Florida State.    If those are the last two, please go to FSU. 

Is this another poor close by Brady Hoke and staff?  Is this a miss direction by his parents to create some drama?  We will see.

Now the only compelling event is watching the fax machine and waiting for Mr. Peppers LOI to roll in.


National Signing Day at the Big House Blog is the best day of the year! 

• We will have any breaking news
• Will have Malik's decision between 9:30 - 10 AM.
• Will list all the LOI's as they come in

This is the highest traffic day of the year here, so get in early and stay for all the LOI's. 


DB Ross Douglass seems to be moving to RB this spring.  I guess he played there a bit on the scout team last season and played well.

Here is a fun video for you, if you didn't see it before the Super Bowl

Michigan Monday: It was Bound to Happen

Michigan finally laid an egg on the road in the Big Ten.  Yogi hit everything he looked at and most of Nik's shot went in and then bounced out for a total of 6 points.  It was a frustrating game to watch as you could tell Michigan had more talent on the floor but on Sunday afternoon the shots weren't dropping for the Wolverines and they couldn't find a answer for Yogi or Boo Boo on the other side of the floor.

Two things bothered me watching the game.  The first was Michigan basically letting Yogi get any 3 point shot he wanted, second was that Michigan should have taken the ball to the basket more then shooting threes all day.   Nik and GR3 could of had a layup drill all afternoon if they wanted it, the guys guarding them could not stay in front of them.   Morgan passed up a layup when a small guard had him in the low post for a open 3 point shot miss.  That was pretty much the story of the entire game for the Wolverines. 

Hopefully the Wolverines will now understand the difference from being the hunter to the hunted. 

• I guess the Super Bowl answered my question on Friday.  A good defense beats a good offense.  That was quite a performance by the Seahawks.   The Seattle defense outscored the entire Broncos offense.  Throw in the kick return and the Seahawks offense didn't even need to score to win the game. 

• Malik will announce his decision at 9:30 AM on signing day/Wednesday.  He is now back from his Ohio State visit and it's time to make a decision.   If you want to understand more of this complex decision, check out this story in the Detroit News.

Michigan Friday: Can a Great Defense Beat a Great Offense?

That is the real question for the Super Bowl fans isn't?  Can Payton's arm hold up against the pass rush and DB's of the Seahawks?   It should be a great game, even if it's in cold temperatures.  My only concern in the game is can the Seahawks offense score enough points to win?  Russell Wilson will have to play a near perfect game or the Seahawks defense will have to score a couple of times.   Broncos 24 Seahawks 17


John Beilein's squad did it again last night and won another Big Ten game.   The game wasn't pretty for the most part with the Wolverines committing 16 turnovers but the much improved play of Derrick Walton and Nik Stauskas carried the Wolverines to another comfortable win.    I love LeVert's athleticism and how he can effect a game, but his dribble around the key drives me crazy.  If he can take out a couple of young mental mistakes in his game, the sky is the limit for him. 

I have two concerns right now.  First is how the defense gives up way too many uncontested layups.  The other is how GR3 continues to get lost on the floor a bit.  His shot has been off a bit and he scored under 10 points last night.   If Michigan has it's eyes on a Big Ten Title and Final 4 run, they will need him to set up and be a difference maker in each game (on both sides of the ball). 

• To recap MM's recruitment:  MSU assistants visited yesterday, Jimbo Fisher visited yesterday as well and Brady Hoke and a couple coaches will be in home this morning with the McDowell family.   The McDowell's will then head to Columbus for their final official visit before signing day.   When they get home this weekend, they will then sit down as a family and make a decision and announce it on signing day.   Michigan's signing day close will come down to this decision.  Yes, there could be a surprise commit but I see very little options outside Malik in the Wolverines last spot in this class.

Bob, if you had to pick a signing day surprise for the Wolverines if MM doesn't come here?  Who do you think it might be? 

I think the Wolverines would "eat" the scholarship and save it for next year and give it to a walk-on this season.   If you made me guess who the Wolverines might throw a late offer to in this class, here are a couple of options that I have zero inside information on.  It's just a 100% total guess:

- Darius West is a 4 star safety from Lima, OH.  He is 6'0 and 195 pounds.  He is currently committed to Kentucky and was recruited by Michigan but not offered.   

-Daniel Cage is a DT from Cincinnati, OH and is 6'3 and 295 pounds.   He has not committed but has offers from the likes of MSU and ND.   Michigan has not offered and I expect he wouldn't flip with the quality offers he already has. 

-Chukwuma Okorafor is a 6'6 285 pound OT from Southfield.   He plays with MM and current Michigan commit Lawrence Marshall.   He is committed to Western but sounds like he might flip on signing day to Iowa.  He also has an Oklahoma offer. 

I believe Chukwuma is the best available prospect in Michigan.  It seems Damon Webb is not going to come to his senses and is 100% solid to Ohio State.  If Urban pulls DW and MM out of Michigan that is going to be tough.  It must be how Urban feels, when Michigan pulls top prospects out of his state.

I checked Glenville and Cass Tech, places Michigan likes to fish for athletes and I don't see any late addition options at either school.  The best bet is they save it for the small 2015 class.

• Hardaway went for 29 points for the Knicks last night.

Michigan Thursday: Malik McDowell Update

We know the 5 star DE is planning to visit CBus this weekend but before that happens, coaches from all around the country are trying to visit the McDowell family.   It seems the only reason that OSU is on the visit list is because they hired former Penn State assistant Larry Johnson.

Today, Michigan State and Florida State will be in home or at Southfield High to meet with the McDowell's.   Brady Hoke and Michigan will be visiting with Malik and his family on Friday morning for his last in home/school visit. 

The one thing that is very clear is that the McDowell's will be making a family decision and that decision has not be made.   Michigan is in this recruitment and it's time to see if Brady Hoke and Greg Mattison can close it.   In Michigan's favor is academics, Mattison and close to home.  Let's see if they will win the day on February 5th. 

• Michigan offered a pair of tight ends for the 2015 class

• Ohio State dropped another Big Ten game last night to Penn State and Wisconsin lost to Northwestern.

• Michigan has Purdue at Crisler tonight 9:00 ESPN.  Lets hope there isn't a letdown.

• Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway were invited to play in NBA's Rising Stars game

• Michigan's official statement on sexual misconduct policy. 

Michigan Tuesday: So Your Saying There is a Chance?

Brady Hoke's national signing day's at Michigan have been pretty boring.  He has usually wrapped his class up months before and the only drama is wanting for the fax machine to generate LOI's.

This year isn't any different with about 1/2 the class already enrolled and taking classes.   With one exception,  Malik McDowell will announce his decision on signing day.  MM is a 6'6 300 pound, 5 star DE to Rivals and played his high school ball in Southfield.  His teammate is current Michigan commit Lawrence Marshall.

Malik doesn't speak to the recruiting insiders too much and just spent last weekend in East Lansing, where a rumor was generated that he will be heading to play for the Spartans.   The one guy with a little inside access is Scouts Sam Webb who talks with Malik's dad, who consistently says it will be a family decision, which will include the best fit and the best academics. 

Michigan seemed like Malik's leader earlier this summer when another 5 star DE was also considering Michigan.  In fact, there was a decent chance that Malik was ready to pull the trigger around the BBQ at the Big House time frame.   That didn't happen and Malik wanted to take all his visits and announce at the Army All American game.   When the Army game rolled around, his visits weren't complete so he decided to delay his decision to signing day. 

Malik has visited Alabama, Florida, Florida State, MSU and replaced an LSU visit with Ohio State for this weekend.  He didn't do an official to Michigan which is not a bad thing because he has been to Ann Arbor many times.

Yesterday Malik tweeted out that his top 4 (in no order) are:  Michigan, MSU, FSU and OSU. 

The feedback on his recruitment seems to be the following:

• Michigan best academics
• MSU is where he has had the most fun
• FSU has family down there and really liked the coaches
• OSU feedback after this weekend

This recruitment is 100% up in the air and could go in any direction.  The family will sit down after this weekend and pick the best school.   The Michigan coaches are trying to get a in home visit set up with Malik and family before the 5th.  

This is going to be a close call and Michigan seems all in with Malik or bust for the 2014 class. 

Michigan Friday: Recuriting Updates and A Trip To East Lansing

MSU is banged up and might be with out injured big men Adriean Payne and now Branden Dawson who broke his hand on a table after watching film.  Those two guys are/were a big advantage for Sparty over the smaller Michigan lineup.  If Michigan shoots well they should stay in this game.

• Darn It Dad!  Nik backed off his dad's comment on the NBA:  “I apologize for my father’s comments,” he said Wednesday. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I haven’t really thought anything about that yet. We’ll just address it after the season.”

• Damien Harris mom's weighs in on his de-commitment (from Scouts through Mgoblog): “The reason he came to this decision is he felt like when he committed, at the time, we felt like it was the right decision even though it was early,” she explained.  “Months later he has been thinking and thinking, ‘I didn’t really go and look at other places probably like I should have.  I didn’t consider other places like I should have.’   Even though Michigan is #1, and that hasn’t changed, he just wants to make sure he doesn’t have any regrets when he gets ready to enroll.  He just wants to make sure that he didn’t leave any stone unturned and wants to make sure he didn’t miss out on anything, even though he knows Michigan is still his #1.  That’s all.  He is just making sure that if he was to visit other places, he wasn’t going to regret not taking the full experience.”  I guess there have been some "so called" Michigan fans giving him the business on Twitter.  I know every fan base has some crazies, but it's never a good idea to tweet at a high school player or any amateur athlete.  

• Michael Schofield has played much better at Right Tackle then Right Guard at the Senior Bowl.  It seems he is much more comfortable at Tackle.

• Michigan seems very focused on Cass Tech RB Mike Weber now that Harris has checked out of the class.  His top 5 are MSU, Tenn, Michigan, OSU and Wisconsin.  The Wolverines might have some catch up to do in his recruitment but I think Mike is very interested in U of M.  I like how involved Coach Nuss is in recruiting.  Big Al didn't hit the road too often even though he was the key recruiter for Damien Harris.

• I don't have a good feeling on the McDowell recruitment.  He is heading up to MSU for an official visit this weekend after saying he wouldn't do an instate official.   He still may visit to LSU and cancel Ohio State.  Could he be visiting MSU this weekend to support the Wolverines in the basketball game?

• BHB Loyal Reader Augusta J wanted an update on RB Jeff Jones and Michigan.  I honestly don't know, it seems the Michigan coaches knew Harris was "jumping ship" when they decided to stop recruiting RB's in the 2014 class.   Is Jeff still visiting?  I doubt it.