Maryland Post Game: Most Complete Game of The Season

Tommy Gilligan, Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

With a young team, you never know what type of team you are going to get week to week.  Coming off the bye in Chicago the team did somethings really well, but turned the ball over 5 times and snuck out with a win.   Yesterday afternoon in another road trip, Michigan's defense gives up a 1st drive TD on defense but also scores one of their own.  

The team full of freshman and walk-on's turned in a very good performance in all phases as the Terrapins threw the kitchen sink at them to try to get bowl eligible.  Was the day perfect from the Wolverines side?  Of course not, but that's why we have Cheers and Jeers! 

Cheers:

• Kuz with 3 TD's and 100 tough yards on the ground! 
• Marsh is a superstar! 
• TE's with 5 catches 
• 3 Sacks (I thought Moore had all of them, also thought they had 4?)
• Bryce with a sharp game and no TO's
• A Goodwin sighting 
• Curtis pick was nice (also led the team in tackles)
• Field Position!
• Finally a dominating performance
• Marsh with 48 kickoff return yards and 23 punt return 
• Hello Tomas O'Meara!
• No turnovers! 
• No Punts! 

Jeers:

• Semaji didn't make the trip
• There are a ton of rumors floating around Ernie Hausmann and if he is still with the team, did he leave because of mental health or religious reasons? He tweeted later in the day he never left the team.  Lots of confusion with this situation that seems to be very fluid.  Ernie also did not make the trip. 
• Marshall didn't play but was dressed and could've gone.  
• Wink, you are still blitzing too much.  When you have a QB nervous, he is going to dump the ball off quickly whether you blitz or not.  Fake a blitz and get into coverage. 
• Z enough already.  Make your kicks, we need you on Saturday!  Dude, lets go! 
• Max Bredeson is hurt and left on crutches.  Sherrone said it didn't look good. 
• Our CB's got beat on some deep routes that were overthrown by Maryland's QB
• The stats are not crazy high as Michigan had great field position and short drives all game. 

All and all a great game for the Wolverines and some nice momentum going into THE GAME.  My preference is for Michigan to beat the Buckeyes and not go to the Big Ten Championship game, while getting an at large bid for the playoffs.  Michigan has too many injuries and does not need to play an extra game before the postseason.  If Michigan were to go to the Big Ten Title game and lose to IU (basically a home game for them), that would knock them out of the playoffs.  Big week coming up! 

Michigan Tuesday: The 2023 Class Continues to Grow

When Michigan has a top 20 recruiting class, it could be considered a bit of an off year on the recruiting trail.  The 2024 class is just the opposite as the Wolverines currently has the #3 class in the nation.  

What has surprised me about the 2023 class, is that it continues to grow.  As you know, after the first Wednesday in February it's usually a wrap on that year's class.  Michigan recently got a ND de-commitment in Brandyn Hillman a 4-star athlete who projects as a defensive back prospect.  It's a position of need and a really nice late pick-up.   So that's a wrap on the class, right?

Nope, Michigan got a PWO for 2023 in QB Jack Grusser.  Michigan didn't take a QB in the class and getting at least one a year is important.   Your first thought might be, getting a PWO QB is a good strategy, but why are you highlighting it?

Because Jack is a 3-star QB and decommitted from Harvard to play at Michigan as a PWO.  Jack is 6'1 and 185 pounds from Franklin Lakes, NJ. He also had a Big Ten offer from Rutgers and offers from Army, UConn, UMass, Dartmouth, Penn, ODU, Western Michigan, etc.  This is scholarship worthy QB, who is joining Michigan on his own dime.  That is pretty cool. 

Does Jack stick as a QB?  Who knows, but the opportunity to play for Harbaugh in Ann Arbor was worth more to him than attending Harvard or getting 100% of his school paid for at another program.  

• NBC is suggesting they are working on something with Michigan Football.  My best guess is a behind the scenes "Hard Knocks" type of show. 

• 110 players jumped into the portal this weekend, the latest is MSU QB Hampton Fay.

• A bit of an under the radar commit DL Manuel Beigel has been offered by Penn State. 

Michigan Thursday: Help on the Defensive Line

In the 2023 class, Michigan had a chance at one 5-star recruit.  Yesterday afternoon Nyck Harbor decided to pick South Carolina and play Beamer Ball.  So that really left 2 candidates on the defensive line in Cam Brandt and Jamel Howard.  Cam went Blue and Howard went back to Wisconsin. 

Michigan went 1-3 on the day.  Though the good news did continue as they secured a PWO in legacy player John Jokisch who is a 6'4 235 defensive lineman.  Who happens to be the son for former Michigan WR Paul Jokisch.  John can play and had an offer to Army.  Welcome! 

Lets take a deeper look at Cam:

Cam was originally committed to Stanford before David Shaw decided to step down. His offer list included the likes of USC, UCLA, CAL, Texas, Washington, etc.  Cam is a 4 point student and was clearly looking for a strong academics University.  He found one in A2.

Brandt's rankings are a bit all over the board.  He is a 4-star to 24/7 and ESPN but a 3-star to On3 and Rivals.  He averaged around the 50th defensive lineman in the country. 

Cam is a bit of a tweener between DE and DT, most recruiting insiders believe he is being recruited as an edge rusher at Michigan.  He might follow a Chris Wormley path as Cam isn't as big as Worm but if he puts on some serious weight on his 6'4 260 frame he could play inside.  We will have to see how he develops and what his natural position is. 

As I was reading some reviews of the talented lineman, this review caught my eye:  Ellinghouse describes Brandt as "the hardest working kid you can imagine. He's driven, he's self-motivated, 6-4/260, can run like the wind and plays with a motor that's relentless. … Just a complete, well-rounded D-lineman who's just as good as he is inside as he is outside, against the run as he is against the pass. He's a real football player."

Yes, Please! 

Welcome to the team! 

• The scariest thing to a fan base is when its 100% clear that their coach is out of touch with their players, program, and modern football.  Here is the latest example: Kirk Ferentz: “As I stand here today, I anticipate no changes in our staff moving forward”.

Michigan Monday: Heisman a QB Award

The Heisman Trophy ceremony continues to be a QB award and Caleb Williams took home the trophy on Saturday.   Blake finishing 7th is criminal as he would have won the trophy if he hadn't hurt his knee and had the yards Donovan Edwards had in the OSU and Big Ten Championship.  Out of all the guys in the top 7, who had the best final game?  Blake had 100 yards in the first half before hurting his knee.  

• Reports are that Mike Leach is in critical condition after a medical event on Sunday.   Mike is a national treasure and I hope he makes it through. 

• Michigan Coaches are on the road to try to firm up the 2023 class days before the early signing period.  Michigan has had a ton of success on the field but the 20th ranked class in 2023.  The reason? New coordinators and larger NIL at other programs.  There were also a number of official visitors this weekend.  

• Hutch has 2 sacks and DPJ over a 100-yards receiving on Sunday. 

• There is a movement that OU and Texas could join the SEC a year early and we should know in a month if they will join for the 2024 season. 

• MSU is losing a number of recruits in both the 23 and 24 class.   Their 2023 class is down to 10 players, on the good side most of them are 4 stars. 

• Stanford hired the Sacramento State coach and now the Navy head coaching job is open after losing to Army and a losing record this season. 

• The Purdue search has been pretty quiet.  Todd Monken might be a candidate (Georgia OC).

• Hello to PWO Cole Morgan from NJ.  Cole is a 285-pound offensive lineman.  His name sounds like a Michigan Man; Cole Morgan!

• Texas Basketball head coach Chris Beard has been arrested on a domestic abuse charge.

Michigan Friday: A Couple of PWO's

This time of year is great for Michigan filling out depth and scout team roles through Preferred Walk-On offers (PWO).  Sometimes you strike gold and find a contributor or even a starter.    The Glasgow's come to mind as a recent gold mine.  Michigan landed two guys yesterday to its PWO program.   

1. Charlie Lovell, DE from Pinckney 

2. Josh Nichols, CB/S from Loyola High School in Detroit 

Welcome guys! 

Harbaugh Watch - Nothing new to report. The Raiders have asked to interview Patriots OC Josh McDaniel's.  Would love for these NFL jobs to be filled so we can close this damn thing down.   To Jimmy's credit, he keeps on working and now needs a new DC.  (As you will see below, these NFL hires are also affecting the Michigan DC search)

• The USFL is back, and The Michigan Panthers have hired Jeff Fisher to the be their head coach.   I hope this league last more than a couple of weeks.

• If Byron Leftwhich gets the JAX job, its expected he would bring Larry Foote with him as the Jags DC.  That could happen as early as this weekend.   Nobody wants to work with GM Trent Baalke, so they have to clean that up as well.   If Todd Bowles gets a head coaching job, Larry could be in line as Tampa's next DC as well.   

• A strange name that has popped up in Michigan's DC search is former Washington Head Coach Jimmy Lake who Michigan rolled over in the Big House this year.   The guy can coach defense, with his specialty in the secondary but he had some issues with "putting hands" on his players at UW and was seen the door.  Not sure Michigan would sign up for that career reclamation project.

Here are my criteria for the new Michigan DC:

1. Can run/teach multiple coverages 

2. Is young and has a ton of energy 

3. Can make in game adjustments 

4. Will hit the recruiting trail hard 

Michigan Tuesday: The Orlando Magic - Michigan Basketball South?

The NBA Summer League has a ton of former Wolverines in it, the Orlando Magic has its unfair share (last night results):

Franz: played 19 minutes scored 5, 6 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal

Teske: played 14 minutes, 3 points, 2 boards,  2 assist, 1 steal

Iggy: 18 minutes, 12 points, 4 boards, 1 assist

Moe signed a new 2 year deal and is not participating in the summer league.  Somewhat surprised that Jordan Poole is from the Warriors.

Mike Smith played 15 minutes for the Buck and had 1 steal 

Charles Matthews for the 76'ers played 5 minutes, 2 assists, 1 board

• Darboah cot cut by Denver and might be the end of the line for him. 

• Michigan has secured the commitment of a local 2022 long snapper Evan Boutorwick, who is an Army All American.  Most likely a PWO.

Michigan Monday: Congratulations to Women's Gymnastics - National Champions!

We don't get to say National Champions around here much and a great reason to celebrate the Michigan Women's Gymnastics team, who won a National Championship on Saturday!   Congrats to the team and everyone involved.   Thank you for bringing hardware back to Ann Arbor!!! 

• Kofi Cockburn - the Illinois center who is built like the Incredible Hulk, is moving on to the NBA or a movie studio! 

• The Boston Celtics in a head scratcher cut Mo Wagner so they can sign washed up Jabari Parker. 

• Michigan welcomed some PWO's over the weekend Alexander Lidback and Noah Howes

• Speaking of Michigan walk-on's Hunter Reynolds will finish his football career at Utah State.  Congrats to Hunter for finding a spot. 

• Ohio State doesn't know who is gong to start at QB.  That might be the first time in 15 years that has happened.  Jack Miller, C.J. Stroud and Kyle McCord are all in the hunt for the #1 job after the Spring Game this past weekend. 

Michigan Thursday: Welcomes in a New Year

Since I seem to be in a classic rock mood, I will quote Ann Arbor legend Bob Seager today and say it's time to "Turn the Page" on 2020 and welcome in a new year.   This year has been a disaster for many reasons, including our two win football team.   Time to move on to bigger and better things.  

Michigan Basketball takes on a hot Maryland team tonight on the road.  Michigan has played 1 game in two weeks and Maryland just upset Wisconsin on Monday.    Michigan is a slight favorite at -2 but I would consider them underdogs since they are playing only their 2nd road game of the year.   If Michigan can get the effort they got in the 2nd half at Nebraska, they have a good chance of winning this game.   Franz is the key if he can give the team 18-24 points. 

My take on the college playoffs hasn't changed.  It has become almost unwatchable.   Florida and Oklahoma played a meaningless game last night where Florida was minus 8 or more starters who opted out.   The game was terrible.   

ND is almost a 3 TD (20) underdog to Alabama and Clemson is favored by 7.5.  Dabo was giving an interview to ESPN on the tarmac last night after the team arrived, a Clemson player was shown in the video having a $3000 Supreme suitcase.   Yea, they are playing a different game then Michigan is.  

You have to expand the playoffs, just so more teams are involved.  Who watched that 4 hour ESPN selection show last week?  Why would you? the 4 teams were already locked.  A day after Clemson blows out ND.   The BCS was bad and it got changed, the 4 team playoffs was better but now its under similar scrutiny as the BCS.   No, I don't think Cincinnati would beat Alabama or even stay within 40, but they deserve a shot.   The Playoff selection committee is just a way to get friends of the NCAA an extra salary.  

The way this system is set up, it's like giving the KC Chiefs the first 5 top draft picks in the NFL Draft every year.   If your not going to police Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State's bagmen lets open the playoffs to other teams, so at least it keeps more fan bases interested.  If your worried about the Bowl Game dying, they are already dead.   Wisconsin won the Mayo Bowl yesterday and broke the trophy in a few minutes.   Florida - Oklahoma should have been a great match-up but the Florida players didn't think so and opted out to protect their knees.  

• Seems instate TC LB Christian Boivin has accepted a PWO invitation to Michigan.  Here is an interesting article from November where he talks about sending out work out videos and highlights to college coaches.   Then those coaches asking him to take a photo next to chair, so they could estimate his true height.  

• Golden State picked up the 3rd year option on Jordan Poole's rookie contract.

• Carlo Kemp is going to participate in the Hula Bowl.   I wonder where they are going to play that game since I read recently the former Pro Bowl stadium is no longer safe, due to structural damage. 

Michigan Friday: The Instate Offer Cannon

Michigan hasn't dipped into the St. Mary's well in awhile.   The latest football recruits from St. Mary's are the Ross's and it will be great to see Josh back on the field this fall.   I also believe James "Biggs" is a defensive coach for the Wolverines.   The Wolverines have now offered Jordan Cannon a 2022 LB from St. Mary's, which is another example of the deep talent in-state the next two recruiting classes.  

• Michigan also received a PWO commitment from Detroit 2020 athlete Jerome Nichols a 6-foot-1, 225-pound H-back and linebacker.

• Ruiz and Uche are going to be part of the NFL Virtual Draft.  Both are expected to go in Day 2 in Rounds 2-3.  Ruiz has a chance of sneaking into Round 1. 

• Wisconsin has decided to not give their Spring Sports seniors another year of eligibility. 

• John Harbaugh is worried about his home Internet and Zoom connection being hacked during the draft.  Just pick Ruiz and be done with it! 

• It seems Castleton is getting a ton of interest from other programs, reports are that South Carolina, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Stanford and Virginia Tech have already reached out.  Good luck to him on picking a new program.  

• Same for DD as Maryland, Missouri, Marquette and Cincinnati have reached out already. 

• Donovan Edwards, #2 rated RB in the country 24/7 Crystal Balls are now 45% Foggy and 45% Michigan

Michigan Tuesday: That One Cuts Like A Knife

Its one thing for UC's Luke Fickell to turn down Michigan State, its another for the reasons mentioned.  It seems one of the main reasons the Fickell didn't want to go to East Lansing was due to Campus Culture:

The last several years of controversy swirling around Michigan State University helped convince the school's first choice for head football coach to turn down the job, multiple sources told the Free Press on Monday.  

And it wasn't just Luke Fickell, the current University of Cincinnati coach, who had the concerns. His wife, Amy, and Luke to some extent, had concerns about campus culture at MSU, including lawsuits roiling the football department. Those concerns were part of the reason the Fickells turned down the Michigan State football job on Monday, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told the Free Press.

Dantonio said that top coaching candidates are going to craw to East Lansing
to be the head coach of the Spartans.  Seems they are running away, the runners list now includes:

1. Matt Campbell, Iowa State 
2. Pat Narduzzi, Pitt 
3. Mel Tucker, Colorado 
4. Brent Pry, Penn State DC 
5. Robert Saleh, 49'ers DC
6. Luke Fickell, UC 

The MSU regents had a meeting on Monday on a coaching search update.  I assume it was a short meeting.   The new list could include a number of coaches that haven't been in the head chair in a number of years.  Including:

• Bret Bielema who has been bouncing around NFL Staffs after flaming out at Arkansas.  
• Butch Jones, who is on Saban's non-coaching staff.  As there seems to be some stupid requirement to hire a guy that once coached at the University of Cincinnati.  
• Jim McElwain at CMU who was just on staff in Ann Arbor a year ago and Sparty will never let a person with a recent Michigan ID badge in the building.  
• Harlon Barnett, is a favorite for former Spartan players as he was just the DC at FSU and currently doesn't have a coaching gig.  Harlon was the DC in EL from 2015-2017. 

I really don't see a major program's head coach going to East Lansing with 2020 recruiting just wrapping up and Spring Practice a month or so away.  Not to mention the reasons the Fickell's ran away from East Lansing.   Mark also whiffed on his last 2 recruiting classes and that puts any coach behind the 8 ball for probably 4 years.  If your a good coach, would you sign up for killing your career for extra money?  Not with what coaches are making now.  

They might just have to make Mark Tressel the interim head coach and kill another recruiting class. Which puts them back, what 5-6 years? 

Don't forget guys like RR and Al Golden are also available.  :)

• Michigan got another PWO RB Isaiah Gash from Wisconsin.  He is 5'10 and 185.   He has a really good name for a RB. 

• I think I forgot to mention that Devin Bush, Sr. took a job at Ole Miss as their Recruiting Coordinator. 

Michigan Friday: X Marks The Spot Of The Crash

It was only a matter of time before the reasons behind Zavier Simpsons suspension came out.   It seems Simpson after a home loss to Illinois, drove a car owned by Michigan AD Warde Manuel into a pole.  The RAV4 is Warde's son who is a basketball manager.     

The crash happened at 3:00AM and X wasn't ticketed for DUI.  The reason Zavier was suspended is because he lied to the police at first and said he wasn't driving.  This has been a unique year for Simpson who could have been a candidate for player of the year.  The Wolverines host the Spartans on Saturday to try to stop a 3 game losing streak at Crisler. 

• GR3 gets traded to the 76'ers and then they cut Trey Burke.  That is some bad Michigan roster management right there.  

• Michigan added another PWO in KZoo's Christian Bartholomew who played QB/WR in high school but will focus on WR in Ann Arbor.  CB is 6'1 185.

• Happy Birthday Juwan Howard! 

• The Pistons sent Andre Drummond to Coach B and the Cavs for a few boxes of Jordan's, 10 pairs of basketball socks, and a dozen donuts.  It was also the right decision. 

• Coach Warinner spoke to Jon Jansen on his podcast and suggested a starting OL that could look like this (HT to Mgoblog board)

LT- Hayes / Keegan

LG- Barnhart / Rumler

C- Carpenter / Vastardis

RG- Filiaga / Stueber

RT- Mayfield / Stueber

Michigan Thursday: No New Players on NSD

National Signing Day in February has now become the NIT of college football recruiting.  All programs are trying to get their recruits to sign in December so they can lock up their class and start prioritizing the next year.

Michigan didn't add any scholarship athlethes yesterday.  It did get clarity from one commit that Michigan had offered but didn't send an LOI to in Shea Patterson's brother, Nick.  Nick had committed to Michigan a long time ago but didn't develop as the coaches had hoped and is now going to Princeton to hit the books and play football.   Good luck to him!

• Michigan did add another PWO in Lake Orion WR Sam Staruch who is 6'2 and 180 pounds.  If you didn't notice, Sam is not a DT.  

• Nick Patterson's brother got invited to the NFL Combine.   He is going to need a great performance after a poor week at the senior bowl.  

• GR3 got traded from Golden State to Philly. 

• Matt Campbell and Pat Narduzzi have already turned down interest in the MSU head coaching job.  Seems it's down to Tressel's nephew or Cincinnati's Luke Fickell.   No word if Harbaugh isn't supporting Fickell's proposed move from Cincinnati to East Lansing with the NCAA.  It would really be tough if Luke took the MSU job and had to sit out a year. 

• Is it fair to say that Harbaugh has run both of Michigan's top rivals head coaches out of their jobs? :) 

Michigan Tuesday: Another Walk-on and Duke Loading Up

Michigan isn't expected to sign anyone new on NSD tomorrow but they are loading up on PWO's.  The next guy to drop is Jake Thaw who is an athlete from CT.  In high school Jake played QB, WR and DB.  Probably will end up at slot WR/special teams player at Michigan.  Welcome Jake "Spring" Thaw.

Duke is loading up from players from the transfer portal.  Yesterday they confirmed Clemson QB Chase Brice was transferring in.  Chase a former 4 star QB and a grad transfer with two years to play.  Then former Michigan commit Devery Hamilton announced he was grad transferring to Duke as well. Hamilton played at Stanford and struggled last year on the offensive line.   On a side note, Greg Frey is Duke's new offensive line coach.

• Duncan Robinson got invited to the All Star Game 3 point contest 

• Michigan Basketball hosts OSU tonight at Crisler 7:00 ESPN2

Michigan Monday: Super Bowl Steals A Play From Fritz Crisler

U of M had plenty of influence on the Super Bowl Champions KC Chiefs, with Chad Henne as a back-up QB and Frank Clark as the starting DE.   (Yes, I understand how Frank's time in Ann Arbor ended).  

What was more interesting to me was the play that KC OC Eric Bieniemy stole from the 1948 Rose Bowl and Fritz Crisler.   The play was the 4th and 1 full house backfield, 3 spin move and direct snap to the RB.   The play worked for a first down and ended up on the 1 yard line.   Here are both plays if your interested.  

I tip my hat to the Super Bowl champs and to Eric going old school and plucking a heck of a good play from the Mad Magicians.  I remember when Michigan's head coach would run old school unique plays in his first year at Michigan.  

• X came back and Brandon Johns went for 20 as Michigan got a nice home win in NYC on Saturday over a ranked Rutgers team.  I agree there are a lot of confusing statements in that sentence.  Michigan did play a home game at MSG and Rutgers is ranked 25th in the country.   This was a brilliant move for Coach B who scheduled this game as Michigan plays it best basketball at neutral sites.   The Wolverines get to play Ohio State and Michigan State this week.  

• Cade McNamara's brother Kyle has committed to Michigan.  Kyle is a 5'8 170 pound WR.  I assume this is a PWO offer as Kyle is ranked as a 2 star to 24/7.   Kyle reports two offers to CMU and Ohio State.   I'm guessing the OSU offer wasn't committable.  Welcome Kyle!  

• Michigan did get a confirmed PWO commit from Traverse City QB Peyton Smith. Peyton is a 2 star QB and the 153rd Pro Style QB in the 2020 class. 

• Former Wolverine Stephen Spanellis is transferring to Vandy.  Congrats Stephen and get that Vanderbilt graduate degree with your Michigan degree.

• Former Wolverine offense lineman Steve Hutchinson was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Congrats Hutch! 

Michigan Thursday: Convenient and Expected

I really don't believe in coincidences, there are too many smart people in the world to believe a lot of things in life just happened because things happen.  When people have the power to predict an outcome in their favor, they will put processes in place to complete that goal.  We got a couple of examples of that this week.

First, the NFL giving Colin Kaepernick a 3:00 Saturday workout for all the teams.   My guess is there is something in the settlement that made this possible and seeing the quality of NFL QB's playing in the league, Kap not being a roster was going to trigger bad things for the NFL in the settlement.  I also believe that other teams might want to look at Kap but didn't want to bring him in for a tryout Also why Saturday?  Are they busy on Sunday?  Setting up a workout when no decision makers are available is like a salesperson selling IT storage to the manager of the cafeteria.

Next is the Chase Young situation.   Chase asks a family friend (who may or may not be an NFL agent) a loan so his girlfriend can go to the Rose Bowl nearly a year ago.  Chase a full time student and Buckeye football player somehow re-pays the loan back and than this transaction leaks to the NCAA the week of the Maryland game.   The NCAA gives Chase a two game penalty against the likes of Maryland and Rutgers but back for Penn State and Michigan.   Herbie tweeted out that Chase's honesty was the reason the NCAA dropped the suspension from 4 to 2 games.  To quote Billy Joel, "Honesty, Is such a lonely word, Everyone is so untrue, Honesty, Is hardly ever heard"

We could peel this back, but it doesn't matter as we all knew the best college football player this year would be back for the Michigan game.  The next thing I'm waiting to hear is that the Bosa Brothers and Michael Thomas will also be playing.   OSU played the NCAA and won.  It seems schools like Arizona (FBI wire taps), Memphis (playing an ineligible player) and Kansas (FBI wire taps) are not respecting the NCAA's authority.  Why shouldn't Ohio State play with them a little bit as well.  

• Michigan Basketball News - Michigan has gone 1-3 on the 5 star recruiting trail for 2020.  We are now in the early signing period and Zeb Jackson has signed, Isaiah Todd hasn't  He may not sign until the next signing period, which doesn't seem like great news (I think the biggest threat is playing pro ball somewhere).  It also seems that Hunter Dickinson's girlfriend has signed a track scholarship with Michigan.  Hunter is a 4 star center that Michigan is after.  Ziyah Holman (Hunter's girlfriend) is quite the athlete herself and a two time Gatorade Player of the Year. 

• Michigan suits up against Elon on Friday at 7:00. 

• Speaking of signings, Gage Garcia has signed his NLI for Wrestling.  He will walk-on and play football as well.  If he gets on the field, I believe that scholarship flips to football.  

• Former Michigan Basketball signee Jalen Wilson has broken his ankle for Kansas and may miss the rest of the season. 

Wolverine Wednesday: Two QB Plays

One of the things that many Michigan fans can agree on from Saturday's game is that the two QB plays looked confusing, wasted a down, and was overall not effective.   I like many Michigan fans wouldn't mind never seeing that formation again.    Dylan McCaffrey is a talented runner at the QB position but is not really a threat as a WR.  Michigan ran it 4 times on Saturday and once they had to take a time out.  With Michigan's skill position talent, there has to be a better option.

Well, Dylan likes it and it doesn't seem to be going away.

  “I obviously like it, it gets me a chance to get on the field,” McCaffrey said. “I think it can be really effective at times. We’ll work on it – a lot of that is on me. I think it’s fun. It’s pretty versatile. I know other teams – it’s tough for people to defend, because they don’t know if it’s gonna be a double-pass. They don’t really know what’s coming.”

“We’ve been practicing that for a good while now,” McCaffrey said. “We have our own package for it, when two of us come in at the same time. Not really spring ball, but ever since summer it’s been in the works. At first I didn’t really know if it would actually happen, so I’m glad it did.”

“That was a lot of Coach Gattis’ idea,” McCaffrey said. “He had seen some of it in the past, and it had been effective for him. Figured we could try it here.”

So it doesn't seem to be going away but my vote is to shelf this idea and try to get a few more first downs and points.  If you want Dylan in the game, put him under center (or in the shotgun).

• Reports are that Shea got hurt on the first play of season (where he should of slide) and fumbled.  It looked to me he got hurt later in the half but he is expected back 100% on Saturday. 

• Bryan Mone was undrafted but was signed after the draft by the Seahawks.  It seems he has made the roster.  Which is great news.   There are two thoughts to this, he could be expendable when other players come off suspension or injury or he could have his spot cemented due to his low salary and strong play.  

• Fox is sending Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt to do the Michigan game. Gus is a Michigan fan and it would be nice for him to call a win.

• Pat Forde would like to see a Michigan - Alabama home and home.  Here is my vote, no thanks!

• Wilton's little brother Jess Speight who came to Michigan as offensive lineman walk-on is now a defensive lineman and earned himself a scholarship. 

• Just announced Andrew Vastardis has also earned himself a scholarship.  Andrew is a senior and an offensive lineman. 

Michigan Tuesday: Lucas Andrighetto Running This Spring

Michigan Football has taken a hit a RB.  Senior Karan Higdon is heading to the NFL draft and skipped the end of the year exhibition.   Chris Evans got in some hot water with the University and currently suspended from the team and classes. Highly ranked early enrolled true freshman Zach Charbonnet is out this spring after a knee procedure.

That leaves Christian Turner, who looked good in the exhibition against Florida, Tru Wilson former walk-on, and Hassan Haskins who they brought to offense after spending time with Don Brown's squad.  That is not a ton of depth, which means somebody has an opportunity to turn a few heads.  

“49 is Lucas Andrighetto,” Harbaugh said. “Another really good move. He moved from safety to running back. You remember Tru Wilson was a safety when he first started, and then became a running back. In my opinion, Andrighetto is better than Tru Wilson when he first moved over from safety to running back. But, Andrighetto’s got speed, he’s got savvy in there. He really is seeing the holes. And, for somebody who’s only been playing running back for four practices here with us – he played running back in high school – but 49, Lucas Andrighetto, has emerged as somebody that’s gonna be a really good player.

“Tru Wilson’s doing a good job – Andrighetto can catch the ball out of the backfield, as well. He’s doing a good job.”

Who is Lucas Andrighetto you say? He is a walk-on sophomore from Mountain View, California.  He hasn't seen any game action yet but was the Scout Team player of the week during the Northwestern prep.  Lucas is 5'11 and 180 pounds. 

Lucas was a two way player (Safety and RB) at St. Francis High School.  At RB he had 54 carries for 362 yards with a 6.7 yards per carry as a senior.   He also caught 7 passes for 77 yards.  

If want to watch videos of Lucas playing HS football, here is a link to his MaxPreps page.   

Fun BHB Fact:  I think he looks a little like Sam McGuffie.   Which means he might be a future Olympic Bobsledder! 

Michigan Monday: The Legend/Curse of Tom Brady

For the life of me I have been trying to figure out, What the hell is wrong with Michigan Football?   In my mind, it started with App. State and continues today.   Michigan can't beat Ohio State and has never played in the Big Ten Championship game.   The Wolverines have 4 and 5 star talent and a very strong coaching staff and still can't get over the hump.  We know the situation all too well.  

Then something hit me as Tom Brady was walking off the field as a Super Bowl Champion for the 6th time in 9 tries.  Michigan won't get back to being Michigan until Tom Brady retires.   Why?  Because we had the greatest football champion as our QB and all we wanted was Mr. High School All American Drew Henson to play.  We are being punished by the Football Gods,

Yes folks, you have heard about the curse of the Bambino now we have the curse of Mr. America Tom Brady.   It's a bit of strange curse, because Tom doesn't hold any ill will towards U of M and the Michigan fan base is very proud of what he has accomplished in the NFL.   So how do we reverse the curse?

Michigan needs to go "Major League" on Schembechler Hall, hire Jobu and cleanse the entire building including the Big House.   Pray to the football gods to share the Championship Glory that Tom Brady has rightfully owned since he left Ann Arbor.   There has to be room in there for his college team!

On a side note, during the Jobu cleanse it wouldn't hurt if everyone was wearing the TB12 Recovery Sleepwear and Uggs. :-)

Congratulations to the GOAT for his 6th Super Bowl! 

• In what seems like not so great news, Rivals is reporting that Michigan has told Amauri Pesek-Hickson not to sign on Wednesday. That the team will be looking for defensive line grad transfers instead.   I don't like the timing of that decision and hope he was aware of what was going on for a couple of months.   When kids don't sign in December, I think there is big risk on both sides.  

• So Ty Law had a good weekend!  Saturday named to the Hall of Fame, Sunday his team wins the Super Bowl

• More PWO News: Matt Harrison, Samih Beydoun, and Zonterio Weekley!  Welcome! 

Michigan Friday: Michigan Gets Some Future Help In The Kicking Game

First is Karl Kerska who committed to Michigan as PWO.  If your name is Karl Kerska you have to be a kicker right?  Wait, there is more, he is also a punter and ranks as the #69th kicker and #100 punter in the US by Kohl's  Kicking.

From Kohl's: "Kerska had a solid showing at the 2018 National Scholarship Camp. He displayed excellent coordination and ball striking ability. He was excellent on field goals by scoring 31 points on the field goal charting and finishing 14th at the camp in his class on field goals. Commanding his tempo and confidence should help him improve his kickoffs to where his field goals currently are. He showed the ability to roll out punt and scored points during the punt charting on it. Increasing his command of his drop should help his punting develop even more."

Welcome Karl the Kicker! 

Next is William Wagner who also committed to Michigan as a PWO.  If your name is William Wagner you must be a Wide Receiver, but he isn't.  William is a long snapper and is the #14 LS in the nation to Kohl's Kicking.  

"Wagner was dominant throughout the Kohl’s Southern Showcase. I have seen glimpses of his talent at previous camps but Wagner put it all on display in Atlanta. He finished camp with the second highest charting score in the country. Not only was he dominant during the charting session but he also won the camp wide snapping competition. Wagner has great size and will be able to make an immediate impact for any program in the country."

Welcome William "Braveheart" Wallace Wagner. 

• Michigan Basketball has another weird road game today as they tip of at 6:30 in Iowa.  This will be another tough game as Iowa can score the ball vs. Michigan's great defense.  Let's hope Michigan shoots the ball well and pulls away at the end of the game.

• The Knicks traded two Wolverines yesterday to Dallas:  Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke.  

• Good Luck to Tom Brady in  his 9th Super Bowl this weekend.  

• 5 former Wolverines on final rosters for the AAF which kicks off a week from Saturday:  Denard is on Atlanta, Ty Isaac is on Birmingham, De'Veon Smith in on Orlando, Channing Stribling is on Memphis, and Matt Godin is on San Antonio. 

Michigan Monday: A Good Week For Walk-On's

The final signing day for the 2019 class is 10 days away and it seems Jimmy and staff could care less.  They took a shot at some DT's late in the early signing period but didn't get them and there was some rumors about flipping an Alabama commit at RB, which doesn't look to be happening either.

Michigan has been hosting a ton of players but all of them are in the 2020 class.  So a week from Wednesday will be about 2 players:  Safety Quinton Johnson (who many have said signed in the early period but asked the coaches to keep it quiet so he could sign with his teammates on NSD) and Slot WR Amauri Pesek-Hickson, the latest sleeper find out of St. Louis.   I usually ask you to take work off to have fun as the commits come flowing in.  Not this year, go to work and read the BHB at your regular time.  😃

In somewhat of a surprise move, Jimmy gave 3 scholarships last week to walk-on's.  Which seems the final sign to set sail on the 2019 class and any potential graduate transfers.

Congratulations to the following:

-Senior WR Brendan White
-Senior DB Louis Grodman
-Sophomore DB Hunter Reynolds 

• Michigan Basketball had an impressive win in Assembly Hall on Friday night.  The Wolverines started to game on fire and where able to blow out the lifeless Hoosiers.    Michigan plays twice in the next 5 days, a late 9:00 tip at Crisler against Ohio State on Tuesday and 6:30 at Iowa on Friday. 

• ND seems to be moving forward with Stanford's RB coach, which means Mike Hart is probably staying at IU. 

• Higdon ran 5 times for 18 yards in the Senior Bowl on Saturday.  Winovich sat out with a foot injury. 
• OL Nolan Ulizio is doing his grad transfer year at Pitt.