So, I'm signing off after recording a few thoughts on Jim Harbaugh's first Michigan NSD. I guess if I have to summarize my feelings in a couple words it would be content and hopeful.
I know. That doesn't sound like over-the-moon joy, but I don't want it to sound like I'm upset either. It was harder than I thought to take the advice of my own previous post and feel "serenity now." I'd be lying if I said it didn't cross my mind that Chris Clark and Mike Weber were making big mistakes. I also found myself assuming the defensive Brandonesque posture a couple times today: "I'm glad you found a new team [you ungrateful little punk]. We'll be fine without you [we really didn't want you anyway]. Have a happy life [pulling pine splinters out of your butt riding the bench]." But in the end, I did heed my own advice and I'm rather happy with our little 2015 class. And 2016 should prove even better.
Here are a few of my Signing Day take-aways:
- Where do I Sign? Several commits signed very quickly this morning and according to Harbaugh, some have adorable childhood Michigan "love" stories. Their urgency to say "yes" reminded me of my own quick turnaround after getting the acceptance letter I'd been watching for in the mail like a L'il Orphan Annie Decoder Ring. For some of these guys, they're living a childhood dream. And that's something everyone should experience.
- Kate Upton's Is Bigger. Many talking heads call the loss of Clark, Weber, and several other "stars" a tragedy for Jim Harbaugh's first class - making it sound like the whole effort was one big bust. I beg to disagree. I think with the talent Hoke already committed and the additions Harbaugh snagged, we'll be fine. If Dantonio can coach up a 3* and win, I'm fairly confident our coach will do even better.
- Chris Clark - if he wants to play a lot as a TE at UCLA and play 4 years with Mora as HC, he may be deluding himself. I hope Jay Harbaugh's juvenile tweets didn't scare him away from Tight End U. It helps getting Wheatley and something tells me, Ty Jr. won't be slacking.
- Mike Weber - it was almost sad watching his announcement and he looked tired, confused, and detached. I think he was stressed to the max, getting pulled in two directions by friends, family, and two of the most intense CFB coaches on the planet. It was also a weird setting. On one hand, Iman Marshall has a flashy, professionally produced music video to announce his decision to go to USC. Contrast that to Weber being led by the hand past a wall of white poster boards with pictures of school monograms or mascots pasted on them. Standing in front of the poster signified a selection. It was all strange and completely disappointing. Later he blamed Michigan signing 3* RB Karan Higdon when he though he was the only RB in the class. I doubt that's all of it. It's not like he'll displace Ezekiel Elliot at OSU this year and who knows who his future competition will be. He's banking on becoming an Urban Legend, but he could have disillusionment in his future just like Clark. Or he could win the Heisman and a National Championship. Whatever. Not even looking in the rearview mirror on this guy after today.
- Iman Marshall - any fan who seriously thought he would come to Ann Arbor to play was smoking a pipe dream. This became very evident upon viewing his rap video commitment announcement. The one in which he filmed 6 different endings. Just that bit of self-absorbed hype alone made me glad he stayed on the West Coast. I couldn't help imagining Bo Schembechler's reaction to that dramatic effort. It screams prima donna and means he's better off anywhere but here.
- I Like My Recruits Lightly Poached - Harbaugh got flips today from Cal, Iowa, and Florida State. Keith Washington, Karan Higdon, and Shelton Johnson committed to Michigan from these schools and considering the short time he had to work with recruits, this is a big deal and adds to his list of flips that started strong with Zach Gentry (ex-Texas) and Reuben Jones (ex-Nebraska.) I like that he doesn't honor any gentlemen's agreement not to poach others' commits. He said today "That's the way the pickle squirts." Okay, then. I'll just leave it at completely nice guys finish last.
- Michigan University may be back in the mix! With UCLA DC Jeff Ulbrich mulling over a last minute offer to join the Atlanta Falcons, OLB Roquan Smith, may be back in the hunt for a place to land. He never turned in his LOI to firm his commitment to UCLA ... hopefully Harbaugh and Durkin can get him back in play for Michigan University. Yep, that's one of the schools he thought offered him. Go Blue for Michigan U! (If he decides to come, he can call us whatever he likes!)
- Déjà vu all over again. Brady Hoke interviews Jim Harbaugh about Signing Day on CBS in an eerie replay of his own strange interview by Rich Rodriguez just a few years earlier. I didn't find this one awkward at all, though, and I can tell both Brady and Jim respect each other. Hoke took it all in stride and even laughed off earlier rumors that had him taking a DL assistant job at Notre Dame. It was good to see him doing well and he handled the day gracefully. It was also nice to see he didn't want to work for chickens.
And now I'm off to bed. It's back to work tomorrow and I'm not planning to attack it with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.
Sweet Michigan dreams, new Wolverines... and you experienced ones, too.
No comments:
Post a Comment