Michigan Friday: Welcome to 2014

Bare with me as I get this straight in my own head: 

The 2012 just got on campus a few weeks ago and started their first fall camp on Monday.

The 2013 class only has 2 spots left in a full class of 25 players.   These players are just verbal commitments and can't sign their LOI until February of 2013.   When school starts they will be high school seniors. 

Now, Michigan has received their first commitment from a player in the 2014 class.   These players are going into their junior year of high school and probably only have one year of varsity experience.   The recruiting process is getting kids earlier and earlier.

With that said, Michigan got a good player yesterday as Michael Ferns committed to the Wolverines.   Michael is a 6'3 235 LB from St. Clairsville, OH who had 19 scholarship offers already including: Ohio State, Oklahoma, ND, Wisconsin, MSU, Stanford, WVU and others.   Michael doesn't have a star rating yet from either Rivals or Scouts.   My guess is a solid 4 star prospect.

It sounds like the Michigan coaches were pretty excited about Michael jumping on board: “It was great,” said Ferns of regarding the reaction from Ann Arbor. “I talked to Coach Hoke and I could tell he was excited. Coach Mattison walked out for an interview but he talked to me for a little bit before doing that and there was huge level of excitement. It’s nice to know the coaches feel that way about me. It just made the decision so much better for me.”


Michael wants to graduate early and is very strong in the classroom.  He expects to study Pre-Med at Michigan.
Congratulations to Michael and welcome to the Michigan family.

For those that are wondering, the 2014 class is expected to be a small one.  Like maybe 15-18 players depending on who leaves the program earlier then expected.   With Michael jumping on board a few more players could be tempted to commit as well so that they have a spot in the Wolverines class.   For example, with one LB in a small class, how many more LB's are Brady and the Michigan coaches going to take?