Michigan Friday: Legacy 2024 DB Comes Home

Before we get into football related information, Michigan Basketball had its best win of the season in beating Northwestern on the road 68-51.  Kobe "Buckets" had the best game of his career in a near triple double with 15 points, 12 boards, and 8 assists.  Let's hope they can build off this win and go on a winning streak.

2024 Instate 4-star DB Jacob Oden made his commitment to Michigan offical on Thursday.  He is the best DB in the state and ranked as either an athlete or Safety on most sites.  I believe Michigan wants his 6'1 and 188-pound frame in the defensive backfield, anywhere from CB, Nickel, Safety.  As I mentioned this week, Jacob is the son of Rod Oden a former Michigan walk-on FB.  Welcome!

How did Michigan finish in the 2023 Recruiting Class?

24/7: 19

Rivals: 18

ON3: 19

• Jimmy hires a new analyst for his staff to replace Kirk Campbell who got promoted to QB Coach.  The new offensive analyst is Youngstown State's QB/WR coach Josh Sinagoga. Welcome Josh! 

• Saban is looking at ND's OC Tommy Rees for his open OC role left by BOB

• Jake Moody was named the Shrine Game MVP! We are going to miss him next season.

• NBC's Big Ten Saturday Night game will have a booth of Todd Blackledge, Noah Eagle and Kathryn Tappen

• Spring Game is April's Fools Day 5/1

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”.

Breaking News: The GOAT Calls It a Day

Tom Brady has retired from the NFL and the second time is the final time.  As we know, as year ago to the day, he retired the first time and quickly came back in true Groundhog Day fashion. 

He will be known as the greatest Michigan Wolverine Football player ever.  Rest easy, GOAT you left your legacy.  You're a true Michigan Man. 

Moving on to other news:

Per some reports Jimmy was the Bronco's #1 option and he turned them down.  If Jimmy really wanted back to the NFL, he had his chance and had to say no twice.  Then the Broncos tried to talk DeMeco Ryans out of going to the Texans.  He also declined and then Denver had to give up valuable draft picks to sign Sean Payton.  A team like the Broncos needs those picks as they try to get better. 

Jimmy has not won a National Championship at Michigan but this should cement in most people's mind that he is one of the best coaches in college football.  You don't see the NFL coming after Kirby Smart for example. 

Moving on to NSD Part 2:

• Harbor announces at 1:00.  I wouldn't hold your breathe on this one. Michigan has a punchers chance but expect some big NIL $$ to come in from other programs. Went to South Carolina

• Hopefully, we get good news from Stanford commit DL Cam Brandt today at some point. 👍

• Another prospect is Chicago nose tackle Jamel Howard, who could go back to Wisconsin or follow some NIL $$ to another program.  Michigan seems to be on the outside looking in on this one.

As I mentioned yesterday, the staffs focus is on the 2024 class and beyond. 

• I did not realize yesterday, that 4 star 2024 DB Jacob Oden is a legacy recruit as his dad Rod Oden was a walk-on full back in Ann Arbor and currently the head coach of Harper Woods.  Jacob is committing on Thursday. 

Michigan Tuesday: NSD Part 2 Eve

Tomorrow is the final National Signing day of the 2023 class.  It used to be the only signing day and a calendar circling event.  Now, its an after thought for most programs as they try to secure most of their  recruits in December.  Michigan is also in the same boat and really only have 2 recruits that seem to be persuing.

-5-Star Athlete Nyckoles Harbor has Michigan as a finalist but most insiders believe he has South Carolina or Oregon as his 1 and 2.  Harbor wants to run track and take a shot at the 2024 Olympics and The Ducks have a legendary track team funded by Nike.  Some believe Michigan still has a shot as the family is pushing for Ann Arbor.  If this becomes an NIL pissing match, it won't be a good thing for the Wolverines chances.

-4/3 star DL Cam Brandt is a Stanford commit and is expected to flip to Ann Arbor.  Let's hope that happens! 

Outside of a surprise, Michigan has those two guys left in the 2023 class and now focusing on 2024.

• In-state 2024 S 4-star Jacob Oden is expected to make his decision on Thursday, between Michigan, MSU, Iowa, PSU, and Tennessee.

• I guess Harbaugh has to say, "I will not be the head coach of the Denver Broncos" to stop these rumors.  If your remember, Saban as Dolphins head coach, "I will not be the head coach of Alabama".

• Senior Bowl week is here and lets hope the Wolverines in attendance perform nicely during the week. Big Week for Ronnie Bell!