Michigan Tuesday: BBQ at the Big House

Love or Hate Rich Rod, but the one thing you can't argue with is his creativity when it comes to recruiting.  He has been successful recruiting teammates and has brought a number of new events to get recruits on campus in Ann Arbor.   The number one way to get instate or out of state recruits to love Michigan is by getting them on campus and spending more time with the coaches.  There are two ways to do that.  One would be an official visit that Michigan pays for the travel costs.  Recruits can take up to 4 official or paid for visits.   The second way is un-official visits and players can take as many of these they feel comfortable.  They just have to pay their own way.  

One of those potential visits is the BBQ at the Big House which will happen this weekend.  The event is hosted by Rich Rodriguez and staff and allows recruits to come to the campus with their families and spend some informal time with the coaching staff, see the university, dig into the academics, and take a tour of the football facilities. 

How can Michigan provide food and drink to a recruit and their family if this is un-official visit?  Good question!  Michigan charges the recruit and their family members to attend the BBQ.  It's a nominal fee, like a few bucks per person. 

Michigan has had success in the past few years getting commitments during the BBQ:  Jordan Paskorz and Ken Wilkins in 2009  (Ken officially commitment a couple weeks after his BBQ visit) and Bryce McNeal in 2008 (Bryce ended up signing with Clemson).

So who is coming this year?

• The big name is Demetrius Hart who was planning to attend but is having trouble with travel plans.  He is still tentative at this point and it seems now like he won't make it.

•  Michigan's current commits will be there: Delonte Hollowell, Shawn Conway, Greg Brown, and Brennen Beyer. 

•  Other recruits planning to attend (warning freep print link)  include:  offensive tackle Ray Ball, Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha, defensive tackle Darian Cooper, DeFuniak Springs, Fla., defensive end Deon Lee, Dinwiddie, Va., defensive end Corey Marshall, Damascus, Md., cornerback Brandon Phelps, Madison Heights Madison's Valdez Showers and West Branch Ogemaw Heights lineman Anthony Zettel.  Others planning to make it to Ann Arbor include: Ohio DE Chris Rock, WR AJ Jordan, and Corey Marshall.

• Recruits on the bubble to make it include: Saginaw wide receiver DeAnthony Arnett, Virginia Beach (Va.) Kempsville linebacker Travis Hughes and Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville quarterback Cardale Jones.

Other Michigan News:

• It seems Michigan might schedule Brady Hoke and San Diego State in 2011 for a visit to the Big House. 
• This isn't news since we learned it last week but Michigan is expected to have their response to the NCAA and self sanctions ready to announce by the end of the week.
• Michigan has offered West Allegheny’s Mike Caputo.
• Michigan has offered defensive back 5-11, 170 pound Demetrius Nicholson.
• Michigan has also offered  6'1 215 pound linebacker Travis Hughes.