Michigan Friday: News and Notes

• No Wolverines went in the 1st round of the NFL draft but that was expected.   Tonight has just rounds 2-3 and the only Wolverine with that grade is Mike Martin.  

• Congratulations to Nick Perry who grew up in Detroit and went to USC.  Nick went to the Packers at #28.  I had no idea he was a first rounder.  Nick picked USC over Michigan on signing day.   Could we have used a first rounder next to Mike Martin on the defensive line for the last 4 years?  My goodness that was a big loss for the Wolverines.   (Don't forget there was a ton of "funny business" going on with USC recruiting then)

• Mel Kiper has moved Hemingway's grade up to 4th or 5th rounder.  His grade went up with a strong combine and pro day.  Don't forget his Sugar Bowl MVP, teams love to draft kids where they remember them having a good game on a big stage!

Michigan 2012 signee Mario Ojemudia is enrolled for Spring Term at Michigan.   Some might ask:  Why sign up for Spring Term if you can't get coaching from the Michigan staff and you miss Spring Practice?  A couple of reasons:

#1:  You get used to classes early and have a step up on incoming freshman this summer/fall.

#2:  He gets to start Michigan conditioning right away.  Which is a huge plus for a guy that needs to put on some weight and get stronger for D1 football.

#3:  He can participate in player film work and player practice.   (Coaches are not allowed but players can organize non-mandatory practices).

Good move by Mario!

• Looks like the BCS is going to a Final 4 mini-playoff.   Where the #4 team plays #1 and #2 plays #3.  Then the winners play a championship game.   In this method, they can keep the bowl games and have a mini Final 4 Playoff.   The only issue I am hearing is that the games would be at neutral sites or at the current BCS locations, which will be difficult and costly for fans. 

• Like we predicted Josh Furman was found not guilty of all charges and I expect he will be back on the team shortly.

• Michigan's recruiting strategy is pretty clear at this point after missing out on EJ.  Linebacker recruiting is closed with 6 players the last two years.  Michigan wants a couple of WR's and 2 defensive line recruits.   The rest of the spots will be open to the top prospects available at a number of positions like Safety, CB and a RB.