Wolverine Wednesday: Thinks About Camp and Offers

The Michigan Football Program is in a unique situation this year, they have 17 players committed to the 2013 class with about 6 or 7 spots left.   With a class that full and most of it's needs filled, the Michigan coaches have the ability to offer very highly rated guys and take longer looks at guys who might fit their system.  

One of the ways for the Wolverine coaches like to take a look at 2013 and 2014 prospects is at Michigan's Football Camp.  If you remember from last year, we hadn't even heard about Jeremy Clark from Kentucky.  Some talented kids can't afford to go around the country to attend big combines or 7 on 7's or don't play at high profile high schools.  Jeremy was one of those guys and he attended Michigan's summer camp as a Safety and within a week of camp ending had a Michigan offer to gray shirt which later became a full scholarship for this summer/fall.  

This strategy can help a kid with the Wolverines or it can hurt the kid's chances with the Michigan coaches.  Case in point is Johnathan Hankins a defensive line prospect from Detroit for the class of 2010.   Johnathan attended Michigan's summer camp in 2009 hoping for an offer.   At that time, Johnathan had a few offers including Oklahoma.  He showed up at Michigan's camp a bit out of shape and was winded for a few drills.    Even though DT was a huge need for the Wolverines the Michigan coaches (RR and staff) told Johnathan they would review his senior tape before they offered.  

Well in that time frame, Florida, OSU, Alabama, Wisconsin and others had offered the big DT from Detroit.  Michigan joined the offer party late but Mr. Hankins went to the Buckeyes and played as a freshman and now is a starter.  You could consider this a big miss at a position of need.

So one good story out of summer camp and one bad one.  What about this year?

The guy that seems to be making the most news and could earn a camp offer is DB Darian Hicks from Solon, Ohio.  Darian is a 3 star prospect to Rivals and has 13 offers which includes PSU, Illinois, MSU, BC, Pitt, WVU and others.   I wouldn't call Darin an "under the radar prospect" with those offers but it's clear he wants a Michigan offer and might attend camp to get earn one.

Greg Mattison was in Darian's high school recently so there is some interest from the Wolverines in looking at the 6'0, 175 pound CB.

On a side note, Ted Ginn, Sr. was known to send a few prospects to Michigan's Camp before RR came to town.  I expect he will now start to send more prospects with Brady Hoke coaching the Wolverines and signing a few of his players the last two years.