Michigan Monday: Quick Announcement

Good Morning my BHB Faithful, I'll be out of the country for the next couple of weeks and the blog will be on hiatus until 8/18.   Right about then, we will start the countdown to kickoff as we will be nearly 2 weeks away.  Can't wait for the season!!! 

News and Notes:

• Michigan started to get some predictions for 2027 OL Tristan Dare.  Looks like a guard or center prospect in Ann Arbor. 

• Former Ferris State walk-on and now Miami Dolphin DT Zach Sieler reached agreement today on a three-year extension worth up to $67.75 million, including $44 million guaranteed. Love to see instate guys from small schools make the league and get paid!!!

• The GOAT will get his statue at Gillette Stadium. It will be unveiled before Friday's preseason opener for the Patriots.

• Chip Lindsey says Michigan’s wide receivers are key to boosting passing game in 2025. Yes, please!

• TJ Metcalf has been getting some strong camp "buzz".

• Alejandro Zúñiga had this interesting fact on Michigan Football. Michigan at Oklahoma in Week 2 will represent the Wolverines’ first true road game against an SEC opponent in program history. I know for a fact that Michigan helped open Vanderbilt's stadium in 1922 but the SEC didn't start until 1933.

Talk to you in a couple week! Go Blue!!

Michigan Monday: Another W in Columbus

If your old enough to remember the John Cooper years, the Buckeyes every year would over prepare for the Wolverines mentally and physically, so much so that when they played the Wolverines they struggled to execute because so much was on the line.  One wrong play, one bad snap, one bad throw, one bad penalty, one missed assignment could change the game and give the Buckeyes another 12 months of hell. 

You ask why would Ohio State's DC leave for Penn State?  Yes, the money increased.  But I have a theory, that losing to Michigan and the fans reaction (even after winning the Peach Bowl Championship) caused him to look for other jobs.  I would.  Hell, I'm surprised Ryan Day didn't take the first flight out of CBus after winning the Peach Bowl, his kids were mocked at school after the Michigan loss, his wife barely left the house.  That is a not a life anyone would want.  

Now back to basketball and what happened yesterday.  Michigan and Ohio State played a very close 2nd half of basketball, neither team could separate themselves.   It wasn't the Roddy Gale 3 point party that I predicated but Vlad was sharp and his teammates around him played well.   Even Cason the freshman who has struggled to see the court lately came in and gave the Wolverines a spark at the end of the 1st half.    

It comes down to the final shot, Michigan is winning by 2, the Buckeyes can try for the win with a 3 or a 2 for the tie.   The Buckeye guard has 7 foot Wolf on him at the 3 point line, he decides to drive on the talented Wolverine, gets into the lane and Wolf slips.  He has an uncontested bunny say from 6 feet?  He shoots it 4 feet, in one of the worst shots you will ever see.    Jones gets the air ball and is fouled with .2 on the clock and the game was over. 

Nobody here is arguing that Michigan vs. Ohio State Basketball is anywhere near the rivalry of the Football Game, but do the kids know that?  That kid could shoot that shot better with the lights off and his eyes closed.  He felt the pressure of the end of the game shot and the rivalry then left it short.  

How about Dusty and them boys!  He is 20-5 now and #1 in the Big Ten.  Yes, they have a tough road to a regular season Big Ten Championship, but what he has done is nothing short of spectacular this season.  Michigan might have to increase his salary to keep him from leaving to Indiana (which is assumed his dream job), but he is worth every $1. 

MSU up next on Friday.

• I did not see the SNL 50 year special but saw Adam Sandler's opening song.  Another classic. 

• Ferris State RB Kannon Katzer is one of the hottest RB's in the transfer portal. Several programs are showing interest in the Division II National Champ who averaged nearly nine yards per carry with over 20 yards per catch en route to 1,429 total yards and 14 TDs.

Michigan Monday: Lots of New Faces in Schembechler Places

Do you ever have a day when you're watching the NFL on your couch and every time you check twitter something major is happening with Michigan Football?  I don't recall the year but Michigan got like 8 or 10 commitments one weekend and the news was non-stop.  Yesterday was like that for me.  If you missed some of the news, you're in the right place! 

Transfer Portal Additions:

• (from Saturday) Myles Hinton, OT from Stanford.  Myles was always high on Michigan as his brother Chris was having a good experience in Ann Arbor.  He got accepted to Standford and decided that was too good of an option to pass up.  He was a 5 star out of HS and has played a couple years at Stanford.   Reports are that he is still a little raw but has a very high ceiling.  I will take all the Hinton's we can get and let Sherrone mold him into an NFL OT!   (I wish Chris had stayed 1 more year!) 

• Josaiah Stewart, Edge/OLB from Costal Carolina.  Stewart was a highly sought-after edge rusher with USC and LSU coming on strong for the talented rushers.  He had a fantastic freshman year (12.5 sacks) and a decent (3.5 sacks) sophmore campaign though PFF graded him very high both years.  My guess is he got a ton of double teams this past season.  Michigan always needs speed rushers and he fits a Uche type of role.  Sure, CC is not seeing Big Ten lineman so there may be a bit of a learning curve, but love this guy in the Pass Rush U development factory! 

• Drake Nugent, Center Stanford.  Please bring me Stanford's entire roster and we will pick and choose the Wolverines!  Your question might be, is this guy good?  Olu's PFF run and block grades were at 80.8, Nugent's is at 80.2.  Yes, please!  Looks like Michigan found a Nugent in the portal!  (Probably too early for that joke!)

Some of you may be concerned about the Michigan offensive line as it is today and guys having eligibility still let.  As I'm sure you already know, this unit was awarded the Joe Moore Award for the 2nd straight year this past weekend.  The coaches have a plan and many guys may elect to head to the NFL Draft after the playoffs.  If not, Michigan has incredible depth and plug and play guys for any injuries.  

2023 Commits:

With signing day now hours away, Michigan put in some work this weekend to cement the class through the transfer portal and through the 2023 class.  

• DJ Waller Jr. is a 3-star prospect from the same school as Jason Hewlett.  He is 6'3 and 195 pounds and projects to CB or Safety at the next level.  He is not rated highly by most sites but Michigan loves tall defensive backs and DJ is one of them.  It was Michigan and UK battle at the end and Michigan won.  Welcome DJ! 

2023 PWO

• Jalen Hoffman, TE is a 6'3 220 pounds and was committed to Bucknell.  He hails from Burke, VA and will be joining the Wolverines next season.  TE is a position of need, so Jalen made a smart decision.  With portal and traditional recruiting additions, it only makes sense to have Walk-On news as well.

Another question some of you might have is.........Where are we going to put all these guys?  Aren't we way over the 85-scholarship limit?  With NIL, that limit is no longer an issue.   

• Max Duggan has declared for the NFL Draft.  I think he should consider sitting out the Fiesta Bowl, way too risky.  😀

• Congrats to the Ferris State Bulldogs for being back-to-back D2 Champions! 

• Ohio State lost the #1 player in the 2024 class when former Detroit Lions Offensive lineman's son QB Dylan Raiola decommitted. 

• Corum was seen at a kids event this weekend on crutches.  No chance he will be ready in less than 2 weeks.  😔

• The Bowl Games were terrible this weekend.  Rice was in a bowl? Should have been sponsored by Chipotle. 

On Tuesday, I will highlight the 2023 class and make a few predictions.  Wednesday should be another fun day! 

Michigan Monday: News and Notes

• Michigan's Women's Basketball had a big win over #5 Baylor this weekend 

• Dearborn Divine Child C/OG Dylan Senda is announcing today.  He is a 3-Star OL with offers from Michigan, Iowa, MSU, PSU, Northwestern, Miami, UK, and more.  Dylan is 6'5 275 pounds. (Michigan has 100% of the CB's) 👍

• LA Times named recent signee Mason Graham its HS Player of the Year. 

• Huge Congratulations to The Ferris State Bulldogs for being Division II National Champions in dominating fashion!!!!  The State of Michigan Universities sure did have a good year on the field. 

• Harbaugh staffer Steve Casula will serve as Don Brown's OC at UMASS after the CFP. The word is Steve is a top-notch offensive mind and played a big part in Michigan's offense this season. Ironically, Steve was also at Ferris State the last time they made a run to the NC game in 2018.  

• Chaundee Brown got his first points in his NBA career and then took a charge on the next play

• Bo Nix is a Duck and will have 2 years to play 

Michigan Tuesday: Un-ring the Bell

Michigan lost a defensive player yesterday as it became clear on twitter and then confirmed that Kaleb Ringer a LB prospect from the 2012 class has left the team for Ferris State.  Kaleb was a 3 star LB from Clayton, OH and redshirted last year.  There was always some concern with a knee injury and that could have been part of the reason for his redshirt .  Kaleb has a brother at Ferris and it sounds like a good fit for him since he will be able to play right away.  Good Luck in Big Rapids!

This loss on the roster is not expected to impact next years team and should continue to give spots needed for next years recruiting class.   At last count, Michigan had 86 scholarship players and this now gets them down to the 85 maximum.  

There is still the situation around suspended punter Will Hagerup and if he will be re-instated to the program at some point.

• Heading Back to A2:  Michael Ferns, Moe Ways, Drake Harris and LB Chase Winovich will all be on campus this weekend.   As we know, Chase and Kyron Watson seem to be in a race for the last spot at LB in this class.  Kyron is expect to visit Ann Arbor in two weeks.

Michigan Monday: 2 More Recruits Coming?

Sam Webb from Scouts said on his radio show this morning that he expects 2 more verbal commits before the Spring game on April 14th.   Your guess is as good as mine on who it could be with a number of guys very interested in the Wolverines including:

Ty Isaac
Ben Gedeon
Laquon Treadwell
EJ Levenberry

As you know by now, The Michigan Hockey team got knocked out of the NCAA Hockey Championship last weekend.  A tip of the hat goes to instate program Ferris State for making it to it's first Frozen Four.

I am on vacation this week, so the updates will be a little late but I will try to get something up everyday.