The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/279958
MICHIGAN RECRUITING the spread offense and how my skill set would fit in one versus the other. He took me to The Big House. There were a lot of academic meetings, and there is a great support staff at that school." "I'm going to step back and think a little bit. I'm pretty positive, I'm pretty sure I'm going to stick with who I originally thought of, but it makes the decision harder. "I wanted to get out of state at least once and just be able to tell people I went out of state. The school I'm go- ing to is completely justified. I just wanted to go there just to get out of California and be like, 'I don't like it.' I'm going to stay in California and do my thing. But ultimately it didn't re- ally end up like that. It was a lot bet- ter visit than I thought it would be." While Rosen is still expected to pick the Bruins, Michigan does stand a fighting chance after his experience in Ann Arbor opened his eyes to the positives of the Maize and Blue. Even if he does go with UCLA, Rosen' might not be completely done with his recruitment. He has family connections to UCLA head coach Jim L. Mora, and if Mora were to leave Westwood for a gig in the NFL — a realistic possibility if he can lead UCLA to another strong season (after going 10-3 in his second year as the Bruins' leader) — the star quarterback's decision could see some changes. At this point, U-M has posi- tioned itself well to be that choice if Rosen does not choose to stay home. The No. 2 overall prospect and top pro-style passer in the nation holds offers from practically every pro- gram in the country. He was selected to the Rivals Five-Star Challenge last summer as a rising junior and will return to the invitation-only event this year. COMMITMENT DROUGHT Michigan's coaching staff has gone nearly four months without picking up a commitment. The most recent player to pick the Wolverines was 2016 offensive lineman Erik Swen- son of Downers Grove, Ill. The 6-5, 289-pounder pledged to the Wolver- ines Nov. 25, while U-M was still re- cruiting for the 2014 class (though they would ultimately fail to bring in another pledge for that group). The final pledge in the 2014 class came from Warren (Mich.) De La Salle linebacker Jared Wangler, who committed to the Maize and Blue Aug. 9. The most recent commit- ment in the 2015 class was defensive back Tyree Kinnel Aug. 24 (though the Wolverines also lost two 2015 pledges, five-star tailback Damien Harris and five-star wideout George Campbell, in December and Janu- ary). The commitment drought could continue, with the coaching staff tell- ing prospects to make sure they take their time, instead of potentially de- committing after issuing a pledge like Harris and Campbell eventually did. Class of 2016 offensive lineman Thiyo Lukusa, for example, planned to commit to Michigan in February, but ultimately elected to take visits to other schools this spring. Once