The Wolverine

September 2017

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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SEPTEMBER 2017 THE WOLVERINE 65   FOOTBALL RECRUITING perience. I got to hang out with every- body, and I got to know a lot of people. "We were having regular conver- sations and just having fun. Plus the food was really good, and that made it even better." Faustin is unranked by Rivals, but the staff absolutely loves his length and athleticism. He fits right in with Michigan's three other defensive back commits — Atlanta Westlake four-star Myles Sims (No. 7 corner- back and No. 59 overall prospect na- tionally according to Rivals), plus three-star safety German Green (un- ranked) and four-star Gemon Green (No. 32 cornerback in the land) of DeSoto (Texas) High. COMMITS AND PLAYERS AS RECRUITERS Speaking of commits, they — along with current Michigan players — are just as crucial to the success of the BBQ as the coaches and paid staffers. It truly is a team effort when it comes to making recruiting targets feel at home, and the already com- mitted prospects and members of Team 138 should get some pats on the back for helping in the process. "There were a lot of committed guys there, and I hung out a with Myles and the Green twins," Faustin said. "The day I got there, after we got together and had dinner, I went to hang out with [sophomore safety] Josh [Metellus] and all of his friends, and that was cool. "We got pretty close and got to know each other. We had a lot of fun just all hanging out." McGrone also credited some of his buddies from Indianapolis (redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Pe- ters, sophomore running back Chris Evans and 2018 commit Ekiyor) for helping him feel comfortable enough to commit. "Next year it's definitely going to make the transition easier hav- ing people that I know and people I have stuff in common with," Mc- Grone said. "It'll definitely help to build that brotherhood with them and everybody else." Herron also specifically mentioned Ekiyor when discussing why he felt so comfortable at the BBQ. The family feel that recruits always mention about Michigan is alive and well, and played a huge role in U-M's four most recent pledges. A COUPLE OF NEW OFFERS The BBQ also is an opportunity for the Michigan coaches to spend time with targets, in some cases for the first time, and continue the process of determining if they're offer worthy. It turns out that two prospects were. Kentwood (Mich.) East Kent- wood 2019 four-star defensive tackle Mazi Smith had been to Michigan several times before, and the 6-3, 290-pounder was offered during the July 29 extravaganza. "The BBQ was great," Smith said. "It was probably the best visit I've had so far. I came a little late, but I showed up and met Coach [Greg] Mattison. Then I went down to the field and took a few pictures. "While I was walking back up to go get food, Coach Mattison offered me. He was talking about how he wants to coach me someday and how he thinks I'm a good fit." Smith can throw his Michigan offer into the pile along with tenders from Alabama, Louisville, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin and a few others. He's got some big- time programs after him, but his fre- quent visits to Ann Arbor seem to indicate that he's quite high on the Wolverines. In a very different situation, Or- ange (Calif.) Lutheran 2019 four-star wide receiver Kyle Ford made his first visit to Michigan for the BBQ and also picked up an offer. The 6-3, 195-pounder was in town with his father, Dan Ford, and uncle, Terry Danielson, and all three thoroughly enjoyed their time on campus. "The BBQ could not have been any better," Danielson said. "It's a great feel- ing of family there, and Kyle and his dad could feel it, and felt very comfort- able. Kyle loved his visit — 'amazing' was his favorite word to describe it. "I asked him on the flight home, if there was anything he didn't like about the visit, and he said no. He loved the facilities, the campus, the academic side, the pro offense and especially the coaches. He just loves Harbaugh and would love to play for him." The event obviously went very well for Ford and his family, and now Michigan figures to be a major player in his recruitment with USC being the biggest threat for his services. FRESH FACES Finally, the BBQ is also a great op- portunity to start building relation- ships with underclassmen. Oak Park (Mich.) High 2020 of- fensive tackle Justin Rogers has been around quite a few times and is friends with U-M freshman Ja'Raymond Hall. As usual, the 6-2, 289-pounder en- joyed his time in Ann Arbor. "Today was a good visit," he said. "We talked to the coaches, and I just had a good time with all of them." Akron, North Carolina State and Toledo have already offered Gibral- tar (Mich.) Carlson 2020 athlete Ian Stewart, and he's now on Michigan's radar as well. The 6-3, 185-pounder plays wide receiver and in the sec- ondary, and fits the mold that the Michigan coaches like at both posi- tions. He looks like a potential offer candidate down the road. The youngest visitor in attendance was Belleville (Mich.) High 2021 ath- lete Jamari Buddin. The 6-2, 175-pound youngster plays wide receiver and safety, and talked about bonding with some of Michigan's position coaches. "It was a nice experience," Bud- din said. "… My favorite part was when we had our talk with the wide receivers coach and the individual coaches, because those are our pri- mary positions." ❏ Mazi Smith — a 2019 four- star defen- sive tackle from East Kentwood High in Kentwood, Mich. — picked up an offer from the Wolverines during the BBQ. PHOTO BY AUSTIN FOX

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