The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/944586
4 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2018 FROM OUR WEBSITE On the new early signing pe - riod for football and Michigan's No. 24-ranked class … • The early signing period took most of the luster out of National Signing Day going forward, so now it's really a two- stage situation: Stage 1 — Early Signing Period. This is going to be when everyone gets most of their guys now, regardless of impres- sion from the season or other issues that arose with the programs. Stage 2 — National Signing Day. This is now pretty much a day when those who had strong prior seasons will land their big fish or big flips. In this year's case Alabama, Georgia, OSU, etc. Any kid that signs on NSD is one that is choosing between multiple big fish, and at the end of the day it's either bag- men or program perception that will get it done. This is why you can't lose 5 games in a season anymore or you will be shut out on NSD, like Michigan largely was this year. Now as a fan, you can either fly off the handle and proclaim even louder how much of a disaster this is and lament how far Michigan Football has fallen from the tree of elite that they've never consistently had a branch on, or you can come to the realization that 5-loss sea- sons can't happen again and trust the staff to move forward and learn from it. The choice is yours. I say, onward. GO BLUE. Tempus1225 • My personal interest in recruiting has waned severely. I used to live for National Signing Day, and this year I barely remembered that it was today. I think a lot of people are at the "show me" stage of this regime. Go figure it out and win important games. If Kirby Smart can take Georgia to the heights they have ascended to in year two with a true fresh- man quarterback then you'd like to think that Michigan is capable of the same. But, at this point, I will only believe what is shown to me and no longer have any kind of lofty expectations. I am not saying it's not going to happen; I am just saying I can't get myself excited or worked up about potential. Prove it. People need to take a serious look in the mirror when it comes to the program's perception and place in the national landscape for the past 15 years. I'd love to be able to watch some highlights of an important game or re- watch a big victory in HD. Michigan has an almost-unrivaled history in the col- lege football world but, right now, that seems like that's all they have. mpitts • On paper this class stinks just like on paper Michigan signed future All-Amer- icans like Je'Ron Stokes, Sam McGuffie, David Dawson, William Campbell, Justin Turner, Drake Harris. … I'll hold off on the negative judgment of this class un- til they actually "stink" on the field. bkblue1 • It's a tough line to walk for coaches. On one hand, you're excited for a lot of these players for so many reasons. But, on the other hand, if they're not disappointed March 2018 • Vol. 29, No. 8 ISSN 1048-9940 Editor John Borton The Wolverine.com Editor Chris Balas Football Recruiting Writer Brandon Brown Staff Writers Austin Fox Andrew Vailliencourt Managing Editor Ryan Tice Contributing Editor Steve Downey Layout And Design Jeanette Blankenship Chris Miller Contributing Photographers Lon Horwedel Per Kjeldsen Cover Photo Brandon Brown Publisher Stu Coman Business Manager Linda Autry Marketing/Merchandise Manager Beverly Taylor Director Of Advertising Michelle Delee-Hamilton Customer Service Lauren Saunders Gail Evans The Wolverine is published monthly. A one-year (12 issues) subscription is $52.99. The Wolverine is printed at The Papers in Milford, Ind. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wolverine, P.O. Box 2331, Durham, NC 27702. Periodical postage paid at Durham, NC 27702 and additional offices. For advertising or subscription information, call 1-800-421-7751 or write The Wolverine, P.O. Box 1304, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. The Wolverine is a publication of Coman Publishing Company, 905 W. Main St, Suite 24F, Durham, NC 27701. E-Mail Address: thewolverine@comanpub.com Subscription questions: lsaunders@comanpub.com Website: www.thewolverine.com Be Heard! Send your letters to: Wolverine Letters • P.O. Box 1304 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 Or e-mail: ryantice@comanpub.com Letters may be edited for clarity or length. FROM OUR READERS Fans are hopeful that Michigan signed sev- eral underrated recruits, such as three-star tight end/offensive tackle prospect Ryan Hayes. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN