The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1083898
able than the interior of the offensive line, and he's just very solid there." From a Michigan standpoint, Helm- holdt also loves the fact that Rumler is an Ohio kid who will be suiting up against the Buckeyes. Those are the type of players that take everything up several notches during a rivalry week. Whether it's zeroing in during practices leading up to a big game or ramping up the emotions on the field right before kickoff in Columbus or East Lansing, guys like Rumler ooze an energy that spreads to teammates who aren't from Ohio or Michigan. That can be key in doing what it takes to win those kinds of games. "One thing I've always preached is that programs have to start recruiting in their backyard," Helmholdt said. "You need guys who understand tra- ditions, the program and the rivalries. Those are the guys who can be conta- gious in the locker room. "To have those types that know ev- erything and grew up in that environ- ment is huge. They can appreciate those conditions and those rivalries." Helmholdt also loves the fact that Rumler is a winner. He started 58 games at Hoban and brought home a state title all four years . "Certainly at some point in your career you need to learn how to win," Helmholdt said. "If you can do it ear- lier in your career that's better than having to wait until you're in college to learn. "Being a part of a successful pro- gram like Hoban has certainly given Rumler a winner's confidence. He al- ready knows what it takes to prepare and win football games." Rumler committed to Michigan back in July of 2017 and never wa- vered. He has roots in The Great Lakes State, and that was a big part of his decision. He loves the idea of family being within an afternoon's drive away and also has faith in Jim Harbaugh, his assistants and the di- rection of the program. "Location was actually really big for me. It's only about three hours away," he said. "I have grandparents and aunts and uncles and friends that live in Michigan, so that's great. It's like I won't ever be leaving my family. "There are great coaches at Michi- gan. They'll get me to where I want to go as long as I work hard." He just fits at U-M, and the big line- man summed his decision up in a very succinct, to-the-point statement. "I've always been a Michigan Man," Rumler said. "It was always the right place to be." ❑ Rivals.com Midwest recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt "One of the things I look for first with interior offensive line- men is feet, and Rumler has excellent feet. … The second thing I look for is strength at the point of attack, and Rumler is very good there with a chance to be great." DID YOU KNOW? • Rumler was a part of four consecutive Ohio state champion- ship squads at Archbishop Hoban. During his senior season, Hoban finished 15-0 for the first time in school history and was ranked No. 8 in the country by USA Today. • Rumler started 58 games at Hoban after being inserted into the lineup early during his freshman season. He was a captain each of his final two years. • Hoban head coach Tim Tyrell insists that Rum- ler never gave up a sack throughout his entire high school career. • Posted a video to Twitter of him squatting 500 pounds four times during the spring of his sophomore year. • Nolan's father, Todd Rumler, grew up in Jackson, Mich., and played his high school football at Jackson (Mich.) Lumen Christi Catholic School before moving on to play at Grand Valley State in the early 1990s. • Rumler was born in Michigan but moved to Ohio at the age of 2. THEY SAID IT • M i c h i g a n h e a d coach Jim Harbaugh: "Nolan Rumler, arguably he's the best player in the class." • Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst Josh Helmholdt: "I saw Rum- ler live early this past season, and it was tough because he plays left tackle. He's not a left tackle at the college level, and he struggled a bit against defensive ends with speed. He'll never do that once he kicks inside in college. "He's a strong kid who, when you put him in his proper role on the offensive line, has a really high floor. He's going to be able to contribute on the offensive line pretty early in his ca- reer, in my opinion." • Opposing head coach Matt Dennison of New Phila- delphia: "I think he's pretty well-rounded, but he really comes off the ball on the run. They run the power as well as anybody, and he'll fit into the Michigan offense perfectly, because he gets to drive every time into a block. "He was easily the best lineman our team faced all year. Our defensive end, who's a really good player for us, said Rumler was the best kid he ever went against. He just has the whole package — hips, feet and great bend. When you're that big and still have that bend, it's pretty impressive." • BuckeyeGrove.com recruiting analyst Marc Givler: "Rumler does not play a pre- mium position … but he's an extremely safe bet to be a player at the next level. Rumler plays with a serious mean streak and has anchored the offensive line for a Hoban team that has won four straight state championships. A move to guard or cen- ter at the next level seems likely, but this is pretty much a plug-and-play guy for Michigan. It's hard to envision him not being a multi-year starter in Ann Arbor." MARCH 2019 THE WOLVERINE 55 Rumler was a consensus four-star and top-199 recruit by all three major recruiting services. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM