The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/122487
michigan recruiting Wolverines Pick Up Greyshirt Commit M ost college football prospects sign a letter of intent during February of their senior year, and then immediately join the team for the following fall. Sometimes, however, prospects will delay their enrollment in college for a variety of reasons. The process known as "greyshirting" allows them to preserve a year of eligibility (the NCAA's "five years to play four" clock starts when a student-athlete enrolls full-time at a college). This process has been used by some coaches shortly before the season Naples (Fla.) Barron Collier defensive tackle Brady when they realize that Pallante, who is also a state champion in wrestling, has they have more than the pledged for the Wolverines. photo courtesy rivals.com NCAA-maximum 85 players on the roster. much for Pallante to pass up — even The greyshirt process can also be if it means a short wait before joining established from the beginning. If a the Wolverines. A spring practice visit college coaching staff wants to express sealed the decision for him. serious interest in a player, but doesn't "Prior to setting foot on campus, I expect to have the scholarship space wasn't sure if I was going to commit, available, an invitation to join the fol- and the second I got to practice, I knew lowing year's class can be extended. this place was for me," he said. This way, the player will ultimately Although he says he wasn't sold unjoin as a full-scholarship player, rather til he made it to Ann Arbor, it was clear than a preferred walk-on. even prior to the visit that he was conSuch was the case with Naples (Fla.) sidering a pledge as soon as he made Barron Collier 2014 defensive tackle it to town. Brady Pallante, who pledged to Michi"It's a decision that's going to affect gan April 6 over offers from Appala- the rest of my life, so it's a really big chian State and Boston College. The one obviously," Pallante said just days total package at Michigan was just too before his visit to campus. "I'm going