The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2022 THE WOLVERINE 13 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Getting To Know 2023 Michigan Kicker Commit Adam Samaha A local product of nearby Ypsilanti, Mich., 2023 kicker Adam Samaha attends Ann Arbor Huron High School. He is the No. 2 kicker in his class per the On3 Consen- sus, and Kornblue Kicking tabbed him as the best pros- pect at his position nation- ally. The 6-0 170-pounder helped the River Rats to an 8-2 record and a playoff ap- pearance in 2021. Here are some facts about Samaha that you may not have known: B est Aspec t O f B eing From Ypsilanti, Mich.: "The fact that it's a small town, so everybody knows each other. It's really connected. It's good to put Ypsi on the map, because not a lot of people know about it. It's really small." Nickname: "Some people call me 'A3.' My middle name starts with a W, so they call me 'Dub.'" Favorite Restaurant In Ann Arbor area: "Olive Garden is good, and Nu Wave Fish And Chicken. Those are the two best spots." Best Meal He Can Cook By Himself: "Probably some pasta. I'm not the great- est chef." Favorite Professional Athlete: "[Los Angeles Lakers forward] LeBron James, just because of how he takes care of his body and how serious he takes it, on and off the court." Sport He Enjoys Playing Besides Football: "I play basketball for my high school team. I grew up playing it since I was like 2 or 3. I've just had a love for it at a young age, and loved playing for my dad [Waleed Samaha] since he used to coach for the team at my school." Favorite TV Show: "'All American.'" Favorite Movie: "'Home Alone.'" Why He Committed To Michigan: "They offered me really early, and it felt like home as soon as I stepped foot on campus. I've always been around Michigan. As a young kid, my dad used to coach for Michigan basketball [as director of basketball operations under former head man John Beilein]. And the culture around the program is unbeatable." What He Hopes To Do After Football: "I definitely want to be involved in sports, whether it be in coaching or in the business side. I plan on majoring in either psychology or business." Favorite Memory Playing High School Football: "I had a late field goal that put us up 31-30 [over Temperance (Mich.) Bedford] late in the fourth quarter with two minutes left. We needed it, and the team got it done. That's my favorite memory in high school so far." What He Hopes To Accomplish As A Prep Senior: "With it being my last season, I'd like to go out with a bang. I'd like to make the playoffs, have a good record, make some kicks for my team and just have fun and finish out my high school career." — Clayton Sayfie FRANKIE COLLINS' TRANSFER 'CAME AS A SURPRISE' TO JUWAN HOWARD Seven new scholarship faces will enter the men's basketball program during the 2022-23 season. Some of that attrition was planned for, while other changes came out of left field. The biggest surprise de- parture was point guard Frankie Collins, who entered the transfer portal April 30. Collins, who averaged 2.8 points and 1.4 assists in 31 games played during his freshman season, was tabbed by most as the point guard of the future. When U-M added Princeton transfer guard Jaelin Llewellyn via the transfer portal April 29, Collins immediately en- tered the portal and committed to Arizona State May 4. "It came as a surprise to me," How- ard told the media in August. "It happened so fast. When Jaelin de- cided to commit, all of the sudden I looked up and Frankie was in the transfer portal. I wish Frankie all the best, and I'm very thankful for Frankie and for what he did for this team last year. "He was one of the hardest work- ers on the team. We never had to beg him to come to the gym — he did it on his own. Guys in the locker room enjoyed playing with him and enjoyed being around him. The staff enjoyed coaching him. "He has a beautiful family. We're going to miss him. Whenever family decides to move on and they move all the way out west, it's like you have a brother or sister get married and move out west with their fam- ily, it hurts a little bit. I just want to see him be successful. I am going to be one of his biggest fans." Michigan could face Collins and Arizona State this season at the Legends Classic Nov. 16-17 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Pitts- burgh and VCU are the other two participants. Matchups have not been set, but each team will play two games. The VCU roster includes a pair of Michigan transfers in forward Bran- don Johns and guard Zeb Jackson, so story lines abound in this early season, non-conference showcase. Samaha is listed at the No. 2 kicker in the country by the On3 Consensus, while Kornblue Kicking tabbed him as the best prospect at his position nationally. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND