The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1490206
FEBRUARY 2023 THE WOLVERINE 47 FOOTBALL RECRUITING and No. 247 overall prospect nationally, is an in-state product at Harper Woods High who basically grew up immersed in the Michigan program. Oden has made several visits to U-M as a recruit, in- cluding one in January, and he is pegged by many pundits to eventually end up in Ann Arbor. And it's no secret his father, Rod Oden, who was a walk-on fullback for the Wolverines in the '90s and now serves as the head football coach at Harper Woods, still has a strong affin- ity for his alma mater. "I tell him that the education [at Michigan] is second to none," Rod said. "He knows that. I went to Michigan. All my siblings are alums. My sister in-law is an alum as well. He sees the success that everybody is having in their per- sonal lives. He knows a degree from that place can open so many doors. You get to play for one of the most storied pro- grams in the national spotlight. You're going to get the best of all worlds. U-M checks a lot of boxes. "There isn't much you can ask for that they don't already have. There are unlimited resources. You have to really try to fail at a place at Michigan. You can find yourself for the next 40 years of your life in Ann Arbor." Oden, who can play any spot in the secondary at 6-foot, 180 pounds, is also strongly considering Iowa, Michigan State, Penn State and Tennessee. How- ever, his connection to the program as well as his family's personal relationship with Michigan co-defensive coordina- tor Steve Clinkscale has the Wolverines in the pole position. "Coach Clink is amazing," Rod said. "He's authentic. He's genuine. He's more than a coach. He's a personal friend. I've known him for more than 20 years. I remember Coach Clink recruit- ing in 2006, the year Jacob was born. When he says things like, 'I was around when you were in the crib on the side- lines at your daddy's games,' it's true. He's been to our house and has been extra personal. He's like an uncle. His expectations for Jacob are going to be greater." CAROLINA CATCH Then there is Goodwin, the son of former Michigan offensive lineman Jon- athan Goodwin, who suited up for the Wolverines from 1998-2001. Jonathan helped the Wolverines win multiple bowl games and earned second-team Associated Press All-America accolades as a senior. He then went on to spend more than a decade in the NFL, where he won a Super Bowl and also made a Super Bowl appearance under Jim Harbaugh with the San Francisco 49ers. Goodwin is one of only two former Michigan players that started for Harbaugh during his time as a head coach in the NFL — the other being Braylon Edwards. Both Harbaugh and wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy, who played with Jonathan during his time at Michigan, have been leading the charge in Chan- ning's recruitment. Those bonds are obviously going a long way for the Wol- verines. "It's positive when he gets recruited by people you know," Jonathan said. "You feel like you'll get the honest truth on how they feel. That's defi- nitely an advantage. It's another thing that makes you realize you're getting older when your younger teammate is recruiting your son to your alma mater [laughs]. "Ron has been great. Coach Harbaugh has been great. Christina DeRuyter [di- rector of on-campus recruiting and operations] has been great as well. It's definitely been a positive experience with Michigan so far." The younger Channing also holds of- fers from Kentucky, Louisville, Mary- land, Missouri, NC State, Pitt, South Carolina and several other programs. However, Michigan is considered the team to beat early on in his recruitment. And Channing admitted the idea of following in his father's footsteps is cer- tainly enticing. "My dad has told me that Michigan was a great place for him when he was coming up," Channing said. "He told me it was the perfect spot for him to land and that it changed his life. It would be cool to go there. Michigan fans would love another Goodwin there. It would be special." Sure, all three prospects have oppor- tunities to play for top programs around the country, but only one destination is — as Goodwin put it — truly spe- cial. Michigan still means something to Steve, Rod and Jonathan. Now, the opportunity is there for Blake, Jacob and Channing. A new wave of Michigan Men creating their own legacies in The Big House? Only time will tell. ❏ Jacob Oden (6-0, 185) is a standout at Harper Woods (Mich.) High, where he plays for his father, Rod. Oden is rated as the No. 22 safety and No. 247 prospect nationally by On3. PHOTO BY CHAD SIMMONS/ON3.COM Channing Goodwin (6-1, 160) lines up at wide receiver for Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day School and is rated as the No. 104 receiver nationally by On3. PHOTO COURTESY ON3.COM