The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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2012 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE coached at San Diego State. The 6-6, 275-pound offensive tackle out of La Costa Canyon High in Carlsbad, Calif., heard from Hoke before any other college coaches. Then Hoke left for his dream job, at the University of Erik Magnuson felt like a big deal when Brady Hoke Carried Comfort With Brady Hoke Erik Magnuson Michigan. A funny thing happened back on the West Coast. Magnuson remained a big deal to Hoke, and now the senior is traveling more than halfway across the coun- try to repay that loyalty. "When he went to Michigan, that's a much more big- time program," Magnuson noted. "But he was the same old Brady Hoke, and he treated everybody the same." There is plenty of reason to covet Magnuson, no matter one's venue, according to La Costa Canyon head coach Sean Sovacool and offensive line coach Dale Henry. "He did a terrific job of protecting the passer," Sovacool insisted. "We ran the ball behind him consistently. Teams knew where he was, and tried to game plan against him." That didn't work out so well, Henry observed. "He was beaten one time, in a pass rush," Henry re- called. "Luckily, it did not result in a sack, but he did miss a guy, which we gave him a bunch of crap for, because the guy just doesn't miss. He was ticked off, too. I think he got a couple of threes [Henry's highest grading, for an exceptional blocking effort] on the next two plays. He was not a happy camper. "He's probably in the top three guys that I've coached offensive tackle and the No. 78 overall prospect in the class of 2012. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Rivals.com lists Magnuson as a four-star recruit, the country's No. 10 on the offensive line in 35 years. He's the best pass blocker I've ever coached. A lot of it is just natural balance, agility and strength. He's got great talent, probably the second- best athlete on our team, even as big as he is." According to Henry, Magnuson isn't willing to try and talent, but he works. And then, he's a brute. All of that to- gether, being a brute, being a tough guy, being driven and working your butt off … and he's pretty smart, too." Magnuson believes he's smart enough to recognize a aligned himself to a particular school in terms of fan in- terest. That made it easier to follow his heart out of state when it came time to make a decision. He chose Michigan early, committing to the Wolverines in early June. What he saw play out over the next several months only reaffirmed his selection. Magnuson attended both the Notre Dame and Ohio State games. While he recognized Michigan is rebuilding its talent base, he saw a team and coaching staff working together to rise above the odds. "That Notre Dame game was crazy," Magnuson said. skate by on natural ability, either. "That kid works his rear end off," Henry said. "He's got were better than they were, personnel-wise. They just out- played them and got big plays when they needed them. They might not have had the best team, but they played together. "I thought they'd have a big season, but I didn't think they'd make it to the Sugar Bowl. That was huge for them, and also for recruiting. For kids like myself that had al- ready committed, it's just a lot of confidence and confirms the decision we made." Sovacool, an Ohio State fan, quipped that he kept wait- good opportunity when one comes along. That's precisely what he saw in the chance to follow Hoke to Michigan. The senior grew up watching football, but never really ing for Magnuson to decommit. The coach noted Michi- gan is getting a tackle with very good athleticism, one bolstering La Costa Canyon's efforts on the basketball court this winter. "He's not taking the ball down the court, but he prob- ably would, if you let him," Sovacool said. "He's just so dang athletic. We're proud of him and happy for him." Meanwhile, Henry is happy with Magnuson's venue, the assistant coach knowing Hoke well from back in Hoke's assistant coaching days with the Wolverines. "It's kind of like your favorite teacher," Henry said. "I'd already committed at that point, and I was thinking I picked the right school to go to. I was excited. There was what, 115,000 there? Everybody was going crazy, and it was pretty cool. "They went into those games and honestly, both teams 62 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2012 "When you think back to when you went to school, what teacher stands out in your mind? It's a person that not only knows their stuff — he's got to know his business, or he wouldn't be at the university — but it's someone who has got 'it.' He's got the 'it.' "Some cats have it, and Brady does, certainly. He just has that aura about him. You get within 15 feet of the guy and it's like dude, come on in. He invites you into his space. And if you're a worker, he loves you." — John Borton