The Wolverine

March 2017 Recruiting Issue

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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26 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2017 2017 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE school crush on Jim Harbaugh." Harbaugh arrived to a standing ova- tion and gave a tip of the cap before sitting with the students. He later took the stage to introduce the event. "Sitting down with some of the stu- dents … you can all remember when you chose your college, signed, com- mitted," he said. "That would be a day of celebration, going on to higher edu- cation. It's the closest thing you have to a guarantee of being successful in this day and age. "Right now, we want to thank these kids. We look forward to a long and trusting friendship. This is your day. This excitement is for you. Those par- ents have sacrificed. They've driven the car to many a practice, sacrificed to get their sons where they are." He looked into the camera to give a message to those recruits watching through The Players' Tribune website, where it was streamed live for the sec- ond year. "We're sharing with you Michigan, right here," Harbaugh said. "Come be great." A FAMILY AFFAIR They were also sharing the moment with several families of the early en- rollees who were also in attendance. Local TV personality Brad Galli of WXYZ-TV channel 7 in Detroit went into the audience to interview defen- sive end Corey Malone-Hatcher's par- ents and others, including five-star re- ceiver Donovan Peoples-Jones' mother. Radio personality and The Huge Show's Bill Simonson introduced each of the recruits and also provided other voiceover work, while Galli also inter- viewed several players. Sophomore cornerback Lavert Hill admitted to Galli he was more nervous about the interview in front of thou- sands of people than he was the first time he played a down in Michigan Stadium. Sophomore offensive lineman Ben Bredeson recalled how he snuck away for a few hours during high school last year to watch Signing of the Stars Part I. "Coach [Tim] Drevno prepared me from day one," Bredeson said. "It was a dream come true to play right away. I enjoyed every minute of it." Drevno, the offensive coordinator, later took the stage and talked about his new group. He lauded the five- man offensive line class as the future. "We felt we needed to get more ath- letic up front … we have guys in our locker room that are," he said. "These guys all love the game and are physi- cal at the point of attack. … We look at quickness, even ankle flexion. "This is like an unbelievable draft class for us." Early enrollees Cesar Ruiz of Bra- denton (Fla.) IMG Academy and Ja'Raymond Hall of Oak Park (Mich.) High were introduced on the big screen before joining the coaches on stage. "It's a great feeling overall," Ruiz said. "I knew I was coming here for the last two years, basically." He later noted he was joking, but added he wanted to enjoy the recruit- ing process before pledging. Detroit Lions rookie Graham Glasgow offered a bit of advice for the freshmen. "Coach Drevno and Coach Har- baugh are always right," he quipped. On the other side of the ball, de- fensive line coach Greg Mattison said the Wolverines looked for athleticism at the line spots this year, while Har- baugh called his future offensive line- men "five future starters." "The other thing we were looking for this year was big guys, guys who can play on D-line and O-line," Har- baugh said. "We have a guy for each position on the offensive line. "It's the same with the D-line … we have eight guys that are great guys, great students, understand academ- ics. When I talk to all four of the guys up here and everyone in the class, that was No. 1 with them — the opportu- nity to get a Michigan education and be part of the tradition. "We love these big guys … we're so happy they're here." The playmakers, of course, got the biggest ovations. The loudest was reserved for five-star wide receiver Peoples-Jones, who announced for Michigan on national television (ES- PNU) in December. Many Michigan fans were so ner- vous they could barely function be- fore the telecast. Turns out Harbaugh was among them. "I couldn't watch," he admitted. "I was by myself in my room, had my phone there. Then I got the texts from so many people and fans blow- ing up my phone. First it was Roz [Peoples-Jones' mother, who was in Head coach Jim Harbaugh was joined on stage by more current coaches and former U-M play- ers than in last year's edition, which featured more celebrities. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN   Jim Harbaugh on this year's Signing Of The Stars "It was just the thought we had to make it more about Michigan — from the band, the cheerleaders, the drum line, coaches, players, parents. Make it about the family, the family we are at the University of Michigan."

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