Earmuffs…

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK A THOUSAND TIMES FUCK.

From the varied commitment articles, it sounds like there is approximately zero chance of wavering. We’ll see if the wizard hat gets dragged out for this one, but I think Shepard will probably stick. This probably also eliminates Michigan with Shepard’s cousin Craig Loston, a five-star safety.

SHIT.

More comprehensive updates coming as the information gets out, but this is not good. Not good at all.

Posted under Recruiting

I feel like I put way to much thought into this decision (especially since I may not be able to get one as I’m graduating and all). One thing that is kind of weird is that “they” seem to be pushing “The Tradition Continues” as the motto for the team. I really don’t get that. Why not something like “It’s Morning in America Again?” I get it. Martin definitely reached outside the Bo coaching tree, but I don’t think it’s necessary to force Coach Rod into the Michigan Tradition; they’ll come together eventually.

Another thing, I’m not a huge fan of is cursive script in football. It just looks casual and flippant. Imagine if Barwis’ words were captured in a speech-bubble. That’s the font I want for my football t-shirt.

Finalhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifly, I’m a big fan of simplicity and empty space in graphic design. A lot of shirts get exceptionally busy and have way too much stuff going on (like the tiny “THE TEAM THE TEAM THE TEAM” in last year’s shirt).

I won’t vote yet (I think I have until March 11th to vote), but I’m leaning toward Front 2 and Back 1. It’s simple, bold, strong and doesn’t try to be anything more than a cool looking t-shirt.

Update: The contest is on!

Posted under Misc.

Board.

I rearranged the information for a few prospects to make it a bit easier to digest.

A lot of prospects have reported that they aren’t “feeling the love” from the new staff like they were from Carr’s or are from other schools. However, it is important to note that the staff not only had to fall behind in ’09 to catch up with the ’08 prospects (they caught up with ’08, so one must assume with an entire year they’ll be able to do it in ’09), but they also are moving families to a new city, getting acquainted with the team’s current players, and even getting to know each other and develop new schemes. Once some of these things get worked out, ’09 recruiting should pick up.

If Michigan ends up with any of their top 3 quarterback prospects (Shepard, Murray, and Forcier, IMO), they will have a QB who is enrolling in winter for spring term. Hopefully it works out better this time than it did for Ryan Mallett.

Junior Day is next week (3-14ish), and after that, the recruiting picture could start to clear up quite a bit (including, possibly, a commitment or two).

New Information:
TX QB Russell Shepard. Linked to an article from New Era Scouting. BON thinks Mack Brown may give up on him.
FL QB Aaron Murray. Now reporting a Michigan offer, though I’ve noted conflicting information on the topic.
CA QB Tate Forcier. PSU and Oregon are the favorites? Michigan still seems to be strongly in this one.
FL WR Nu’Keese Richardson. He was the high school teammate of new Wolverine Martavious Odoms.
MI WR Cameron Gordon. 2007 Michigan summer camper. He will be playing at Inkster, not Melvindale this coming season.
PA OT Eric Shrive. Linked to local paper’s blog devoted to Shrive’s recruitment.
OH OT Chris Freeman. Have noticed that some fans are curiously interested in him as a power forward for their basketball squads.
LA DT Chris Davenport. Now has a Michigan offer.
MS DT Josh Boyd. Plans to decide on signing day.
OH DB Justin Turner. Left him at CB, though he may be a college safety. He now has a Michigan offer.

Removed:
MI RB Edwin Baker. To Michigan State. A candidate to be re-added if he wavers.

Added:
OK RB David Oku. Michigan is in his top 9. His junior highlight.

Posted under Recruiting