Michigan Thursday: Game Times Are Set For The First 3

Game 1: WMU 7:30 

Game 2: Oklahoma Noon 

Game 3: UTEP 3:30 

I know early in the season there is a need for primetime games and a very small inventory of compelling match-ups.  Still why Michigan continues to open a season at night against a MAC opponent just boggles my mind.  If I was in charge of everything, I would have Game 1 at noon, Game 2 in Primetime, and Game 3 at noon.  

The only reason Game 2 is at noon, is because Fox owns the 12:00 kicks for the Big Time for their premier game of the week.   Game 1 is a primetime because the Networks know Michigan playing anyone draws a large audience and Game 3 must be a CBS game who owns that time slot for the Big Ten.  

I still prefer the Bo quote: “We used to tell the TV stations that we’re going to tee the ball up at one o’clock. If you want to come down and take your little pictures, feel free.”

• Freshman DT Alister Vallejo has made it to Ann Arbor to start his career as a Wolverine!

• Freshman TE Mason Bonner has made it to Ann Arbor to start his career as a Wolverine!

• In-state EDGE Myles Smith will announce his commitment this afternoon

• MSU Guard Jeremy Fears, feared he wouldn't be drafted high enough and is heading back to East Lansing to kick it for another year.

• Cal commit edge Troy Bowens will visit A2 on 6-19

Wolverine Wednesday: Random Mid-Week Thoughts

• Is it good Coach Whitt is not a Michigan Man?  I think so.  It's more important to hire a coach with Michigan sensibilities then it is hiring someone with Michigan ties to the school.   For example, I wouldn't buy a used car from Urban Meyer but I know the guy an recruit and coach football.  We also know Coach Whitt comes from the Meyer tree.  So here is the question, Does Coach Whitt have Urban's good football qualities but with Michigan Football's sensibilities?  I'm betting he does.

• Do we all agree Michigan's success next year rides on the development of Bryce this off season?

• Kamden Lopita made the Elite 11 Finals which has 20 QB's attending.

• Did you know EMU Ladies Golf Team was really good and just lost in the NCAA Semi's to Stanford?  Congrats on a great year! 

• How in the world does Mike McCarthy keep getting all these jobs with historic NFL Franchises?  Green Bay, Dallas, and now Pittsburg?  The guy comes off as being a really bad coach IMO.

• I'm starting to feel the NBA is just un-watchable.  The games are not even close and we are in the conference finals. 

• The Cavs keeping their head coach and Harden hours after getting swept by the Knicks is classic Cleveland. 

• Memorial Day needs sports on during the day.  

• Does Dusty ever take a vacation?

• How can we make the UFL better?  I think it has to have more involvement from the NFL and include late round draft picks or something.  I want to watch football during the summer but for some reason this football just doesn't keep my attention. 

• The PGA Tour needs to figure out a way to welcome back the LIV golfers after that league folds.  No way anyone is going to put up big dollars to save that league.  Pay a fine and lets move on to better PGA fields.  Those worried about Phil, I know he is going through some health stuff with his family, but I expect he would head to the Champions tour if they let him back in, which they probably won't. 

Michigan Monday/Tuesday: What is Michigan Selling?

Being a Michigan Football fan we believe all recruits should want to play in the Maize and Blue.  Michigan is the winnest program in college football history, Ann Arbor is rated the best college town by many publications, and has real academics where a degree from U of M means something.  

Yes, throw is the other stuff like great coaches,NFL draft picks, great staff, great facilities and its the total package.  Still, Michigan has always done well in recruiting, like averaging the #10 class every year.   Why not top 5?  Or more 5 stars?  Most folks believed its was because Michigan was a little late to the NIL game or even prior to that, some would say the Bama rules, where they have been doing NIL for 20+ years.

When a new staff comes in, usually that first class suffers.  They might throw up a 20th ranked class for example.  They have not had a chance to create relationships at this new school and build a recruiting foundation.  In fact, this new staff did start off slowly as they had other priorities like saving the roster and the portal.   Now they are focusing on recruiting the 2027 class and are seeing great success.   Lately with so many guys committing its hard to even keep up.

Last Wednesday: Instate Athlete Lundon Hampton commits

Last Friday: 4-star Safety Tavares Harrington commits on Rivals You Tube 

Last Saturday: 4-star TE Colt Lumpris flips from Alabama 

I would say that is a positive recruiting outcome for a holiday weekend! 

Michigan currently has the:

•  #9 class on 24/7
• #11 on Rivals 
• #10 ESPN

I guess we have that 9-11 range covered!  Michigan's class a few weeks ago was ranked around 40th. 

• Michigan commit Lou Esposito from Saline, MI earned Offensive Line MVP honors at the Under Armour Next Camp in Chicago this weekend.  He also had a little something for the services as he posted on social media he was excelling with his 3-star ranking. 

Michigan Friday: Welcomes an Instate Athlete

Lundon Hampton has a great name and sounds like a great destination to take a Summer Vacation to.  Hey Becky, where are you headed this Holiday Weekend?  Oh, love we of course are going to Lundon Hampton to enjoy the beach and shopping. 

Fortunately for Michigan fans, Hampton is a swiss army knife type of player.  He is 6'2 and 203 pounds and has been recruited everywhere from LB, Safety, Nickel, and Running Back.  He also returns kicks for his high school in Grand Rapids.  

Hampton is a 3 star (mostly because services don't know where to rank him) but teams really like him and he has a host of offers from the likes of PSU, Pitt, MSU, Iowa, BC, CAL, Louisville, UK and many more.   His recruitment was led by Michigan RB coach Tony Alford so there is a very good chance he ends up a RB in Ann Arbor.  

• Michigan Baseball stays alive in the Big Ten Tournament after a 3-0 win over OSU.  It's now single elimination from here on out. 

Enjoy the holiday weekend!