August 19, 2001

First, a few snippets from our past few days' Premium Plus interviews:

The Wolverine talked to Junior All-American DE Brian Pickryl (6-5, 230 lbs., 4.5 in the 40, 32-inch vertical jump, 3.1 GPA/24 ACT/1160 SAT) from Jenks, OK. Regarding his visit to Michigan for the Academic/Recruiting day on Saturday, July 29: "I visited with my mother. I was impressed - and surprised actually - by the quality of Michigan's engineering program." He plans to enroll in college in January.

The Wolverine talked to Junior All-American QB Drew Olson (6-2, 190 lbs., 4.8 in the 40, 2.8 GPA/qualified) from Piedmont, CA. He told us, "UCLA did have a big lead for me, but now Michigan is close behind ... My parents and I are going to visit Michigan September 1st for the Miami game."

Junior All American QB Matt Gutierrez (STAN Nike stats: 6-4, 206 lbs., 4.82 in the 40, 4.10 in the shuttle, 33-inch vertical jump ... 3.3 'core GPA'/1070 SAT) from Concord, CA, DeLaSalle (alma mater of former Wolverine great Amani Toomer). "Yes, I visited Michigan the weekend of July 14th - I've been visiting schools this summer ... I met with Coaches Parrish and Hoke who told me Michigan is very interested in me."

The Wolverine talked to Junior All-American WR Akieem Jolla (LSU Nike stats: 6-3, 170 lbs., 4.4 in the 40, 2.7 GPA/17 ACT) from New Orleans, LA. "I am not actually close to a decision - I am taking all my visits." His mother added, "I am going back to college myself and so we are both learning about schools ..."

The Wolverine talked to Junior All-American TE Eric Winston (6-7, 255 lbs., 4.77 in the 40, 285 lb. bench press) from Midland, TX, Lee. "I know about cold weather. My dad is from Massachusetts. That wouldn't keep me from going north to school."

The Wolverine talked to Junior All-American LB Mike D'Andrea (Michigan offer, 6-3, 235 lbs., 4.6 in the 40, 355 lb. bench press, 37-inch vertical jump, 3.45 GPA/1060 SAT) from Avon Lake, OH. He simply said, "Nothing has changed." He lists Michigan, Ohio State, and Nebraska, with Notre Dame in the picture as well.

From MichiganPreps.alliancesports.com:

They were hitting for real Thursday ... some of the state's best teams assembled for four-way, half-field scrimmages.

Grand Rapids Creston senior Ruben Riley was the man at Brighton. He's definitely bigger than the 6'2" some have him listed as, he was the biggest player on the field, looking closer to 6'5", 315 pounds. Riley plays left tackle for the Polar Bears and smothers opponents when he pass blocks. He plays inside on defense and hustles well up and down the line and was fast enough top pursue the quarterback on a number of plays.

From Pac10Recruiting.alliancesports.com:

- Junior All-American QB Drew Olson (6-2, 190 lbs., 4.8 in the 40, 2.8 GPA/qualified) from Piedmont, CA says, "I have narrowed it down to four schools. Michigan, UCLA, Washington And Tennessee ... Yeah, Michigan has just really jumped into the picture. I didn’t think they were interested at all. I am pretty serious with Michigan now. I was leaning towards UCLA a lot, but that has kind of changed. I am going to

see Michigan play Washington unofficially."

- Junior All American QB Matt Gutierrez (STAN Nike stats: 6-4, 206 lbs., 4.82 in the 40, 4.10 in the shuttle, 33-inch vertical jump ... 3.3 'core GPA'/1070 SAT) from Concord, CA, DeLaSalle says, "I visited all three of the Flordia schools. I gained a lot of knowledge about the schools. But, I am still even across the board ... I have offers from Louisiana State, Alabama, Miami, Washington, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, California, Southern California, Clemson, Michigan and Notre Dame. All of those are definately in

my mind, but some others would be Tennessee, Florida State, Florida and Stanford."

- Junior All-American QB Trent Edwards (STAN Nike stats: 6-3, 185 lbs., 4.87 in the 40, 4.18 second shuttle, 30-inch vertical jump ... 4.0+ GPA/1130 SAT) from Los Gatos, CA says, "Well, right now Stanford is definately my leader, but I also really like UCLA. Those two will definately get official visits. There are some others that have a legitimate chance as well though. Michigan, Michigan State, Miami and Florida are also schools I am thinking about." All but FLA and MIA have offered.

- QB Isaiah Stanback (6-3, 190 lbs., 4.4 in the 40, 27-inch vertical jump) from Seattle, WA, Garfield says, "UCLA, Southern California, Michigan, Notre Dame and Washington are my current top five at this point ... Washington, Washington State, Purdue, Nebraska, UCLA and Southern California have all offered."

From Rivals100.alliancesports.com:

- Junior All-American WR Carl Tabb (Michigan offer, confirmed 2001 Michigan Camper, 2000 Michigan camper, U-M Nike stats: 6-1, 171 lbs., 4.42 in the 40, 3.97 second shuttle ... spring 2001 10.4 100 meters, 42-inch vertical jump, 3.8 GPA) from Ann Arbor, MI, Huron says, "To be honest, it's hard not to like Michigan since it's here in my backyard, but I've not had time to even think about a leader."

- LB Reggie Cribbs (6-1, 220 lbs., 4.55 in the 40, 3.0 GPA/25 ACT) from Chicago, IL, Hubbard says, "I did have a leader, and that was Northwestern, but things have changed." He now also has offers from Wisconsin and Illinois, plus he's also now getting some serious interest from Michigan and Tennessee. As a junior he made 153 tackles and 13 sacks.

From MidwestRecruiting.alliancesports.com:

- Junior All American QB Matt Gutierrez (STAN Nike stats: 6-4, 206 lbs., 4.82 in the 40, 4.10 in the shuttle, 33-inch vertical jump ... 3.3 'core GPA'/1070 SAT) from Concord, CA, DeLaSalle says, "I visited USC and UCLA in the spring. And I went to Michigan and Notre Dame in July. Last week I visited Florida State, Florida,

and Miami ... I don't have a favorite ... I liked both Notre Dame and Michigan a lot. Michigan has tradition and great facilities. The campus is nice. And I like coach Hoke."

- Junior All-American SS/WR/ATH Dedrick Harrington (6-4, 225 lbs., 4.45 in the 40, 28-inch vertical jump, 250-lb. bench press, 3.1 GPA/18 ACT) from Mexico, MO says, I want to do both football and basketball in college. Missouri offered in writing. Michigan offered verbally ... Notre Dame was always my favorite football school ... I've been to Purdue. They offered. Illinois offered too."

- Super Junior All-American OL Justin Blalock (confirmed 2001 Michigan camper, TXAM Nike stats: 6-4, 340 lbs., 5.0 in the 40, 400-lb. bench press, 27-inch vertical jump, 3.5 GPA/1280 SAT/31 ACT) from Plano, TX, East says, "If it were today, I’d probably visit Florida, Oklahoma, Michigan and Texas for sure ... I’d guess both

Oklahoma and Texas are at the top of the list."

From Virginia.alliancesports.com:

- Junior All-American WR Maurice Stovall (6-5, 200 lbs., 4.4 in the 40, 3.0 GPA/800 SAT) from Radnor, PA, Archbishop Carroll says, I visited North Carolina, Georgia

Tech, Notre Dame, Virginia and Maryland this summer ... “I like Virginia, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Michigan and Tennessee ... I’d rather not name the order.” Last season he averaged 23 yards-per-catch (on only ten receptions) and also made 10 interceptions on defense. He is considered one of the top five PA prospects.

From PoolRecruiting.theinsiders.com:

- Junior All-American TE Aaron Kirkland 6-5, 245 lbs., 4.9 in the 40 (electronic), 330-lb. bench press, 26-inch vertical jump) from Fayetteville, NC says, "I am open between Florida State, Michigan, Tennessee, Penn State and North Carolina ... all have offered now." As a junior, Kirkland caught 8 passes for 110 yards; as a DE he recorded 74 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss and 7 sacks.

- Junior All-American RB/WR Tre Smith (5-10, 190 lbs., 4.45 in the 40, 290-lb. bench press, 40-inch vertical jump, 4.0 GPA/1180 SAT) from Venice, FL says, "Nebraska and Florida are still my two leaders," said Tre Smith. "I also like Auburn, Michigan, Florida State and Georgia. I am looking for a great combination of football and education."

From USC.theinsiders.com:

- Junior All-American WR Daniel Coats (6-3, 212 lbs, 4.5 in the 40) from Layton, UT, Northridge High School says his favs are "Michigan, USC, Washington, NC State, and BYU." As a junior he made 44 catches for 1078 yards and 12 touchdowns; as a safety he made 144 tackles and 7 interceptions. He is MaxEmfingerRecruiting.com's #11 WR.

From NewbergRecruiting.theinsiders.com:

- Junior All-American RB Tristen (T.A.) McLendon (6-0, 219 lbs., 4.39 in the 40, 335-lb. bench press) from Albermarle, NC"I would say that NC State is my number one team right now. I went there this weekend and we (mom) loved it, especially their coaching staff. I also like Florida, FSU, Tennessee, and Michigan ... NC State is recruiting me the hardest. Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and North Carolina are also recruiting me hard."

- Junior All-American LB Patrick Lowery (confirmed 2001 Michigan Camper, 6-2, 225 lbs., 4.6 in the 40, 3.1 GPA/930 SAT) from Mocksville, NC, Davie County says, "Right now, I would say that NC State is my leader. I also like Virginia Tech, Virginia, Michigan and Tennessee. I want to feel comfortable with the coaching staff. I also wouldn't mind red-shirting because I know I need to get used to college both on and off the field."

From SchoolSports.com:

- Junior All-American FB J.R. Zwierzynski (6-3, 220 lbs., 4.5 in the 40, 4.0 GPA/22 ACT) from Joliet, IL, Catholic Academy lists, "Notre Dame, Northwestern, Penn State, Texas A&M, Michigan and Michigan State."

From Purdue.alliancesports.com:

- Junior All-American ATH Kyle Brown (confirmed 2001 Michigan camper, Michigan offer, U-M Nike stats: 6-1, 195 lbs., 4.4 in the 40, 30.5 inch vertical jump ... 10.4 100 meters {regional finals}, 275-lb. bench press, 2.5 GPA/16 ACT) from West Bloomfield, Michigan says, "My top three right now are Michigan State, Purdue and Florida State."

Finally, the preseason recruiting magazines have come out. From reading my SuperPrep and my Prep Football Report, three recruits have really caught my attention for the first time.

- CB Willis Barringer (confirmed 2001 Michigan camper, 6-0, 195 lbs., 4.4 in the 40, 10.5 100 meters, 2.9 GPA) from Toledo, OH, Scott. According to Prep Football Report, he was the only CB at the Michigan camp who could cover the six great WR's there: Carl Tabb, Kyle Brown, Jejuan Rankins, Jason Avant, Matt Trannon, Jemalle Cornelius. Michigan promptly offered him a scholarship.

- Junior All-American OL Randy Hand (reported Michigan offer, 6-6, 305 lbs., 5.06 in the 40, 345-lb. bench press, 2.8 GPA/1080 SAT) from Estero, FL. According to Prep Football Report he is a Michigan fan. He is MaxEmfingerRecruiting.com's #13 OT.

- LB/SS Phil Hoyle (6-0, 210 lbs., 4.36 in the 40, 2.1 GPA) from Corinth, MS. He is Super Prep's #18 DB. According to SuperPrep (and also according to Jamie Newburg of NewburgRecruiting.com) he is a big Charles Woodson fan. However, he has no offers (perhaps because of his GPA?).