Four-Star Tyrone Sampson Talks Syracuse Commitment, Lack Of Michigan Offer
Detroit East English Village four-star center Tyrone Sampson is rated as the third-best center in the entire country, and is one of the most coveted players in the state of Michigan. Yet, to the surprise of many, Sampson never received an offer from Michigan throughout the recruiting process.
It could obviously still come, but in the meantime he is now a committed man, having pledged to Syracuse on April 18.
That didn’t stop him from swinging by Michigan’s Big Man Camp inside the Big House last weekend, though.
“I’m just out here getting ready for The Opening,” Sampson said. “I’m getting some work in, and trying to prove why I’m the No. 1 center in Michigan.”
Sampson briefly touched on why he believes an offer from the Wolverines never came.
“I really don’t know much,” he said. “All I know is they got Cesar [Ruiz] last year in the 2017 class, so they probably don’t want another center until next year. And I know [Indianapolis Cathedral four-star offensive guard] Emil [Ekiyor] is working as both a guard and center.”
It’s fair to wonder how Sampson knows so much about Michigan’s offensive line recruiting situation, but he may have had some “inside sources” on the camp scene this spring.
Sampson was a regular at camps over the past few months, and as a result, built up a relationship with two other regular attendees – the aforementioned Ekiyor and Grand Rapids (Mich.) Catholic Central three-star offensive tackle and Michigan commit Jalen Mayfield.
“Emil and Jalen Mayfield actually told me that Michigan’s plan is to sign just two interior guys,” Sampson explained.
Though many were caught a bit off guard when he committed to Syracuse back in April, Sampson discussed why it felt like home, and why there’s a lot to love about the Orange.
“With Coach Dino [Babers] just getting there, they’re bringing a whole new vibe to the university,” he said. “Things are about to be changing around there 100 percent.
“I have a real good relationship with the whole coaching staff, especially Coach [Vinson] Reynolds, who is the d-line coach there, but he’s my recruiting coordinator as well. I’ve known him since he was at Western Michigan, and I just have a real good relationship with him. I also have a real good relationship with the offensive line coach [Mike Lynch]. My parents love it out there, and they love Coach Dino.”
Finally, Sampson gave one last thought on Michigan.
“I first fell in love with Michigan when Brady Hoke was here,” he said. “My head coach had a good relationship with him. Then some things obviously happened, and I don’t know why an offer hasn’t come yet, but I can only control what I can control.”
Michigan seems content with the offensive linemen its taking, and Sampson appears to be happy with Syracuse, so it looks like things worked out for both parties.
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