Michigan Felt Perfect To Donovan Jeter

Beaver Falls (Pa.) four-star defensive tackle Donovan Jeter was committed to Notre Dame but opened things up just before heading to Ann Arbor for an official visit during the weekend of the Illinois game. Jeter explained why the events took place the way they did.

"I wanted to see Michigan as an uncommitted player," Jeter said. "I told myself that if I liked Michigan more than I liked Notre Dame I was going to commit to Michigan and to me, it was better than Notre Dame."

Michigan and Notre Dame have a lot of similarities. Both programs are deeply rooted in tradition, have high academic standards, and exist in the Midwest. Jeter, however, saw a couple of major differences that made U-M better for him than Notre Dame.

"Life at Michigan just seemed to be on another level and obviously Coach [Jim] Harbaugh is there," Jeter said. "At Notre Dame it kind of feels like a small, private high school. There are only about 9,000 people there and everything is gated and just doesn’t feel great. At Michigan everything just seemed more free and flowing. There are 40,000 people there and you can tell.

"When we were riding around before the game there were people everywhere and parties going on. There was so much more activity and energy. It just felt like where I wanted to be. I’m not trying to badmouth Notre Dame but it just felt kind of dry there. I just loved the way Michigan felt."

All recruits seem to be drawn to Harbaugh and Jeter was no different. He loved the time spent around his future head coach and couldn't believe his demeanor.

"It was like being around a person who doesn’t know that they’re famous," Jeter said. "He acts like he’s not important or something, it’s crazy. He’s so down to Earth and humble and I really love that about Coach Harbaugh."

Senior defensive lineman Mo Hurst hosted Jeter and he too made a big impact on the 6-5, 255-pounder.

"Chilling with Mo was great," Jeter said. "We went out and spent some time getting a vibe for the student life. It was a real cool night. He’s another guy who’s really down to Earth. Everybody at Michigan seemed like normal, regular guys. There’s all this hype around everyone but talking to Jabrill [Peppers] and Mo was just like talking to my friends. They’re really down to Earth and humble guys. That’s what I liked about Michigan. All of the players, coaches, staff, and everyone is just great and makes you feel really comfortable."

After hanging out with Hurst, Peppers, and other on Saturday night, Jeter had seen enough and decided that Michigan was the place for him.

"I told Coach Harbaugh that I was committing on Saturday night," Jeter said. "He came to pick us up at midnight in a Sprinter van and was just happy to see me and us. I told him right there that I’ve seen what I needed to see and that I wanted to commit. He got all excited and gave me a huge hug. It was just a great moment. I actually told my parents the next morning and they were thrilled with my decision."

Jeter also got a chance to spend time with his future position coach, Greg Mattison. The veteran coach explained to Jeter how he hopes to use him once he arrives on campus starting in January.

"Coach Mattison wants me to play strongside defensive end but he thinks I could also slide in and play the three technique," Jeter explained. "I told him that it didn’t matter to me at all. I’ll line up wherever he wants me to and try to make plays."

The Michigan staff isn't done recruiting defensive line prospects yet and Jeter is well aware. He plans on helping the cause soon but for now, he's focused on his academics and senior season on the field.

"We haven’t had a lot of discussion about who else I should recruit," Jeter said. "Coach Mattison said I might have a chance to play early and he said that with me being an early enrollee helps a lot. It gives me a big jump on everyone else who isn’t. It’s hard to explain kind of. I’m not really recruiting anyone right now but I plan to put my recruiting hat on a little bit and trying to convince others to come to Michigan.

"Right now I’m just focusing on my football season. We’re a game away from a district championship, which is a big deal here. My main focus is winning a championship and then just finishing up all of my schoolwork. I’m just trying to focus on football and school until it’s time to get to Ann Arbor."

As for the last month of his recruitment, Jeter says he's completely done with the process. Some of college football's big boys are still after him but Jeter has closed all doors.

"I’m completely done," he said. "I’ve even straight up turned down Alabama. Their coaches have been talking to me and texting me and I was like, ‘Coach, I’m committed to Michigan.’ When I was committed to Notre Dame I was still talking to other coaches and stuff but since I’ve been committed to Michigan I’ve been done with all that. I’m not going anywhere."

Jeter is the No. 14 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 6 player in Pennsylvania. He and Beaver Falls are in the WPIAL CLASS 3-A semifinals and will take on Keystone Oaks on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m.

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