Michigan Football: Donovan Jeter Explains Decision

Notre Dame’s loss(es) proved to be Michigan’s gain … literally. The Wolverines got a commitment this weekend from former Irish pledge and four-star defensive tackle Donovan Jeter of Beaver Falls, Pa. after Jeter’s outstanding weekend visit to U-M.

Jeter told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he made his decision to pledge to Notre Dame in September “too quickly.”

“I started thinking, ‘Michigan is undefeated and Notre Dame is 2-5,’” Jeter said.

He then compared Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh to Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly. It wasn’t close in his mind.

“He might be the coolest dude I ever met in my life,” Jeter, Rivals.com’s No. 14 DT nationally and No. 6 player in Pennsylvania said. “He doesn’t act like he’s important. … He’s real down to earth and humble. He’s easy to talk to.

“Talking to Brian Kelly wasn’t fun. It wasn’t cool. You have to make an appointment just to go to his office. Coach Harbaugh has an open-door policy. Every one of Michigan’s coaches has an open-door policy.”

Jeter said he and a few other potential Michigan recruits were on campus Saturday night with current U-M players … and it was Harbaugh who went and got them at midnight.

“He picked us up in a van to take us back to the hotel,” Jeter said. “What other head coach would come and pick up recruits at midnight in a van?”

Jeter initially announced his pledge on twitter.

“First I want to start by thanking God for continuing to bless with these opportunities,” he wrote. “I also want to thank all the coaches that believed in me and offered me a scholarship. But after my official visit to Michigan, it was a tough decision but I feel like it’s best for ME and my family that I continue my education and football career at the University of Michigan. #GoBlue.”