Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh moved his Signing of the Stars recruiting event to a bigger venue, but he scaled it back from the star-studded affair it was a year ago. He replaced big names like wrestler Ric Flair and rappers Migos with former Wolverines like Jon Jansen, LaMarr Woodley and Brandon Graham, and the result was a very Michigan feel.
TV personality and Michigan alum Randy Sklar was back to host for a second straight year, and this time his twin brother, Jason, joined him. The two played off each other well, the only hiccup coming when Jason fell from his seat off the stage.
“That’s what I get for getting too close to the recruits,” he quipped. Randy Sklar and his brother both attended U-M in the 1990s. They lived in Markley Hall, Jason reported, and in a few different apartments on campus and were avid Michigan fans.
“I remember sitting outside waiting [to get into] the Duke [basketball] game. Two-year-old Grayson Allen [now a Duke standout notorious for his extra-curriculars on the court] tried to trip me,” Randy Sklar quipped.
“Did that joke cross the line? A referee in Ohio thought that joked crossed the line … but it was really six inches short,” Jason added, pertaining to a questionable call from U-M’s controversial overtime loss at Ohio State. “From every angle that joke was six inches short.”
The Sklars also took a shot at SEC radio personality Paul Finebaum, who frequently takes shots at Michigan and Harbaugh.
“You can’t talk about something that much and not secretly love it,” Jason Sklar said. “He has a middle school crush on Jim Harbaugh.”
READ: In-depth biographies on every Michigan signee
Harbaugh arrived to a standing ovation and gave a tip of the cap before sitting with the students. He later took the stage to introduce the event.
“Sitting down with some of the students … you can all remember when you chose your college, signed, committed,” he said. “That would be a day of celebration, going on to higher education. It’s the closest thing you have to a guarantee of being successful in this day and age.
“Right now we want to thank these kids. We look forward to a long and trusting friendship. This is your day. This is excitement is for you. Those parents have sacrificed. They’ve driven the car to many a practice, sacrificed to get their sons where they are.”
He looked into the camera to give a message to those recruits watching through The Players’ Tribune website, where it was streamed live.
“We’re sharing with you Michigan, right here. Come be great,” he said.
Former Michigan offensive lineman and captain Jon Jansen and Detroit Lions rookie and former Wolverines center Graham Glasgow introduced the offensive linemen and broke down their film after it was shown to the 5,000-plus in attendance.
Offensive coordinator Tim Drevno talked about the group as a whole.
“We felt we needed to get more athletic up front … we have guys in our locker room that are,” he said. “These guys all love they game, are physical at the point of attack … we look at quickness, even ankle flexion. This is like an unbelievable draft class for us.”
Early enrollees Cesar Ruiz of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy and Ja’Raymond Hall were introduced on the big screen before joining the coaches on stage.
“It’s a great feeling overall,” Ruiz said. “I knew I was coming here for the last two years, basically.”
He later noted he was joking, but added he wanted to enjoy the recruiting process before pledging.
Glasgow offered a bit of advice for the freshmen.
“Coach Drevno and Coach Harbaugh are always right,” he quipped.
The Huge Show’s Bill Simonson introduced each of the recruits and also provided other voiceover work. WXYZ Channel 7 sports anchor Brad Galli interviewed several of the recruits’ parents in the audience and a few players, including sophomore to be offensive lineman Ben Bredeson. Bredeson recalled how he sneaked away for a few hours during high school last year to watch Signing of the Stars Part I.
“Coach Drevno prepared me from day one,” Bredeson said. “It was a dream come true to play right away. I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Sophomore-to-be cornerback LaVert Hill admitted to Galli he was more nervous about the interview in front of thousands of people than he was the first time he played a down in Michigan Stadium.
Graham and Woodley critiqued the defensive linemen after film study before freshmen Corey Malone-Hatcher and Donovan Jeter were introduced.
“It’s a great feeling for me being here,” Graham said. “It brings back so many memories. I just loved playing out here in front of all the fans. It was a great experience. I wish I could do it part II.”
Jeter later recalled how Harbaugh picked him and other recruits up in a van at midnight following the kids’ bowling excursion on the visit.
“I couldn’t help it. I committed in the van, and he pulled over and gave me a hug,” Jeter recalled with a laugh.
Malone-Hatcher was one who led the twitter charge to help recruit others to the class. He said it was all part of being a leader, and he was blown away by the crowd support.
“I really appreciate it, guys,” he said, acknowledging the crowd. “Thanks for showing up and making this event what it is right now.”
Defensive line coach Greg Mattison said the Wolverines looked for athleticism at the defensive line spots this year, while Harbaugh called his future offensive linemen “five future starters.”
“The other thing we were looking for this year was big guys, guys who can play on d-line and o-line,” Harbaugh said. “It looks like the number is going to be 13 total. We have a guy for each position on the offensive line.
“It’s the same with the d-line. Donovan, Corey Malone-Hatcher, Aubrey Solomon, Philip Paea … we have eight guys with Kwity Paye, James Hudson who can’t be here today because he’s in high school.
“But these are great guys, great students, understand academics. When I talk to all four of the guys up here and everyone in the class, that was no. 1 with them — the opportunity to get a Michigan education, be part of the tradition. But we love these big guys … we’re so happy they’re here.”
Watch for more on Signing of the Stars II in the hours to come.
---
• Talk about this article inside The Fort
• Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes
• Learn more about our print and digital publication, The Wolverine
• Follow us on Twitter: @TheWolverineMag, @BSB_Wolverine, @JB_ Wolverine and @Balas_Wolverine
• Like us on Facebook
