Here are tonight's Blue Chips...
*** Let me preface this by saying that I spent a lot of the day talking to sources about offensive line recruiting. I also spoke to Rivals100 offensive lineman Drew Kendall himself for like 20 minutes. That in-depth Q&A will run tomorrow afternoon. From everything I have been able to gather today, I still have full reason to believe that Michigan is the frontrunner in this recruitment. I have my FutureCast pick in for the Wolverines and feel extremely confident in that pick. This one has more of a 'when' as opposed to an 'if' feeling to it.
*** Michigan offensive line coach Ed Warinner spoke to Kendall yesterday, and the call went really well. This conversation was more about life in general as opposed to recruiting and football. However, the NFL Draft was something that Warinner was proud of, and Kendall definitely liked seeing four UM offensive linemen taken. Kendall and Warinner have a relationship that extends beyond football, which is really helping here. Add in the fact that head coach Jim Harbaugh has called him twice over the last few weeks and that area recruiter Don Brown is involved, and you have a recipe for success.
*** So when is Kendall going to make his decision? I wouldn't be surprised if it comes in the next few weeks. Kendall told me that he's targeting a late May commitment. He would like to make summer visits but understands that might not be possible. I think if it's up to Kendall himself, he'll be committed to Michigan before June, in my opinion. Now, I am told that there is still some work to do with Kendall's father. However, the elder Kendall has been texting frequently with Warinner, and I'm told they have been very positive exchanges.
*** The only real threats I see here are Boston College and Stanford with Duke on the very outside. Kendall's father played at Boston College and is a legend there, but I don't get the sense that Kendall wants to follow in his footsteps. It seems like he would rather carve out his own legacy. Kendall really likes Stanford but has never visited, and it's further away from home. Kendall has been to Ann Arbor, has friends recruiting him all the time (Louis Hansen and Casey Phinney) and just feels comfortable with the Michigan program and staff. This one makes too much sense.
*** Let me preface this by saying that I spent a lot of the day talking to sources about offensive line recruiting. I also spoke to Rivals100 offensive lineman Drew Kendall himself for like 20 minutes. That in-depth Q&A will run tomorrow afternoon. From everything I have been able to gather today, I still have full reason to believe that Michigan is the frontrunner in this recruitment. I have my FutureCast pick in for the Wolverines and feel extremely confident in that pick. This one has more of a 'when' as opposed to an 'if' feeling to it.
*** Michigan offensive line coach Ed Warinner spoke to Kendall yesterday, and the call went really well. This conversation was more about life in general as opposed to recruiting and football. However, the NFL Draft was something that Warinner was proud of, and Kendall definitely liked seeing four UM offensive linemen taken. Kendall and Warinner have a relationship that extends beyond football, which is really helping here. Add in the fact that head coach Jim Harbaugh has called him twice over the last few weeks and that area recruiter Don Brown is involved, and you have a recipe for success.
*** So when is Kendall going to make his decision? I wouldn't be surprised if it comes in the next few weeks. Kendall told me that he's targeting a late May commitment. He would like to make summer visits but understands that might not be possible. I think if it's up to Kendall himself, he'll be committed to Michigan before June, in my opinion. Now, I am told that there is still some work to do with Kendall's father. However, the elder Kendall has been texting frequently with Warinner, and I'm told they have been very positive exchanges.
*** The only real threats I see here are Boston College and Stanford with Duke on the very outside. Kendall's father played at Boston College and is a legend there, but I don't get the sense that Kendall wants to follow in his footsteps. It seems like he would rather carve out his own legacy. Kendall really likes Stanford but has never visited, and it's further away from home. Kendall has been to Ann Arbor, has friends recruiting him all the time (Louis Hansen and Casey Phinney) and just feels comfortable with the Michigan program and staff. This one makes too much sense.
