I recently caught up with Independence C.C. defensive line coach Pierre Leonard to get more on new Michigan defensive tackle target Jeffrey M'ba, an international prospect that became the first JUCO recruit to earn an offer for the Wolverines in more than a decade.
Here are some highlights from our interview.
On his overall thoughts on M'ba:
"Jeffrey has come a long way. He's one of our leaders along the defensive line. He pushes guys to get better every day. 'One Percent Better Every Day' is one of his biggest things. Jeffrey is a great kid to be around. He always has a smile on his face. There is nothing bad you can say about Jeffrey. His journey is really impressive. He stuck his nose down and worked hard, and now, he's reaping the benefits."
On M'ba's biggest strengths:
"He gets pressure on the quarterback. He's always in the backfield. He prides himself on our nickname 'the backfield steppas.' That's one thing he lives up to. He's always in the backfield. He's very disruptive. He's strong and physical. He's everything you want in a defensive lineman."
On where M'ba projects at the next level:
"Jeffrey is an interior guy. He's a three, but he can also play nose. He can play five for you if you need him to. Jeffrey is a freak athlete. He can play wherever. He can really be the iron man for any defensive line the country."
On M'ba's ceiling and potential:
"The sky is the limit for Jeffrey. He's only been playing for three years. His limit doesn't exist. Jeffrey can be as great as Jeffrey wants to be. His biggest thing is just understanding the game and knowing what to do in certain situations. But he's come a long way. The more chances he gets to see football happen, the better he'll be."
On how M'ba would fit in at Michigan:
"He'll fit like a glove. Jeffrey can fit in anywhere because he's a difference maker. Michigan always puts out pretty good defensive linemen. Jeffrey could be the next one."
Here are some highlights from our interview.
On his overall thoughts on M'ba:
"Jeffrey has come a long way. He's one of our leaders along the defensive line. He pushes guys to get better every day. 'One Percent Better Every Day' is one of his biggest things. Jeffrey is a great kid to be around. He always has a smile on his face. There is nothing bad you can say about Jeffrey. His journey is really impressive. He stuck his nose down and worked hard, and now, he's reaping the benefits."
On M'ba's biggest strengths:
"He gets pressure on the quarterback. He's always in the backfield. He prides himself on our nickname 'the backfield steppas.' That's one thing he lives up to. He's always in the backfield. He's very disruptive. He's strong and physical. He's everything you want in a defensive lineman."
On where M'ba projects at the next level:
"Jeffrey is an interior guy. He's a three, but he can also play nose. He can play five for you if you need him to. Jeffrey is a freak athlete. He can play wherever. He can really be the iron man for any defensive line the country."
On M'ba's ceiling and potential:
"The sky is the limit for Jeffrey. He's only been playing for three years. His limit doesn't exist. Jeffrey can be as great as Jeffrey wants to be. His biggest thing is just understanding the game and knowing what to do in certain situations. But he's come a long way. The more chances he gets to see football happen, the better he'll be."
On how M'ba would fit in at Michigan:
"He'll fit like a glove. Jeffrey can fit in anywhere because he's a difference maker. Michigan always puts out pretty good defensive linemen. Jeffrey could be the next one."
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