*** Before we dive into Michigan specifics, let's talk about the overall recruitment of five-star Cordova (Tenn.) St. Benedict defensive tackle Walter Nolen. At this time, Nolen only has two summer official visits scheduled — Florida and Michigan. However, he will be taking unofficial visits to Georgia and LSU and potentially Alabama, which is a lock to receive an official visit in the fall. Nolen recently released a Top 8, but I would say those are the five major players in his recruitment. Nolen plans to cut his list down even further in August and is looking to make a decision later in the process (no exact time.). Obviously, the SEC schools are going to be tough to beat, but Michigan is right in the thick of things and remains a true dark horse.
*** The first college football staff Nolen had an opportunity to interact with face-to-face with was Michigan, which left a huge impression on him and his family. It was a brilliant move by Jim Harbaugh to be a part of Memphis' on campus camp the day the dead period came to an end. Harbaugh and company got first crack at spending some personal time with the Nolen family. Due to a long delay, Harbaugh and the entire defense staff spent more than an hour worth of 1-on-1 time with Nolen. On top of that, every single coach in attendance spent quality time with Nolen's mother and father. Remember, Michigan is set to get the Nolen family on campus on June 18. Having familiarity going into the official visit will only help.
*** Michigan assistant Ron Bellamy has been leading the way in this recruitment. As I mentioned yesterday, Bellamy was the most energetic of the group of staff members at the camp. He has a ton of personality and is able to relate to recruits on a personal level, which should come as no surprise since he was a beloved high school coach. Nolen absolutely loves Bellamy and has a tight bond with him, which is a key reason why Michigan is a big factor. Michigan defensive line coach Shaun Nua really wowed Nolen and his family. They told me they loved how genuine he was and how easy he was to talk to. Nua also spent some time giving Nolen tips after drills, which Nolen appreciated.
*** I will have some direct quotes from Nolen's father, Walter Sr., and mother, Yolunda, soon. But I do want to mention that both parents came away impressed with the staff. Yolunda's parents live in the Detroit-metro, and she's very familiar with the university. I think she's all in on Michigan. In fact, it might actually be her school of choice at this point in the process. When I first talked to Walter Sr. a couple of months ago, I didn't get the feeling that he loved the idea of Nolen going to Michigan. This time around, he was much more enthusiastic about the Wolverines. It's clear Michigan is making a lot of progress with him.
*** Despite setting an official visit with Illinois, it appears that four-star Michigan defensive back commit Kody Jones is still pretty solid with his commitment to Michigan. And that will only help the Wolverines in their pursuit of Nolen. As I've mentioned before, Jones and Nolen grew up together and played on the same youth football team. Their dads coached against and with each other and talk on a weekly basis. Jones' father, Keith, spent a lot of time with Walter Sr. at the camp, and the two really seemed to bond with the Michigan coaching staff together during their group talks with Harbaugh, Bellamy, Nua, Mike Macdonald, Steve Clinkscale and George Helow.
*** The first college football staff Nolen had an opportunity to interact with face-to-face with was Michigan, which left a huge impression on him and his family. It was a brilliant move by Jim Harbaugh to be a part of Memphis' on campus camp the day the dead period came to an end. Harbaugh and company got first crack at spending some personal time with the Nolen family. Due to a long delay, Harbaugh and the entire defense staff spent more than an hour worth of 1-on-1 time with Nolen. On top of that, every single coach in attendance spent quality time with Nolen's mother and father. Remember, Michigan is set to get the Nolen family on campus on June 18. Having familiarity going into the official visit will only help.
*** Michigan assistant Ron Bellamy has been leading the way in this recruitment. As I mentioned yesterday, Bellamy was the most energetic of the group of staff members at the camp. He has a ton of personality and is able to relate to recruits on a personal level, which should come as no surprise since he was a beloved high school coach. Nolen absolutely loves Bellamy and has a tight bond with him, which is a key reason why Michigan is a big factor. Michigan defensive line coach Shaun Nua really wowed Nolen and his family. They told me they loved how genuine he was and how easy he was to talk to. Nua also spent some time giving Nolen tips after drills, which Nolen appreciated.
*** I will have some direct quotes from Nolen's father, Walter Sr., and mother, Yolunda, soon. But I do want to mention that both parents came away impressed with the staff. Yolunda's parents live in the Detroit-metro, and she's very familiar with the university. I think she's all in on Michigan. In fact, it might actually be her school of choice at this point in the process. When I first talked to Walter Sr. a couple of months ago, I didn't get the feeling that he loved the idea of Nolen going to Michigan. This time around, he was much more enthusiastic about the Wolverines. It's clear Michigan is making a lot of progress with him.
*** Despite setting an official visit with Illinois, it appears that four-star Michigan defensive back commit Kody Jones is still pretty solid with his commitment to Michigan. And that will only help the Wolverines in their pursuit of Nolen. As I've mentioned before, Jones and Nolen grew up together and played on the same youth football team. Their dads coached against and with each other and talk on a weekly basis. Jones' father, Keith, spent a lot of time with Walter Sr. at the camp, and the two really seemed to bond with the Michigan coaching staff together during their group talks with Harbaugh, Bellamy, Nua, Mike Macdonald, Steve Clinkscale and George Helow.
