*** Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh actually began his day at the Mercer Mega Camp in Atlanta before making his way to Memphis. While offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and offensive line coach Sherrone Moore stayed behind, Harbaugh, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, linebackers coach George Helow, defensive line coach Shaun Nua, safeties coach Ron Bellamy and cornerbacks coach Steve Clinkscale all took the flight to Memphis. Graduate assistants Nate Crutchfield and Grant Newsome were also in attendance for the Memphis satellite camp.
*** Honestly, the camp was pretty disorganized and was delayed by two hours — it was hosted by the University of Memphis, which controlled the camp. The Michigan staff didn’t coach any of the drills but rather stood back and evaluated as many kids as possible. The assistant I was most impressed with was Steve Clinkscale. Even though he wasn’t coaching, he made it a point to go up to kids and teach them certain techniques, especially with four-star Michigan cornerback commit Kody Jones. You can tell that he really values development. While Maurice Linguist had a lot of flash, Clinkscale is going to do wonders on the field and is a plus recruiter as well.
*** Shaun Nua has caught a lot of flak, including some from myself, but I thought he did a really nice job connecting with kids and their families, especially with Walter Nolen and his parents. The same can be said about Ron Bellamy, who had the most personality of the bunch. Mike Macdonald and George Helow carried more serious demeanors and carefully evaluated prospects. They spent a lot of the camp together and seem to be developing a good rapport. I noticed the same with Bellamy and Clinkscale.
*** What about Jim Harbaugh? While he certainly wasn’t ‘The Jackhammer’ I saw many years ago at a satellite camp in Dallas, he looked far from burnt out. Harbaugh spent a lot of time with the parents of Kody Jones and Walter Nolen and posed for photos with a ton of kids. He was happy to shake everyone’s hand and had a smile on his face during the whole event. Harbaugh was a little wary as I took a million photos of him. I think the media has really worn him down and made him a little paranoid, which is sad to see because I was a big fan of his during his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers and even worked with him on PR side when I interned for the Dallas Cowboys. With that said, I think Harbaugh has found some energy and is ready to give his all this season albeit in a different way than in the past.
*** Last thing with the staff, Harbaugh made it a point to upgrade his recruiting department this offseason. New Director of Player Personnel Courtney Morgan was on FaceTime with the staff throughout the camp. While the staff is on the road, Morgan was back in Ann Arbor hard at work mapping things out for ‘Detroit Day’ tomorrow, which will feature guys like Will Johnson, Deone Walker and Dante Moore. Morgan is doing everything possible to make it a special day. And the whole staff will be back in time for the start of the event.
*** I’ll have a ton of recruiting scoop from my time in Memphis tomorrow. I’m just quickly going to talk about camp performances for this piece. Walter Nolen looked every part of a five-star defensive tackle. Nua was blown away by his individual drills, while Harbaugh was impressed with his speed and agility in testing. Nolen left the camp early due to it being delayed and having prior obligations, but he certainly made his mark. He was far and away the Alpha Dog of the event.
*** Michigan defensive back Kody Jones did not test, but he did go through individual drills. The whole staff complimented Jones and made it clear to him that he is still a wanted man in this class. Jones showed off good feet, instincts and the ability to make plays on the ball. Bellamy was quick to compliment his hands, while Clinkscale worked with him on his technique but told him he checked the other boxes. Again, Michigan wants to keep Jones in the class.
*** Harbaugh and Clinkscale were both impressed with Mississippi State athlete commit Tyler Woodard, who worked out as a defensive back today. Woodard looked the part physically but was up and down during drills. Still, he’s an intriguing athlete, and Harbaugh and Clinkscale made it a point to talk to him throughout the camp. He will be further evaluated for an offer.
*** Honestly, the camp was pretty disorganized and was delayed by two hours — it was hosted by the University of Memphis, which controlled the camp. The Michigan staff didn’t coach any of the drills but rather stood back and evaluated as many kids as possible. The assistant I was most impressed with was Steve Clinkscale. Even though he wasn’t coaching, he made it a point to go up to kids and teach them certain techniques, especially with four-star Michigan cornerback commit Kody Jones. You can tell that he really values development. While Maurice Linguist had a lot of flash, Clinkscale is going to do wonders on the field and is a plus recruiter as well.
*** Shaun Nua has caught a lot of flak, including some from myself, but I thought he did a really nice job connecting with kids and their families, especially with Walter Nolen and his parents. The same can be said about Ron Bellamy, who had the most personality of the bunch. Mike Macdonald and George Helow carried more serious demeanors and carefully evaluated prospects. They spent a lot of the camp together and seem to be developing a good rapport. I noticed the same with Bellamy and Clinkscale.
*** What about Jim Harbaugh? While he certainly wasn’t ‘The Jackhammer’ I saw many years ago at a satellite camp in Dallas, he looked far from burnt out. Harbaugh spent a lot of time with the parents of Kody Jones and Walter Nolen and posed for photos with a ton of kids. He was happy to shake everyone’s hand and had a smile on his face during the whole event. Harbaugh was a little wary as I took a million photos of him. I think the media has really worn him down and made him a little paranoid, which is sad to see because I was a big fan of his during his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers and even worked with him on PR side when I interned for the Dallas Cowboys. With that said, I think Harbaugh has found some energy and is ready to give his all this season albeit in a different way than in the past.
*** Last thing with the staff, Harbaugh made it a point to upgrade his recruiting department this offseason. New Director of Player Personnel Courtney Morgan was on FaceTime with the staff throughout the camp. While the staff is on the road, Morgan was back in Ann Arbor hard at work mapping things out for ‘Detroit Day’ tomorrow, which will feature guys like Will Johnson, Deone Walker and Dante Moore. Morgan is doing everything possible to make it a special day. And the whole staff will be back in time for the start of the event.
*** I’ll have a ton of recruiting scoop from my time in Memphis tomorrow. I’m just quickly going to talk about camp performances for this piece. Walter Nolen looked every part of a five-star defensive tackle. Nua was blown away by his individual drills, while Harbaugh was impressed with his speed and agility in testing. Nolen left the camp early due to it being delayed and having prior obligations, but he certainly made his mark. He was far and away the Alpha Dog of the event.
*** Michigan defensive back Kody Jones did not test, but he did go through individual drills. The whole staff complimented Jones and made it clear to him that he is still a wanted man in this class. Jones showed off good feet, instincts and the ability to make plays on the ball. Bellamy was quick to compliment his hands, while Clinkscale worked with him on his technique but told him he checked the other boxes. Again, Michigan wants to keep Jones in the class.
*** Harbaugh and Clinkscale were both impressed with Mississippi State athlete commit Tyler Woodard, who worked out as a defensive back today. Woodard looked the part physically but was up and down during drills. Still, he’s an intriguing athlete, and Harbaugh and Clinkscale made it a point to talk to him throughout the camp. He will be further evaluated for an offer.
Last edited:
