Junior Year Box Set

I ended up demonstrating the pass, and then all the quarterbacks got a chance to try their hand at it. The key was accuracy. If you threw it too far in bounds, it just turned into a jump ball.

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While we did that, the Michigan coaching staff pulled players in to give them an evaluation. I was last to be called.

Coaches Haber and Title were in one of the meeting rooms.

“We wanted to reconfirm our offer to you. I also wanted to clear up the issue of you playing two sports,” Coach Haber started out.

“And I want to apologize again for what I said. I did an interview with the documentary crew to set the record straight,” Coach Title said.

I’d have to get Jeff to show me what he’d said.

“What is your policy?” I asked.

“If you play at a high level, we’ll release you at the end of the football season to go play the other sport. The key is we don’t want bench players wasting their time. If you’re at the level where you can play both, we’ll support it,” Coach Haber explained.

“What about spring ball?” I asked.

“Baseball would take priority,” Coach Haber assured me.

That was better than the deal Alabama had offered me. They wanted football to be the priority year-round. If I decided they were a finalist for where I would go to school, I would have to consider that. The benefits of playing there might make me decide I could live with that condition.

“Our goal is to get you to the NFL. We’ve had two quarterbacks drafted in the last eight years. The talent level at Michigan has increased dramatically over the several years since our coaching staff was put into place. This year as many as twelve players could be drafted. We have two defenders I think could be first-rounders, including Jabrill Peppers.

“I could see you contributing in many of the same ways he has. Does that appeal to you?” Coach Haber asked.

“What do you think?” I asked Coach Title.

“You’re too valuable to play anywhere other than quarterback.”

“At least you’re honest about it,” I said and then turned to the head coach. “I would love to play every down. I would trust you to use me where I would be most effective.”

“That, I can promise you.”

“Did you make any offers today?” I asked.

“Here’s the list,” Coach Title said, as he handed it to me.

David Dawson / Quarterback / Lincoln High

Larry Dell / Quarterback / Macon High

Mike Herndon / Quarterback/Athlete / Wesleyan – preferred walk-on

Ty Wilson / Tailback / Lincoln High

Damion Roth / Wide Receiver / Wesleyan

Wolf Tams / Tight End / Lincoln High

Tim Foresee / Linebacker / Lincoln High

“I also wanted to let you know that we talked to Alan Douglas about possibly being a student volunteer. Coach Hope told us what a help he is,” Coach Haber said.

I had to bite my tongue, but I wouldn’t ruin this opportunity for Alan if he wanted it.

“Why did you offer Mike?” I asked.

“We talked to him about possibly playing defense or running back. For now, we’ve offered him a preferred walk-on spot. If he proves himself, he will get a scholarship,” Coach Haber answered.

“We’re also keeping an eye on Roc Pearson and Yuri Antakov,” Coach Title said.

If what they said was true, I would have to seriously consider Michigan. No one, to this point, had said they would make offers to that many of my teammates. This was the dream scenario where I would go to a school that had their eye on national championships and where I could play with my friends. I’d learned, though, not to jump before I had to. A lot could change between now and signing day.

“I admit I’m intrigued. You should know that I’m seriously considering Michigan. I believe we could be a good fit for each other,” I said.

“Is there anything I could do to get you to accept our offer today?” Coach Haber asked.

“No. We have a process we plan to go through. I won’t make a decision until spring.”

“I understand. We’d love for you to come visit us with your family. We’ll be in touch to work that out. I’d also like to schedule an in-home visit.”

“You’ll need to talk to my manager to get it on my schedule,” I said.

“Manager?” Coach Title asked.

“Caryn Buckley manages all my businesses and is the keeper of my schedule. Here’s the office number,” I said, handing them both my business card with the recruiting phone number on it.

I’d rather have Caryn talk to them than Kent, who was just getting his legs under him. He could practice on the schools I wasn’t interested in.

“You were right. He’s going to be unique,” Coach Title said.

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