The OFFICIAL MICHIGAN TEAM 136 THREAD: THE CONQUERING HEROES

[HNIC973]

Nauta Ready To Make A Decision

• Steve Lorenz - 8 hours ago
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SAN ANTONIO, TX ---- With a decision looming publicly on Saturday, but privately on Tuesday, 2016 five-star tight end Isaac Nauta spoke with Wolverine247 contributor Isaiah Hole about the Wolverines and where they stand.

"Michigan's been one of my top schools for a long time," he said. "I like both Harbaughs. I could definitely see myself there. All three schools are what I believe are good fits for me."

Nauta plans to wrap up his recruitment tomorrow, but isn't sure whether he will publicly announce then or wait until Saturday at this point.

"I should have everything figured out by tomorrow," he said. "It really just comes down to making the right decision. I would have done something earlier but I wanted to commit after the season and let things settle."

Coaching changes and continued recruitment by multiple schools kept Nauta from making an earlier decision, and it's one he publicly says he's still struggling with a bit because of the fit each program provides.

Michigan, led by Jay and Jim Harbaugh, have been pushing hard for Nauta for months. Under their guidance, the Wolverines produced arguably the best season out of the tight end position in school history, with junior Jake Butt garnering All-American honors and players like A.J. Williams, Khalid Hill and Ian Bunting making impacts in different spots throughout the season as well.

"Of my top three, I could see myself at all of them," he said. "That's what makes it really hard for me. I have a great relationship with Jay Harbaugh. He's a young guy but he's really detailed with how he wants to use me in their offense. You can cut it up with him a little more because he's a younger guy but he takes his job really seriously. He's done a great job of showing me what Michigan's offense does and how well it translates to the NFL. I like him a lot."

 

[HNIC973]

Karsch: From The Sidelines
10h
John Borton, Senior Editor
Michigan sideline reporter Doug Karsch gives his sideline takes and observations from the week in Orlando exclusively to TheWolverine.com. He weighed in on the Citrus Bowl, and more.

Here’s Karsch…

On Michigan’s growing confidence in the bowl game: “This was a very confident group. Going down there, they didn’t call it practice. They didn't call it a bowl trip. They called it ‘Winter Camp,’ because it was treated like a training camp.

“They four-hour practices left very little time for players to go get social and go see the sights. It was a work trip. They made it sound like this is what they expected after the game. They wanted that game, and it showed. It really showed.

Jim Harbaugh
Andrew Ivans
“What really stood out, talking to the coaches before the game, was the effort that went into improving the run blocking. I’ve talked for years about the 15 bowl practices. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more effective use of the 15 bowl practices than Coach [Tim] Drevno and Coach [Jim] Harbaugh produced, and the work they did with the offensive line.

“I thought that was an amazing example of a difference that coaching can make. That group up front looked like a vintage Michigan offensive line. It was the first time in years, and that’s against a defense that’s chock full of NFL players.

“There’s a lot to build on. You’ve got a whole other spring coming around. Then you’ve got fall camp. It’s pretty interesting watching this staff work.”

On a healthy junior tailback De’Veon Smith looking much different: “No doubt about it. He ran very hard. The yards after contact with him are about as high as they can be. He’s not an explosive back. He’s not a get-to-the-second-level-and-he’s-gone kind of back, but boy does he run hard.

“You look at guys who could break tackles – Tyrone Wheatley, Leroy Hoard – this guy’s among the best. Harbaugh said after the game when there were two yards blocked, he got four; when there were four yards blocked, he got six. He really had a great game.

De'Veon Smith
Andrew Ivans
“[Redshirt junior tailback] Drake Johnson has been more explosive, and he said that’s the best that knee has felt, and again, it showed.”

On Jake Rudock producing his best performance: “Yes, he sure did. The knowledge of the offense is what makes a difference. [Quarterbacks coach] Jedd Fisch talked about it at midseason.

“Utah was one read, maybe two, then check down. By the end of the year, it was first read, second read, third read, even fourth read. He knows where to go with the ball and he knows when to tuck it and run.

“I spoke to his dad while I was down there and his dad acknowledged that being at Michigan, working with Coach Harbaugh and Coach Fisch, made a world of difference in his development. Jake has come so far so quickly.

“Now it’s on to the next one, whether it be [redshirt freshman] Wilton Speight, or [redshirt sophomore] John O’Korn, or [freshman] Zack Gentry, or the true freshman, or [junior] Shane Morris. The crash course has begun for the next Michigan quarterback.”

On whether Florida quit: “The first series of the second half, Michigan went right down the field and scored on a six-and-a-half-minute drive, and took the 24-7 lead. [Junior tight end] Jake Butt came to the sideline and kind of gestured towards his own eyes to Jim Harbaugh.

Jake Rudock
“Then he went over and called the defense over, and he said, ‘You can see it in their eyes. They’re going to quit. Go break their will.’ And he said it to every position group. The defense got a three-and-out, the offense got the ball back, went right down the field and scored.

“On one of the three-and-outs, Florida was looking at a third-and-17, and they handed it off. Whether it was a player showing frustration at the play call, or showing frustration in general, there were definitely outward signs that that was a frustrated group.

“The belief among the [Michigan] players was that they quit, and you could see it – that Michigan did break their will. That’s the kind of thing I haven’t heard in a long time. This was an SEC runner-up that Michigan did it to.”

On redshirt junior wideout Jehu Chesson and senior fullback Sione Houma: “The double-move Chesson threw on a guy [Vernon Hargreaves III] who is probably going to be a first-day NFL Draft pick … he smoked him. He was open like [redshirt junior wideout Amara] Darboh was against Indiana. You expect that at times against a defense like Indiana. You don’t expect it against a first-round draft pick.

“That stood out. Sione Houma, everything he does the team loves. He’s clearly one of the more popular players. When he got into the end zone, Chesson and Drake Johnson started jumping up and down and holding the number three in the air.

“When Houma got to the sidelines, they had a group hug, because they’re all roommates. All season long, they’d had games where two of them got in the end zone but not all three. They all wanted to get in the end zone. At that point, Chesson had a touchdown and Drake had a touchdown.

“When Houma scored, their house or apartment or whatever had all scored. They finally accomplished that goal.”

Sione Houma
On the Citrus Bowl win propelling this team into 2016: “They were talking about it. I actually think that storyline is a little bit overplayed. The ’96 team lost their bowl game to Alabama and went undefeated in ’97. The 2006 team that was 11-0 going to Columbus lost their bowl game the year before.

“[Former Wolverine and present radio analyst] Jon Jansen said about that on the pregame show, ‘That stuff matters for a couple of weeks, but each team is different. The seniors are different, the leadership is different.’ There are different questions, different strengths and weaknesses.

“He doesn’t think it’s that much of a factor, beyond the first couple of weeks. The players talked about it, but we’ll see how far it carries them. The potential is there, obviously, for 2016 to be a special year.”

On the greatest things the coaching staff accomplished in Harbaugh’s first season: “There are a couple of things. One is the development of Jake Rudock. That really stands out. The development of Darboh, Chesson and Butt. Going into the year, people were asking, ‘Who are the playmakers on offense?’ Well, all three of them were exceptional, as that year went on.

“And there’s more than the staff being back. I took a look at the All-Big Ten teams, the media and coaches’ first, second and third teams. Michigan got seven players on the offense and defense, and eight if you include [placekicker] Kenny Allen. They’re all back, which is by far the most of any Big Ten team.

“Ohio State has four coming back for sure, and three that could jump to the NFL early. They could be close. Michigan State has four of them. Iowa’s got three, with one making up his mind.

“The roster is there. The returning players are there. The coaching staff is coming back mostly intact. The potential is there. It’s up to this team and this group what they do with it.

“As much as everybody seemed to enjoy Orlando, and going down there and taking care of business, there was also a sentiment that it could be the last trip to Orlando for a while.”

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[HNIC973]

Isaiah Hole ‏@isaiahhole
Almost a triple #Michigan hate crime, as @XCV____ rushes @Bpeters2118 (and nearly takes me out in the process).

Elliot

 

[wire28]

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Three of Michigan's top commits from the Wolverines No. 5 ranked recruiting class showed well during the first day of practice in preparation for Saturday's U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

(Photo: Brian Perroni, 247Sports)
Houston (Texas) Westside Top50 defensive tackle Jordan Elliott is an elite talent.

Elliott got off to a fast start in competition drills splitting double teams and wreaking havoc in the backfield. The country’s No. 7 defensive tackle according to 247Sports took several dominant reps, shoots the gap quickly and is a strong pass rusher from the interior. One of the more physically impressive guys on the field, Elliott is also one of the better athletes in small space with his quick first step.

I'd be very surprised if Elliott wasn't on the two deep right away at Michigan.

There is not many offensive linemen I like more in this 2016 class that Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech's Michael Onwenu.

The nation’s No. 1 offensive guard according to 247Sports, Onwenu struggled a little bit with learning the new offense but what he doesn’t struggle with is strength. No question he was the strongest offensive lineman on the field and he was also perhaps the quickest. The future Wolverine also plays with plenty of toughness.

Onwenu will be one of the West's most important players going up against a loaded defensive tackle group on the East that includes Dexter Lawrence, Derrick Brown, Julian Rochester and Antwuan Jackson.

Michigan commit Brandon Peters has a live, accurate arm and he also showed nice touch. He’ll be fun to watch develop in Ann Arbor as the Avon (Ind.) High talent continues to work on his fundamentals. There wasn't much opportunity for the quarterbacks to air it out, and Peters is a guy that when he's in command of his offense, is in complete control, but out here on day one everything was foreign. I didn't see Peters turn the football over and he did look to go downfield when he could.

Notes on other Michigan targets

Top247 receiver Dylan Crawford works his routes well, a polished receiver with great speed. Michigan is the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite. Michigan is hoping to land the California product when he announces Saturday.

A versatile defensive back, Top100 athlete Jordan Fuller may project as a safety on the next level but he's been working primarily at cornerback this week and he was the second best defender during 1on1s. A big, cerebral player that looks like he wants to be out there, Fuller has the complete package. Fuller officials to Ann Arbor the weekend of Jan. 22. It will be his mother's first time on campus.

Top100 cornerback David Long told 247Sports Jim Harbaugh will be his last in-home visit of the process before he decides. Long visits Washington that weekend, will see Harbaugh the following week and make his decision. The Huskies and Wolverines are his top two.

Elliot is a beast him+Gary

#WATTBAMF

this recruits got me going crazy, this talent plus harbs coaching, we really might get back to being an elite power

Isaiah Hole ‏@isaiahhole
Almost a triple #Michigan hate crime, as @XCV____ rushes @Bpeters2118 (and nearly takes me out in the process).

Elliot

Brandon "White Mike" Vick

 

[HNIC973]

#WATTBAMF

this recruits got me going crazy, this talent plus harbs coaching, we really might get back to being an elite power


Brandon "White Mike" Vick

breh I'm telling you we won't be ''out-talented"much longer.This class most likely will be top 5 if not top 3. Next year has the potential to be even better on the recruiting frontstaff won't be taking flyers on lower rated kids any longer.The team next year has over 15 players returning the potential is there for a great season.4 games @Iowa @MSU @OSU Wisconsin at home could be in for big year if everything plays out

 

[HNIC973]

Sam Webb @SamWebb77


Two Silent #Michigan Commits in the Army Game? Appears so ($) http://www.scout.com/college/michigan/story/1629906-two-silent-michigan-commits-in-army-aa-bowl …

6:43 PM - 5 Jan 2016
Hill?Crawford?Long? got to be either of those 3
https://twitter.com/SamWebb77/status/684565868462772224

 

[HNIC973]

Talked to an excellent source closer to the side of Samuels' recruitment last night, and the consensus is that this recruitment will become another Michigan and Florida State battle. Look for the Wolverines to push very hard for Samuels III throughout the process. I have moved him up to "Top Target" on the 2017 recruiting board.

"(Michigan) will be in his top 2," they said. "He has strong ties there now. That matters."

As of right now, there's no tangible reason to consider anyone other (Crystal Ball-wise) than Florida State, but Samuels will visit Michigan's campus multiple times throughout the process.

Stanford Samuels
CB | 6-2 | 175

Charles W Flanagan (Hollywood, FL)

Class of 17

247Sports Composite
0.9821
Natl 34 Pos 4 State6

• 
  100%

Full Profile

@Trust Me that Devin Bush Jr connection

 

[hood b. goode]

Talked to an excellent source closer to the side of Samuels' recruitment last night, and the consensus is that this recruitment will become another Michigan and Florida State battle. Look for the Wolverines to push very hard for Samuels III throughout the process. I have moved him up to "Top Target" on the 2017 recruiting board.

"(Michigan) will be in his top 2," they said. "He has strong ties there now. That matters."

As of right now, there's no tangible reason to consider anyone other (Crystal Ball-wise) than Florida State, but Samuels will visit Michigan's campus multiple times throughout the process.

Stanford Samuels
CB | 6-2 | 175

Charles W Flanagan (Hollywood, FL)

Class of 17

247Sports Composite
0.9821
Natl 34 Pos 4 State6

• 
  100%

Full Profile

@Trust Me that Devin Bush Jr connection

jimbo fisher be like, we cant let michigan beat us out again

harbaugh:

 

[HNIC973]

jimbo fisher be like, we cant let michigan beat us out again

harbaugh:

Bush was committed over the summer Walker was always Michigan after OSU not buying FSU was a threat much at all.This kid would really make Jimbo

 

[NigerianDonDada]

Won't be shocked if Michigan is the pre-season favorite to win the Big 10 next season

 

[HNIC973]

Won't be shocked if Michigan is the pre-season favorite to win the Big 10 next season

media might haveon us because ?QB plus those 3 road games are killer

 

[Ed MOTHERFUCKING G]

media might haveon us because ?QB plus those 3 road games are killer

Its a real hard schedule....

 

[HNIC973]

One school that Nauta has been comfortable with is Michigan. Nauta's mother is originally from The Great Lakes State and he has family ties to the staff at U-M. Current defensive line coach Greg Mattison coached Nauta's uncle at Western Michigan and has remained close with the family. That connection, as well as a pair of Harbaugh's, has kept the Maize and Blue in the picture throughout Nauta's recruitment.

"That whole staff is great," Nauta said. "I’ve got nothing but respect for those guys. Jay Harbaugh is young so I can cut up with him but at the same time he takes his job very seriuously.

"Obviously, Jim Harbaugh is a great coach. What he’s done with tight ends – it would be stupid for me to ignore that school. They’ve definitely been one of my top schools for a while now."

So much connection to Michigan but UGA bound

 

[Ed MOTHERFUCKING G]

One school that Nauta has been comfortable with is Michigan. Nauta's mother is originally from The Great Lakes State and he has family ties to the staff at U-M. Current defensive line coach Greg Mattison coached Nauta's uncle at Western Michigan and has remained close with the family. That connection, as well as a pair of Harbaugh's, has kept the Maize and Blue in the picture throughout Nauta's recruitment.

"That whole staff is great," Nauta said. "I’ve got nothing but respect for those guys. Jay Harbaugh is young so I can cut up with him but at the same time he takes his job very seriuously.

"Obviously, Jim Harbaugh is a great coach. What he’s done with tight ends – it would be stupid for me to ignore that school. They’ve definitely been one of my top schools for a while now."

So much connection to Michigan but UGA bound

 

[HNIC973]

Its a real hard schedule....

yep true only 1 team worries me OSU always they'll reload.@MSU is always tough but we had them beat all of 11 seconds if we can't beat em next year then when?Iowa who cares I believe Michigan should win that game period