Posts under: Blog

Brian Jean-Mary, Ex-Wolverine

Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary is headed to Tennessee.

As I mentioned back in December – and previously – I have not been a big fan of what I’ve seen from Jean-Mary (LINK). He was in my bottom five coaches on Michigan’s staff, and four of those five have now departed (with defensive line coach Shaun Nua the only holdover).

I hope this does not have a negative effect on Junior Colson or Jaydon Hood, who were both recruited by Jean-Mary. Kids generally seemed to like him as a recruiter. I just don’t know how good he is at developing guys once they’re on campus. The linebacker play took a step back last year, and a bunch of linebackers transferred or left early and shouldn’t have.

This move seems to indicate that new co-defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald will take over coaching the linebackers. Previously, Macdonald said he would not coach a particular position and would “get in where he fit in” from practice to practice.

Ben VanSumeren, Spartan

Normally I wouldn’t devote a whole post to the commitment of a former Michigan Wolverine to another school, but this one is special. Because former Michigan fullback/running back/linebacker Ben VanSumeren committed to transfer to the Michigan State Spartans.

Is it okay to dislike VanSumeren now?

Yes. Yes, it is.

Sports are built around rivalries and competition, and VanSumeren could have gone to 127 other programs without much of an issue, anywhere except Michigan State or Ohio State. Instead, he chose to go to the in-state rival. It’s understandable to an extent that an in-state kid (VanSumeren is from Garber High School in Essexville, MI) would want to stay close to home, but if you’re truly a proponent of the University of Michigan, you don’t transfer to Michigan State or Ohio State.

VanSumeren was a man without a position in Ann Arbor. He should have been a fullback, except Michigan basically got rid of that position with the hiring of offensive coordinator Josh Gattis in 2019. Michigan tried him at running back, but 9 carries for 20 yards and 1 touchdown didn’t show much. Michigan tried him at linebacker (7 tackles in 2020), but he was lost. Maybe he would have been better if he hadn’t played three different positions in three seasons.

I don’t wish ill upon Ben VanSumeren or his family, but I do hope he loses every remaining game of his college career.

What I’ve Been Reading

I haven’t done one of these posts in a while, so here’s a brief look at what I’ve been reading in the hopes that you’ll share some of your latest interests, too.

Savage Son by Jack Carr is the third book in a trilogy, which started with The Terminal List and then True Believer. I don’t want to give away too much, but protagonist James Reece is a (former) Navy SEAL who takes matters into his own hands. You might have seen me post about Brad Thor’s books, and Reece is very similar to Scot Harvath in those novels. Not surprisingly, Thor’s long-running Harvath series inspired Carr to write his own books. Carr’s books are a little darker and more technical, and they’re pretty good thrillers.

Hit the jump for more.

Joe Milton, Ex-Wolverine

To discuss this post, head on over to touchthebanner.blogspot.com.

Michigan quarterback Joe Milton is no longer Michigan quarterback Joe Milton. He has chosen to enter the transfer portal.

Milton was a class of 2018 recruit ranked as a 247 Composite 4-star, the #9 pro-style quarterback, and #204 overall. I gave him a TTB Rating of 88 (LINK).

Hit the jump for more.

Preview of 2022 In-State Recruiting: #1-5

If you read this site or are into Michigan recruiting, you probably know the names at the top of this in-state list. Michigan has been pursuing all of these players for a while, and chances are good that the Wolverines land at least a couple of them, if not more.

1. Will Johnson – CB – Grosse Pointe (MI) South
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 190 lbs.
Notable offers: Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, USC
Commitment: Uncommitted
247 Composite: 5-star, #4 CB, #8 overall
Analysis: Johnson is a cornerback who overwhelms fellow high schoolers with his size and strength. He plays corner, wide receiver, and wildcat quarterback for his high school team. He’s the son of former Michigan defensive back Deon Johnson, who played for the Wolverines in the early 1990s. Even so, he’s not guarantee to sign with Michigan. He also has interest in Ohio State and USC, and he and Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei cornerback Domani Jackson – who is also high on Michigan – say they’re a package deal.

Hit the jump for more.