Andy Staples thinks Walter Nolen is coming to Michigan
Yes, I know he is not a recruiting insider, but he is one of the smartest national reporters and does seem to be truly neutral in his coverage. He has been very fair to Michigan during all the scandal nonsense, and he does seem plugged in to lots of programs around the country.
He doesn't think it's a lock for Nolan, he thinks Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia are still in the mix, but for what it's worth, he's leaning Michigan. My only other thought about his analysis is that he needs to be reminded that Mason Graham is a thing, and we have more than Kenneth Grant coming back.
Who knows what will happen, but if we had Nolen next year on our line, Michigan would be a frightening defense.
December 8th, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
Not happening.
December 8th, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
Everybody eats at michigan
December 8th, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
Hilarious to me that we start with a post that details that we might get a top guy and 10 comments in we're not only convinced its not likely, but that its not even on the table and its a complete nonsense guess based in no fact. #MichiganRecruiting
December 8th, 2023 at 10:45 AM ^
Yet, ten of those people will win money if they BET.
December 8th, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
Did you watch the video ? He makes no mention of Mason Graham, which tells me he is spit balling only and has no basis. Move on here.
December 8th, 2023 at 10:45 AM ^
I did mention that Staples omits Graham in his analysis of Michigan's DL, but to be fair, he is a national guy who probably has a couple hundred D lineman in his head and they don't all immediately pop front of mind, I'm sure. Graham is amazing and had a great year, but he also didn't have any Sports Center highlights this season to draw national attention the way Grant did when he ran down the RB against Penn State. Graham also wasn't on Feldman's freaks list, I don't believe, so he is less likely to be noticeable on Staple's radar the way Grant is.
December 8th, 2023 at 10:59 AM ^
i'll believe it when I see it
December 8th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
Per The Michigan Insider, UM has not reached out to him yet.
December 8th, 2023 at 11:11 AM ^
DO WANT!!!!
December 8th, 2023 at 11:13 AM ^
I heard Tom Fornelli say this morning not to be surprised if Nolen ends up at Michigan. I don't think people realize how much of a freak athlete he is. You can also put him on the edge. Depth chart is not an issue when you're talking about a potential Top 5 NFL draft pick.
December 8th, 2023 at 11:16 AM ^
Congrats to Walter for getting even more money out of an SEC school
December 8th, 2023 at 11:44 AM ^
I would be very pleased if this were to happen.
December 8th, 2023 at 11:47 AM ^
Well staple my balls to a chair and call me Clancy that's exciting news
December 8th, 2023 at 11:52 AM ^
We'd probably have to call you an ambulance after stapling your balls to a chair...😭
December 8th, 2023 at 11:54 AM ^
My general impression of crootin' over the past three years, as Michigan's rise has coincided with the rise of NIL, is that a very large set of top recruits sincerely do like the idea of playing at Michigan and experiencing our culture and so on. But a majority of those recruits ultimately will choose up-front money over that sentimental attachment. And that's fine; they're well within their rights to want to be paid as much as possible for their labor. The positive takeaway is that we've created a program where a lot of guys want to be, and we can get enough of the right kinds of dudes to compete at a high level
December 8th, 2023 at 11:58 AM ^
It would be this years defense more or less I know no lens a 5 star but Jenkins is a top 60 nfl draft pick.
December 8th, 2023 at 12:04 PM ^
I like that line of thought.
December 8th, 2023 at 12:04 PM ^
And I have beach-front property in Nebraska to sell to Mr. Staples.
December 8th, 2023 at 12:13 PM ^
Even if he wants to come here, I'm afraid the admissions and credit transfers issues we've been having with other potential transfers will be what does Michigan in. It seems like if you want to transfer here with minimal drama, you either have to:
1) Be just coming off your freshman year and not have that many credits to transfer anyway (Hausman is a great example of this)
2) Be a grad transfer and already have your degree, so there's no credits that even need to be transferred
3) If you're already past your sophomore season, you have to be coming from Stanford, UVA or some other top-end institution where UM isn't going to think twice about approving everything.
I'm not getting my hopes up.
December 8th, 2023 at 2:25 PM ^
Normally I'd agree on the credits argument, but this kid is going to the NFL as soon as he can. Graduating is probably not high on his list.
That said, is he even the kind of person who'd be fine being a rotational player given the glut of talent we already have at DT?
December 8th, 2023 at 6:07 PM ^
I thought it was also something about academic progress to maintain eligibility?
Like if a junior only has freshmen level credits that qualify for graduation, then they're not "on pace" and can't academically qualify to play.
December 8th, 2023 at 8:03 PM ^
I don’t think that’s a worry. My understanding is that would just make him an academic freshmen but with only two or however many years of eligibility. He’d only be off track if he wasn’t completing enough credits relative to his academic status, which would be freshman in this example.
December 8th, 2023 at 12:35 PM ^
Mike Elston is a D line whisperer. There is no better place for this young man.
December 8th, 2023 at 2:54 PM ^
Very underrated hire. I love our DLine rotation and the depth.
December 8th, 2023 at 1:09 PM ^
I guess it would be great if he has truly realized what it means to be a part of this team/culure and really wants to do the hard work necessary.
December 8th, 2023 at 1:22 PM ^
I'd be surprised if Nolen chose UM but the fact he's seriously considering them feels like a massive win for the culture and success UM has had over the past couple of years, and should pay dividends with other transfer candidates.
December 8th, 2023 at 1:39 PM ^
Please, no more of these....
December 8th, 2023 at 2:48 PM ^
My name is Eastside Maize and I approve this message.
December 8th, 2023 at 3:36 PM ^
This topic has been a nice walk down memory lane.
December 8th, 2023 at 3:51 PM ^
TVH says he’s visiting the Nike Ducks.
https://x.com/tomvh/status/1733137727393034283?s=46
December 8th, 2023 at 8:04 PM ^
Why not? They have a STOUT interior DL with NFL picks falling out of the closet. Might as well join the club.
December 8th, 2023 at 10:34 PM ^
On3 guys seem to think it's Oregon, FWIW.
December 9th, 2023 at 6:36 AM ^
Watching the highlights, I think Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham are better
December 9th, 2023 at 9:57 AM ^
Pretty wild really now where kids can get recruited, wined and dined, paid, told how great they are…more than once.
I have kids this age - it’s all about appearances and hype and followers. Hard to identify with.
December 11th, 2023 at 4:33 PM ^
The kid is using a visit to see Ole Miss next. He ain't looking for what M's offering and he sure ain't gonna end up here.