Calvin Anderson- Grad OT target- latest statements

Submitted by Arb lover on

Since this is a position of great need, and as the recruiting services aren't showing Crystal Balls for grad transfers like Calvin Anderson, I put together a few recent quotes from him. I'm not going to post the earlier info Brian did a great job of running through on MgoBlog, nor am I trying to cherry pick. So far Anderson has taken visits to Texas, Auburn and Michigan. Hopefully this gives people an idea of (at least what he is communicating as) his thought process. Caveat: recruits generally talk up every school they visit, so you may have to read between the lines some.

On his decision to transfer in general, Anderson stated that after his redshirt junior season in Houston, he talked his possible NFL future over with his father. The two agreed he had legitimate NFL dreams that could best reach their potential at a Power 5 institution.

I am trying to go to the best place for seven months to get prepared the best.

On his thoughts about Auburn

“I think they helped themselves greatly. I already thought pretty highly of Auburn and I didn’t know much about it, and now that I know a lot more than I did, I think they went from being great to more great,” Anderson said. “For placements and all that, I got to think through it, but I think they certainly — it’s certainly pluses. So, how many pluses, I’ll figure out, but certainly pluses.”...
“A lot of it speaks for itself. Obviously SEC football is the biggest football you can play at the collegiate level.”

On his thoughts about Texas:

“Proximity to home is not really much of a factor, because I am trying to go to the best place for seven months to get prepared the best. So it’s great to be at home. All that’s great. But that’s not really weighing into this decision, because it’s a business decision,” Anderson said. “So I’m taking into account what can help me be better, and I don’t think proximity to home has anything to do with that.”

On his thoughts about Michigan:

“The thing that sets Michigan apart, other than how much I like [Michigan director of recruiting Matt] Dudek and coach [Tim] Drevno, is the opportunity to play against Ohio State and Nick Bosa,” Anderson said. “That’s a huge deal to me because it’s a high-profile game and gives any high-level tackle a chance to boost their stock. Also, the importance of the alumni bases is a big benefit. “He’s the best defensive end in the country, so I would love the opportunity to display my talents against him. I love the chance to play against big-time defensive ends.”

As  much as I would willingly argue with Anderson on that last point, he also explained that going up against Rashan Gary in practice on a daily basis is another benefit to choosing Michigan. (I've also included the paywalled site interview regarding Michigan for those who have 247, but have only posted public info).

Any and all other wildcard information out there: 

Anderson's father was just promoted to "full bird" Colonel in the army. That's a big mark that few career officers attain. Michigan and Texas both sent him congratulatory letters. Not so much the other schools. That appears to not have been lost on Anderson, either. 

Today my dad had the honor of being promoted to the rank of full bird Colonel in the army! I’m incredibly proud of his dedication to not only our family, but to our country. Thank you @UMichFootball and @TexasFootball for the tributes to him as well! #HookEm #Michigan pic.twitter.com/DcJ3Zfyxik

— Calvin Anderson (@THE_CONDA25) February 3, 2018

He stated he plans on making a decision by March 25th.

NFG

February 13th, 2018 at 9:11 AM ^

Come to Michigan so you can play against really good Ohio state players?



That seems like a horrible sales pitch, if he was told that.

JHumich

February 13th, 2018 at 11:23 AM ^

Yes, and *gasp* even more than one of those might have been his own actual opinion.

Just b/c he said something, doesn't mean that was the focus of our pitch.

The alumni base, etc., is more likely a part of it. And even if Bosa had anything to do with it, we're likely the school that's best pitching him his future not only in the NFL but also beyond:

1. Destroy (not just play against) Nick Bosa and other big Hosses in several very high profile games this year

2. Get drafted higher (due also to coach Harbaugh's league connections) and then play a while in the League

3. Leverage a by-then completed Michigan grad education and alumni network into decades more of personal and professional success

4. ???

5. Profit! (ok... more like "Profit" at every freaking step along the way)

That sounds like the plan to me!

ijohnb

February 13th, 2018 at 10:35 AM ^

his circumstance it would really not be that bad of a sell.  He has one season to make himself a high NFL pick.  Playing in probably the most watch regular season football game against the premiere DE in the country would get him a lot of eyeballs if he played well.  Agreed, it isn't a good pitch to recruits but for a grad transfer doing what he is trying to do, I don't see anything wrong with it.

In reply to by ijohnb

Gentleman Squirrels

February 13th, 2018 at 11:23 AM ^

To be fair though, Auburn plays Washington, LSU, Georgia, and Bama next year. While their DEs aren't quite to the level as Gary, Bosa and I'd throw in Winovich there too, they're no slouch either.

Arb lover

February 13th, 2018 at 9:19 AM ^

I'm fairly certain that's his own personal view, though I get the wanting to showcase his abilities sentiment. I won't argue with him that Michigan is going to have the toughest schedule next year. Personally I see the ability to play against Gary on a daily basis (and hopefully get great coaching) as better preparation.

At least he mentions Gary. I haven't found that he mentions any other player from any other team as a benefit to playing against, so there's that. 

BoFlex

February 13th, 2018 at 9:31 AM ^

Bruce Feldman touches on it as well during his recent Si article on Calvin Anderson:

Ohio State is helping archrival Michigan in recruiting one of the nation’s hottest commodities.

Another big deal for Anderson is how formidable some of the Wolverines’ 2018 opponents are, especially the end-of-season matchup with Ohio State’s vaunted defensive front.

“In the Big Ten, they have bigger defensive linemen, and for me to be able to display that run-blocking ability is gonna be a big benefit of going to Michigan. In the Big 12, you’d have really good edge rushers that I’d play against. I’m comparing styles of offenses.”

Anderson does mention that Texas and Michigan are currently tied for his leaders with Auburn, Oklahoma and TCU behind in that order.

crom80

February 13th, 2018 at 9:37 AM ^

I don't know if it was a sales pitch in this case but I remember watching the 1999 NCAA MBB championship between UCONN and Duke and during interviews with the players I remember one of the reasons players picked to play at UCONN was 'so, you weren't deemed good enough to play at Duke or Georgetown etc, come to UCONN and play against them.'

sounds more intune with an MSU pitch but whatever gets it done is fine with me.

Other Andrew

February 13th, 2018 at 9:45 AM ^

They do play USC and TCU next year, but few competent defenses aside from those. Auburn's another story of course. But they do seem to be running in 3rd place at the moment.

 

And furthermore, the idea of practicing against Michigan's D-line (Winovich and Gary, plus all the blitzing), should be part of the sales pitch for sure.

wesq

February 13th, 2018 at 11:34 AM ^

What has that guy done? Those tire fire olines at PSU? Drev has coached great olines at Stanford, USC and the 49ers. His Michigan tenure has been underwhelming for sure but I do believe for a guy looking to get to the NFL a former NFL coach and a more pro-style offense is an advantage.

wildbackdunesman

February 13th, 2018 at 9:17 AM ^

We are due for good news. Come to Michigan and make a legend for yourself as you anchor our turn around. We were so close to being 11 and 1 last year and poor QB and Oline play was the cause.

mGrowOld

February 13th, 2018 at 9:58 AM ^

Had we won four of the five games we lost we CLEARLY would've been 12-1.  Any idiot can see just how close we were.  Only four losses away - practically there if you ask me.

I'm telling you - the selection committee had a much harder time deciding to keep us out of the final four last year than people think.  I've heard rumors that there were quite a few lobbying for Michigan to be included.  "Best 8-5 team in the land" they said.  "Hell, had they won four of the five games they lost they'd be 12-1" some claimed.  "Only thing holding them back was horrific QB play, an O line that cant pass block and completely unimaginative and uninspired play calling.  Other than that they were world-beaters."

We were SO close........

wildbackdunesman

February 13th, 2018 at 11:29 AM ^

Perhaps I am being a slappy. However, in spite of our poor play on offense we went down to the wire against MSU and OSU. Maybe I am being too optimistic, but I don't think we were that far from 10 and 2 or even upsetting Wisoconsin had we improved slightly on offense.

We return a lot and a slightly improved offense could spell good things for this team even with the road games.

evenyoubrutus

February 13th, 2018 at 9:26 AM ^

Does his mom need a job? I hear we are looking for a new team mom.

But really, at the end of the day, it doesn't matter anyway. We have the worst offensive coaching staff in the history of football so they'll probably ruin him anyway.