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The February recruiting dead period finally ended on Sunday, and Michigan coaches didn’t waste any time getting a boatload of prospects from across the Midwest on campus for a Junior Day event. This roundup features reactions from several of these prospects following their trips, so let’s get started.
Four-star OL pitched on Michigan’s NFL production
With the combine just wrapping up this past weekend, the Michigan staff took the opportunity to remind in-state center prospect Raheem Anderson the Wolverines could have four offensive linemen drafted into the NFL, per The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($).
“The fact that they had four offensive linemen in the draft (stood out the most about this visit),” Anderson said. “I think that’s great for the program and it shows the great production.”
He also recognized the man who had a large part in developing these players for the league.
“Coach Warinner is a great coach and gets linemen to the next level,” Anderson said.
While there have been indications Michigan may be cooling on Anderson, he reassured “they always show love” and he “still think(s) it’s a great school.”
Intriguing in-state three-star DT returns to campus
A rising prospect from Michigan who has yet to receive an offer but is someone to keep note of is River Rouge three-star defensive tackle Pius Odjugo. After visiting in January and explaining he would be in contention for an offer after taking the SAT and camping for the coaches, Odjugo decided to head back to campus, telling TMI’s Marich about the experience ($).
“I really loved it. I got to try on jerseys and stuff and go on the field, which was pretty cool,” Odjugo said. “I mostly talked to the defensive line coach, coach Shaun Nua, coach Tank Wright and defensive coordinator coach Don Brown. They were great to learn a lot from.”
Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan and Buffalo have extended offers so far, but Odjugo is still hoping to earn an opportunity from the Maize and Blue.
“I’m very interested because I’ve always been a fan of Michigan and being recruited by them is just an awesome opportunity,” he said.
If everything turns out well for Odjugo with his testing and development, there is a chance the 6-foot-3, 324-pound defensive tackle could suit up for the Wolverines.
2022 Ohio RB earns offer from Michigan
One prospect who did receive a scholarship offer while on campus was Ohio running back Stephan Byrd, who spoke with TMI’s Marich about his big day ($).
“It was a great experience honestly. I got to meet new recruits and got to know some others that I already knew a bit better,” Byrd said. “We recruits had a blast. We played basketball, put on jerseys, got to know our position coach better and what they want of us. It mostly was just a bonding day between us and the coaches.”
Byrd went into more detail about how he received his offer from the head man himself.
”...so I got my offer from coach Harbaugh the head coach even though his son is my real primary coach,” Byrd said. “My mom wanted a picture with them both together, so his son called him over to take a picture and coach Harbaugh was like, ‘Good god, look at his neck Jay. He looks like a junior in college. I know he runs like one too. He’s a stud and the full package.’ Coach Harbaugh said after what are we waiting on and matter of fact you just got yourself a Michigan offer congratulations and we shook hands. I was just in shock that I got an offer from the Jim Harbaugh. Definitely a great moment in life. A moment to remember.”
While Byrd has yet to be ranked in the initial top 100 for 2022, it’s likely he will make an appearance in the top 247 when they expand the rankings later this month.