Michigan Monday: Didn't Make The Trip

It seems Tarik Black and DPJ didn't make the trip to South Africa, which seems a bit strange.   We know DPJ is healing a groin injury but Black participated through Spring Ball.  At this point, I don't think there is anything to read into this, but its a bit strange.  

Brandon Peters on Friday graduated from Michigan and also put his name in the Transfer Portal.   Which we all knew he was going to do as he is currently #4 on the QB depth chart.   Peters showed flashes on good QB play, but also showed some bad and mostly in the Outback Bowl Scrimmage, where Michigan laid down against a poor South Carolina team.   Purdue is still the expected destination.

Since we are playing, whose on the trip?:  Brandon parents told him to have fun in Africa.   Which also seems a bit strange.  

Former Michigan CB Ben St. Juste announced on Twitter that he graduated from Michigan in 2.5 years.  Which is quite an accomplishment.   He also said, that his medical retirement was not his decision and he will have an announcement this week.  In that same post, he also said he was accepted to U of M's Kinesiology graduate program.   So if he is going to continue to play football, he won't be attending U of M.

Losing Ben was a big blow as many had high hopes for him in Michigan's secondary.

• There seems to be some trending for instate 4 star DE Braiden McGregor to ND.   

• ESPN and Fox are expected to televise the XFL, which should help getting through its first year. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/05/michigan-monday-didnt-make-trip.html

Celebrate Mother’s Day the Maryland way

With Mother’s Day less than a week away, it’s time to finish up your shopping and gift wrapping. Here are a few tips and ideas to make mom feel extra special this Sunday, May 12.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/celebrate-mothers-day-maryland-way/

State leads delegation to security exhibition in Mexico City

The Maryland Department of Commerce is leading a delegation of Maryland companies this week to Expo Seguridad, the largest exhibition of security products and solutions in Latin America. 

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/state-leads-delegation-security-exhibition-mexico-city/

Michigan Friday: A Couple Recruiting Nuggets

• Justin Pierce the grad transfer from William and Mary picked UNC over Michigan Basketball yesterday.   The new options for the next season are getting pretty sparse at the moment.  Mgoblog hints that Bones Hyland might need a Prep year for reasons kids need to go to Prep school. 

• Michigan now has the Crystal Ball lead for 2020 4 star Safety Jordan Morant.  Who visited a number of weeks ago.  Jordan is rated the #1 safety in this class.

• Michigan continues to look good for 2021 #2 Rated QB JJ McCarthy.  OSU took a commit from the #5 QB in the class. 

• Coach Gattis has offered 2020 3 star Athlete from MA Eamonn Dennis 

• Michigan is doing work in NJ and 4 star athlete RJ Moten is trending hard towards the Wolverines lately. 

• Sporting News has Army ranked #17 after the Spring.  This game worries me.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/05/michigan-friday-couple-recruiting.html

May is Apprenticeship Career Pathways Month

Governor Larry Hogan has proclaimed May as Apprenticeship Career Pathways Month in Maryland. The month-long observance raises awareness of apprenticeship programs and the opportunities they provide to workers and employers in increasing skills and strengthening the workforce.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/may-apprenticeship-career-pathways-month/

Michigan Thursday: Off To Africa

The Michigan Football team is off to Africa today.  What a great opportunity and I hope they have a great trip.  

With Michigan Basketball losing 3 players to the NBA Draft, Coach B has some work to do on building his team for next season.  

The 3 players that seem to be the best candidates are:

• Grad transfer Justin Pierce who announces today at Noon.   The buzz sounds like its UNC over Michigan . 
• Wagner - Mo's brother who just had a visit from Coach B and is deciding if he will stay in Germany and play pro ball or come to Ann Arbor. 
• Hyland a combo guard, that Coach B also watched recently at an Under Armour event.  Need to get him on campus. 

I hope Michigan lands all 3 but I will take 2 out of the 3 names above. 

• Jimmy King is the new head coach of Michigan's ABA team  Good luck to him!  

• Juwan Howard interviewed for the Lakers head coaching job, but is not expected to be a finalist.   Which is probably good for his long term success in coaching. 

• UCLA Football is proud that Tom Brady is working out on their practice field, getting ready for the season.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/05/michigan-thursday-off-to-africa.html

Wolverine Wednesday: WR Recruiting at Michigan Now

Fellow blogger Mgobrew has a solid article up on the changes to Michigan's WR recruiting under new OC Josh Gattis.   Coach has some characteristics he likes in WR's and is not going to settle.

Case in point:  Local WR's are committing to other programs:  Rashawn Williams to Indiana, Devell Washington to WVU, and former commit from Ohio Kalil Branham was asked to "keep looking".

It seems Coach Gattis loves size and speed for the outside position and if you're a slot WR you better be super fast.   Can't wait to see this offense in action this season.  I expect that Giles Jackson could play a nice role in the offense if he can pick up the play book.  Mike Sainristil clearly has the jump on him being in Ann Arbor for spring ball.

Michigan has a great QB and WR room for the first time in a long time.  I hope we have an elite running game and offensive line to match.

• Indiana is going to sell beer at home football games next year.  This is long overdue. 

• All the Wolverines that declared for the NBA Draft did receive an NBA Combine invite, which will give all 3 the opportunity to rise on some draft boards. 

• Sam Webb is keeping his crystal ball for Michigan on the Wolverines top 2020 recruit DE Braiden McGregor who visited A2 again this past weekend.

• Michigan makes the top 5 for 4 star OT Andrew Raym with OU, Georgia, LSU, and Texas A&M

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/05/wolverine-wednesday-wr-recruiting-at.html