Michigan Thursday: Oliver Heads To The Portal

Oliver Martin has been struggling with a decision.  He reported a day or two late for summer workouts, then the rumors began.

He showed up in a picture with the WR's at BW3's this weekend and the rumors starting to die down.  Sam Webb then confirmed with his parents that, "Oliver wasn't heading anywhere".   The rumors died.

He shows up for a couple days of workouts, misses one, and then ends up in the portal on Wednesday night.

I'm torn on this one.  I really was excited to have Oliver in the best WR class Michigan has ever had.  That alone fact was exciting and probably the reason he is moving on.   Black came out and was a star in a win over Florida in Dallas, then gets hurt twice.   DPJ was the star WR last year and you could see Nico skills as a future NFL WR.

Then Mike Sainristil takes the opportunity of DPJ and Nico being out and tears up Spring Ball.  I'm sure Oliver is feeling like the odd man out.   You can't blame the kid for reading the room.  

The flip side of this is Michigan's running back situation.  A year ago, it seemed Michigan had unlimited running backs on the roster.   After the NFL Draft, transfers, injuries, and suspensions all that depth is completely gone.   Kurt Taylor decided to transfer (I believe to a CC) and probably would have been the #1 RB in Spring Ball and gotten a chance to show his skills with the first team.  

I understand the transfer and wish him luck but would have loved it if he had stayed and waited for his chance. 

• Michigan continues to trend for Jordan Morant a 4-star Safety out of NJ. 

• Michigan Football is holding camps on the 8th and 10th this weekend.  Expect a number of visitors in Ann Arbor. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/06/michigan-thursday-oliver-heads-to-portal.html

Maryland & UK partner on life sciences sector

The Maryland Department of Commerce has joined with the United Kingdom’s Midlands Engine to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster greater collaboration in the life sciences between the two regions.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/maryland-uk-partner-life-sciences-sector/

Wolverine Wednesday: Hits You With Bullet Points

• Juwan has offered his first 5 star in 2020 guard Joshua Christopher

• Michigan is in the top 5 for instate 2020 Oak Park 4-star WR Maliq Carr

• Roman Wilson a 4 star WR in the 2020 class from Hawaii visited U of M yesterday.  Now that is a trip I would like to do in the opposite direction! 

• West Bloomfield 2021 RB Donovan Edwards is building a relationship with the Michigan coaches.

• Michigan Baseball OF and Big Ten Player of the Year Jordan Brewer got picked by the Astros in the 3rd round. 

• Michigan coach Roy Roundtree is interning with the Chicago Bears this summer.  This is part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.   Congrats to RR! 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/06/wolverine-wednesday-hits-you-with.html

Family fun on Father’s Day

Father’s Day is quickly approaching… have you figured out a fun activity to do with dad? Here are a businesses that can help him feel extra special on Sunday, June 16.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/family-fun-fathers-day/

Michigan Tuesday: Wolverines Win With A Football Score

The Michigan Baseball team played in the NCAA Regional Final last night, scored two touchdowns and added a late field goal.  The defense was the story of the game as the Wolverines held Creighton to two field goals.   The Michigan Baseball team won 17-6 in Corvallis, Oregon and now moves to the Super Regional.

Good luck in the next round!

• The Big Ten today is expected to announce today that Minnesota Vikings COO Kevin Warren as its new Commissioner.   Finally we have a replacement for Jim Delany, who never addressed any issues the Big Ten has ever had.  Jim is also to thank for Rutgers and Maryland entrance into the Big Ten.  Let's hope this in a new and better chapter for the Big 10. 

• Juwan is starting to fill out his staff.  Phil Martelli has accepted an assistant coaching role and an offer is out to NY Knicks assistant Howard Eisely.   Many Michigan fans are praising the Martelli hire but questioning the Eisely hire as a "wildcard".  Here's the deal, the 3rd assistant is always a wildcard and an un-proven coach.  He played high school basketball in Detroit and I'm sure will work very hard for Juwan.   Yes, I would have loved Mike Miller, but Phil took his spot and he certainly wasn't coming to Ann Arbor as the #3 assistant. 

• Sam Webb confirmed with Oliver Martin's parents that he isn't going anywhere. 

• Michigan Baseball players Tommy Henry (#74 to AZ) and Karl Kauffman (#77 to Col.) were drafted last night.   Congratulations to both on a great night! 

• Oakland Transfer Cumberland picked Cincinnati to play with his cousin.   The options for Michigan to fill the open 3 spots is started to get very limited. 

• Dax Hill is on campus and ready to contribute to Defense, Special Teams, and maybe even offense. 

• Chase Winovich signed with the Pats yesterday.  4 years at $3.8M with a $1M signing bonus. 

• Jimmy is very high on 4 star TE Theo Johnson out of Windsor.  There is a story from the Midwest camp this weekend and Jimmy calling his mom from Theo's phone to get him to Ann Arbor for a camp. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/06/michigan-tuesday-wolverines-win-with.html

Five local picks for National Donut Day

Held every year on the first Friday of June, National Donut Day is a celebration not to be missed. This year, there are a number of stores recognizing the yearly dessert day. In addition to your local Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme stores, expand your palette and try a new bakery on June 7. 

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/five-local-picks-national-donut-day/

Michigan Monday: Evans and DPJ News

• Chris Evans has been suspended from the University for 1 year.   There was some hope he would be back for fall camp which is now not possible.  I hope he continues taking online classes and working out and rejoins the team early next year.   

• There was good news out of the weekend.  Coach Gattis says that DPJ is now 100%.  There was some fear he could miss the start of the season.  That is great news and I hope coach can get him integrated into the offense.  

• Michigan's Baseball team was having a good weekend in the NCAA Tournament until last night in the 9th when they gave up 7 runs.   They will play Creighton in an elimination game today. 

• There are reports out of Philadelphia that the Phil Martelli to Michigan's Basketball staff is a done deal.  This would be a great basketball hire for Juwan.   No word yet on Mike Miller or Howard Eisley (who would be great recruiting Detroit).   Juwan has 2 spots open on his staff. 

• There continues to be transfer rumors around WR Oliver Martin.  He was pictured with his Michigan teammates at a Buffalo Wild Wings this weekend.  I can see both sides of this decision, Michigan is very deep at WR right now and Oliver seems like a guy that just needs to see the field more.   I still hope he stays as I think he could be a great WR.  

• The Summer Football Camps have started and the Michigan staff was in Grand Rapids at Grand Valley this weekend working with roughly a 1000 kids in attendance.  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/06/michigan-monday-evans-and-dpj-news.html