Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez has done a good job putting together what is easily the best defensive line class in 2009. But the Wolverines aren't finished as they added another member to their 2009 class.
Oklahoma defensive tackle Pearlie Graves has been favoring the Wolverines for weeks but had to take care of some responsibilities before he made it official. He's finished what he has to, and Wednesday he announced his commitment.
Graves took officials to both Michigan and Texas Tech, after which he suspended all other official visits and named Michigan an outright leader. Yesterday he pledged his services to the Maize & Blue.
"I felt good about what I wanted to do and felt good about the school," Graves told rivals.com. "I wanted to accomplish a goal, and I think Michigan will accomplish my goals. I told them today and talked to the head coach.
"At first I talked to Coach (Jay) Hopson and then I talked to the head coach. They were all happy and surprised. They said they were ready to move on to the next level with this stuff."
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When Graves named Michigan his leader earlier this month he was ready to commit, but his mother insisted that he check out other schools to make sure he was making the right decision. Pearlie felt that his mother didn't really understand how good he felt about Michigan, so recently he sat down with her and expressed his feelings.
"I sat down with my mom and said, 'Mom, I think I am ready to sign.' She said, 'Let me take a wild guess...Michigan.' I said 'Yeah, how'd you know that?' She said, 'The way you changed your attitude when you came back from that trip, it kind of seemed like it opened up your eyes a little bit.'
"A lot of schools opened my eyes, but Michigan was the brightest. I think because they are an upcoming program and change is a big word, especially when you are talking about football. Stepping into something like that with the new coaching staff and the incoming freshman, I feel God is telling me he wants me to be a part of that change and a part of that new scenery they are going to have up there."
Despite being solid with the Wolverines, Graves is still going to take some visits to the other schools he was considering.
"It's very solid. No hard feelings toward any other schools, but I really feel there aren't any other schools out there like this," Graves said. "I'm going to still take my visits. I'm going to go ahead and finish up my visits, take them all, and just have fun."
The 6'3", 230-pound prospect could be the replacement for five-star William Campbell if he chooses not to recommit.
Graves becomes the 19th member of the 2009 class, which is now ranked as the 13th-best in the country and will improve as Florida safety Vladimir Emilien is announcing on Sunday and favors the Wolverines.
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about 1 month ago
That is a tough lookin dude
from about 1 month ago
I know. He looks like he is 40.
from about 1 month ago
lol he is UM's Greg Oden.
about 1 month ago
He's a little light though, and will have to beef up a bit, even as a rush end.
from about 1 month ago
Don't worry Barwis will put some meat on those bones.
about 1 month ago
I'm excited about this pick up.Vlad hopefully will commit tomorrow.Taylor Lewan i'm expecting to commit within the next few weeks.He is coming up on the 6th i believe and Roh is supposed to tag along with him.Sam Montgomery is looking like another possible commit and tana patrick isn't starting to give us serious looks.Class is starting to look damn good.
from about 1 month ago
Vlad is likely as is Lewan. Montgomery I'm not as optimistic about especially with Roh and LaLota already committed and he having scholarship offers from nearly every program in the nation. He hasn't scheduled a visit yet and it isn't for sure that he is going to. He would be help but we really don't need him with Jones, Roh, LaLota, Graves, and possibly Campbell. I would rather get Lb Jenkins out of Maryland because his potential is outrageous.
about 1 month ago
Jenkins would be great but Montgomery is reported to be in 4.3-4.4 range if memory serves me correctly.I read an article a few days ago and he seems to like what UM offers.He says competition is something he loves and that UM having these other guys wouldn't affect his decision at all.He is the kind of kid we need.great attitude and is a pure leader.He is one that loves trying to make others around him better.that alone makes him a must get.
from about 1 month ago
don't get me wrong I would love to have Montgomery but he isn't a necessity because LaLota and Roh have huge potential. Jenkins is only 16 years old and is ranked as the top defensive player in the country. That alone tells you this kid is going to be great. I've been watching recruiting for a long time and I've never seen a defensive prospect with as much potential as this kid has. If he red-shirts so he could gain on size he could be the best linebacker ever to play college football and we need linebackers because two of the linebacking recruits we signed last year transfered before the season started.
from about 1 month ago
Wait Jenkins is only 16 wtf?I did not know that.All the better i think.As for Montgomery,there is nothing wrong with depth.We could really use it anyway especially at end.We are getting kinda thin there.Montgomery may be more important than one would think really.Who was the other LB commit from last year that transfered.I know Witherspoon failed to qualify the NCAA clearinghouse so he transfered but who is the other.Still have Fitzgerald though.Denems(sp?) didn't transfer did he?
from about 1 month ago
Yeah, I'm not sure how he is a senior and only 16 but its true. That is why I want him so bad because he has the potential to be one of the greats. I think Montgomery might sign with USC. He is making a visit out there with AAU teammate Ashlon Jeffrey this weekend who is already commited to USC and has continued to speak highly of them. Witherspoon didn't qualify and Taylor Hill transfered. No Denems didn't transfer unless he did it after the season started because when I went to the Utah game he was on the sidelines.
from about 1 month ago
Oh,forgot about signing Hill last year.As long as we have Denems and Fitz we are fine.As for Jenkins being 16 that is kinda like that kid from Louisville a few years back.enrolled at the school and made it on the team when he was 15 or 16.He was from Africa though i think or somewhere.He had flown through school where he came from so when he moved to US he was already preped for college.Crazy.That kid was awesome too.I think he was the youngest player drafted into the NFL.I believe he was 19 when drafted.Wish i could remember his name though.
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