Brendan Gibbons Is Headed to Michigan!

Both of Michigan's top place kickers are in their final seasons. Rich Rodriguez has been desperate to find a replacement for former commitment Anthony Fera. He finally found it today in West Palm Beach, FL: Cardinal Newman kicker Brendan Gibbons.

"I just committed to Michigan," Gibbons told Rivals.com. "Coach (Tony) Gibson called me actually a week ago and said he was going to call this week and offer because I'm the guy they want now. When he called me he basically called to let me think about it. They offered me today, so I committed."

The Michigan staff had seen Gibbons earlier this year when he attended their kicking camp but had yet to offer because of the commitment from Fera.

With Fera switching to Penn State, Michigan had also considered Igor Garcia of Massachusetts after his impressive performance at their camp. But in the end, Gibbons has had the more impressive senior year and earned the scholarship.

"They said they really liked what they saw (on tape) and I kicked with Kornblue (two weeks ago) and I did really good with Kornblue," Gibbons said. "I hit a 65-yard field, goal, a 61-yarder and a 60-yarder and he sent that up there to them. They really liked that and that proved they really liked me."

Gibbons' best attribute is his strong leg. He is 10 of 12 at field goals in his senior season with with his longest being 52 yards. He also sends 93 percent of his kick-offs for touchbacks, with the majority going out the back of the endzone.

Gibbons expects that he is going to get to show off his power earlier rather than later in his college career.

"I hope I can start right away; that's my goal," he said. "I'm pretty sure both their kickers are seniors and that's what they want me to do, so I'll do it. Coach Rodriguez said I might have a shot at punting too."

Gibbons fills the third largest need in this class, a high profile kicker. He isn't as accurate as Fera but has a much stronger leg.