Michigan Football: Urban Meyer Joins Brady Hoke in Crucial Recruiting Battles

With National Signing Day (Feb. 1, 2012) less than two months away, a new character has arrived to make things even more interesting as we head down the stretch.

New Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is well aware that Michigan has already grabbed some players that Ohio has been accustomed to getting in recent years.

First, it was offensive tackle Kyle Kalis, who actually de-committed from the Buckeyes to sign with Michigan. Then it was running back Bri'onte Dunn, who committed to Ohio State in September 2010, only to start looking elsewhere this fall.

Meyer, who's known as a great recruiter, will have his hands full with the Brady Hoke machine, which has already assembled Michigan's best class in years.

Meyer must also struggle through Ohio's upcoming NCAA sanctions, which are expected to come down before the bowl games.

In addition to the battle over Dunn, offensive tackle Jordan Diamond, tight end Pharaoh Brown, running back Greg Garmon and safety Dion Bush may be wavering between the Buckeyes and Wolverines.

Of the five, Dunn and Diamond are at the top of the list.

"Michigan will be at my house this Thursday for their in-home visit, Dunn told Scout.com Tuesday. "It's supposed to be the head coach (Brady Hoke) and the running backs coach (Fred Jackson)," he added. "Ohio State will be doing their in-home visit next Tuesday, and it's supposed to be with Urban Meyer."

It's been often said that Dunn is leaning toward the Wolverines, thanks to the urging of Kalis. After all, it was Michigan commit Tom Strobel who helped bring Kalis aboard.

A similar situation might give Michigan the upper hand in the battle for Chicago offensive tackle Jordan Diamond. 

Diamond just happens to be a buddy of Michigan freshman tackle Chris Bryant.

“Chris is always saying Go Blue,” Diamond told Go Blue Wolverine. “He is saying Go Blue and so are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bryant.  They’re really supporting me too.  I’m just blessed to have all of this support.  Chris is one of my best friends.  It’s hard to turn down friendship.”

Sounds like a done deal with Diamond, but Meyer has other ideas. Diamond is expected to make an official visit to Ohio State this weekend.

Sugar Bowl Notes

The Michigan Alumni Association is once again conducting the official tour for the 78th Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Wolverines and Virginia Tech in New Orleans, Jan. 3, 2012.

If you're only interested in tickets, click on the the following Web site. Tickets only.

At least 14,000 of Michigan's allotment of 17,500 have already been sold, freep.com reports. As usual Michigan will travel well to the Sugar Bowl. Although Virginia Tech hasn't opened ticket sales to the general public, they've already sold more than 5,000.

Surprise! Western Michigan Stats Reappear

During most of the season, players from the storm-shortened Michigan vs. Western Michigan game were missing their individual stats. 

The NCAA had an archaic rule that stats from that game wouldn't count because three quarters weren't completed. 

Probably hurt the most was Western Michigan receiver Jordan White, who lost the 12 receptions against Michigan.  White, however still led the nation in receptions with 127.  The problem, writes Graham Couch of the Kalamazoo Gazette, was White may have lost a shot at the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the nation's top receiver.

The NCAA eventually did an about face and reinstated the game's stats, but it was after the Biletnikoff folks selected the semifinalists for the award. Another reason for White's omission is that he plays for Western Michigan of the Mid-American Conference. Publicity of any kind rarely comes out of Kalamazoo.