Michigan Wolverines: Mike Mitchell
State of the Rivalry: Linebackers 
February, 27, 2013
Feb 27
10:15
AM ET
By Chantel Jennings & Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The writers at WolverineNation and BuckeyeNation put their heads together to break down the rivals' 2013 recruiting classes. They'll give readers a position-by-position look at who coaches Brady Hoke and Urban Meyer signed and, ultimately, which class edged out the other. It's too early to say what will happen through the next few seasons, and we won't make any promises except that Hoke and Meyer are going to put talent on the field.
Michigan got: The Wolverines picked up two pretty impressive linebackers in Mike McCray (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) and Ben Gedeon (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson). Between the 2012 and 2013 classes, as well as 2014 linebacker commit Michael Ferns (St. Clairsville, Ohio/St. Clairsville) the Wolverines have filled holes pretty well in the middle of the field. Their front seven will continue to get stronger because of solid classes in position groups like this.
However, a few question marks remain as to why the Wolverines had a late interest in linebackers during the 2013 recruiting cycle. Late offers went out to Virginia Tech signee Jamieon Moss (Elizabeth City, N.C./Northeastern) and Michigan State signee Jon Reschke (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Brother Rice), who spent his entire high school career less than an hour from Ann Arbor (as well as being best friends with quarterback signee Shane Morris). So while it does seem as those holes were filled well, there might be some holes that no one knows about yet, or Greg Mattison might just have something up his sleeve. Overall, was this a good class? Yes. Was it the best class? No.
Michigan got: The Wolverines picked up two pretty impressive linebackers in Mike McCray (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) and Ben Gedeon (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson). Between the 2012 and 2013 classes, as well as 2014 linebacker commit Michael Ferns (St. Clairsville, Ohio/St. Clairsville) the Wolverines have filled holes pretty well in the middle of the field. Their front seven will continue to get stronger because of solid classes in position groups like this.
However, a few question marks remain as to why the Wolverines had a late interest in linebackers during the 2013 recruiting cycle. Late offers went out to Virginia Tech signee Jamieon Moss (Elizabeth City, N.C./Northeastern) and Michigan State signee Jon Reschke (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Brother Rice), who spent his entire high school career less than an hour from Ann Arbor (as well as being best friends with quarterback signee Shane Morris). So while it does seem as those holes were filled well, there might be some holes that no one knows about yet, or Greg Mattison might just have something up his sleeve. Overall, was this a good class? Yes. Was it the best class? No.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Army Bowl: Wednesday notebook
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
3:08
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Wednesday was a day off for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl teams. Instead of working out and participating in drills, the players took in visits around the city -- including a stop at the Alamodome for photo opportunities and to see their game apparel -- and used the day to recover from two days of practice.
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
U.S. Army Bowl: Monday notebook
December, 31, 2012
12/31/12
8:51
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 150 outside linebacker Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) isn’t big on speaking publicly. He’d rather let his game do the talking -- and it speaks volumes.
On Monday, the 6-foot-5, 222-pound linebacker officially confirmed that he will announce his college plans during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Oregon, Texas A&M and Ohio State are his three finalists.
Mitchell said all three schools -- and even a fourth, Oklahoma -- had their positive qualities throughout his recruiting process. It was a feeling of comfort, however, that seemed to win him over.
On Monday, the 6-foot-5, 222-pound linebacker officially confirmed that he will announce his college plans during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Oregon, Texas A&M and Ohio State are his three finalists.
Mitchell said all three schools -- and even a fourth, Oklahoma -- had their positive qualities throughout his recruiting process. It was a feeling of comfort, however, that seemed to win him over.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
#BlueChipBattles: Dec. 21
December, 21, 2012
12/21/12
5:29
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.comReuben Foster (center) is torn between good friends Dee Liner (left) and Tray Matthews (right).No. 1 ILB Reuben Foster has voiced his desire to play with at least one of his SEC-bound friends next season. But will he follow Tray Matthews to Georgia or hook up with Dee Liner wherever the ESPN 150 DL settles? It remains to be seen, but the mystery surrounding his recruitment keeps Foster at the top of our #BlueChipBattles.
Each week, RecruitingNation summons its writers from around the country to compile a list of the top 10 battles for elite football recruits leading up to February's signing day.
Here are this week's top battles
, and you can take a shot at ranking the top 10 recruiting battles on SportsNation.David Dawson postpones OSU visit
December, 5, 2012
12/05/12
10:25
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
The big four coming on official visits to Ohio State this weekend is now just three as David Dawson (Detroit/Cass Tech) had to change plans at the last moment.
The top-ranked offensive guard in the Class of 2013 was scheduled to join Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington), Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) and Donovan Munger (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights) as well as eight Ohio State commits for what looked like a big weekend.
Now, Dawson will have to find an open date that works with the Buckeyes.
The top-ranked offensive guard in the Class of 2013 was scheduled to join Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington), Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) and Donovan Munger (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights) as well as eight Ohio State commits for what looked like a big weekend.
Now, Dawson will have to find an open date that works with the Buckeyes.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
#BlueChip Battles: Oct. 26
October, 26, 2012
10/26/12
1:12
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Pitt doesn't want WR Robert Foster to leave the Keystone State and USC hopes to keep CB Max Redfield in Cali. The local programs' bid to keep those two stars in-state highlights this week's #BlueChipBattles .
#BlueChipBattles is the Twitter hashtag to use if you want to voice your opinion on our list or to view other fans' reactions as the commitments begin to roll in. Get recruiting updates on the players above as well as the nation's other top football prospects here: @RecruitingESPN.
.
#BlueChipBattles is the Twitter hashtag to use if you want to voice your opinion on our list or to view other fans' reactions as the commitments begin to roll in. Get recruiting updates on the players above as well as the nation's other top football prospects here: @RecruitingESPN.
#BlueChipBattles: Week 3
October, 19, 2012
10/19/12
12:07
PM ET
By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
David Dawson decommited from Michigan and Justin Manning delayed his decision date, and that had a big-time ripple effect in this week's #BlueChipBattles 
, as more than half of the top 10 spots have new occupants.
, as more than half of the top 10 spots have new occupants.ABOUT WOLVERINE NATION
Michael Rothstein
Michael Rothstein joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for AnnArbor.com, Notre Dame for the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal Gazette and a host of colleges for the Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, Va.). A Syracuse graduate and an East Meadow, N.Y., native, he lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. He can be reached at michaelrothsteinespn@gmail.com.
Tom VanHaaren
Tom VanHaaren joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for three years at MGoBlog.com. VanHaaren and his wife currently reside in Royal Oak, Mich. He can be reached at TomVHESPN@gmail.com.
Chantel Jennings
Chantel Jennings joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Michigan athletics for three years at The Michigan Daily. Chantel graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in English and Spanish and lives in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at jenningsespn@gmail.com.