ESPN.com presents Michigan Wolverines http://espn.go.com/blog/colleges/michigan/ 60 en-us Fri, 24 May 2013 05:31:32 webmaster@espn.go.com http://assets.espn.go.com/i/espn/teamlogos/lrg/trans/espn_dotcom_black.gif 110 110 ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Spring football is over. Summer is here. So who are the most important players to Michigan right now? As the Wolverines prepare for the 2013 season, WolverineNation presents a special offseason edition of the Michigan Ten (previous ranking in parentheses). 1. QB Devin Gardner (2): Michigan’s starting quarterback, the redshirt junior has the potential for a breakout season this fall. He has adjusted well to the pro-style offense preferred by offensive coordinator Al Borges and has settled in as a leader.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/colleges/michigan/post?id=12203 Thu, 23 May 2013 10:10:40 EDT 12203 Every Thursday our writers sit down and chat about three topics relating (somewhat) to Michigan sports. Today they check out wide receivers, recruiting surprises and the Twittersphere. 1. Which player or commit do you think could be the next to wear the No. 21 jersey? Chantel Jennings: That depends whether it’s an every season thing. Personally, I think the jersey should be saved for your All-American type guys, in which case, I’m not sure this roster really holds one.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/colleges/michigan/post?id=12245 Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:49 EDT 12245 When a dream school offers a prospect it’s very difficult not to get excited. When the dream school offers you as a freshman, it’s hard to comprehend the magnitude. That dream came to reality on Wednesday for 2016 offensive lineman Erik Swenson (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South). As Swenson’s father, Swen, discussed the offer over the phone, a neighbor in a Michigan jersey yelled Go Blue. Swenson returned the favor and proudly exclaimed that his son received an offer from the Wolverines.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/colleges/michigan/post?id=12297 Wed, 22 May 2013 19:23:47 EDT 12297 Every Wednesday, WolverineNation will take a look at Michigan's week in recruiting in Tales From The Road. This week’s targets: The biggest target on the board in terms of ranking is defensive back Jabrill Peppers (Paramus, N.J./Paramus Catholic), who will be announcing his decision on Sunday on ESPNU. Michigan has a great shot with Peppers, the No. 2 ranked prospect, and if the Wolverines land him it could impact the class tremendously. The Michigan coaching staff extended a few offers this week as well, including 2015 linebacker Anthony Wheeler (Dallas/Skyline).]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/colleges/michigan/post?id=12267 Wed, 22 May 2013 10:00:53 EDT 12267 ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Most first grade parent-teacher conferences are quite ordinary -- the teacher tells the parents that their child shares well, plays well, draws well. But the meeting between the first grade teacher of Ian Bunting (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central) and his parents went a bit differently. Yes, Ian shared well, played well, drew well. By first-grade standards, he was excelling. But she also told the Buntings that she believed Ian would become a diplomat.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/colleges/michigan/post?id=12272 Wed, 22 May 2013 09:00:56 EDT 12272 ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The summer is about to kick off everywhere across the United States -- Memorial Day is this weekend -- which means one thing, of course. One season until football begins. As you itch to get on your boats this weekend and out to the beaches if you’re near the water, first take a peek at Michigan’s schedule for the 2013 season, which begins on Aug. 31 against Central Michigan, as we rank each opponent from toughest to weakest.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/colleges/michigan/post?id=12162 Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:57 EDT 12162 ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Fall is just around the corner, well, a season away but that means football is coming up soon. In that spirit, we discuss a lot of redshirt freshmen, pure freshmen and linebackers in this week’s WolverineNation mailbag. Oh, and also the perfect summer treat of deliciousness. Questions for next week’s mailbag can go to @chanteljennings on Twitter or jenningsespn@gmail.com through the email. On to your questions. andrewwink from The Den: Which redshirt freshman do you think will have the biggest impact on this year's team?]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/colleges/michigan/post?id=12237 Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:20 EDT 12237 D'Andre Walker (Fairburn, Ga./Langston Hughes) racked up 105 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, two forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles and a blocked punt last season as a junior. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound pass rusher played a huge role in helping his team to a 10-2 record and its first playoff berth in school history and hit the recruiting map late in January, when North Carolina became the first program to offer Walker. Since that time, 34 other programs have offered Walker.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/colleges/michigan/post?id=12262 Tue, 21 May 2013 07:50:31 EDT 12262 Last year, Josh Fenn was walking home from General Johnnie Wilson Middle School when Lorain (Ohio) football coach Mark Solis drove by. The 15-year coach saw a budding talent just in passing and stopped the car. A few months later, Fenn was playing organized football for the first time with the Titans, and college coaches are now the ones looking twice. At 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, Fenn is projected to grow to 6-7 as his body fills out. As far as filling out goes in terms of a resume, the Buckeyes and Wolverines are the way-too-early leaders for the freshman, who is being recruited to play tackle at the college level.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/colleges/michigan/post?id=12241 Mon, 20 May 2013 11:15:18 EDT 12241 Ohio State already had started paying more competitive salaries for assistant coaches before Urban Meyer arrived in November 2011. But when Meyer and athletic director Gene Smith sat down to discuss staff pay, Smith soon realized he needed to do more. "I think Michigan had stepped up with their coordinators," Smith recalled last week during Big Ten spring meetings in Chicago. "So we were already going to that before Urban Meyer came, but we bumped it up a little more.]]> http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/colleges/michigan/post/_/id/12235/b1g-assistant-coach-salaries-on-the-rise Mon, 20 May 2013 09:00:46 EDT 12235