No pictures of Claypool or Kelly so instead enjoy some gratuitous Harbaugh [Bill Rapai]
I attended the Sound Mind Sound Body camp at Dakota High School last Friday and had the chance to speak with a number of Michigan commits and targets. Today’s interviews include Chase Claypool, whom the Michigan coaches were keeping a very close eye on, and Xavier Kelly, a Michigan target and U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection.
Chase Claypool, 2016 WR
Adam: How do you feel you did on the field today?
Claypool: Pretty good. I’ve got to work on my press release. I tried to get as many reps as I could but there were so many people, but it was a good learning experience most of all so pretty good.
Adam: What kind of feedback did you get from the coaches?
Claypool: Work your arms and different techniques, and just keep it up. Be physical.
Adam: As far as Michigan goes, who’s involved in recruiting you? [It was windy. He must not have heard the first part of the question. Such is life.]
Claypool: Oregon, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Rutgers.
Adam: Who are the Michigan coaches that have been talking to you?
Claypool: Jim and Jay Harbaugh, and then Jedd Fisch. I got a chance to visit two days ago or yesterday and I met the whole staff there.
Adam: How did the visit go?
Claypool: It was really good. I got to hang out with some players there, two of the players, Moe [Ways] and Ian [Bunting], so that was good.
Adam: What else did you do on your visit?
Claypool: I took a tour, saw the field, saw the facility, and saw the business building because that’s what I think I want to take so that was really nice. We went out to eat to that Cuban burger place.
Adam: Frita Batidos?
Claypool: Yeah, yeah!
Adam: What was your impression after the visit?
Claypool: It was more building a relationship between the staff and the players and me, so the visit was really good but the relationship building was a lot better. Oh, and I walked through the tunnel and went on the field.
Adam: What would you say is the coaching staff’s recruiting style?
Claypool: It’s less serious. It’s more laid back. They want you to feel comfortable with them, so they don’t just want to talk about football and this is what you’ve got to do and this is what we want to see. It’s more like how’s your mom doing, how are things at home…more personal, in a good way.
Adam: How did you feel you fit in with the players?
Claypool: I clicked with those two players really well, so I feel like it’d be a nice fit. They’re all really nice.
Adam: What are your plans for the rest of summer?
Claypool: I have a couple camps coming up and then in July I don’t have anything booked so I might take a couple unofficial visits if I can get the money.
Adam: Where else would you like to visit?
Claypool: The places that I haven’t visited yet and that I’m not going to go any camps there, so probably Tennessee and Mississippi State…maybe a couple Pac 12 schools like Arizona and stuff.
[After THE JUMP: Xavier Kelly]
Xavier Kelly, 2016 WDE
Adam: How do you feel you did out there today?
Kelly: I feel I did pretty good. You know, there’s a lot of competition. I love to compete so I just had a great time.
Adam: What kind of feedback were you getting from the coaches?
Kelly: They were just changing up my stance a little bit and tweaking my little mistakes.
Adam: What does it mean to have this many coaching staffs here?
Kelly: It’s great. It just gives you more motivation to go harder.
Adam: How would you describe the Michigan coaching staff? What kind of feeling do you get from them when you talk to them?
Kelly: They’re not going to sell you a dream. They’re going to be honest with you, so that’s what I like. And I feel like I can trust them.
Adam: I just saw you talking to coach Mattison a little bit. What’s your relationship like with him?
Kelly: He’s not going to sell you a dream either. He’s a real cool coach and he seems like he knows what he’s talking about.
Adam: As for this summer, what other visits do you have planned and what goals do you have?
Kelly: I’m actually going to Michigan tomorrow [the 13th], and then I’m going to go to a lot of other schools too.
Adam: Anything else you want to do before next season starts?
Kelly: Oh yeah, I’m going to have a top five.