Even though the basketball game didn’t go the way Michigan fans would’ve liked, there were plenty of recruits on hand and the football coaches still used the opportunity to show the underclassmen around campus. That interaction led to two new offers going out on Sunday to 2016 offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg and 2017 offensive lineman Josh Myers.
Name: Liam Eichenberg
Position: Offensive Tackle
Ht/Wt: 6’5" / 275 lbs.
Location: St. Ignatius High School (2016) – Cleveland, OH
Offers: Michigan, Ohio State
St. Ignatius is a big time program in Ohio boasting multiple state championships and even a few national titles. Michigan’s most recent coup from St. Ignatius is Jake Ryan and while he’s easily the most notable alumnus, Michigan has recruited Wildcats since the late 1960s. The Wolverines offered Liam Eichenberg in hopes that he could become the next Wolverine from the storied high school.
Eichenberg spoke of his special moment, spanning three generations of his family.
I was taken into a separate room right before the basketball game with my dad, my grandpa, and Coach Hoke. Coach Hoke told me that he and his staff took a long time evaluation my film and really liked what I do. He told me that he really liked the program that I come from and how I’m dedicated to football and academics.
Liam now holds two offers, Ohio State and Michigan. As an Ohio recruit you always expect the Buckeyes to be a factor but Liam told me that he did not grow up a Buckeye fan and that he still doesn’t even have a team that he pulls for.
Liam spent most of his time with Coach Mattison as he toured campus and the facilities and he came away more than impressed.
The indoor practice facility was insane! I loved all of the coaches too. Michigan is just overall amazing. It felt a lot like St. Ignatius.
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Name: Josh Myers
Position: Offensive Lineman (unspecified)
Ht/Wt: 6'5" / 275 lbs.
Location: Miamisburg High School (2017) – Miamisburg, OH
Offers: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan
FILM
Josh Myers became the first 2017 recruit to receive a Michigan offer today while he was visiting Ann Arbor. As a freshman in high school Myers already holds five offers spanning the Big Ten, SEC, and MAC. Myers could barely contain his excitement when he spoke of his latest offer.
Well I got there and as soon as I walked in the door I talked to Coach Funk and then Coach Hoke came by and we talked for probably 45 minutes. The coaches and me and my parents were all just talking and Coach Hoke casually told me that they were offering me a scholarship! I was shocked honestly, I wasn’t expecting it all. It made tears come to my eyes.
As usual the coaches have made a phenomenal first impression on a recruit. Josh couldn’t stop iterating the family feel and genuineness that the coaches possess.
The best way for me to describe it was just a real home type of feeling. The coaches preached about how academics come first and about how they are not just there to make us a better football player, but better people too. Also the facilities were incredible.
With Myers being an Ohio kid as well you almost have to assume that he grew up loving the Buckeyes, but I found out that that wasn’t necessarily the case.
I didn’t grow up a Buckeye fan, but the recruiting process has changed my view of colleges. It’s hard to really dislike certain schools especially once you get to meet the coaches and see what great people they are.
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The lone commitment of the 2016 class, Erik Swenson, spent some time with both new offerees and he feels pretty good about both.
I didn’t talk to Liam as much but he is quiet and seems like a good kid. He definitely enjoyed today, but I think he wants to visit a lot of other schools so.
Swenson was able to get a much better feel from Josh as they sat next to each other for the entire basketball game.
Josh is very intelligent and very friendly. I think with Josh it’s going to come down to Michigan and Kentucky. His dad and his brother both played at Kentucky so they’ll be in it. I really think he’s going more with Michigan though. His dad REALLY liked his visit today.
Once again the coaches have killed the first impression portion of recruiting these two young men. Michigan as a school, the facilities, and the history of the program all sell themselves, but these coaches take it to another level when it comes to creating a welcoming environment. It genuinely sounds like Michigan will be in it with both of these early offered linemen.