The Michigan Insider

Latest Episodes:

Reacting to Jalen Mayfield's departure, Big Ten parent uprising Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

In a two-topic episode, we react to offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield's decision to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft and where Michigan's offensive line goes next, then tackle an apparent uprising from parents and players in the Big Ten and what it could lead to.

Beginning with the Mayfield discussion, we both opine on whether it was a surprising decision. We touch on Mayfield's draft stock, while it feels like he just got to Michigan and what enabled him to make this decision. We also discuss where this leaves the Wolverines, who might be stepping in as right tackle and our confidence level that Michigan can remain a strong unit nationally.

Then, we take a look a week removed at the Big Ten's decision to postpone fall sports, and discuss the groundswell of opposition for the decision from players and coaches. We look at why Michigan is practicing (and why a few players aren't), the merits of canceling or not canceling the fall season and whether we think the protests and petitions will make a difference.

Latest on Donovan Edwards, Daymon David, Negative recruiting Jaydon Hood, Frankie Collins Crystal Balls & more - Michigan Recruiting Insider Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich break down hos the the Big Ten's decision to postpone the football season has impacted the recruitments of Donovan Edwards, MJ Morris, and Thomas Fidone. The crew also discusses southern schools' intensified pursuit of Michigan commits Junior Colson and Jaydon Hood, and a recent development in Daymon David's recruitment that could help Michigan's standing. The football recruiting conversation ends with each staff member picking one prospect he thinks Michigan should offer. Josh Henschke later joins the conversation to preview Frankie Collins' upcoming decision and explain why Michigan is the favorite to land him.

Michigan Recruiting Insider - Big 10's Season Postponement and its likely effect on recruiting Aug 12, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Josh Henschke discuss the the Big Ten's decision to postpone the fall sports season. Was it the right move? It criticism of the transparency of the process warranted? What's the likelihood of a spring football season. The crew then assesses the potential impact on recruiting. Will visits be allowed? How might the answer to that question influence major targets like Donovan Edwards, Rayshaun Benny, Drew Kendall, Frankie Collins, and Harrison Ingram?

Breaking down Michigan's 2020 schedule Aug 05, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we break down the ins and outs of the Michigan football team’s 2020 schedule.

We open by reiterating the schedule for those who missed it, then begin a series of discussions. We take a look at the schedule as a whole, the addition of Northwestern and what we liked about the Big Ten’s emphasis on flexibility in its decisions. Then, we break down some of the other nuances, such as the Wolverines’ tough first three weeks, how that impacts fall camp, Ohio State being midway through the schedule (October 24) and the mental hurdle for having to play games after The Game.

Then, we take a look at some superlatives, including some disagreement on Michigan’s biggest trap game, discussion on which three-game stretch is tougher, which game will Michigan miss fans the most and whether this schedule is more or less favorable than the initial 2020 schedule.

Michigan Basketball Insider - Catching up with Dion Harris, Isaiah Livers Return, & Will There be a Season? Jul 30, 2020

Show notes

Tim and Sam discusses the impact of Isaiah Livers' return on Michigan's standing in the Big Ten race. Later they discuss the likelihood of a college basketball season amid the raging coronavirus pandemic. The duo also catches up with Dion Harris to discuss his early rivalry with Lebron James, why his Michigan teams weren't able to get over the tournament hump, the start of his coaching career, and more.

Paused workouts, recruiting talk and schedule guessing Jul 30, 2020

Show notes

In a roundabout episode, we discuss Michigan's paused workouts, the football team's recruiting and take a stab at figuring out what the Wolverines' 2020 football schedule may look like.

We open by discussing Michigan Athletics' decision to pause voluntary workouts for its ice hockey, field hockey, volleyball and swim and dive teams. We touch on how volatile everything can be in the case of an outbreak, how Michigan is handling it and why the decision should not be binding for the football team, among other topics.

We also discuss football recruiting, looking at the Wolverines' more aggressive approach toward the 2021 and 2022 classes, Giles Jackson's recruiting impact, the difference a quarterback recruit can make and Michigan's unenviable task of trying to close the gap against Ohio State.

We close with speculative talk on the Wolverines' schedule and what it may look like in 2020, in addition to discussing the Wolverines' lack of names in 247Sports' ranking of college football's top 50 players.

Michigan Recruiting Insider - Andrel Anthony, Rayshaun Benny, Ceyair Wright, Shaun Nua, and PG Recruiting Jul 27, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich Discuss the significance of Andrel Anthony's dead period visit to Michigan, plus the latest in the races for Rayshaun Benny and Ceyair Wright, Shaun Nua's recruiting prowess, and Crystal Balling 2022 Db Jaeden Gould. Later Josh Henschke joins the podcast to discuss the latet in point guard recruiting with a couple of targets getting closer to coming off the board.

Hintons take a stand, and should football be delayed? Jul 24, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss Chris and Mya Hinton — parents of Michigan DT Christopher Hinton — speaking up publicly in several national publications about their concerns for the college football season. We also discuss our thoughts on FBS schools' handlings of COVID-19 so far and whether or not the NCAA should delay the season.

The Hintons' comments are discussed first, as we break down their parent coalition, them providing a voice for so many concerned parents and more thoughts on what they had to say. We also discuss the NCAA's actions so far, and whether it has been enough.

Then, we discuss the Hintons' broader claim for college football to "pump the brakes," and what college football should do in terms of delaying or modifying the season. Along the way, we also touch on how Michigan, other Big Ten schools and the NCAA have handled things so far, and what it means moving forward.

Michigan Recruiting Insider - Who Leads for Rocco Spindler, Explaining Michigan's Recruiting Strategy, & Basketball Target Update Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich share an updated view of Rocco Spindler's recruitment after attending one his workouts. The crew compares the player development resumes of Ed Warinner and Notre Dame OL coach Jeff Quinn and also takes a deep dive into how U-M's recruiting approach has evolved during the pandemic. The football recruiting chat rounds out with a discussion of Raheem anderson's potential as a player and possible captain. Later Webb and Josh Henschke discuss the latest with basketball recruiting targets Angelo Brizzi, Jaden Akins, and Harrison Ingram.

Drafting Michigan's 2020 football team Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Lorenz and Shaw go back and forth in a snake-style draft, selecting Michigan football players to form teams that face each other.

The draft begins with some usual suspects, with Aidan Hutchinson, Jalen Mayfield and Ambry Thomas serving among the first players picked. From there, the draft proves to be an indictment of which Michigan football players are irreplaceable, and which position groups have wide-open position battles. Among the most coveted players are offensive tackles, defensive backs and linebackers, while quarterbacks and interior offensive linemen fall due to uncertainty over who will start.

The two proceed to draft 26 players apiece — 11 starters on offense and defense, one flex player on each side of the ball and a punter and kicker apiece. Be sure to check out the full teams in the comments section, and weigh in with your opinions on the teams.

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