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Posted on Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 2:37 p.m.

Michigan football cornerback recruit Blake Countess committed to the school, not necessarily the coach

By Pete Cunningham

Cornerback Blake Countess is unlikely to waver in his commitment to the Michigan football program in the wake of a coaching change, his high school coach says.

Countess, who wasn’t recruited by the Wolverines until his senior season at Our Lady Good Counsel in Olney, Md., did talk with his coach, Bob Milloy, about Rich Rodriguez’s job status well before he was fired on Jan. 5.

“I said, ‘There are rumors that coach (Rodriguez) could get fired,’ and he said it wouldn’t have an effect,” Milloy said. “He said he picked Michigan because of the school and after he visited, he fell in love with it. Last I spoke with him, Michigan was at the top of the list.”

Countess, who stands 5 feet, 10 inches and weighs 170 pounds, reiterated that a coaching change at Michigan wouldn’t effect his decision in an interview while at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Milloy hasn’t spoke with Countess since the game, with took place Jan. 8, or since Brady Hoke was hired, but said that Penn State was the only other school Countess had any interest in besides Michigan.

At the U.S. Army All-American game, the opposition did not complete a pass to any receiver covered by Countess, and quarterbacks didn’t throw in his direction much, which was no surprise to Milloy.

“What you’re going to get from him is he’s a lockdown corner, started both ways for me, and if you don’t keep an eye on him, he’ll run a punt or kickoff back,” Milloy said. “He’s a very reliable, dependable kid, a good character person … a good, solid citizen, great kid, and good football player.”

Rivals.com rates Countess as the 13th-best cornerback prospect and the No. 2 player in Maryland.

Comments

Nomad

Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 2:01 p.m.

Terrible headline. It infers that he isn't sure if he wants to play for Coach Hoke.

Amaiz'nblu

Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 1:34 a.m.

Greg Mattison hired as DC! Great news for michgan especially with the list of defensive recruits wavering commitments, and visitors coming in the next couple weeks!

Matt

Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 12:01 a.m.

This kid has crazy potential!

Joe

Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 11:29 p.m.

Blu - you are absolutely right...nothing is in stone until the fat lady sings, and she doesn't sing until they sign.

1st Down

Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.

Countess has potential, could use another 25 lbs though on his frame to have a shot at competiting in the Big Ten.

Blu n Tpa

Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 8:36 p.m.

This is the same as looking for a coach. There's a lot of talk, a bunch of head fakes and disinformation but nothing matters until the young men sign the papers. So lets stay positive, trust in the coaches and wait to see what happens. I'm hoping for a Top 25 finish based on player reactions, like keeping DRob, the chance to play early in their college careers, especially on the "D", and there's stability at the top of the program for the forseeable future, with the Coach Hoke. And, it's still Michigan. Go Blue!

J. Dean

Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 7:09 p.m.

That article title is a bit misleading. It gives the impression that the recruit isn't sure of Hoke, but no such assertion is made in the interview.