Offensive lineman Chris Bryant commits to play for Michigan football team
Chris Bryant committed to play for the Michigan football team during a press conference at Chicago Simeon High School, according to multiple reports.
Bryant, a 6-foot-3, 339-pound offensive guard is a 4-star recruit according to Rivals.com and earned 3-star status from Scout.com and ESPN.com.
He chose Michigan over Arizona, Illinois and Pittsburgh on Friday night, according to ESPNChicago.com and Michigan recruiting sites The Wolverine and GoBlueWolverine.com.
Rivals.com lists Bryant as the No. 19 offensive tackle in the nation and the sixth-best prospect in the state of Illinois.
Pittsburgh became a late addition to Bryant’s list of potential colleges when former Michigan offensive coordinator Calvin Magee and recruiting coordinator Tony Gibson - who initiated Bryant’s recruitment to Michigan - joined the Panthers’ staff.
Bryant joins Tony Posada (6-6, 315) of Tampa, Fla., as the only offensive linemen in the 2011 recruiting class. Traverse City West lineman Jake Fisher (6-7, 270) committed to the Wolverines in July, but re-opened his recruitment after Rich Rodriguez was fired.
Fisher still lists Michigan among his favorites, along with Michigan State, Florida and Oregon.
Bryant is the 17th member of the class and its fifth 4-star recruit, along with defensive end Brennen Beyer, defensive back Blake Countess, tailback Justice Hayes and defensive back Raymon Taylor.
Comments
missionbrazil
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 3:18 p.m.
And yet more good news. Welcome to UM Chris, where good football players and men of character are once again made. The good news just keeps coming with BH and this great staff. Next year's recruiting is going to be fun to watch. I bet if the NCAA announced that Charles Woodson had another year of eligibility and he came back to UM to play, the same 2 or 3 negative "UM fans" would still come up with negative comments (ie "he's too old" or "he doesn't know the college game anymore" or ....)
Keith
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:40 p.m.
Make Way!!!! Top 25 here we go!!
81wolverine
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:31 p.m.
Welcome to Michigan, Mr. Bryant! Great choice. He has a lot of potential, but like most H.S. players will need to work on conditioning and technique for a year or two. He should be a hard player for opposing defenders to deal with in a few years. Also, getting a player from a powerhouse H.S. like Simeon in Chicago is big. He is good friends with a player who Michigan really wants in next year's class. And I guess they have a good QB too there. Down the road, having a relationship with a Div. 1 player factory like Simeon will help Michigan.
Theo212
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.
Citrus a lock, When you pound the rock. Switch to The Pistol, And win The Crystal.
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.
It's real simple, I don't wet my pants over any coach or player that has not head coached or played a down at Mich. If you want to wet your pants over these types by all means go for it. About one out of one hundred of these big kids (6' 3") really become dynamic now if he does then I say good but if he doesn't it won't surprise me. With that much weight I'd like to see him a bit taller well actually, quite a bit taller.
tulsatom
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 1:53 p.m.
A few commenters on this site have claimed that players don't come to a school like U-M because of their desire to go pro some day. I have always maintained that having a pipeline to the pros is very important for a school's recruiting efforts in addition to getting a top education and a winning tradition. Here is an excerpt from Bryant as to why he chose Michigan: " When you get a scholarship to play college football, you plan on going to that next level (NFL). My goal is to make it to the next level. I definitely need somebody that can help me do it because I cannot do it by myself."
Kurt
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 1:37 p.m.
I am not sure who wrote this but they really should have checked themselves. "Bryant joins Tony Posada (6-6, 315) of Tampa, Fla., as the only offensive linemen in the 2011 recruiting class." If they even bothered to check the link "Michigan football recruiting commitments" they have at the end of the story they would have seen - Jack Miller OL (6-4, 275) Toledo St. John's Jesuit. He was rated at three stars and had a lot of offers from big schools ("Miller amassed an impressive list of offers for a three-star prospect, including Boston College, Cincinnati, Illinois, Michigan State, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Stanford, and West Virginia, to go along with interest from Notre Dame and Ohio State."). Jack is expected to take over at center for David Molk, so yeah center is offensive linemen.
Blu n Tpa
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 1:15 p.m.
@DH et al I haven't seen anyone writing that Michigan is winning football games here. Who "went after them initially" isn't the point. It's bringing them into the fold and COACHING them up to play successful Michigan football, that's the objective. Iowa and Wisconsin are successful because they get players that are coachable and have heart. Just think how much better the team can be if the players have greater talent from the start. I agree this isn't winning football games but it's winning football fans hearts and minds, which is needed greatly right now at Michigan. Please remember, there are those who said this hire, this late in the recruiting process, was going to kill this class. That's not even debateable any more. #28 TiM Go Blue!
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.
Well one thing for sure, when we see Hoke coach his first game at Mich. as head coach questions will be answered. Let's be fair with this coach we've got to give him 3-5 years at least.
Dankston Hughez
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:59 p.m.
Everyone is giving Hoke all the praise for recruiting when Rodriguez and the coaches are the ones that went after them initially. Hoke is just playing follow up and getting them to commit under the new regime. Go Blue, but enough with the recruiting status, lets talk between the lines. We still have a lot of growing pains. Go Blue!!!
1st Down
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:28 p.m.
Coach Hoke has really done a great job filling this class with players to fit needs. There is a nice mix of physical kids, talented kids and players who could do very well here in the new system. By all accounts, he has been criss-crossing the country recruiting, as has his staff and he is working very very very hard on this class. This is very inspiring as our new coach will not rest for a moment until Michigan football gets back to the top again. Im impressed by his coaching staff, their dedication and also their loyalty to Hoke and the program. This all bodes very well for the future of the program. Brandon made the right hire. Go Blue.
clarklaker
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:41 p.m.
Great post you just stole my thunder.With a recruiting effort like this you have to be excited about what they are going to put on the field. After all this is michigan
Blu n Tpa
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:20 p.m.
And right on time. I guess we wont have to run a double reverse, fake "Statue of Liberty", fleaflicter, with a tackle eligible the next time Michigan goes for it on 4th and one. How can "anyone" know what can of shape this kid is in? Based on what? (Unless you're hanging out in high school locker rooms.) He's a four star offensive linemen wanted by P10 and BT schools. And COACH Hoke and staff wanted him. That's good enough for me. This was a great job of recruiting and the Michigan staff has been busting their butts trying to do what so many said couldn't be done: Save this class and bring quallity players in with less than a month to go before NSD. Well, the problem with recruiting is there is always another player that you need to get. Coaches, go get UM some more football players. As the new recruiting coordinator said, "There's no excuses, this is Michigan". Go Blue!
Mick
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 5:45 a.m.
What's up Jaysham, good to see your posts today bro. I wanted to mention something I forgot earlier, Did you guys see Mr. Charles Woodson in his press conference today? Guess what he was wearing, yes you're right, a beautiful Blue M Polo Shirt w/a Block M on it. How cool is it that a player who won the Heisman for us and will probably be in the NFL Hall of Fame one day and is in The Super Bowl donning our gear, oh the madness!!! During the last week of recruiting to boot. I bet that is a shout out to our new coaching staff. Thanks a bunch Charles, I love you man!! Go Blue!!!
Mick
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:59 p.m.
No Dusty I didn't miss Super Bowl XXXI, where Desmond won the MVP, yeah what about it dude? What does that have to do w/the present? BTW, just to let you know about remembering a particular Super Bowl or not, I can tell you the score of every Super Bowl ever played at the top of my head, thank you. Next question?
D21
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:59 p.m.
Mick, Cool tidbit about Woodson! Thks, GO BLUE!
Blu n Tpa
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : noon
Mick, Great insight and analysis on what CW's motivation was. You can BET that BH and the other members of the new Michigan Brain Trust will use it in the next 4 days. And, no one of note has made a single negative comment about this latest committment. Their silence is deafening. TiM Go Blue!
Dusty
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 8:02 a.m.
Did you maybe miss Super Bowl 31?
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 5:20 a.m.
Huge addition, literally and figuratively. Now, let's round out that class by retaining Fisher, and picking up Clark, Willingham, Rawls, and dare we hope for defensive tackle Darian Cooper?
81wolverine
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
Agree on all those guys. Darian Cooper is in Ann Arbor today my sources tell me. That hopefully portends well for Michigan right before signing day. Cooper would be a big key pickup if we can convince him to come here, as good defensive tackles are an absolute key to building a good defense. And good ones like Cooper are hard to find. Let's hope Hoke and Mattison work their magic with him.
Mick
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 5:03 a.m.
Chris Bryant is a great addition certainly. A few more studs at the right positions to round out the class to set us on the path of future top 10 recruiting classes like the days of the past, where we earned our historical prominence, not this last 3 year anomoly we had to endure. What a great 10 days or so we've had recently. Both Men's and Women's Basketball teams winning on the road, MSU & OSU respectively. Tonite the Wrestling team just whipped OSU in C'Bus and the 7 recruits we've gotten. I love it!! With Hoke being in these guys ear all season about our rivals, they're gonna be so psyched to kick you know what. Oh I can't wait. Go Blue!!
Jaysham
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 5:30 a.m.
It's just a good vibe going on right now and I'm enjoying every bit of it. I can't wait to see the results on the field this year and Hoke will have the kids ready for the season and most important our rivals. GO BLUE!
1st Down
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 4:26 a.m.
Welcome to Michigan Chris! Excellent choice. This kid is a monster with a non stop mota'. This Is Michigan. Excited about playing some power football up front once again.
Jim Nazium
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 4:22 a.m.
Beef, it's what's for dinner. Gotta love seeing all these kids signing on, I feel the confidence in the air. Welcome to Michigan young man! Go Blue!!!
DonAZ
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 3:28 a.m.
And I promise you it is *not* the allure of razzle-dazzle gimmick football that's getting these kids to come to Michigan. All young men *yearn* to be challenged, to achieve more than might on their own achieve. It seems Hoke is going in to these kids' homes and selling not the prospect of "crystal" as some on this site offer, but the site to become *men* of character and fortitude. THAT is the appeal; THAT is what is drawing them in. Hoke preaches that message with conviction because he *believes* it. Michigan appears to be back in good hands.
D21
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
The Don & JaySham, Good postings and yep, Theo better cool it with his crystallized 'crystal' obsession. But we all know that Theo has been plastering the 'Hoke Is It" posters all over his dungeon walls and already bought 5 years worth of UM football season tix. Admit it, Theo :)
Jaysham
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 3:36 a.m.
Amen DonAZ I agree 110% and I wonder to myself about the so called reference to the almighty "king" and his spread will bring plenty of "Crystal" to Ann Arbor I'm so glad we don't have Rich Rod around no more cause I was starting to think that T212 was really talking about meth because his comments were downright delusional.
Jaysham
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:46 a.m.
Nice pick up for the big blue. This class will end up in the Top 25 when its all said and done and Hoke and his staff have really done some street hustle to get kids to commit and for keeping current kids to stay on board when alot of people were freaking out when the "King" was shown the door. Just think what this staff is going to be able to do with a full year to recruit and when they show what a well coached team can do on the field come this fall. One other thing that I'm not going to miss from the former coaching staff is the sideline meltdowns and who can forget the sideline fiasco in the 08 UM-OSU game when Charles Stewart had to be restrained by other players and Barwis from going after Tony Gibson by the way is the worst DB/STC in the history of college football. Thank you David Brandon for making us true Michigan fans excited and heading down the right path for sucess for the foreseeable future. GO BLUE!!!
Gwhizz
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:40 a.m.
Welcome to Michigan! GO BLUE!!!
azwolverine
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:39 a.m.
6-3, 339 lb, 4-Star O-Lineman...THAT's Michigan football! Time to pound the rock. Way to go Coach Hoke! Welcome aboard, Chris Bryant! It's GREAT to be a Michigan Wolverine!!! Go Blue!
Jaysham
Sat, Jan 29, 2011 : 2:48 a.m.
Rivals has him listed as 6'5 and 330. Either way very good pick up for the team and the staff is doing work. GO BLUE!