MIKE WEBER SEES THE KHAKI ASSASSIN
Today's big story involves another big-time Buckeye commitment who has been widely speculated about but rarely heard from. Detroit Cass Tech running back
Mike Weber reportedly met Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh today, a meeting that will serve as Harbaugh's "in-home" visit with the country's 9th-ranked tailback. Weber, who spent the weekend in Columbus celebrating Ohio State's national championship, continues to tell Ohio State all the right things privately and says nothing — to anyone — publicly.
Last night, prior to the visit with Weber, Michigan offered Grayslake, Illinois running back
Titus Booker, a Wisconsin commitment and three-star back who has since scheduled an official visit to Ann Arbor for this coming weekend. This morning, Michigan offered Shreveport, Louisiana's
Orlando Bradford, an Arizona commitment, who immediately said "thanks, but no thanks" to the Maize and Blue. Initially, my thoughts were that perhaps this visit was a last ditch effort by Harbaugh, one where he'd lay out Michigan's final pitch and push for an official visit or a flip, and if Weber
still rebuked them, they'd part ways and Michigan would aggressively attempt to flip Booker.
Reports from the Michigan side regarding today's visit with Weber were immediately (and predictably) positive and one well-connected Michigan analyst suggested that Weber
would flip to the Wolverines at some point prior to signing day. Ohio State, on the other hand, remains
very confident that Weber sticks with the Buckeyes. Again, as Weber is not talking to anyone on the record,
everything you hear or read about his decision is mere conjecture from people who are paid to have slanted opinions.
My take, from as unbiased a perspective as I can offer, is that people are
assuming Weber will flip to Michigan because he's from Michigan and was committed to the Wolverines. I personally believe that many are underestimating how much Weber likes — and has liked for a
long time — the Buckeyes. I've said before that people very close to Weber indicated to me over the summer that Ohio State was his first choice even prior to committing to Michigan, but with
Damien Harris looming for the Buckeyes Michigan was the
business decision he made in August. I often speak of "head or heart" decisions and usually it's heart that wins out, I just (and now
I'm best-guessing based on what I've observed and been told) think that people are reading Weber's decision backwards. No matter how close he is proximity-wise to Michigan, he'scloser
relationship-wise to the Buckeyes and their coaching staff, which has been a consistent force in his recruitment, an advantage over Michigan's staff.
There are many people saying that because his decision is "difficult" it must mean he's leaning towards Michigan and I vehemently disagree. That's the easy choice. The difficult decision is doing what he feels is best for him and his future when it directly conflicts with advice and urging of friends, family and coaches surrounding him daily. The hard thing to do is to say "no" to everyone telling him what he should with his life. As I read it — and again I could be
completely off base — the decision to remain quiet and hear out Michigan fans, coaches and others is to avoid further backlash and pressure leading up to signing day. Maybe he visits Michigan this weekend and gives them another last chance to change his
heart, but I'm going down with the ship: Weber sticks with the Buckeyes.
