Michigan made a strong impression on one of its surprise weekend guests, as Rabun Gap (Ga.) Rabun Gap-Nacoochee 2028 four-star linebacker Jay Schell came away from Saturday night’s opener talking like a recruit who had found plenty to like in Ann Arbor.
Schell, a 6-foot-3, 214-pound linebacker, did not originally plan to make the trip. But after a conversation with linebackers coach Alex Whittingham, he decided to head to Michigan for the game - and the visit clearly paid off.
“The visit to Michigan was awesome,” Schell told The Michigan Insider. “I really enjoyed my trip to the Big House!
My family and I kept waiting for the game to break open and for Michigan to pull away, but Western Michigan wouldn't back down and go away. You really have to give it to them.
The quarterback for Western played great. The ending was probably the craziest ending I've ever seen.
Some of the coaches told me after the game that in all their years of coaching it was their first walk off Hail Mary win, so I would say the game and atmosphere was a highlight for sure. I know Michigan is a better team than maybe they showed on Saturday.
I would also say meeting Coach Whitt and spending time with him before the game was a highlight. We got to sit with him before the game and spend some good time with him.
He is a great coach and a legend for all his success at Utah, so it was great to finally meet him and hear from him how he believes I'm a great fit for his program. Also, the hospitality and love all the coaches and staff showed me and my family was a highlight.”
For Michigan, the visit gave the staff a chance to make an impression on a rising prospect who wasn’t even expecting to be in town. For Schell, it was the kind of first look that can change a recruit’s view of a program in a hurry.
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