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Posted on Thu, May 12, 2011 : 10:37 a.m.

Defensive end recruit Matt Godin picks Michigan, according to reports

By Jim Knight

Detroit Catholic Central senior Matt Godin, who says he "grew up a Michigan fan," now is part of the 2012 recruiting class. Godin talked about his decision Thursday morning in an interview on WTKA-AM 1050.

Godin, a 6-foot-6, 265-pound defensive end/defensive tackle, recently told the Flint Journal how he's always looked at the Michigan football program.

"To be honest, I grew up a Michigan fan," he said. "They told me I could come in as a freshman and play right away."

Godin's final college choices came down to Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin, he told MLive.com.

Godin's choice continued some trends in the Wolverines' 2012 recruiting class: A focus on defense -- particularly the front seven -- and beating their in-state rival for athletes in Michigan and Ohio.

According to Rivals.com, Godin is now one of eight verbal commitments to Michigan that also had scholarship offers from Michigan State, joining offensive lineman Ben Braden, defensive end Pharaoh Brown, tight end Devin Funchess, linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone, defensive end Mario Ojemudia, linebacker James Ross and tight end A.J. Williams.

The Spartans have four commitments for the class of 2012 and none of them had offers from Michigan.

All 11 of the commitments came from players from Michigan or Ohio and Godin is the seventh defensive player in the class, all defensive linemen and linebackers.

Comments

OldBittyBates

Thu, May 12, 2011 : 11:05 p.m.

It's hard to understand what makes a 3 star player vs a 4 star. Godin looks tough and packaged to do some major damage. I kind of think he was waiting to see what the Rivals 250 list showed before committing. If he had made the list, Michigan would probably still be looking for his answer. He appears to be a Michigan man, but time will prove his true value. From the film footage I like his chances.

Lorain Steelmen

Thu, May 12, 2011 : 7:37 p.m.

These kids understand that there is a very real posibility of gaining some seroius PT...early on. So good for them! But it's still up to them....I hope an 'aggressive attitude' takes over at UM....lets' call it a 'passion to hit'. Now they'll have to produce, while still being very, VERY young. ('Young' teams can be a bit nerve-raking, but lots of fun to watch..and to coach!) And, if Hoke can make the Dline into a 'force', it 'frees up' the LB's to become head hunters...and... takes pressure off our secondary, who are out there on an island. So far, I like what Hoke is trying to do. .........Focus on title number 43......Go Blue!

UKWolverine

Thu, May 12, 2011 : 7:26 p.m.

Back to being the Leaders and the Best pretty soon!

1st Down

Thu, May 12, 2011 : 6:53 p.m.

I dont know much about Godin... however....When Coach Hoke coached the D Line in the mid 90s on to the early 00s...we had some of our best DLines and best D Linemen develop under his coaching. I trust that Coach Hoke knows a few things about D Linemen and that if he is actively recruiting a DL then chances are that kid is going to be a good player at Michigan.

umgoblue47

Thu, May 12, 2011 : 4:43 p.m.

another huge pickup for michigan. . . this kid is a beast and has been a silent commit since april. it is so good to see sparty not get this kid. the defense will be back sooner then later. . . GO BLUE. . .

missionbrazil

Thu, May 12, 2011 : 4:32 p.m.

Nice to see that we are once again getting quality guys who the better teams wanted, such as OSU, Nebraska, Wiscy, ND, Stanford,... and MSU is now getting the guys that the MAC teams wanted (just like us the last 3 years)

Blu n Tpa

Thu, May 12, 2011 : 3:26 p.m.

DAZ I know and I feel your pain. After this class gets to AA, Michigan opponets will feel THEIR pain. This run of defensive players will eventually help get offensive players to join the fold but having building blocks for the front 7 is a must. All in all you just have to love what's happening in Bo Hall. TiM Go Blue.

DonAZ

Thu, May 12, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.

Dagnabbit! Yet *another* 6'+, 200lb+ player! :-)