G.J. McCarthy/The Dallas Morning News

2016 Satellite Camp Tour Recap: Atlanta

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

Jim Harbaugh and the majority of the staff made their way down to my neck of the woods for the 4th stop of the 2016 summer of satellite camps. And I made my way down I-20 to check out the camp in person which was a great experience, especially after talking to several Michigan media members, a couple recruits and a handful of awesome Wolverines fans.

Here are some of my notes from the camp:

  • Jim Harbaugh doesn’t shy away from anything. He showed up in his Hank Aaron jersey, huge smile on his face and didn’t stop having fun all day. He answered every question from the media, took a photo with everyone who asked and even spent time discussing his time with Migos with multiple recruits after the camp was over:
  • Holy Michigan fan base, Batman. A large group of Michigan fans and alumni showed up to the camp and looked to be having a great time. That included several Twitter followers of mine who were great guys. Several recruits even mentioned how crazy it was that UM fans are everywhere. 
  • Celebrities are always around. Jim Harbaugh is turning Michigan into a USC of the midwest in terms of celebrities being around the program whenever possible. Today, it was Hank Aaron and former Michigan wrestler and pro wrestling superstar Scott Steiner.
  • Kirby Smart’s helicopter arrival/departure didn’t go as planned. The Georgia coach was one of the last coaches to get to the camp and was one of the first to leave after just a couple hours. All of this happened via his helicopter, which is pretty awesome. However, when he arrived and when he left, the recruits were on the field doing drills. Not sure if he hoped for the recruits to see it or not but, if so, I don’t think that happened.
  • Standouts. As for the campers, there were a handful of guys who stood out to me, including:
    • 2017 QB Jelani Woods
      • Woods looks the part. He’s a legit 6’6”, is filled out and has a hell of an arm. Michigan offered him in the past but he’s committed to Oklahoma State (who had a coach fly out to see him at the camp).
    • 2017 OG Netori Johnson
      • Talk about seeing a legit top prospect in person. Johnson is a monster and showed off his athleticism and power throughout the camp. He cruised to a win in the 125 yard sprint and then showed off his power throughout the offensive line drills. Throughout the camp, he was also surrounded by Michigan coaches, including Tim Drevno.
      • He’s committed to Georgia* but looks like he really took to the Michigan coaches. If they continue to push for him, they may get an official visit out of him.
    • 2017 QB Legend Brumbaugh
      • Woods may have been the most impressive looking quarterback but Brumbaugh impressed me most on the field. He shared the field goal passing competition put on by Harbaugh and made strong, accurate throws throughout the day.
    • 2018 ATH Cam Taylor 
      • Taylor has held a Michigan offer for awhile now and has looked like a good bet to end up choosing Michigan in the end. It’s still very early but from the look of him on the field and after talking with him, UM is still in good shape. He let me know he’ll be taking visits to Alabama and Florida State this summer but is expecting to get up to Ann Arbor again.
      • He still talks with his former teammate and UM freshmen, Kingston Davis, who has been telling him nothing but great things about Michigan. If the staff keeps pushing for Taylor throughout, they should have as good of a chance as anyone to land him.

Funniest Moment 

  • 2017 OT Tony Gray
    • One of the funniest moments of the camp came when Gray and Harbaugh were talking during a water break. Gray told Harbaugh to recruit him harder right in front of Gray’s mother who Harbaugh then made sure to go over and speak with. It’s unknown if Michigan will pick up their pursuit of Gray and offer but he is clearly open to the Wolverines.

Besides my brutal farmers tan sun burn, the camp looked to be a big time success. From the celebrities on the sidelines to the recruits on the field, Michigan left their mark on Atlanta.

Photo Credit: G.J. McCarthy/The Dallas Morning News

Garrett Fishaw
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