From the road: Insider notes on On300 Michigan OL target Michael Uini
*** On300 Copperas Cove (Texas) High offensive tackle Michael Uini has not released an official top schools list. However, he told me he is down to a final six of Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Texas. Every school on the list except Texas is set to receive an official visit. Alabama will be the lone school to host him mid-week. Remember, Michigan is set to get him on campus on June 16 for Victors Weekend. Georgia will receive his final OV the following weekend. Uini is currently looking to make a decision on Sept. 9, which is his mother’s birthday. Uini hasn’t completely locked that in, but that is the plan as things stand right now.
*** Obviously, Michigan is competing against all southern schools in this recruitment. But it is important to note that Uini isn’t a true Texan. He was actually born in Washington and spent the majority of his life in the Pacific Northwest before briefly moving to Georgia and ultimately, Texas. I do think being close to his family is important to him. However, Uini does seem very open to all of his finalists. Even his high school coach told me that he wouldn’t be surprised to see him land at any of the six schools. Uini made it clear to me that distance will not be a factor. He also added that climate will have nothing to do with his decision, either.
*** So what will be those big factors? Relationships and development. Michigan is coming off back-to-back Joe Moore Awards, which has really moved the needle with Uini. He knows that if he ends up at Michigan, he will be developed in the strength and conditioning program and on the field under the guidance of Sherrone Moore. No team in college football is having more offensive line success than Michigan. Moore has also done a fantastic job with relationship building. He’s seen Uini twice this spring and is making him feel like a top priority. Moore has also impressed Uini’s father. The two made an unofficial visit to Michigan in January. Now, it will be up to Moore and company to impress Uini’s mother, who will be making her first trip to Ann Arbor on the OV. Getting her stamp of approval is crucial.
*** Overall, it’s to gauge a true order when it comes to Uini’s list. However, it’s clear that Michigan is a very real dark horse in this recruitment. Yes, Michigan already has five offensive line commits, and other schools have negative recruited the Wolverines in that regard. Uini isn’t fazed. He told me that he embraces the competition and believes he can be a cornerstone for Michigan in the trenches. Uini has also bonded well with some of the offensive line commits, including Blake Frazier, who is an hour down the highway. Uini also listed Luke Hamilton as another commit making a big impression on him. A lot will be decided on his official visits.
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