Frosh RB surprised by U-M
Freshman running back Todd Sibley grew up an Ohio State fan in Akron, Ohio, so the experience he had after a recent recruiting visit to the Buckeyes' archrival Michigan surprised even him.
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"I was always an Ohio State fan, as is my father," Sibley said. "I was always kind of rooting against Michigan. When we were driving home all we could do was look at each other and laugh. We were like, 'We just turned into complete Michigan fans.'"
Sibley and his father drove down to Michigan on Saturday for a Wolverine's junior day.
"When we got there they had our jerseys waiting for us," Sibley said. "That was the best part - getting to wear a Michigan jersey with your number on it."
Sibley's visit consisted of attending a Michigan basketball game and meeting with the coaching staff.
"Greg Mattison, the defensive coordinator, told me they were planning to recruit me really hard so to keep doing well in the football field as well as in the classroom," Sibley said. "They preach winning. At the end of the day their goal is to get to the Rose Bowl and hard work, hard work, hard work. That's what really got to me.
"One of the things they told me that really hit me was how football is a business and it is a complete change from high school to college. That opened my eyes, and it will come down to who will give me the best chance to succeed in the future. I'll have to make that decision later in life."
The 5-foot-11, 188-pound Sibley is just a freshman with three years remaining before he signs a letter of intent. Still, Michigan is not the only school showing interest in the class of 2017 prospect.
"I have been keeping in contact with Florida State," Sibley said. "I just got a letter in the mail from them today for the Jimbo Fisher Camp."
As a freshman on varsity for Hoban High this past fall, Sibley totaled 189 carries for 1,201 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Josh Helmholdt is the Midwest Region football recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.
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