Hemingway talks Michigan, Shrine Bowl
SPARTANBURG, S.C.- Michigan verbal commit Junior Hemingway has shown off his elite combination of size and speed this week during practices for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder from Conway (S.C.) High still has some work to do with regards to becoming a more complete receiver, running his routes and learning how to get separation from defensive backs, but you can see that the raw physical potential is there.
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The Rivals250 prospect talked about his verbal commitment to the Wolverines.
"Everything's still solid to Michigan," he said. "I have the chance to get a good education and the football is going to be there and everything. The stadium is great, I've been there."
Early in the recruiting process, the Wolverines had Hemingway in a summer camp before the talented prospect made the position move to full-time receiver. UM liked him and extended him a scholarship offer. That was a big factor in the South Carolina prospect's final decision.
"That was the first team to offer me," Hemingway said. "I hadn't even played wide receiver yet and they offered me and that stuck with me all the way through and made a big impact on my decision."
He also enjoyed following the Wolverines through their 11-1 record and flirtation with a National Championship Game berth this season.
"They had a great season this year," he said. "Next year, we'll have some starters coming back and hopefully, we'll be able to come back and do it one more time."
The commitment of Hemingway marks the second straight year the Wolverines will sign a prospect off the South Carolina Shrine Bowl squad. Michigan got Columbia Richland Northeast defensive lineman Adam Patterson in last year's class.
Hemingway is excited about representing his home state on Saturday. The South Carolina all-stars will tee it up at 1 p.m. against North Carolina in the 70th Shrine Bowl.
"I just want to practice hard and win the game Saturday," he said. "I want to give it our all and may the best team win."
Hemingway has been working against a talented secondary all week in practice, that includes Rivals100 cornerback Gary Gray (committed to Notre Dame) and Rivals250 safety prospects Scotty Cooper (committed to Clemson) and Mark Barnes (will decide between South Carolina and Louisville on Saturday).
"We just went out there and worked hard," he said. "You have to have a competitive spirit when you are out there. Then Saturday, we are going to go out there and try to work some moves on those North Carolina boys."
Hemingway also has enjoyed some of the off-the-field aspects of the event
"I've been having a good time," Hemingway said. "We went to the Shriners Children's Hospital and we talked to all the kids. Having the kids see us, you can see the look in their eyes that they are happy to see you."