McGuffie excited about changes in Ann Arbor
SAN ANTONIO - Cypress (Texas) Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie is the type of player who excels when he can get the ball in space and make people miss. So when new Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez told McGuffie the Wolverines might implement more of a spread offense like Rodriguez used at West Virginia it was good news to the 6-foot, 188-pound recruit.
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"He was just like, 'You've seen what Noel Devine has done and Steve Slaton, fast guys like that. We can get you the ball like that and incorporate you the same way.' That will be good. Just get me in space and let me shake some people."
McGuffie visited Michigan in late September and said he was blown away by the atmosphere in Ann Arbor. Texas A&M finished second in the sweepstakes and McGuffie said he has also called new Aggies coach Mike Sherman recently but that he is solidly committed to the Wolverines. One of the main reasons why Michigan is so strong is because he has developed a solid relationship with running backs coach Fred Jackson.
"They have great players, they have great coaches, they have great fans, everything," McGuffie said of Michigan. "The biggest of everything. I went to the Penn State-Michigan game and the fans were just crazy. I was walking by and they were throwing things at me saying, 'Sign it.' There were towels and jerseys and helmets. When I ran away they'd keep walking around the stadium with me. It was pretty crazy."
McGuffie finished with 1,711 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on 205 carries this season. He had 3,121 yards and 43 scores on 358 touches as a junior. Rivals.com rates him as the 10th best all-purpose back nationally and the No. 12 player in the Texas top 100 of 2008.
McGuffie said Southern California, Miami, Florida, Iowa State and others are recruiting him but he is firm in his commitment. He said no other visits are planned. This week, he's looking to interact with some of the nation's other top running backs.
"I'm nervous but mostly excited," he said. "I want to see players like Darrell Scott and Covaughn Deboskie and a lot of my friends."