Michigan keeps rolling, adds OL Bars to the fold

Posted by Bryan Fischer

Michigan no longer plans to run a fast-paced, spread offense under new coach Brady Hoke, but the Wolverines are running a fast-paced, spread-over-the-country recruiting plan. They continued their recruiting success Sunday, adding the commitment of Nashville (Tenn.) offensive lineman Blake Bars after his second unofficial visit to Ann Arbor.

"Overall I had a great feel for it," Bars told Scout. "I felt like I would fit in well. They have a great program. I really like coach Hoke and his staff. The academic support is there. I also really like the campus. I feel like all three of those things factored into my decision."

Not to be overlooked, a key factor in the 6-foot-5, 275-pound tackle's decision to commit to Michigan was Hoke's ability to convey a sense of family to the out-of-state player.

"While we were up there we sat in coach Hoke's office for 45 minutes," Bars said. "He talked about his philosophy and what he looks for in players. He said he keeps his players in check athletically, academically and off-the-field. He said he would be like a second family to us.

Bars held offers from schools such as Clemson, Florida, Penn State and LSU. His father was a linebacker at Notre Dame; he does not, however, have an offer from the Irish. His older brother is a defensive end for the Nittany Lions, so he certainly has a good college football pedigree.

The verbal pledge from Bars is Michigan's 18th for the class of 2012. He also becomes the fourth offensive lineman to commit to Hoke and the Wolverines.

Jeff Evans