Senior Year Box Set

“If you’re someone with the skills to play two sports at a high level, I’m fine with you doing both. Where I want to have a conversation with a player is when he’s never going to make it on the field. If that’s the case, I would have a problem. From what I’ve heard, you have the skills to play at the next level if everything breaks right for you.”

“If I go out for baseball, it would probably cut into my practice time for spring ball.”

“I understand. While I would rather you make football a priority, I’m not going to make that decision for you. My goal will be to knock the rust off your arm and help you to start learning the offense. Coach Mason called me and said he doesn’t think you’ll have any problems, even with your time off next fall.”

“Coach Mason has helped me a lot. I sometimes forget how lucky I am to have him,” I admitted.

“I do have one last question. Are you, Wolf Tams, and Tim Foresee a package deal?”

“We would like to play ball together,” I confirmed.

“That’s good because I offered both of them based on their own merits. I was a little worried about Tim’s knee, but we’ve watched his first few games, and he looks stronger and faster than we expected. Wolf has the frame, hands, and speed we’re looking for in a tight end. They told me that they planned to go where you go to school. I have to ask: if we offer, will you accept?”

“I still have a couple of schools to check out, but I want you to know that as of right now, I’m inclined to accept your offer. You impressed me when you held a camp at our high school. You have everything I’m looking for. But I do want to remind you that you said I could also play some defense.”

Coach Haber laughed.

“If I forget, I’m sure you’ll remind me,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to playing for the University of Michigan. I expect us to win some national championships.”

“Wait, I thought that was my line,” he said, and then got serious. “We’re excited to have you. I wish you were here now. I know my coaches are eager to get you on campus.”

We left his office, and Cassidy gave it away. Dad and I’d kept our faces neutral. I explained to everyone that I hadn’t officially committed, but that Michigan was leading.

Dad reminded me that I’d promised to tell Oklahoma and Wisconsin if they were out of the picture. If Wisconsin had an architecture program for Tim, I might have committed to them. I felt they had the easiest route to the national championship playoffs. At Michigan, I would have to get past Ohio State, Michigan State, and Penn State to get to the Big Ten Championship game.

◊◊◊

Rick Thomas, a senior tight end who had been our chaperone last year, came out of the locker room to see us. He and Wolf had hit it off when we visited. They shook hands, and Wolf introduced Rick to his family and Sarah.

“Coach told me you were serious about coming here.”

“We have some other places to check out, but so far, this is at the top of our list,” Wolf offered diplomatically.

“You still planning to visit that place down south?”

The rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State was such that their fans wouldn’t even say the other school’s name.

“We fly there tonight,” Wolf confirmed.

“Do me a favor. If you don’t pick us, for the love of God, don’t go there. I would hate to not cheer for you in college,” Rick said.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Wolf said and then wished Rick luck.

◊◊◊

Because we weren’t on an official visit, we didn’t have to follow Ty and the rest of the recruits around. We decided to grab lunch and then check out the pregame festivities.

We asked some people where we should go, and they suggested a place called The Produce Station. When we got there, the place was packed, and Cassidy pointed at another restaurant called Biercamp. You walked in, and the place smelled like a butcher shop. The smell made my mouth water as it was packed to the gills with freshly smoked bacon, brats, hot dogs, jerky, and cheeses.

We grabbed some seats in the beer garden. It wasn’t anything fancy, just picnic tables on gravel outside. To get started, we ordered a jerky platter and chili-cheese tots. The dads all ordered beers, and we settled into some good food. If The Produce Station was better, I would have to make a point to go there the next time I was in town. Their 16-hour slow-cooked pork sandwich was excellent. Brook tried their smoked salmon. She made me split our lunch so she could try the pork.

It was nice to not be on a schedule. We finished up and walked towards the stadium. Michigan was playing Penn State in one of the midafternoon games that would be televised nationwide. Penn State was working their way back to relevance after the scandal that rocked their program.