CA WR Darrell Daniels looking to feel at home

The need for playmakers on the outside is a major emphasis for Michigan in the 2013 class. Oakley, CA WR Darrel Daniels is on the Wolverines’ radar. Will he visit Ann Arbor?

At 6’3, 210 pounds Freedom High School WR Darrell Daniels has the size and speed colleges are looking for at outside receiver -- including Michigan as they slowly transition to a pro style set.

When people look at Daniels, “First off they’ll see someone who’s a team player and then they’ll see a beast with speed,” he, laughing, to GoBlueWolverine.

Michigan extended an offer to Daniels recently, a bit of a shock to the Bay area pass catcher.

“It was nice, it was surprising though really,” said Daniels. “I wasn’t expecting an offer from Michigan. But it’s a good feeling though. My coach, I guess he talked with Coach Ferrigno, and Coach Ferrigno emailed him and told me to give him a call. So I called him and they offered me.”

Asked about familiarity with the Michigan program, Daniels gave a response similar to many high school athletes over the past few years.

“I’ve heard about their quarterback,” Daniels laughed, talking about Denard Robinson.

With five offers on the table for Daniels he admits setting up visits might still be a few weeks away, but that doesn’t mean he’s not considering a trip to the Midwest.

“If I’m really feeling Michigan I’ll come out there and make them one of my official visits,” said Daniels. “I’ll be at Stanford for a Nike camp and I might stop by UCLA to do a camp down there. And I’ll travel too -- I might try to come down there to Michigan (for camp) and I might go up to Washington too.”

When Daniels hits the road his evaluation process will be centered around one distinct feeling.

“I got to feel like I’m at home, that’s number one,” said Daniels. “Academics have got to be there -- like what I want to major in. And then I got to love the football team with a passion. I got to feel the love for the football team and have a trust with the coaches and other players.”

The Wolverines have gotten in early on Daniels – so far U-M, UCLA, Arkansas, Oregon State and Colorado have offered – so time will tell if the early interest will pay off.

As a 2011 junior, Daniels ran for 266 yards on 44 carries with four touchdowns, caught 30 passes for 526 yards and seven touchdowns and had 63 tackles, three pass breakups and an interception. He added two returns for touchdowns.