DeBenedictis Excited about Weekend Visit

GBW received an e-mail Thursday from Saint Andrews School (Boca Raton, FL) OL and Michigan commitment Grant DeBenedictis.

Grant DeBenedictis(2003 U-M Camper, 2002 U-M Camper, 6-6, 275 lbs. 3.75 GPA 31 ACT 1370 SAT) sent GoBlueWolverine Magazine a note on his performance in his first game, and letting us know he is coming to Ann Arbor for an unofficial visit this weekend.

"Hi, I just thought I'd let you know that I am going to be in Ann Arbor for the Notre Dame game this Saturday."

In a subsequent e-mail he gave us a report on his first game. "Last week we had our first official game, against Dade Christian (Jim Mandich's kids have gone there and he still has one, a junior TE, there) and lost (19-0)." DeBenedictis said. "We had a ton of foolish penalties that just killed drives." How did he do? "Offensively I had an OK game, with 4 pancakes, but their DL was small and I had some trouble really getting any punishing blocks on them. Defensively I was credited for 9 tackles and 1 assist."

DeBenedictis shows he is a versatile player on the o-line, "I am playing the shortside Guard spot on an unbalanced line (with a wishbone backfield) and LT on a balanced line. I know all the positions on the line and I sometimes am placed whereever is needed. I have even taken a few reps at center."

It's too bad DeBenedictus can't play two positions at the same time. "On special teams I am the long snapper and #2 punter (would be #1 but I have to snap)."

While he is slotted for the offensive line when he comes to Michigan, Debenedictis plays both ways for the Scots, "On Defense I am playing noseguard on a 3-4 and 5-3. In our 4-4 I am playing ILB. I am playing every snap on offense, and about 9/10 of defense."

Coaches have been able to contact recruits since September 1. "Coach Moeller has called me each week since the beginning of September. Before then I was calling him about every other week to check in."

Debenedictis is a firm commitment to Michigan but teams haven't give up hope, "Other schools are still contacting me. A few have called asking what my situation is with Michigan," Debenidictis said. "Florida State has said that they are not going to go through with recruiting me while I am committed, but to let them know if things change. Some others, like Northwestern, have let me know that they are still interested and would like to know if anything changes with my status, but to make sure that I don't have them waste their time and energy, that it is okay for me to tell them 'no.'"

In the cutthroat world of recruiting, things have been cordial, "Noone has been negative in any way."

How does he feel about his first game at Michgian Stadium? "I'm pumped for this weekend, as I've never been to a home Michigan game. Now it is even more special and spectacular for me."

St. Andrews plays Westminister Christian on Sept. 12th.