Jim Barrie Likes 'The Gang'

The huge Tampa offense lineman was clearly impressed with Michigan -- and 'The Gang' of Tim, Moose, Ortmann, Zirbel and Hart clearly did a good recruiting job.

Michigan had one huge offensive lineman on its huge official visit weekend for the OSU game: Jim Barrie OL 6'5 295 5.10 Tampa Berkeley Prep Florida. Jim was up to Michigan last summer, as his parents are both originally from Grand Rapids, Mich. (and are MSU grads). Here is how the visit went in Jim's words:

"I really had great time.

"I kinda expected what I saw, but I still came away very impressed.

"The atmosphere was great. The game atmosphere was great. Everything."

On the players he hung around with:

"On Friday, Tim McAvoy was my host. On Saturday after the game I hung with Tim, Moose (David Moosman), Mark (Mark Ortmann), and Cory (Cory Zirbel). (Ed. note: he rattled the names of as if it was one long name, so fast we had to ask him to repeat it)

"And Mike Hart was with us as well. I felt real comfortable with that whole group of guys.

"I spent a lot of time with pretty much all the coaches too."

Here's how the weekend went:

"On Friday I met with Coach Soup, and Coach Moeller. I went to a team walkthrough for the game, and we (My parents and I) met with the academic advisors. I also met with Coach Carr.

"On Saturday all the recruits had breakfast with the coaches, then we went to team meetings. After the game there were team meetings again that we went to.

"And on Sunday before we went home we met with the coaches again.

How Michigan stacks up:

You've been to Tennessee and Notre Dame already. How would this visit compare?

"Now that I'm in the middle of my visits, I don't really want to start ranking them yet. I still have two more to go (to Florida next weekend for the Florida/Florida State game, and to Florida State on Dec. 9).

"I just want to say that probably all five are pretty even.

"I'll make my decision by Christmas-time."

Note: Jim has said since summer that this was basically a Michigan-Florida State battle ... it now seems Florida has become a strong contender as well. But he was clearly impressed with Michigan -- and 'The Gang' of Tim, Moose, Ortmann, Zirbel and Hart clearly did a good recruiting job -- other visitors noted that too.