Michigan Loses Recruit Over 'One Bad Statement' That Family Considered An Insult

By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak

CBS DETROIT - Three-star defensive end recruit DaiShon Neal had narrowed down his college options to Nebraska and Michigan when Wolverines defensive line coach Greg Mattison came to his home for a visit. Ten minutes after Mattison left, Neal said he decided he would go to Nebraska.

Neal talked about his recruitment process on Omaha radio station 1620 The Zone, and he and his dad revealed Mattison made a fatal error in his pitch for Neal to come to Michigan.

"Michigan was a powerhouse," Neal's dad said. "They came in and they stormed us. They made one bad statement and it ruined them. He said without football DaiShon wouldn't be able to go to Michigan, like we couldn't afford to send him there or we couldn't get him [in] academically.

"Once he said that, we pretty much escorted them out of the house," his dad added.

Neal characterized the comment as the coach calling him stupid to his face.

The family had been attracted to Michigan for the academics and the alumni connections, but the one comment by Mattison soured the group on all of it.