Michigan football: An incredible night in the Big Apple for U-M football, NIL efforts

Michigan football’s popularity was on full display — literally — on the largest of stages Friday night on the first leg of its spring tour. Head coach Jim Harbaugh continued his “practice what you preach” approach in providing outstanding academic opportunities for his players, connecting them with former student-athletes who have had great success in business (David Pearson, Jamar Adams, and Antonio Bass). 

RELATED: More special moments as Michigan football hits New York City

Esteemed Michigan alum Stephen M. Ross was behind one event, while some players even hit the New York Stock Exchange. 

U〽️ICH at NYSE 🔵 @UMichFootball took a tour of the Trading Floor and brought that friday energy! #GoBlue @UMich @jjmccarthy09 pic.twitter.com/Rx07HAJs9d

— NYSE 🏛 (@NYSE) April 28, 2023

But Friday night was for family — the Michigan family — and an event set up by the Champions Circle. Our own totchman (Tim Smith) donated the dinner at Bond 45 that included an elite spread of filet mignon and much more, during which the players feasted on seconds and thirds. 

Harbaugh spoke glowingly of the day’s events, speaking of how they were empowering (‘M-powering – get it?’ he said) the players by providing them insight into business … true, hands-on learning. The main event of the night, though — the NFL Draft, during which everyone stopped chewing, it seemed, when picks were announced, anxious to see where their teammates would go. 

It didn’t take long when the Dallas Cowboys selected Michigan tight end Luke Schoonmaker in the second round, No. 58 overall.

“SCHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!” his teammates and coaches bellowed together after the cheers and screams subsided. Michigan tight ends coach Grant Newsome was the first out of his chair to lead the applause with the proud papa look on his face before he grabbed his phone to share a text. 

The energy in the room was palpable at that point, and it went up another notch when the Cincinnati Bengals took cornerback DJ Turner a few picks later at No. 60. Some teammates praised his style in the sharp tan suit he picked for the occasion. 

“He’s going to cry … watch!” another said with a laugh while secondary coach and co-offensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale watched with pride, his hood up while he prepared to board the bus. 

Some Wolverines had left early to take in Broadway shows. Others were headed to the Empire State Building. A steady, cold rain had started to fall, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm.

Before they all left, several Michigan boosters, meanwhile, mingled with the team and met with Champions Circle reps in what we’ve heard was a productive night for the collective and the Michigan NIL efforts. 

Times Square lights up maize and blue for Michigan football

Around the corner, meanwhile, on one of Times Square’s most visible series of screens, New York welcomed the Wolverines with revolving images of the team, videos of them in the tunnel, messages of “worldwide brand” and “Michigan football 2023 spring tour.” Several curious onlookers took to their phones to research it.

“Go … Blue?” one said in a thick, French accent. 

“Go Blue!” a Michigan alum next to him responded. 

It was reminiscent of the night the Empire State Building lit up maize and blue after Michigan coach John Beilein’s team won the Big Ten tournament title at Madison Square Garden.

As always in New York, even on a rainy night, there were several people dressed in their Michigan gear. Several minutes later, while we were emerging from an Uber near Broadway, we heard someone shout, “MOODY!”

We quickly checked our phones to find out grad kicker San Francisco had taken Michigan kicker Jake Moody in the third round, No. 99 overall. Former Wolverine and kicking coach Brandon Kornblue, who had told us days earlier it wouldn’t surprise him if Moody went on day two, was smiling somewhere. Not many kickers are drafted that high, of course, but Kornblue was adamant Moody was worth the pick. 

San Francisco obviously agreed with him … yet another Kornblue student in the NFL (Quinn Nordin before him). 

Weather worsened Saturday morning for planned Michigan football trips to the 9/11 Memorial and Central Park, but it was warmer in Washington D.C. and expected to clear up by Monday for the next leg — a train ride hours south for visits to Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Capitol Building, museums, and more. 

The latest Michigan spring football endeavor had gotten off to a great start.