Michigan's revamped recruiting department, led by Sam Popper, is now a well-oiled machine

Michigan is set to welcome a highly touted group of recruits this weekend for its rivalry game against Michigan State.

While the Wolverines have had some ups and downs on the field this season, Michigan has a higher ranked recruiting class than the previous two cycles, and massive recruiting events like Victors Weekend, The BBQ at The Big House and game days against Texas and USC have been grand slams.

This weekend should be no different thanks to a revamped and modernized recruiting department.

New Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore made it a point to upgrade an archaic behind-the-scenes operation this offseason, making several hires, reassigning former Recruiting Director Albert Karshcnia and promoting a young, sharp industry riser in Sam Popper.

Popper has almost a Willy Wonka type of persona — the Timothee Chalamet version — and makes The Big House experience an almost magical one for parents and prospects.

“He’s really genuine,” said Kendall Owens, mother of Michigan tight end Eli Owens. “He sends off a good vibration. He’s very charismatic. You want to know what Popper is over there talking or joking about. He’s funny, which is a lost art with people — the ability to be charming and hold lazy conversations. That happens in these big recruiting situations where you have to make good impressions on 50 people.

“He’s really good about making the small amount of time he has with each person feel like an hour. He’s a sharp dresser, too (laughs). We always talk about his new, insane t-shirts. He’s just really good with people.”

Popper isn’t just a showman. He’s a grinder, too.

Moore and offensive line coach Grant Newsome received most of the praise for landing five-star offensive lineman Andrew Babalola. But when asked about relationships with the staff, Babalola was quick to point to Popper.

Michigan may not have scored its biggest recruiting win of the cycle without him.  

“I talked to Pop everyday — not just about football but about life,” Babalola said. “What made Pop a key figure was just being able to talk to him about anything. He didn’t come to me and bash other schools. He told me why I should come to Michigan. He was just real the whole time. I greatly appreciate that. He’s a breath of fresh air, especially in this recruiting industry. Pop is the guy.”

Popper played a similar role with On300 Michigan safety commit Kainoa Winston, who was considered a Penn State lean before ultimately siding with the Wolverines in June.

“He was always consistent, positive and cool,” said Winston’s father, Kelvin. “He was one of the more genuine people I met throughout the process. We weren’t even going to come up to Michigan. We had another visit set, but he kept calling me and texting me. I said ‘let’s give them a shot.’  I feel like I’ve known him longer than I have. We’re from the same area. It felt like we reconnected.”

Everything starts and ends with Popper, but he has plenty of help working beside him, including Assistant Recruiting Directors Jack Dunaway and John Collins.

Dunaway is a Michigan Man through and through. After all, his father, Craig, played tight end for Bo Schembechler in the early 80s, winning two Big Ten Championships. Jack followed in his father’s footsteps and played at U-M as walk-on.

That Maize and Blue pride really shines through when Dunaway helps host recruiting visitors.

“Jack has been a Michigan Man forever,” Kendall said. “I’m sure he was Grant Newsome’s roommate at one point. He has a unique story, which is his to tell. He’s a silent assassin. He’s not the most flamboyant or boisterous, but he’s really knowledgeable about the program and people in it. He’s kind of our lead point for everything we do up there. He’s super consistent and always reliable. Him and Eli talk frequently. He’s a good resource. I really do love Dunaway.”

On the flip side of the coin, Collins is extremely young but extremely passionate. He learned the ropes in Georgia’s recruiting department before accepting his current position at U-M. It’s easy to see that he can become a star in this industry.

Don’t believe me? Ask those who worked with him at UGA.  

“He is awesome,” an anonymous Georgia staffer texted The Wolverine. “Love him. Smart and knows his shit!”

Michigan’s revamped recruiting department has allowed its on-field coaches to focus on big priorities and their jobs as actual coaches. Every assistant has a recruiting department staffer assigned to them. That staffer helps with every aspect of recruiting, including maintaining contact with underclassmen, identifying potential offers and more.

Needless to say, the recruiting department is no longer an issue at Michigan. It’s a strength.

Meet The Rest Of The Staff

Josh Meyer (QBs) — Meyer is a student intern who has spent almost three years working in the Michigan recruiting department.

Preston Sagan (RBs) — Sagan worked as a student recruiting intern at Clemson for almost three years.

Richard Perry (WRs) — Perry was a recruiting intern at Michigan State prior to becoming a recruiting intern at Michigan and eventually an analyst.

Aidan Young (TEs) — Young worked as a recruiting intern at Oregon for two years before becoming an analyst at U-M.

Reid Kuhl (OL) — Kuhl was a general recruiting intern at Michigan before being promoted to head offensive intern and now analyst.

Jacob Weber (DL) — Weber was a recruiting intern at Indiana before serving as a recruiting assistant at Western Michigan for a year and a half.

Coleman Walker (LBs) — Walker spent five years at NC State in various roles.

Cameron Hughes (CBs) — Hughes spent time in the recruiting department at Arkansas State.

Jack Turner (S/STs) — Turner was a recruiting intern at Wake Forest and also served as the Assistant Director of Football Operations at Davidson.