Plymouth's Brennen Beyer (No. 7) verbally committed to play college football for the University of Michigan beginning in the fall of 2011. (photo courtesy of PlymouthPictures.com)

Maize & Blue Future

Plymouth's Beyer verbally commits to play college football for U of M

BY ED WRIGHT
April 17, 2010, 11:55 a.m.

  Things were a little different for Brennen Beyer Friday as he walked through the halls of Plymouth High School.

  "Kids I didn't even know were coming up to me, congratulating me and telling me they were Michigan fans and that they were glad I chose Michigan," Beyer said. "It was pretty cool."

  Beyer's peers had already learned what had become official Thursday afternoon: The talented student-athlete had verbally committed to play for the University of Michigan's football program beginning in the fall of 2011.

  The verbal commitment ended an exciting couple of months during which Beyer talked to several big-time Division 1 college football coaches who were pursuing his high-level gridiron skills.

  "My parents and I met with the Michigan coaches Thursday afternoon to ask them a few final questions that we had," Beyer recalled. "Then I told them I was committing to play football for the University of Michigan. I was excited and they were excited."

  Beyer won't sign an official National Letter of Intent until February.

  "Even though I didn't sign anything, the way I was raised, when you make a commitment to somebody, it's a strong commitment," Beyer said.  "I love everything about the program and the school. It has great academics and I really like the coaching staff.

  "The defensive coordinator, coach (Greg) Robinson, who will be the coach I'll be working with the most, is pretty intense, but he's a great teacher, not a yeller."

  Beyer is already anticipating the day he'll run out of the tunnel at the "Big House" for the first time and soak in the cheers of over 100,000 die-hard Wolverine fans.

  "Wow, that is going to be amazing," he said. "I can't even imagine how incredible that is going to feel with 110,000 people cheering."

  The Wolverines coaching staff has Beyer slotted to play a hybrid linebacker/defensive end position, he said.

  "I can't do anything with the team yet, but I've been working out with some players who played at Michigan, so I know what to expect," said Beyer, who currently weighs in at 223 pounds.

  "I really want to thank everyone at Plymouth who has helped me -- coach Sawchuk, coach O'Connell, everybody -- because this wouldn't have been possible without their help."

 Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.