02/07/13 It’s a big day for a big lineman of the Plymouth Rockies Football Program.  Senior Dan Samuelson is committing to the University of Michigan Wolverines Wednesday morning in front of friends and family by signing his National Letter of Intent at PHS.

  There are a lot of proud Rockie fans of Dan, accomplishing this incredible feat of playing for Brady Hoke and the Michigan Wolverines on a full football athletic scholarship.

  “Arguably, Dan is one of the most sought out athletes from Plymouth High School in the history of the school! One can argue Pete Buchanan, who played at Notre Dame in the late 70’s,  was offered by the likes of Penn State, Nebraska, and Ohio State among others. But Dan was a National recruit himself, obtaining offers from schools such as Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Wake Forrest, Illinois, Minnesota, and just about every MAC school there is.”, said Rockie Head Football Coach John Barron.

  Samuelson is a big, strong, athletic 280-plus lbs young man that anchored the offensive line for the Rockies.

  “What sepearates Dan from others across the country is Dan WANTS to be good – he does not feel entitled. Dan has a DRIVE to prove himself at the next level.”, added Barron.

“I am so happy Dan chose Michigan. After spending some quality time with Coach Hoke, Coach Al Borgess (Offensive Coordinator), and Coach Funk (o-line coach), I couldn’t feel Dan could have found a better place where the staff is going to take care of him, and yet, have high expectations for Dan as a student-athlete as well.”, said Barron.

Samuelson will have to earn everything he can get.  He is in one of, if not part of  one the best recruiting classes of 2013 – ranked higher than the likes of Notre Dame, Alabama, and USC by some sources.

“Dan is, as they say in Ann Arbour, a “MICHIGAN MAN” as of today! I want to thank his parents, Tom and Lisa Samuelson, for giving me the opportunity to go down this journey of recruiting we went on over the past 10 months or so. You don’t have to look very far to see where Dan gets his work-ethic, kind, gentle, humble, and thankful side: his parents. I am so appreciative they let me be a part of their son’s life.”,  said Barron.

As Head Football Coach of the Plymouth Rockies, Barron said he was  most proud of the accomplishments of his players going beyond high school football and playing in college.  With Dan and, fellow Senior, Sam Stevens both signing today, that is over 30 former players who have went on to play at the collegiate level in Barron’s 9 seasons at the helm.

“I just as proud of the fact that’s TWO FULL SCHOLARSHIP PLAYERS IN THE BIG 10 IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS! I am very proud and thankful of all our players and coaching staff.”, added Barron.

We wish Dan the best of luck!  GO BLUE!