Michigan Football: Shaun Nua proves recruiting chops with McGregor

Michigan football found out that its new defensive line coach can recruit as Shaun Nua played an integral role in landing four-star DE Braiden McGregor.

It’s funny to think about now, but a few months back when former defensive line coach Greg Mattison announced his departure from Michigan football to Ohio State, there was panic.

Mattison was supposed to be a Michigan man, he was also one of the Wolverines best recruiters. He had a track record of not only landing big-time recruits but also developing them into big-time players in the NFL.

Maurice Hurst, Rashan Gary, Chase Winovich, Taco Charlton, Chris Wormley, Willie Henry are just some of the guys who Mattison developed into NFL draft picks. And with his recruiting chops in the midwest, losing him to Ohio State seemed like a blow.

But after his replacement, Shaun Nua, played a key role in getting the commit of four-star defensive end Braiden McGregor, Michigan football’s top recruiting target for months, it’s kind of like Mattison who?

The fact that Michigan was able to get McGregor shows just how well Nua was able to forge a connection with him in a short period of time. Recruiting is all about building relationships and McGregor’s relationship with Michigan mostly had to do with Mattison.

When he left, it essentially reset the whole process. The Wolverines hired Nua fairly quickly but coming from Arizona State, where he spent one season after a bunch at Navy, he didn’t have much of a recruiting background at a Power-5 school.

Meaning no one knew what to expect. Yet, it’s clear from what McGregor told the Wolverines Wire after his commitment that Michigan football landed an expert recruiter.

"“As soon as he got hired in I knew Michigan was going to be it, like for sure. He was just an awesome guy from the beginning. The first time getting to know him it was just, ‘Wow, OK — this guy’s gonna be my coach,’ like he’s just that awesome. Just the way he talks to you, it’s awesome.”"

Even though McGregor didn’t make his announcement until Friday, months later, it was clear to him back then that Nua was a guy he wanted to play for and if you aren’t excited about the fact that Nua can make that kind of first impression, you should be.

Coaches need to be able to have that kind of impact on players and being able to connect right away, which was something that was written about Nua when he was hired, is huge. If there was any worry about him being able to fill Mattison’s shoes on the recruiting trail, there shouldn’t be.

Nua is clearly a brilliant recruiter and Michigan football can thank him in large part for landing the top commit in its 2020 class.