A Michigan Wolverine captain at the beginning of the football season, Erick All is now fielding calls for his services with his 3-month-old son in tow. It’s been a busy fall for the former Fairfield High School standout who committed to Michigan in the summer of 2018.
He was limited to three early games and had three catches for 36 yards. In addition to the birth of his son, Houston, he opted to have minimally invasive spine surgery in Florida in October. All posted a photo on Instagram and called it “life-changing surgery”.
However, the procedure put him out for the year in his senior campaign. Now, after 35 games with 54 catches for 565 yards as a Wolverine, All has entered the transfer portal. A year after catching a touchdown pass from Cade McNamara in the Big Ten Championship, both captains are gone via the portal that will deliver new destinations for some.
Social media rumblings have said Michigan didn’t approve of the surgery. Regardless, All posted his thoughts Monday and says it wasn’t just about the surgery.
He wrote, “Wolverine nation. Love you guys but it’s time for me to move on. I know some of you are wondering why I would leave and the answer to that question is unexpected… Not everything/everyone are what they seem and I learned that from my time here at Michigan. Sometimes you have to let go and do what’s best for you and your family. Love you guys. Go Blue.”
Wolverine nation〽️ Love you guys but it’s time for me to move on. I know some of you are wondering why I would leave and the answer to that question is unexpected. 1/2
— Erick All Jr. (@eallindi83) December 5, 2022
Not everything/everyone are what they seem and I learned that from my time here at Michigan. Sometimes you have to let go and do what’s best for you and your family. Love you guys. Go Blue💙 2/2
— Erick All Jr. (@eallindi83) December 5, 2022
He told the Enquirer, “I really didn’t want to send out a tweet that made the fans mad. I was just letting them know that it had nothing to do with competition there because I definitely had a spot. I know my words and I know how to be treated. I know when I’m treated right and when I’m treated wrong. It was that (the surgery) and other stuff too.”
Prior to this season, All had played in 30 games for Michigan. In his junior year (2021) he had 38 catches for 437 yards and touchdowns against Penn State and Iowa. Both came from fellow captain McNamara.
Ironically, McNamara has recently transferred to Iowa, one of All’s top three choices to land next. The Wolverines stomped the Hawkeyes 42-3 last year in Indianapolis with McNamara and All connecting in the fourth quarter. The win sent them to the College Football Playoff Semifinal in the Orange Bowl where they lost to Georgia 34-11 with All leading Michigan’s receivers catching four balls for 63 yards.
Michigan is back in the CFP Semifinal but All is now considering Notre Dame and Washington along with McNamara’s new squad in Iowa.
“He’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve coached,” All’s Fairfield coach Jason Krause said. “He’s a tough kid that loves football, a very loyal kid. As a blocker and a pass-catcher, he’s got great skills. He can stretch the field for you. I think he’s one of the top tight ends in the country. He’ll have no problem finding a place.”
Krause Tuesday morning had already had a dozen calls asking about All. At Fairfield, he caught 73 passes for seven touchdowns helping the Indians to three state playoff appearances.
“I’m taking an official this weekend with Cade (McNamara) at Iowa,” All said. “I’m trying to decide where I’m going to go to next weekend, Washington or Notre Dame.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Departing Michigan tight end Erick All of Fairfield has 3 finalists