Larkins: 'Michigan The Perfect Fit For Me'

DETROIT - The first college offer came between eight grade and freshman year. Three more followed. But then Dylan Larkins received what he was waiting for all along.

“It’s always been a dream school for me,” Larkins said of Michigan, where the University of Detroit Jesuit sophomore has made a commitment. “I started talking to them right after a tournament that I did really well in the beginning of July and after the Future Games we talked again.”

The conversations went well according to the second-ranked 2024 outfielder in Michigan.

“I loved talking with all the coaches,” Larkins explained. “Just hearing about the plan they have set up at Michigan so I can become a better player is insane and the academics they have to go along with it with the business school.”

Michigan became enamoured with what the 193rd-rated sophomore in the nation had to offer.

“They said I was very projectable,” related the 6-3 180-pounder. “They like my character and how I can play as a teammate. I like that they said that. They also said they like how I play the game.”

Georgetown, Missouri, Kansas and Wright State are others that offered before Larkins heard the words he was wanting to hear.

“I was just waiting for that offer,” the fifth-ranked 2024 in the state admitted about the proposal received at the beginning of November.

Interest in the school located 45 minutes from home as well as his desire to play at the next level started prior to Michigan’s national runners-up finish in 2019.

“A couple years before they made it to the College World Series I started taking it more seriously,” Larkins said. “I really liked the school and then I got more in-depth. I love their plans for development. with a good meal plan to gain weight. I love (head) coach (Erik) Bakich and coach (Nick) Schnabel and what I think they can do for me.”

The 30th-rated sophomore outfielder in the country enjoyed his time being recruited.

“For me personally, I’m very grateful for all the offers,” Larkins related. “My first offer came from Georgetown freshman year. I was ecstatic. It was an emotional moment. I’m just grateful for the tours, the calls and the time they all put in.”

Aaron Wilson, PBR Michigan Director of Scouting, and John Young, South Oakland A’s coach, have been a major part of where he is in the game today, according to Larkins, while also crediting PBR with playing a big role.

“PBR helped me big time,” Larkins noted. “What I tell kids now is to try to make it to the Future Games. Try to make it to a big event. My coaches pleaded with me to try and make the Future Games and that was my biggest goal. It was an all-around great experience with competition that was unreal.”

Ironically, the left-handed hitting southpaw had some doubts about a baseball future before his recruitment began.

“I didn’t start thinking about college baseball too much before my first offer,” Larkins pointed out. “I didn’t think that, me personally, was good enough to go to a D-I school. After I started talking to Georgetown is when I thought I could make it.”

Getting better at the game he loves proved beneficial from that point on.

“The biggest way I’ve improved is just maturing,” Larkins explained. “You grow in baseball, but the mindset is big for me. I grew a dog mindset, now I just have to keep getting better.”

The 16-year-old, who has a 3.57 GPA and is looking at a major in business marketing or business management, is anticipating a memorable experience once becoming part of the Big 10 program.

“I’m looking forward to grinding it out freshman year to the point of actually playing,” Larkins said. “I just want to use my hit tool and play outfield, be a good teammate and make a bond of brothers. I want to help win a national championship and maybe get drafted.”

But no matter what happens once donning the maize-and-blue uniform, Larkins will not forget the feeling of making the commitment official.

“It was on my way back from Missouri when I had some deep thoughts about what I wanted to do,” Larkins reflected. “Michigan was the perfect fit for me.”