Nuss and Fred Jackson to visit Damien Harris

Submitted by BiaBiakabutuka21 on

Per Sam Webb over at Scout, one of the first recruiting visit by Nuss along with Fred Jackson will be to Berea, KY to visit Damien Harris.  This is very important as Harris is our highest rated current commit as well as the one most affected by Borges being let go.

Also, the fact that Freddy J is going with him may shed a little light on whether or not there will be any more changes to the staff.  Seems doubtful at this point.

Behind a $$ paywall $$ 

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denardogasm

January 11th, 2014 at 7:24 PM ^

The talk that Nuss would have a say in Fred Jackson's retainment on staff was absurd. An OC is not gonna just come in and fire a guy who's been here or decades. That is the head coach's decision. Period.

Joined: 09/11/2011

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Sione's Flow

January 11th, 2014 at 7:33 PM ^

I think Nussmeier is smart enough to realize that Fred Jackson is here until he decides to retire.  If anything as our OC he should be utilizing all of the connections and relationships Freddy J. has made in his nearly two decades at UM.

Joined: 06/05/2011

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Section 1

January 11th, 2014 at 7:48 PM ^

Becuase recruiting-wise, he is like the power of Nick Saban with the agility of Dabo Swinney and the soul of Kevin Sumlin.  Plus the dazzle of Jimbo Fisher.  Send all the planes.

Joined: 06/29/2009

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pearlw

January 11th, 2014 at 7:50 PM ^

Im still not clear why there became this sudden need for a RB in 2014 class. Why did Michigan all of a sudden need to get involved with Enwere and now Jones? Is there a concern about how Drake Johnson will be able to come back after the injury?

I wonder if this will affect Harris at all. Before this, it looked like there would be 2 year gap between him and any other RB which is probably very attractive. If Michigan gets Jones who clearly has a lot of national buzz after the UA game, then Harris is looking at coming in behind a big time national name now.

 

Joined: 01/09/2011

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UMICH1606

January 11th, 2014 at 8:01 PM ^

There have been some strong rumors that Rawls may transfer to CMU. Hayes was in the process of moving to slot until he inexplicably started the bowl game. Fitz graduated. That doesn't leave a lot left. Having watched Justice play football with my nephew all through their peewee and prep days I was advocating Justice play slot from day 1. That was the only way he was ever going to participate at that level.

Joined: 02/21/2010

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robmorren2

January 11th, 2014 at 8:02 PM ^

While it'd be nice to have Harris, I wouldn't mind swapping him for Jones. Jones has already shown the ability to make talented defenders miss tackles, as well as the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He'd be a nice complement to the power backs we already have. If Harris gets scared off by competition (as well as the departure of Borges), then so be it.

Joined: 06/04/2011

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aplatypus

January 11th, 2014 at 9:33 PM ^

if Harris is afraid to come to Michigan because they took a running back in 2014, then I'm not sure that's the type of player Michigan needs. Great players should desire and want good competition because they know it makes them better. 

Secondly, RB is a position it's always smart to take one every year if you can. You need years of depth at that position and missing a year is always tough, especially since they played both Smith and Green last year. 

On top of that, Rawls is probably going to transfer and Hayes is maybe getting the slot potential as well. By 2015 if no 2014 RB is taken it will be: Green, Smith, and Johnson (assuming med redshirt) as JRs, and Hayes a SR. Harris would be there if he commits, but would be shallow still, even assuming no more injuries or anything like that.

Joined: 11/02/2013

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robmorren2

January 11th, 2014 at 7:58 PM ^

Was it a coincidence that we waited until after the early enrolees were actually enrolled until we announced the coaching change? I suppose they were all going to come regardless. Speight was the only one that I think would have been slightly concerned, given that he was Borges' pick for QB.

Joined: 06/04/2011

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tmzenn

January 11th, 2014 at 8:01 PM ^

I believe we haven't gotten a proven every down back. My guess is the more talented bodies they have to choose from, the more likely they will find one that can tote the magoat.

Joined: 10/11/2008

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Swazi

January 11th, 2014 at 8:14 PM ^

If he commited to Borges and his offense I cannot imagine why he wouldn't stay on with the Nuss bus.  Nuss runs a similar system to Borges, only better.  Watching the Bama v ND game, his offense reminds me of a lot of the 2011 Borges offense.  Minus all the designed QB runs of course.

Joined: 08/13/2010

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tmzenn

January 11th, 2014 at 8:34 PM ^

That was one of the biggest reasons I liked the hire so much. I think Hoke is keeping the same mindset with offense, which is he wants to punish teams with the run. I would think most running backs that have aspirations of going pro would see this as a great opportunity. Plus, if Harris truely has been a Michigan fan his whole life, this hire should only support his decision to be committed to the team. 

Joined: 10/11/2008

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I dumped the Dope

January 11th, 2014 at 8:41 PM ^

That a delegation from the Kingdom of Hoke is coming to meet young Mr. Harris.

As above, I think the keys are that running is going to be a key central part of the offense going forward.  And the coaches would like to establish a (new) positive relationship with Harris.  Having a handshake to go with a face and a name would mean a lot.

If I was the OC I would want to make sure the pipeline is filled with RB talent.  If I was Harris I'd be excited to meet the new coach who had done a lot more recently with his running game from a resume standpoint.

Joined: 09/22/2013

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Blue X2

January 11th, 2014 at 9:04 PM ^

Consistent with his reputation He is is jumping in right away into recruiting. Great to see an OC that is actually involved in recruiting. Go Nuss GO Blue

Joined: 01/17/2011

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