Portal losses and what it means
Like many of you I am bummed to see Henning and Moten move on today from their careers at UM, as they were 2 guys I enjoyed watching win BACK to BACK B1G Championships with OSU curb stompings along the way.
That said, I want to wish the young men the best of course, and thank them for all their contributions at UM - most importantly, helping to build and maintain the culture of excellence, selflessness and brotherhood. You can tell when a team actually enjoys and cares for their teammates and others' successes, and these two personified that by being really good players in their own right, that seemingly just missed the cut of significant playing time. Godspeed to both, and we will forever have the Henning reverse TD vs. OSU 2021 and Moten's incredible int when the 2022 Maryland game was still in the balance.
That said, what this really signifies, is that UM is entering or has officially now entered the league of the elite teams in CFB. The portal giveth and taketh, but what we see starting here is what we see at schools like BAMA, UGA, OSU. After 2 B1G championships, we are seeing a team that reloads, instead of rebuilds. Young talent pushes from behind, and good players that can get significant playing time at other D1 schools (McNamara, All, Henning, Moten, etc) will look for other landing spots when passed over - (in fairness All's situation seemed complicated by injury/medical advice).
While it sucks to lose players we begin to follow and cheer on every Saturday, when they are of this quality, it suggests development and recruiting (despite hand wringing about last year's recruiting class) have reached elite results, as we have seen on the field the past two years.
Godspeed young men.
PS: Would be interested in predictions on who takes over returning punts and kicks for Henning. I would not be surprised to see Jyaire Hill get time there.
That said, that's a whole of lot of words to basically say "transfers are inevitable when you build a strong roster and have an even stronger incoming recruiting class on the way."
That said, I'm really not being critical of your post, I'm just summarizing it for the TL/DR crowd.
That said, I thank you for that.
TS; tl;dr;
Is that a coming thing?
That was well said, what you said when you said that which was said.
so you’re saying he said it well. well said.
You don’t say.
April 24th, 2023 at 11:35 PM ^
Say, say!
Hear, hear!
(I learned surprisingly late in my life that "Hear, hear" is a tl/ds version of "Hear him, hear him," aka, heed his words.)
I'm your older brother, Mike, and I was stepped over!
That's the way Pop wanted it...
IT AIN'T THE WAY I WANTED IT!
Be quiet Fredo if you know what's good for you... and stay away from Johnny Ola. That dude is trouble.
Best of luck to them both. Exiting with grace after working hard and helping Michigan win big. You love to see it. And yes, this is a sign of the health of the program. It's better for both them and the team if guys who aren't likely to see much playing time as upperclassmen move on
But how does it impact coach Prime?
I know your comment was sarcasm, but he'd probably kick the tires to see if he can pick up Henning and Moten.
Over Iowa's dead body
Iowa still owes Indiana a QB/TE combo in our three way trade. Cant believe they havent done this yet.
April 25th, 2023 at 12:40 AM ^
Iowa: Zombie Michigan
The P.T.Barnum of Coaches brought to you by ESPN.
Yeah what mgrowold said.
I REALLY hope we don’t have people freaking out about transfers. It’s going to happen when you sign big classes and bring in other transfers. Probably see 8-10 more.
This kind of feels like one of those "My opinion is very important so listen up." threads.
Yep, this 100% could've just been a comment on one of the other posts
Didn't you just say this a minute ago down below....and this could have been 100% said 1 time instead of twice...
We did have snow flurries today in Lansing....
April 25th, 2023 at 12:27 AM ^
It would not have sounded as important coming from Jim Schembechler.
Kick Returns you just pick fast guys and tell them to run fast, but usually just call fair catch. Probably the least important "position" in football.
Punter Return on the other hand, is WAY more important. Less so making big plays on returns, but knowing when to call fair catch, judging balls and getting to them to maintain field position, and most importantly, not casuing a game changing turnover.
Would be VERY surprised to see a true freshman returning punts.
Still don't understand why there aren't dual return guys on punts.
Fire Juwan!
For future reference, I feel like posts like this could just be a comment on one of the portal posts that already is on the board
April 25th, 2023 at 11:23 AM ^
It's a well written post. I think it stands on its own.
Wishing them all success at their next school, and throughout life.
I do wish there was a caveat to the Portal / Transfer policy or guideline, if there is such a thing. A player could transfer to non-conference team, with immediate eligibility. If the player transfers within the conference, they sir for a season. Perhaps this is too harsh, or severe - but, it’s something that I would prefer.
Go Blue, always…
So ND gets to benefit more than anyone else, since they’re not in a conference? No thanks.
This also would cut the other way. Could be interesting.
April 25th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
Missing caveat: everybody who transfers to 'To hell with Notre Dame' has to sit 2 years.
It’s a lot simpler than that. Guys transfer more now that they have immediate eligibility. That’s true for all programs, good or bad.
I liked them both but I don't think their contributions on the field will be missed. Henning could never get out of his niche role and Moten was moving the wrong way on the depth chart. NHG leaving probably means his injury had permanent effects or he too was falling down the depth chart. For our sake I hope the latter is true, for his sake I hope he's doing great but doesnt want to be 3rd on the depth chart.
I'm torn between whether the portal will level the field or make it more lopsided. On one hand, good players like Henning and Moten leaving to start somewhere else can level the field but when the best players from the group of 5 leave to start at Michigan, Bama, GA etc then it gets more lopsided.
Either way it's great for the players but it's different. With relatively much fewer in football than basketball, it doesn't seem as impactful to the team so it's a little more fun from my perspective.
Wait, you mean this *isn't* a chance to break out the torches and pitchforks??
Well, shucks.
Yep, 100% with the OP here. I wish the players that are leaving the best.
That said, I think this says only good things about what's going on with the team. Players see a team that is solid at every position and look for somewhere they will get more playing time.
I'm bummed that these players are leaving, but I fully understand it. And the future is VERY bright for Michigan football.
OP sounds like a nervous bird.