Any word on Grad-Transfers?
I haven't heard/read any talk about persuing grad transfers. I know with Michigan's academic standards, it's harder to find talented players who meet the standards. But I think it could make a big difference in the 2017 season to pick up a grad transfer for any spot along the O-line in order to avoid forcing a freshman into a starting spot prematurely. S or CB could be another spot that we could use a grad transfer to afford one of the yuong projected starters another year to develop.
Anyone hear talk of Grad-transfers?
January 10th, 2017 at 10:59 AM ^
While this is true, that only happened after he got hurt against Arkansas. I think you could also still construct a line where Dillard, Ruiz and Cole all start. Something like LT - Cole, LG - Ruiz, C - Dillard, RG - Onwenu, RT - Bredeson, if we assume Newsome isn't healthy. If he is ready to go, move Newsome to LT, Cole to LG or RT.
January 10th, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^
Those are reasons we'd be interested in Dilliard.
Let's try to look at it from his perspective. He lost his starting job due to injury and isn't trying to win it back. Coming here, he needs Cole to change positions to even have a chance to start at center. Can he count on that? Obviously not. Maybe after the spring practices things will be clearer. If he's transferring now for playing time, we're the wrong place to go. If he is willing to wait, then maybe.
January 10th, 2017 at 11:44 AM ^
I'm not too familiar with how the recruitment process works for grad transfers, but I assume that the coaching staff would make their plans known to him before he comes here. If they were to sell him on being the starting C, then I think that's how it would have to work (Cole moving, etc.)
January 10th, 2017 at 12:05 PM ^
Cole if he comes here? That's probably what he wants to hear, but I can't see it, not now. He's not that good. I'd expect them to be honest about our situation and his opportunities and those involve a lot of uncertainities. Things will be clearer in the spring.
One thing we don't know is what they may have discussed with Cole before he announced he's coming back. It is possible that they will make an extra effort to keep him in his projected NFL position.
January 10th, 2017 at 1:26 PM ^
January 10th, 2017 at 2:15 PM ^
I think we have several good candidates for every position, with just LT being scary. If I was to predict the opening game starters today, I'd go with Bredeson, Onwenu, Cole, JBB and Ulizio.from left to right. The only one I'd be surprised to be wrong about is Onwenu at guard.
January 10th, 2017 at 7:31 PM ^
January 10th, 2017 at 11:00 AM ^
January 10th, 2017 at 10:30 AM ^
No official word, but I would like to see Michigan pursue a DT for depth purposes. The DL feels really thin there past the starters.
January 10th, 2017 at 10:40 AM ^
O tackle and D tackle
besides that gotta think were good
January 10th, 2017 at 10:44 AM ^
I thought the rule with grad transfers on the O-Line is that if they have already graduated and aren't on the field they don't deserve to be on the field and we shouldn't try to pick them up.
January 10th, 2017 at 11:02 AM ^
January 10th, 2017 at 11:30 AM ^
May grad transfer here eventually. But he's chosen to not speak publicly about it.
Too soon?
January 10th, 2017 at 12:30 PM ^
I have a big list of them, but I'm not going to tell you. I thought everyone else knew? Sorry.
January 10th, 2017 at 2:16 PM ^
I'm kind of surprised that there aren't more grad transfers, honestly; you'd think it would play out more like free agency in the pros. Now of course there are only a few teams that could really take advantage, but for elite teams with a hole and a clear path to a starting spot, you'd think that there would be more good players from Group of 5 or lower tier Power 5 teams that would jump at the chance to make a run at a national title.
Take Bama for instance. Last night they played for the national championship with a true freshman at quarterback. He's not bad per se, but he was far from great, and a more accurate QB probably wins that game. Maybe I have it wrong and Saban doesn't want a grad transfer (Davis Webb grad transfered to Cal, and I have to believe he would have been better than true freshman Hurts), but there isn't a Ryan Higgins (LaTech), Dane Evans (Tulsa), etc. that would want to come in for the chance to lead Bama to a title?
On the one hand, I respect these guys for sticking with their schools and their teammates instead of going the free agent route (reminiscent of the message in Bo's The Team speach). On the other hand, this past year and for the next couple, it looks like there will be a few glaring holes that could keep us from being truly elite, and it's a little frusterating that we can't find someone to be the missing piece to the puzzle given all we have to offer.
January 11th, 2017 at 7:56 AM ^
There is a process involved when it comes to Grad Transfers. The staff will wait until after NSD to evaluate the gaps. The analysts on the staff are working behind the scenes to identify possible/probable or declared transfers. They will build a profile on these players and submit them to the staff for review. After spring practice they will repeat the process one more time. if there are viable options they will pursue them.