27 Tickets To Team 136: Pre-Spring Edition
What is this? Folks who cover the USMNT drop lists like this projecting the 23 guys who end up on the next World Cup team. I have appropriated it. Regarding the number of tickets: 22 starters on offense and defense + 2 kickers + nickelback + FLEX TE + fullback.
THIS IS THE PRE-SPRING UPDATE: Mostly pre-spring, anyway. We usually do one of these in the immediate aftermath of the regular season and then one before spring practice starts. This year was a little different because the coaching search made it difficult to project anything.
PACK YOUR BAGS
1. CB Jourdan Lewis, Jr. [Last time: 14]
Odd choice at #1? Maybe, but Lewis blazed past established starters to become Michigan's most consistent defensive back and figures to get buckets and buckets of playing time even with reasonable competition. Peppers move to safety seals it. Speaking of…
2. S Jabrill Peppers, Fr.* [Last time: NR]
…there's no way Peppers isn't a major factor right now. He was on the verge of wresting away a starting job last year and is now earmarked for a spot that saw a lot of rotation and little production a year ago. Massively athletic space players do not come along often enough to pretend he's not a lock.
![Ld4vH[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/22-Tickets-For-Team-135_104CD/Ld4vH1.jpg "Ld4vH[1]")
3. S Jarrod Wilson, Sr. [Last time: 3]
Meanwhile, Jarrod Wilson survived yet another season of panicked shuffling that occasionally pointed the finger in his direction for reasons that remain mysterious. Wilson is a very boring safety. We love boring safeties. We remember non-boring safeties. We tremble at this memory.
4. WLB Desmond Morgan, Sr.* [Last time: 6]
Hand injury was ill-timed for last year, excellent for this year. Morgan has been a model of consistency since his arrival and should assert himself as the QB of the defense again. A thumper who stops guys on contact, Morgan makes up for a lack of athleticism with quick thinking. A fifth year from him should be extremely productive.
5. LT Mason Cole, So. [Last time: NR]
Was adequate as true freshman LT, which bodes very well for his future. Lacks ideal size; probably never a road-grader. Still, difficult to envision a scenario where he gets replaced. Moved? Vaguely possible. Not on the field? No way.
![9856114085_66cdeac232_b[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/27-Tickets-To-Team-135-Pre-Bowl-Edition_BE40/9856114085_66cdeac232_b1.jpg "9856114085_66cdeac232_b[1]")
6. FLEX Jake Butt, Jr. [Last time: 9]
Fully healthy and pushing 250 pounds, Butt has to be ecstatic about his immediate future under Harbaugh. Butt caught 21 passes a year ago in slightly limited time and figures to double that, maybe triple it if things go well. Zach Ertz 2.0? Pretty much. Blocking? Something of a question mark but it's not like there are alternatives with smaller Qs there.
UNLESS SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENS
![bilde[2]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/22-Tickets-For-Team-135_104CD/bilde2.jpg "bilde[2]")
7. SAM James Ross, Sr. [Last time: 7]
Ross never developed into the force his freshman year promised, but a brief dalliance with RJS last year was quickly proven inadvisable. A rushing Penn State game suggests that there's a real player in there if the coaches can just unlock it; pressure from behind is minimal.
8. FB/HB Joe Kerridge, Sr.* [Last Time: 25]
Sometimes there's a man… I won't say a hero, 'cause what's a hero… but sometimes there's a man, and I'm talking about Joe Kerridge here… well, he's the man for his time and place. He fits right in there. And that's Kerridge. In Harbaugh's offense. And even if he's a fullback, sometimes there's a man…
9.NT Ryan Glasgow, Jr.* [Last time: NR]
Glasgow #1 was a shock starter at NT, which was momentarily terrifying. Then he was mostly great. He was overpowered from time to time, something that happens to even touted sophomore NTs; he more than held his own for a rush defense that was near-great until late in games when the offense's incompetence exhausted them.
![glasgow-cat-sweater[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/27-Tickets-To-Team-135-Pre-Bowl-Edition_BE40/glasgow-cat-sweater1.jpg "glasgow-cat-sweater[1]")
10. G Graham Glasgow, Sr* [Last time: 16]
Two-year starter progressed with the rest of his unit last year and will be extremely difficult to dislodge as long as he executes his assignments more consistently than anyone else on the roster. Quality twitter feed, too. Give this man a scholarship. Heck, give him two. Man has cats to wear.
![10226222015_d3e1456eb3_b[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/27-Tickets-To-Team-135-Pre-Bowl-Edition_BE40/10226222015_d3e1456eb3_b1.jpg "10226222015_d3e1456eb3_b[1]")
11. CB Blake Countess, Sr* [Last time: 13]
Brutally exposed by Will Fuller in ND game, and never really recovered. M returned to zone, which was much more suited to his skillset of consistency and sneaky anticipation—can he play man this time around? Relying on coaching improvement to get there… which is possible.
12. MLB Joe Bolden, Sr. [Last time: NR]
I was never as high on Bolden as the previous staff, which threw him out there constantly despite a bunch of blown assignments and a lot of hesitant tackling that brought the wood only if it was balsa. But he does have a lot of experience and guys put it together suddenly at tough spots like linebacker. Ben Gedeon and Mike McCray lurk.
FAIRLY SAFE BET
![rec_u_miller_400[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/27-Tickets-To-Team-136-Pre-Spring-Editio_AF90/rec_u_miller_4001.jpg "rec_u_miller_400[1]")
13. C Jack Miller, Sr* [Last time: NR]
Generally solid but uninspiring play a year ago; did grasp and maintain center job for the whole year, displacing Glasgow and fending off changes after Kalis and Magnuson both got healthy. Kugler will push from behind but established starting centers are rarely displaced because knowing the calls is such a huge part of the position.
![lyon[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/27-Tickets-To-Team-136-Pre-Spring-Editio_AF90/lyon1.jpg "lyon[1]")
14. NICKEL Wayne Lyons, Sr* [Last time: NR]
Stanford fans are a bit meh on the guy. He did get a bunch of playing time for last year's #2 passing D in YPA terms, so he can't be that bad. Sour grapes? Yeah maybe. Lyons does have to fend off guys like Stribling and Richardson, but it's more likely he yanks Countess's job than evaporates.
15. SLOT Dennis Norfleet, Sr. [Last Time: 12]
Would somebody just throw this guy the ball in space a few times a game to see what happens? And not pick up irrelevant penalties on punt return touchdowns? And stop using him like a circus freak and instead regard him as an actual slot receiver? LOOK AT HIM DANCE GIVE HIM THE BALL
![Willie Henry Michigan v Connecticut GVJN3qglVSsl[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/27-Tickets-To-Team-135-Pre-Bowl-Edition_BE40/WillieHenryMichiganvConnecticutGVJN3qglVSsl1.jpg "Willie Henry Michigan v Connecticut GVJN3qglVSsl[1]")
16. 3TECH Willie Henry, Jr.* [Last time: 10]
Did not have breakout season he seemed poised to after bear-strong freshman campaign. Still saw slim plurality of PT in extensive DL rotation. Could this be the year? Pad level, amirite? Wormley, Godin will continue pushing. Henry still has the upside.
17. WR Amara Darboh, Jr* [Last time: NR]
Michigan's second-leading receiver a year ago with nearly 500 yards; in Funchess's absence figures to continue possession role and try to add some of the leapy bits people think he possesses. I'd say he needs to fill Funchess's downfield shoes, but nobody threw deep last year so nevermind. Let's not talk about this. Let's talk about PROM KING.
18. G Kyle Kalis, Jr* [Last time: NR]
Moved back into a starting spot last year when Magnuson went down injured and did not relinquish the job. Brings the promise of POWER and GRUNTING, something Harbaugh will appreciate—this gives him an edge over slightly slighter competitors. Job by no means assured, but he was functional last year. That's good!
19. DE Taco Charlton, Jr. [Last time: NR]
Here mostly by default. Did flash beastly power occasionally last year, and essentially only option at SDE unless something weird happens. Probably still a better fit on the weakside but DE is a spot where Michigan is thin and young. At least that's unusual instead of the whole damn roster. See: all of last seven years.
20. P Kenny Allen, Jr.* [Last time: NR]
Waited patiently for his turn and should get it unless Baxter imports an Aussie to rugby his way into our hearts. Allen is a conventional boomer who impressed in the extensive punting demos Hoke tended to put on whenever forced to make a gesture towards fan service.
21. K Andrew David, Fr. [Last time: NR]
Is the only scholarship kicker on the roster, so that's a nice head start. Big leg should slot in on kickoffs easily. Field goals? I dunno man, kickers are weird. Would like to have kept JJ McGrath around for competition. Options past David are… uh… Bueller?
IN A BATTLE
![11290091[1]](https://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/images/27-Tickets-To-Team-135-Pre-Bowl-Edition_BE40/112900911.jpg "11290091[1]")
22. T Ben Braden, Jr.* [Last time: 26]
Will be under heavy pressure from Magnuson and LTT, but did play all last year and improved from shaky start. Absolutely huge, so if he gets technique religion will be the kind of guy who can cave in the end on power like Harbaugh wants. Still the OL most under threat.
23. WR Jehu Chesson, Jr.* [Last time: NR]
Last year's #3 WR brings blocking chops out of proportion to his size but remains raw a few years into his college career. Will get competition from Ways, Canteen, and maybe Norfleet in TE-heavy environment. Still have to figure a guy who lays out his opponent is going to be good w Harbs.
24. DE Mario Ojemudia, Sr. [Last time: NR]
Death stare proprietor is incumbent at DE. Will get major push from Lawrence Marshall, who's already the same size as the somewhat diminutive Ojemudia and impressing in practice. There's not much depth here so both will play. The starting job could easily change hands.
25. TE AJ Williams, Sr. [Last time: NR]
Bearding up good move for blocking TE who hasn't blocked a lot of guys so far. Frustrating career could be rescued by Harbaugh's proven ability to install toughness… or ended by it. H-back types, Butt, and maybe slot receivers could look like better options, and then there's Ian Bunting. He's not a blocker yet, but is Williams going to be one?
26. RB Ty Isaac, So.* [Last time: NR]
Massive skill position uncertainty part one. Green missed a bunch of holes and then broke his clavicle, but he's closer to returning than ACL-cursed Johnson and certainly faster than Smith. Ty Isaac then? Okay. There's a reason this is near the bottom, but not quite at it because…
27. QB Alex Malzone, Fr. [Last time: NR]
…Michigan returns 87 passing attempts, all from Shane Morris. Last year he completed 35% for 3.2 YPA and three INTs. There is bad, and then there is that. Jim Harbaugh reacted to this situation by adding quarterbacks from everywhere. The reader is invited to pick one out of a hat. The wild guess here is EE freshman Alex Malzone, who was crazy productive en route to a state title a year ago. He got a big gold hat because of it. But YMMV.
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PUSHING FROM BEHIND
QB Shane Morris—massive improvement necessary to even stay in the conversation
QB Wilton Speight—can he overcome the Borges curse?
QB Zach Gentry—probably needs some seasoning but upside in spades
RB Derrick Green—maybe the vision issues were Fred Jackson caused?
RB DeVeon Smith—slow; breaks tackles like a mofo
RB Drake Johnson—ACLs are not his friends
C Patrick Kugler—sure thing (for OL, anyway) entering third year
G/T Erik Magnuson—lost job due to injury last year and moonlit as blocking TE
G David Dawson—added significant weight and should push
T Logan Tuley-Tillman—chatter from inside program is that light has come on
WR DaMario Jones—slot playing time available
WR Freddy Canteen—hype fizzled last year, but jungle beats man
WR Moe Ways—Hemingway 2.0?
WR Drake Harris—practicing! full go and everything! still skinny as a rail though
NT Ondre Pipkins—hyped recruit got ACL tear at worst possible time. Could push through Henry. NT is platoon city, so not a huge distinction.
NT Bryan Mone—I've been waiting for a large Tongan DL my whole life.
3T Chris Wormley—will at least platoon.
3T Maurice Hurst—quick first step as advertised
3T Matt Godin—could be drafted at SDE
WDE Lawrence Marshall—pushing Ojemudia hard
WDE Rueben Jones—true freshman rarities in this post, hooray!
SDE Shelton Johnson—…except at DE
SDE Henry Poggi—SDE now, still needs some time. Maybe trying out at TE, which…
SAM Royce Jenkins-Stone—Ross rebuffed challenge last year
WLB Mike McCray—should be the year he threatens for real. WDE test run?
MLB Ben Gedeon—will usurp some PT in prep for next year
CB Channing Stribling—will be good if he just stops phasing out.
CB Terry Richardson—maybe the coaching change will be good for him
CB Keith Washington—Harbaugh favorite probably needs seasoning
S Delano Hill—nominal starter a year ago but injured a lot
S Jeremy Clark—lots of PT, meh production
S Dymonte Thomas—insane burned redshirt makes it late early for him
Norfleet was underutilized, however, I've never understood Brian's obsession with him. He's a tiny target a receiver, goes down easily on contact, and doesn't have breakaway speed.
what makes you say he was under-utilized?
In three years, he has 15 carries for 130 yards. That's 8.7 YPC. I don't know, if I had a back that was averaging almost 9 yards a carry, I think I'd utilize him more than every third game.
To be fair, his longs were 38 and 21 and the 38 yards came against CMU.
I get to do that to everyone else on the roster, too. Take away the one 38 yarder and he's still averaging 6.6 YPC.
Green had a long of 62 against Appy St. Taking that away from him leaves him with a pedestrian 409 yards on 81 carries. 307 of his 471 yards came against Miami and Appy St.
Sample size
His role in the scheme
This is a small sample size (of which the coaches have a much, much larger sample size) based on a role that set him up to break longer runs (end arounds, reverses, jet sweeps). You expand that role, you expand the sample size, I think there is a pretty good chance the average goes down.
You could be right, but I don't think the evidence you've provided really tells one way or the other anything as far as expanding his role to being more than just a role player. And we're talking expanding role, not just a RB, but a slot RECEIVER. If we're going to use limited sample sizes and not take into account the role, Norfleet had the lowest yards per reception last year of any body with more than 5 receptions besides Hayes.
There is a lot more to it. Maybe the last staff was wrong though, he's starting from a fresh slate with Harbaugh, we'll see this year if Harbaugh has a different opinion.
is small, but he's been successful when given the opportunity, unlike, say Funchess, who tallied -11 yards on his 2 carries. I understand not trying that again. I don't understand not giving the ball more to Norfleet.
He's not demonstrated an ability to be a downfield threat in the passing game, but I'll take a 7+ YPC average from the slot receiver/3rd down back. The problem is, no one was a downfield threat last season. Gardner needed to use his backs as outlets far more often than he did.
Have disagreed with a lot of things you have said in the past (to wit, the PSU overtime fiasco and your defense of that indefensible idiocy), and the way you say them, and so as I read this entry I was pleasantly surprised to agree with all essentially all of it, and I feel the analysis is right on the money, as is the reasoning behind the conclusions. Well said.
I still don't think you can call Norfleet overrated on this list, given that the point of the "27 tickets" is to rank who is most likely to contribute, not who is the best player.
Somebody is going to play at slot receiver and kick returner - given that Norfleet was the starter in both positions last year competing against the same guys, I don't see who else you'd put ahead of him in that role. Maybe Peppers passes him at punt returner, but unless Canteen blows up I think we still see Norfleet with a lot of PT.
I agree with everything you said. And I don't think I was overvaluing Norfleet, just making an argument for why it might be unfair to say that he was overrated, particularly since he was highly rated at a position no one ever thought he would play.
And I'm willing to grant that it is possible that both Borges and Nuss found him to be lacking. But given that Borges was pretty loath to call the kinds of plays Norfleet was good at for anyone else either, I don't think you can necessarily use his lack of production at the slot as evidence that he isn't good. It might be that, but it might also be that he was a Rodriguezian peg in a Borgesian hole.
It's hard to call Norfleet overrated
He was rated a 4* running back, which, at 5'7" 165, he was never going to be in the B1G.
Wouldn't that make him overrated by definition?
Yeah, that was my point. He was overrated at RB, but since he was never rated (AFAIK) at the position he would actually play, it's hard to say he was overrated at that position. Like, if he had been rated a 4* WR I probably would agree that in retrospect he was overrated.
Or no RB over 26.. and the one there was not even playing last year.
I think the improved OL will help all the RBs which at this point to me is Green v Isaac until Drake gets back healthy. Smith has shown what he is.
What do the front 7 look like in the 3-4 if we run it? Durkin was talking about having the personnel to switch between 4-3 and 3-4.
I think it would be something like
Henry / Glasgow / Charlton .... if Wormley advances he could push Charlton. Mone pushing Glasgow. Pipkins I dont know anymore - he may just have hit a ceiling.
Mario O (Marshall) / Bolden / Morgan / Ross ....Gedeon pushing in here
We have the personnel to play either and one might argue Mario/Marshall's size might favor a 3-4.
Disappointing to see Poggi not pan out yet. Kid was a top 100 recruit that we were worried about losing to BAMA. Hopefully he is a kid that will thrive under the new staff.
probably won't start until it is their Jr. or RS Jr. year. This is a good thing. Remeber when guys would make a name for themselves in the matter of two years? Thats the way it should be, especially as a lineman. If a freshman can come in and start then it doesn't bode well for the depth we supposedly have. I personally cant wait to see lineman play for their first time as Juniors.
But only if by merit, rather than necessity.
If I recall correctly, Alabama was recruiting him as an H-back, which makes his possible switch to offense now that much more intriguing.
Poggi was always a project player, especially on defense. He had to gain a lot of mass, and the thought was eventually to move him to an interior DL position. With the switch from an Under to an Over front, that made things a little more awkward, but for a DL player, he always had to add a lot of mass before seeing the field.
FWIW, Bama was recruiting him as a TE, where he was already decent size. He probably had more upside as a DL, as he isn't the most athletic guy for TE. He didn't want to be just a blocker at Bama, which is part of the reason he choose Michigan.
Also, he was a RS FR last year, give him some time.
Calhoun, Waynes, Bullough, Jaylon Smith, Bosa etc - there are plenty of impact guys who come on much earlier than JR and SR years. Even at MSU which is the local example of redshirting almost everyone. And we recruit better than them. Yes these are not all lineman of course but Mone is our own example and your comment was more then just about the DL. A lot of OSU's DL has been starting from year 2. There has been underachievement in a lot of spots here and its not just due to "depth".
I dont like to judge lineman that early as he has only been a RS FR thus far. Next year is RS SO. With that said he has not made any splash plays in limited time and seems a plugger type. You have a point considering the offer sheet but he was not going to be Joey Bosa.
I think I like our depth. Well, everywhere but QB and Kicker, I think our depth is pretty good actually.
Man, if Michigan could have even one of those interchangable mediocre Wisconsic QBs from a few years back, I'd be calling for a 9 or 10 win season as a possibility.
I think that we are about a year away from Malzone being the only QB with a connection to Hoke left on the roster. I would imagine that Morris would transfer if he's passed over, and I just don't believe in Wilton Speight (too old, Borges Oh Noes, and TERRIBLE QB name) as a big-time QB. I'll happily eat crow, but I just think that Malzone, O'Korn, and Gentry are MUCH better options.
I disagree on Speight. I like the kid, and think that given a chance he can take the job this year and be quite serviceable. I don't have any solid evidence to this end, however. This is just a gut-feeling.
That being said, I will accept quality play from any/all of the QBs on the roster. Whomever plays, if they play well, is all good with me.
I have no problem with Wilton, just a gut feeling that he's just not very good. I also thought he stared his recievers down and I never liked his in-game arm strength- every pass seemed to mosey to it's reciever .
Of course, these things can improve (and I am trying to remember something from more than a year ago, so I could be completely wrong) but I just never really thought he was all that much of a recruit.
Coach Harbaugh will be the primary QB coach AND the decision maker when it comes to the starter and backup order. FWIW - JH is the likely the most qualified QB coach Michigan football has ever had !
Go Blue!
"I won't say a hero, 'cause what's a hero… but sometimes there's a man, and I'm talking about Joe Kerridge here…"
On a side note, I have always thought Wormley would be better suited at SDE. I think with Durkin's multiple fronts that we might want a little more beef with more guys coming out of a two point. We will see how he is utilized I guess, hope he and Taco finally break through this year!
I'm also hoping that with the multiple fronts, Wormley ends up being an inside / outside switcher depending on the front and murderous pass rusher.
my bad...
- Peppers over Wilson, Countess, Lyons, etc. -- We've seen the DB hype-cannon misfire too often ( Pepper in '14, Thomas in '13, going even further back to Marvin Robinson, Justin Turner, etc.). I'm excited about Peppers talent like anyone else, but it's worth recognizing there's a floor here that sits well below Lewis, Wilson (as close to a lock as we have IMO), and Countess, who, even if he doesn't start, will certainly have a prominent role as a nickel at worst. There seems to be a fairly firm DB top 5, with a couple guys in Lyons and Peppers whose positions are fluid. Peppers may be the best of that entire group...he may also we the odd man out if Thomas, Clark, Stribling, or Hill put it together.
- Malzone over Speight -- I get the criticism of Morris because he has looked pretty woeful, but if you're going to go out on the limb, Speights' recruiting profile is better than Malzone's and he has an extra year under his belt.
- Isaac over Green or Smith -- 5th string at USC who weighs a lot more than a conventional back should at this point (and rumors are it's not good weight.) Green has been the de facto starter for two years on and comes with more recruiting hype than Isaac (which is all Isaac is living on these days besides garbage time production while at USC.) Not much smoke coming form practices to justify the incumbants being beaten.
- Charlton over Wormley, Godin,Hurst Jr, etc. With so much depth at DT (Henry, Mone, Pipkins, Glasgow) and the desire to have a large and physically dominant DL, I would not at all be surprised to see Charlton displaced for a more 3-4 type of DE (i.e., a quasi-DT like RVB)
- Ojemudia "in a battle" -- Marshal is listed nearly 15 lbs lighter on the roster. There's a real opportunity for a freshman to make an impact here, but Ojemudia's competition is as unproven as Morris' but he's a senior who has been contributing every year and not necessarily by default.
- Norfleet over Canteen, Chesson -- by the end of the season Canteen seemed to be earning more playing time despite physical limitations. Given Norfleet is limited to the slot (a position this staff is likely to utilize less of) and Canteen is not, I think he might be more valuable to the team as the likely #3 WR.
- Peppers over Henry -- besides having a year on him, Henry has already shown immense talent, and translated it onto the field. Peppers sounds legit but he's still essentially a position-switching RS Freshman.
- Williams over Magnuson -- even if Magnuson doesn't win a starting job, you almost always need that 6th OLmen. Added points for versatility as a part-time TE. Williams just hasn't performed despite given plenty of opportunity, and there are a whole of options at TE/H-back/FB on this roster.
There might be other reasons to prefer Speight, but Malzone's recruiting profile is superior (unless the 2014 QBs were much better/deeper than the 2015 QBs). The one outlier is ESPN.
247 Composite
Malzone - #295 overall, #13 pro-style QB
Speight - #451 overall, #22 pro-style QB
247
Malzone - #15 pro-style QB
Speight - #23 pro-style QB
Rivals
Malzone - #11 pro-style QB (5.8 Rivals rating)
Speight - unranked pro-style QB (5.5 Rivals rating)
Scout
Malzone - #14 QB, #185 overall
Speight - #30 QB
ESPN
Malzone - #16 pro-style QB
Speight - #13 pro-style QB, #257 overall
And it looks like the only (reported) major offers for Malzone were Pitt and Wake Forest, while the only (reported) major offers for Speight were Miami and NC State.
We can of course question the credibiltiy of Borges here, but there is a strikingly different narrative around Malzone's recruitment and Speight's by the last coaching staff.
The way I remember it, Speight had a lot of bigger programs sniffing around him before making a very early commitment. Borges/Hoke evaluated and selected over some high profile guys. That raised some eyebrows at the time, but we shrugged and said "they got the guy they wanted."
Malzone, OTOH, was kept on the back-burner by Borges/Hoke, and there were clearly other QBs they wanted more. Malzone's offer list was MAC-caliber. Speights wasn't any better, but like with Morris, you can blame that on an early commitment to Michigan. Malzone was not prioritized by our last coaching staff, which makes me wonder why optimism and expectations are so high from him. On top of that, early spring practice buzz has been a bit underwhelming...not that we expect anything different from a HS senior.
Malzone was probably not prioritized by the last staff because he wasn't a student of Steve Clarkson.
The last staff was going after David Sills because he was a student of Clarkson. It seems like QB recruiting under Hoke/Borges was basically recruiting students of Steve Clarkson.
who selected Malzone.
v Speights. Pretty easy. Malzone is local and a few more people have seen him play, which doesn't mean he's better, but familiarity breeds support. Plus the whole Detroit Catholic League cabal that we also witnessed with Morris. Speights has none of those things going for him. I have no idea who might be better given the scant data and no one here should care about my "gut feeling".
Turd beat me to it.
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And I guess Steve Clarkson.
So its a safe bet then that Harbaugh is on the cover of HTTV? I suppose so.
Biggest concerns at QB and DE. The most important positions, along with DT, on the field, imo. Doesn't bode well.
Still, I have to think that the improved coaching will make a difference. What's the over/under on breakout players who underachieved when Hoke was the coach but will flourish with Harbaugh? Call it the JT Floyd Award. I'm going with 2. I'd put the number higher but 2 is still almost ten percent, and flourish, meaning borderline stardom, is a high bar. The two I'd pick are LTT and Green.
Did J.T. Floyd overachieve when Hoke was the coach? I must have missed those seasons.
Honorable mention All-Big Ten 2011 and 2012 after... not doing that under RR.
Not a star by any means, but I just meant it as an example of a big turn around.
Floyd played three years under RR, and cornerback is a position where players can often make an early impact.
I don't think it's going out on a major limb to say that RR's defensive staff here wasn't too strong.
How the heck can anyone pick LTT for a most improved award when he has not played 1 down of college football in a game? There is nothing even to compare LTT to - he has no baseline to even talk about an improvement from. Unless you are an insider who saw his practices all last year.
These things boggle.
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