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Brian

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MA RB AJ Dillon has flipped to Boston College, a school with some jive turkeys doing their edits.

Watching an offensive player agree to play at Boston College is always a sad thing, but per Sam Webb they sold him on the opportunity to definitely play running back and Michigan said they said "90%" with a chance of linebacker. Meanwhile NM RB O'Maury Samuels's visit was postponed for an SAT retake, so his recruitment is obviously in some question.

Michigan is of course trying to reel in CA RB Najee Harris, the #1 recruit in the country. If they get him, this is a non-event. If they don't... eh, Michigan has Ty Isaac, Chris Evans, Karan Higdon, Kareem Walker, and Kingston Davis plus whoever they do end up bringing in this year. Dillon is an excellent athlete who is a coup for BC; Michigan looks like they'll be fine at RB for the next couple years either way.

Comments

Magnus

December 14th, 2016 at 11:08 AM ^

Well, we've lost our second-best RB in the class. Samuels would be our first-best, so hopefully we don't lose him, too. Getting Harris would make up for losing either/both.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166007

Don

December 14th, 2016 at 11:24 AM ^

Whether it's academics-related or based on his own questions about PT, I think Samuels ends up elsewhere. From what I've read elsewhere here it seems like Taylor might not end up in the class, either.

If Samuels doesn't come here, I hope he stays out on the west coast. I'd hate to see him wearing green and white.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148288

AZBlue

December 14th, 2016 at 11:54 AM ^

Taylor is 99.9% in this class. He got a visit from coaches last week and seems to "bleed the most blue" of all the out of state verbals. He is the least hyped/ranked of the 3 (and this could very well be correct) but he is going to have to be forced out by the staff to not be on the team next year.

He seems like a true Harbaugh-type player -- hard worker, great attitude, etc. and if you watch the highlight video linked here earlier this week (a game against a Florida school) he seemed to be the only one of the stars not actively mugging for the camera.

Unfortunately he does seem to be the least talented of the original 3 (maybe the coaches see differently) and unlike Samuels or Dillon doesn't really have a backup position if RB doesn't work out due to his size.

Joined: 09/14/2008

MGoPoints: 16767

Don

December 14th, 2016 at 12:18 PM ^

Reminds me of Eric Mayes:

"Mayes played for the University of Michigan football team as a walk-on and was later elected co-captain of the undefeated 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team that won the Associated Press national championship. Mayes, called "Zeus" by his teammates, was such a motivational and inspirational leader that after suffering a season-ending injury during the teams national championship run, his teammates handed him the Big Ten Conference championship trophy, hoisted him on their shoulders and carried him off the field after defeating Ohio State at Michigan Stadium, 20–14."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Mayes

Granted, Taylor is much more than a walk-on, but every championship team needs guys like him—they're a component of the "glue" that helps the team stay together during the tough moments that every team faces.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148288

Magnus

December 14th, 2016 at 12:00 PM ^

Each to his own, but Taylor is smaller than Smith and rated significantly lower. He also didn't have great numbers in high school, though he was playing against tougher competition than Smith did. Regardless, I hope we get someone better than Kurt Taylor, whether it's Samuels or Harris or someone else.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166007

mGrowOld

December 14th, 2016 at 11:49 AM ^

You reference him as our "second best RB" and Brian lists all the other RBs on the roster if we dont land Harris yet the write-up claims the reason for the flip was our insistance he play LB.

That doest seem consistent.  If we wanted him as a LB who cares what our RB depth is and if we wanted him as an RB, why did he leave?

Joined: 10/04/2010

MGoPoints: 212833

mGrowOld

December 14th, 2016 at 12:13 PM ^

But from the sounds of Brian's write up we wanted him as a linebacker, not a running back, and hence his flip to BC.

But then Brian goes and lists all the running backs on the roster and you reference the running backs in the class which to me makes no sense.  If we wanted him as a linebacker shouldn't he have listed the linebackers ahead of him on the depth chart?

I get that he wants to play running back.  What I dont get is where we wanted him to play.

Joined: 10/04/2010

MGoPoints: 212833

RapidTransit

December 14th, 2016 at 11:51 AM ^

Do you  think our running back by committee style this year impacts our RB recruitment?  I think it was more a function of our personnel rather than a commitment to a certain offensive philosophy but i'm sure recruits took note.  I know you can couch it as early playing time for the younger guys but i think most 17 yo recruits hope to be the feature back in college.  

I'm sure Wheatley is telling young Mr. Harris - hey every starting spot is earned....come on and grab it.   

 

 

 

Joined: 07/15/2011

MGoPoints: 210

Goldmember2

December 14th, 2016 at 11:17 AM ^

Good for him landing in a situation that was in his best interests. I think he would've been excellent in our program but I lack the full information he has. 10% chance of a position change to find playing time is a lot when you know in your heart there's a place for you on the other side of the ball. I wish him well



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Joined: 12/05/2011

MGoPoints: 164

ChiCityWolverine

December 14th, 2016 at 11:23 AM ^

Mostly disappointed because our offense could always use a bruiser in the rotation at RB. Dillon seemed to have the best combination of size and athleticism since...? /shakes fist at Derrick Green

Joined: 07/08/2011

MGoPoints: 3757

A Real Toe Tapper

December 14th, 2016 at 11:37 AM ^

"Exit" does not seem appropriate for recruits, as they never joined the team in the first place. I suggest reserving "Exit" for current players/coaches and something to the effect of "We Hardly Knew Ye" for recruits.  

Joined: 09/07/2008

MGoPoints: 505

turd ferguson

December 14th, 2016 at 12:21 PM ^

I've always thought it'd be a nice feature to have a "Goodbye" post for each graduating scholarship player that reviews his recruiting rankings, contributions, funny stuff along the way, etc.  It'd be a lot of work, but it could be a good way to fill the football-less summer.

Joined: 12/09/2009

MGoPoints: 26493