Exit Cornell Wheeler
Aw man, not on Detroit Day!
Michigan’s giant 2020 linebacker class, the one that was supposed to restock the cupboards, is down to just Kalel Mullings and Nikhai Hill-Green, after LB Cornell Wheeler announced this evening he’s entering the portal.
Can confirm: #Michigan LB Cornell Wheeler has entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.
— Aaron McMann (@AaronMcMann) June 2, 2021
Can confirm #GoBlue linebacker Cornell Wheeler has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal: https://t.co/WSm6VWJrFW
— Steve Lorenz (@TremendousUM) June 2, 2021
The lowest ranked but highest floored of the class that’s also lost viper William Mohan and ILB Osman Savage, Wheeler’s calling card was playing in the heart of West Bloomfield’s defense, which then-coach Ron Bellamy modeled on Don Brown’s, including in terminology. Wheeler didn’t just dabble his toes in it either—he started four games as a freshman and racked up almost 300 tackles as an upperclassman, serving as team captain both seasons.
While that early familiarity helped fellow 2020 Laker Makari Paige play ahead of two touted New Jersey safeties, it’s moot now, and didn’t help even when Brown was still around. Wheeler did not play last year, and was not threatening the depth chart this spring when true freshman Junior Colson and Wheeler’s remaining classmates all got mention behind starters Josh Ross and Michael Barrett.
Still, we had hopes that all of these friends from high school—including his former head coach—would mean Wheeler would be more patient than most guys in his situation. With a free transfer year and a lot of easier paths to the field, it’s also highly understandable, especially considering the athletes that Macdonald is targeting, and targeted while with the Ravens. We mournfully hand off this all-time coach quote/prayer to whichever path he chooses:
Ron Bellamy: “[Cornell Wheeler is] a physically intimidating kid, for a high school kid. You know, you’re on the sideline as a coach and, by preparation and game planning, you know when the team’s going to run the screen or going to run the draw, whatever it may be. And he’s on the field screaming out what’s about to happen. And you’re just like, "Oh man. Bless these kids that are about to get hit by Cornell."
Michigan has been active in the portal for DT, LB, and CB help, but hasn’t had any luck with much beyond the former. Even former West Bloomfield LB Lance Dixon couldn’t get past the part where we try to work around Michigan’s byzantine transfer protocols.
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I think you meant Michael Barrett, not Bennett.
Bah!
Yeah sorry, still not on board with the portal.
What years did Hobson, Gold, Steel, Jones make the field…Juniors? There is no patience for a 18-19 year old kid to go through 2 years of conditioning and learning a playbook - especially one that is changing as much as ours - on both sides of the ball and without proper student leadership. Entitlement has won out.
There was a reason Frosh weren’t allowed to play before the Marshall tragedy…the growth that occurs in these years, naturally and in the weight room is exponential. As well as football IQ and the physical development of the brain while the student athlete adjusts to new experiences, friends and hazards of the their new schedule and context.
Goodbye traditions and student athlete health.
Don’t want to judge a kid, but I echo your sentiments. Gone is the idea that you work hard and maybe start your Junior or Senior season. Good luck to the young man. I hope he finds what he is looking for.
You guys realize not everyone starts right? For every upperclassman starter there's a Matt Guttierez. No one seems to wish Toia would stay at USC. Just one more reason to pay players. It'll give rosters more stability.
Wish him luck. Wonder if he winds up at MSU or Arizona.
Based on recent events, either UCLA or Tennessee
Insert <can't wait> gif here?
Ordinarily I'd say LB is the most easily replaceable position, especially in McDonald's defense.
Still, this sucks.
At this rate, Haskins is gonna have to go back to LB, where he would be a good one.
But with this new D alot of these edge guys like Ojabo and Morris we have will be playing a pseudo LB so we will be fine.
Us: looking for LB transfers
also us: One of our LB is transferring. Strange.
One Three of our LBs are transferring.
There has to be someone of that group that was going to sniff the two deep. Its not like we have 18 LBs on scholarship.
I’m here to learn about this young man, and how this impacts the team. I loath reading comments that have nothing to do with the subject, as it takes away from the subject.
This is the year to transfer... Still, seeing players transfer as freshmen without seeing the field is a bit frustrating.
Go Blue!
The portal is going to be a net negative for us.
"Michigan’s byzantine transfer protocols."
and that is why.
Every school will have losses. we make it harder on ourselves to get gains.
That's what I've been saying but I see being largely ignored. We can't continue to lose 15-25 kids through the portal every year while pulling in maybe 5 at best and expect success. At some point you're making that deficit up through recruiting and I don't think we want to see an underclassmen heavy team. In the landscape of college football and the current situation of our program we either have to accept that we are no longer a blue blood program but are merely a middle of the road P5 school or make the necessary changes that will allow UM to compete in the portal landscape that is college football.
Bowman is a colossal transfer. Whittley is of need. If we get Toia, I would give the transfer period a A+.
The first 2 are grad transfers, right? The actual transfer portal hasn't been all that helpful
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