Exit Deron Irving-Bey
DIB (#44) was on track, then gone [Eric Upchurch]
This a surprise: redshirt freshman Deron Irving-Bey is transferring to CMU, and is already on campus there, according to Evan Petzold.
BREAKING: Michigan DE Deron Irving-Bey transfers to Central Michiganhttps://t.co/inwYVBQqhS pic.twitter.com/1ti1hSMzCG
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) August 21, 2018
So that's sad, and pretty unexpected. Irving-Bey (recruiting profile) came to Michigan a sushi raw 4-star frame of promise who'd never had a D-line coach. The only down note was sour Spartans claiming they didn't really want him anyway a week before Irving-Bey left for the Army Bowl.
Irving-Bey wasn't being mentioned as part of the two-deep this year, but since he's just a redshirt freshman and had all the technique still to learn, even the sudden move of RS junior Carlo Kemp to 3-tech behind Mike Dwumfour and Lawrence Marshall didn't raise any flags. To the contrary, Irving-Bey was listed at near 300 pounds on the latest roster, and earned some nice words from Mattison two weeks ago at the start of fall camp:
Deron Irving-Bey looks like a different person. I mean his body has changed right in front of your eyes and he's really starting to feel more confident, and I think you're going to see some good things from him this season.
Given the timing and the fact there's a guy just one class ahead of DIB poised to seize the starting job for the foreseeable future, this seems like a standard playing-time deal. Except his path to playing time at Michigan was as clear as it's ever been. Of the four(!) guys Irving-Bey came in with who could potentially play the off-tackle position, classmates Aubrey Solomon went to nose immediately, Donovan Jeter followed him this summer, and Phil Paea and James Hudson switched to offensive line. It's doubtful anyone's pushing from behind yet: the 2018 class had three defensive end types who might grow into tackles, but Aidan Hutchinson is competing to be Winovich's backup, while Welschof and Upshaw are even bigger developmental projects than DIB was at this time last year.
Michigan could be fine with three years of Dwumfour (provided his 2016 gets a medical redshirt) and two more of Kemp, and Mattison has as good a record as anyone at developing interior linemen. Or Dwumfour could leave after this year for the NFL and Michigan could be down to Kemp, and whatever they can recruit or raid from other parts of the roster. Those recruits should include currently committed 5-star Chris Hinton, 4-star Mazi Smith, and 3-star Tyrece Woods, and Hinton at least seems likely to be able to help immediately.
August 20th, 2018 at 10:31 PM ^
Welp.
August 21st, 2018 at 5:28 AM ^
The UM to CMU pipeline continues... they should start sending us thank you notes at least
August 20th, 2018 at 10:35 PM ^
I’m a bit perplexed
August 21st, 2018 at 6:18 AM ^
I'm more flummoxed than anything
August 21st, 2018 at 7:36 AM ^
It is discombobulating.
August 20th, 2018 at 10:35 PM ^
Presumably if he transferred to a place like CMU, the coaches nudged him out the door. Maybe he was going to be too big of a project, or he didn't take coaching well?
August 21st, 2018 at 6:20 AM ^
Why does it seem theres never (rarely) discussion on possible inability to handle the academic load in this type of silent sudden xfer? Curiouser and curiouser.
August 21st, 2018 at 6:53 AM ^
There's not because if the player is transferring quietly, then it would be mean to bring up such a supposition. And so, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
August 21st, 2018 at 8:19 AM ^
Because we have heard about it in the past when guys struggle with academics and we've never heard that about DIB so we probably shouldn't start that unfounded rumor now.
August 21st, 2018 at 11:02 AM ^
Posted elsewhere that he was struggling academically.
August 21st, 2018 at 7:14 PM ^
May not have been pushed but guessing he was further from the field then some observers had thought. My guess is he’s been dropping down the depth chart and figured if he was going to play he needed to go elsewhere
August 20th, 2018 at 10:35 PM ^
Did not see that one coming at all. Thought he could've been a main rotational piece here in the next year or two. Good luck to the young man!
August 20th, 2018 at 10:42 PM ^
Damn. Especially bummed since he's from Flint. This actually hurts more than Wheatley. Like Seth said, given a couple other possibilities this could really hurt D line depth. At TE we're still totally fine.
August 20th, 2018 at 10:47 PM ^
That sucks. Good luck to DIB at CMU.
August 20th, 2018 at 11:01 PM ^
What the fuck. This stinks. Will he even be eligible to play this year at CMU?
August 20th, 2018 at 11:16 PM ^
Not unless the NCAA grants a hardship waiver or he's the first person to get a four year degree from the University of Michigan in about a year and a half. :)
August 20th, 2018 at 11:17 PM ^
SHOCKED!
What the...
August 20th, 2018 at 11:17 PM ^
Had high hopes for him in maize & blue. Maybe it's for the best all around?
Who is the giant white guy?
August 20th, 2018 at 11:28 PM ^
hah, i think that is Michael Sessa, a really tall walk on QB.
August 21st, 2018 at 1:03 PM ^
Put him in the weight room and convert him to TE ala Gentry ....
August 21st, 2018 at 6:32 PM ^
can he shoot a 3??
August 20th, 2018 at 11:28 PM ^
Goodbye
August 20th, 2018 at 11:37 PM ^
We will probably never know for sure what happened, but it's entirely possible that his move isn't about his football skills or prospect for starting. It could football related, but it could also be academic, social, personal, legal, any number of other possibilities or some combination.
August 21st, 2018 at 6:25 AM ^
Automotive, cellular, genetic, artistic......the possibilities are endless.
August 20th, 2018 at 11:49 PM ^
Who are some other players that have transferred out this close to the start of the season, and what were some of the reasons/outcomes?
It's just hard to process a move like this without context.
August 20th, 2018 at 11:59 PM ^
Wasn't he just featured in an article about how he hated playing inside in HS but is now embracing it? Maybe that was him still trying to talk himself into it, but ultimately he couldn't make the transition. I really don't see how PT would be an issue after this year for him.
EDIT: I was wrong, it was Donovan Jeter that said that.
August 21st, 2018 at 12:14 AM ^
Seth and TTB have pretty different reactions to this tonight. TTB (aka Magnus around here) is “meh, he wasn’t very good”. I put a lot of credence in his evaluations. So, I’m torn on how to read this.
August 21st, 2018 at 7:39 AM ^
Solid point- he was quite convinced that DIB was severely overrated by the recruiting services. He was on a terrible HS team and I recall some rumbling about taking plays off. On the other hand, he was in that Army AA game. Don’t recall him getting much hype from that or the practice sessions but also don’t recall him being noted as way out of his league.
August 21st, 2018 at 12:26 AM ^
DL depth after this year is going to be a real concern. Wouldn't be surprised if there were another departure at some point.
August 21st, 2018 at 3:46 AM ^
Who ?
August 21st, 2018 at 7:18 AM ^
DL depth is not a concern. Kid probably just got passed on the depth chart and saw the writing on the wall.
August 21st, 2018 at 7:46 AM ^
Looks like the staff is looking to add 5 total this year by taking Woods and still more CB’s rolling in for Morris. Lots of SDE/3T guys and only one NT- maybe this points to more 3-3-5 in the future.
You’ve hit this concern about 2019 DL depth multiple times in the last couple weeks- While its your prerogative to worry I’d suggest you try to enjoy 2018 before worrying about 2019.
August 21st, 2018 at 12:37 AM ^
Interesting, I hope he finds his place at CMU but had high hopes for a Flint kid at UM.
Hope all is well.
August 21st, 2018 at 12:39 AM ^
Going to school and playing football at Michigan isn't for everybody.
August 21st, 2018 at 9:49 AM ^
How hard is it really to go to school at UM as a football player? Don't they get all kinds of help from tutors and have a required course load is a little less strenuous?
August 21st, 2018 at 10:44 AM ^
They do have all of those benefits but they still have to execute. Still takes time. You try going to study table after work tonight for a few hours. Then do it for a month and see how you feel. I’m not saying anything about DIB because I don’t know his situation, but it is difficult to be a student athlete at Michigan. It is not the same at every university. Search Malik McDowell on this here site if you need reference.
August 21st, 2018 at 6:52 AM ^
I have never seen so much attrition on a Michigan football team. Those who Stay......
August 21st, 2018 at 7:35 AM ^
This was more of a non-football issue. UM is not for everyone.
August 21st, 2018 at 8:46 AM ^
Easy enough to understand. Thanks for the update.
August 21st, 2018 at 7:38 AM ^
I'm honestly getting tired of this shit. What's really going on here? Since Harbaughs been here there been like 20 kids who have transferred, yet all we do around here is blame academics or the frickin depth chart. He was a redshirt freshmen! And probably going to get some snaps this season, something isn't adding up and i'm starting to believe it starts with the staff, not school or competition.
Edit: I see UMBIG with his response, so then if its non football, is the staff not doing its due dilligence to see if kids will be good fits here? 2 years and a transfer isnt a good way to build depth
August 21st, 2018 at 8:17 AM ^
There are multiple factors that come in to play. The first is that Jim Harbaugh is a very honest, straight-shooter in these regards and likely gives kids a truthful evaluation regarding their position on the depth chart and longer term playing time possibilities. (I am hoping that this is a thoughtful process.) Secondly, I believe that Coach understands that every person and program has idiosyncrasies that do not jive with each other...it is simply how life is...it is not a failure to seek out other places where the fit is better...god-speed and pursue your dreams. Thirdly, there are around 80 roster spots to fill 22 positions on the field. These are very talented young men. Jim Harbaugh clearly likes/recruits multi-positional players. Concerns about depth, outside of pathological, worst-case scenario worrying are silly.
Additionally, the attrition here opens the possibility of another very large and excellent 2019 class. To me, this signals that there are internal beliefs that there are some outstanding recruits they are anticipating commitments from...not to mention the ceiling of those "projects" who are in the 2018 class. We will see.
August 21st, 2018 at 8:55 AM ^
It's the four hour practices vs playing time .
August 21st, 2018 at 8:17 AM ^
We bring in large classes. Kids transfer out. It happens. In fact, it has to happen to stay under the 85 scholarship limit. I have legitimately no clue why people are freaking out. No, this does not hurt depth. No, this does not say anything negative about our program. Players transfer out every season at every school for a variety of reasons.
August 21st, 2018 at 8:45 AM ^
It should also be pointed out that these types of transfers have *always* happened, but now we have social media and other dedicated sites so these things get a lot more attention.
20 years ago you probably wouldn't have known, a) he had transferred, and b) he was ever on the team.
August 21st, 2018 at 9:13 AM ^
Cool, defending the messiah, I get it. So you want to gather the info on other teams and their transfers? How many has MSU had? Or OSU? Yes, I know that they have had SOME but Michigan without a doubt is leading the way.
To those saying it doesnt hurt depth, are you serious? It means fresh and sophs are thrown into the 2 deep instead of upperclassmen. But I guess that way when we lose games we can just say "Well our team is really young, but really talented!"
It's becoming a trend and not a good one. Theres rumbles that there are even more guys leaving before the season.
August 21st, 2018 at 9:59 AM ^
" It means fresh and sophs are thrown into the 2 deep instead of upperclassmen."
Seriously? This is your concern? Just last year the majority of MGoBloggers were bitching that not enough young players were playing for Michigan, especially the redshirting QB. The complaint was that Georgia started a true freshman QB, so why can't Michigan ever do that and take advantage of the young talent. Now here you are, bitching that they might actually get a chance to play.
BTW, DIB is one of those redshirt freshmen, and he wasn't anywhere near the two-deep. All of your whining and bitching about Harbaugh is stale. Find a new angle...
August 21st, 2018 at 11:00 AM ^
Do you need a hug?
August 21st, 2018 at 11:34 AM ^
So you say that Michigan is "surely leading the way", but you have no statistics to back that up and anyone disagreeing with you is "defending the messiah". Come on.
I did a few google searches to see how many players MSU has lost to transfer and I came up with a list of 8 players just in 2018: Watts-Jackson, Stallworth, London, Jackson, Rison, deWeaver, Paulino-Bell, and Tipps-Clemons. No idea how comprehensive that list is, but if Harbaugh has had 20 in three years and Dantonio has 8 in one year, then it doesn't look like Michigan is "surely leading the way".
Transfers are increasing everywhere, particularly grad transfers. And considering that Michigan is three years removed from a coaching change and the usual weak recruiting class that results from that, I would expect to see an increase in transfers as those players get passed on the depth chart by players from stronger recruiting classes. I would also expect higher transfer numbers from Michigan based on Harbaugh's policy of players having to earn a 5th year. So they should be leading the way, but they aren't, at least not when compared to MSU.
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