Hello: Kyle Kalis
A recent Buckeye decommitment, OH OL Kyle Kalis has committed to Michigan's class of 2012, per a tweet (and accompanying article) from Scout's Allen Trieu. As you will see, this is a Big Deal:
GURU RATINGS
Scout | Rivals | ESPN | 24/7 Sports |
5*, #6 OT, #21 Ovr |
4*, 6.0, #4 OT, #18 Ovr |
4*, 80, #20 OT, #140 Ovr |
4*, 96, #8 OT, #2 Ohio, #52 Ovr |
There's a bit of a range in the sites' opinions of this kid. Scout and Rivals (which, to be fair, are the most-established recruiting sites) have him in the top 25 prospects in the country, and he's a 5* to Scout and the guy directly ahead of him in Rivals's overall rankings has five stars. Taking one step back from that is 24/7 Sports, which still likes him, but not nearly as much, calling him a good-not-great 4-star, and outside of their national top 50. ESPN is the most down on him, barely including him in their ESPNU150, and ranking 19(!) offensive tackles ahead of him (as a comparison, the other sites combined have 15 OTs ahead of him, DJ Humphries, Andrus Peat, and John Theus the only ones ahead on all three sites).
In terms of size, there's near-unanimity between the services. All of them say he's 6-5, and weights have a HUGE range from 300-305 pounds, with two votes cast for 302. Thus, 6-5 and 302 pounds seems to be just about perfect.
Let's kick off the evaluations on a negative note, as ESPN is by far the least impressed:
Kalis is a tough run blocker capable of controlling defenders with his upper body playing strength. Has the size with enough athleticism for the offensive tackle position at the major level of competition. If edge speed becomes a factor this prospect could end up inside at the offensive guard spot.
And there we see the first reason that he's probably not an elite prospect to them: he might play guard, a way less important/glamorous position on the football field.
This guy is a tough customer; displays a nasty finishing attitude while dominating his present level of competition. His arm length and short set ability should serve him well in pass protection; can bend and play flat footed, displaying the ability to play stout vs. the bull rush. Although his playing strength is a positive we see the need to polish his initial location and arm extension in pass pro.
Oddly, they say he doesn't have the length to play tackle, then praise the length of his arms. In a single-game report, they also praised his pass-blocking. Scout, on the other hand, admits that's one of his shortcomings, listing "Arm Length" as his only area for improvement (I guess they think he's got access to a medieval stretching rack?). His positive points are considered "Feet," "Nasty Streak," and "Power and Strength," echoing the ESPN evaluation of those aspects. Allen Trieu on his abilities:
Kalis is a tough, strong lineman who dominates consistently. He plays the game hard and is an excellent run blocker and drive blocker. He plays with good leverage and finishes his blocks strong. He shows the ability to pull and lead, and is coordinated and athletic in the open field. He has good feet all around, which is also evident in pass pro. If there's a knock, it's that he may not be long enough for left tackle. - Trieu
That arm length is starting to sound like a liability, but with his excellent feet, guard is sounding more and more like a possibility with everything I see. Duane Long discusses his game on Bucknuts:
One of the best offensive line prospects it has been my pleasure to evaluate in my time scouting players in Ohio. One thing that I believe has helped the Ohio State offensive line become better is bringing in players who like to play football. When I am talking about offensive linemen liking to play football I mean they like beating people up.
This speaks more to his nasty streak than anything, but calling him among the best all-time is a big deal; Long has been evaluating Ohio prospects for a few years, so that "all-time" puts Kalis among Aundrey Walker, Andrew Norwell, the late Matt James, and Marcus Hall. Long got more specific later in the process:
One of the finest tackle prospects I have seen in my time covering players in Ohio. I have yet to see Orlando Pace's equal but other than him I see Kalis in the same argument as Korey Stringer, Alex Boone, Marcus Hall and Andrew Norwell. He is very mobile, doing a great job of getting downfield and blocking on the second level. At the point of attack he is a dominating run blocker.
A report from Long before Kalis's commitment:
He is as technically sound as any lineman I have seen in the last couple of years. Once he gets his hands on a defender it is over. He is going to punish him until the whistle blows.
His father is former NFL lineman Todd Kalis, who (oddly enough) played for former Ohio State coach John Cooper at Arizona State. Sons of NFL players typically are a bit more polished than others, as Long implies. Duane's one question mark? If he has the ability to play LT, a recurring theme in other evaluations. Long couldn't contain his excitement after watching Kalis's physical play in the State Championship game:
Kalis should not be allowed to play against high school players. What he does to opponents borders on assault. He beats up the opposition... I don't like to project offensive linemen to play as freshman. Kalis is one that I think can. Love the nasty. Love the motor.
He'll play in the Army All-American Bowl ($, info in header).
Long story short on Kalis: an elite run blocker, mostly unknown as a pass blocker (from the sound of things, St. Eds doesn't pass a lot, and Kyle has played on the right side to date). He has the mobility the pull-block, and with shorter arms, might be a better fit as a guard, but a great one.
OFFERS
I like this part. Here are a few of Kalis's top offers: Alabama, Auburn, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Wisconsin. Those schools are either recruiting powerhouses, reigning National Champions, or Offensive Line Of Doom machines, so that offer sheet is very impressive.
Some of his other offers include Arizona State, Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa, Miami (YTM), Michigan State, Nebraska, Pitt, and West Virginia. Penn State showed interest, but did not yet offer Kyle (though there's a good chance it's due to his long-standing commitment, rather than a negative evaluation of his talent).
STATS
Kalis is an offensive lineman, and therefore doesn't have stats. However, Lakewood St. Ed's is one of the top programs in Ohio, and Kyle played a key role in leading them to a State Championship last year. They're MaxPreps's #9 team this season.*
FAKE 40 TIME
None of the recruiting sites have listed a 40 time for Kyle, so I get to give out my default five FAKEs out of five.
VIDEO
Junior highlights from ScoutingOhio, which has taken to posting obnoxiously-short videos:
(Insert joke here about The Killers as the soundtrack to him burying a bunch of dudes). Sophomore(!) highlights. There are a couple Rivals Amp videos available, as well.
PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE
This kid is a 5-star (or close to it) for a reason. He has the potential to play as a true freshman, and with Michigan's questionable depth at offensive line, he could see a backup role in his first year on campus. There are a couple RT/G prospects in the class ahead of him though, so hopefully he can take a year to learn.
After that, however, three interior linemen depart, and Taylor Lewan could also be out the door to the NFL Draft if he has an excellent redshirt junior season. Playing time should be easy to come by, even if it's only a key backup role.
As an upperclassman (or redshirt sophomore), I wouldn't be surprised if Kalis took an iron grip on a guard spot, and became a dominating Big Ten offensive lineman. With his recruiting rankings, it's hard to project anything short of potential multi-year all-conference honors, and possibly even an early entry to the NFL Draft.
UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS
The need at offensive line is all-but completely taken care of. Michigan will stay after several blue chips -- 5-star IL OL Jordan Diamond would be a very nice final piece of the puzzle, as a versatile lineman that can play pretty much any position -- but otherwise that big need has been filled.
Class needs remain re at defensive tackle and wideout, with smaller needs at QB and RB - positions the coaching staff could take a pass on if they can't land anyone elite.
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* [Ed-M: Michigan was looking at three more of Kalis's teammates for 2012. Two - tight end Sam Grant and OL Tyler Orlosky have committed elsewhere (BC and WVa. respectively). DT Greg Kuhar is a 3-star DT deciding between Northwestern and West Virginia, and seems to be behind other M offers for his position).
God bless and welcome to Michigan.
If Hoke's first year on the field is as good as his first year recruiting, there will be a 2011 Big Ten championship banner hanging up in about 6-8 months.
ur recruits r belong 2 us
(someone please find the gif of this, I can't seem to find it and it's funnier)
For the buckeyes.
Hahahahahaha, Im Brady Hoke Bitch!!
Welcome to the family Kyle! Great Choice!
Yes! Great news on a Sunday!
Welcome to the team Kyle I know it has been tough on ya but you will be happy with your choice when you're winning Big Ten titles for the Wolverines
Heeeeell yea.
can we cue muppets for this?
I just bought that shirt last week!
My first double post...lolz
As if my day couldn't get any better. A muppets/'tallica design?!? Metal!
OMG!! OMG!! OMG!! I'm squeeling like a little girl!. This is great news. I honest didn't expect this today.
This makes a hangover much more enjoyable.
if the knock on him is that he "only" projects as an elite RT or guard instead of an elite LT, that doesn't exactly seem like the biggest problem in the world.
Especially since his future QB (Shane Morris) is a lefty.
Saying he doesn't project to LT means he doesn't project to be a blindside tackle. If Denard became a lefty all of a sudden, Lewan would move to RT.
Ah, good point. I thought Kalis may just have been more comfortable in the RT position.
Yes. That's kinda the point. Hence this commitment being a Big Deal.
OMG!! OMG!! OMG!! I'm squeeling like a little girl!. This is great news. I honestly didn't expect this today.
Sorry for the double post. I got excited and clicked twice while uploading the comment.
Welcome to the familiy Kyle.
When was the last time you can think of a recruiting coup like this? This is amazing.
...all the way.
July 10, 2011 - Great day! Thanks, Tim.
Can't wait to talk to my brother in-law ( tsio fan ) and let him know we took another one from Ohio!! Congrats to Kyle!! Suck it Buckeyes!!
I'm currently at work. Nobody else is around. The sound of my "holy $hit!" exclamation scared me as it echoed off the 1960's-era block construction walls of my work place.
Welcome, Kyle. You will undoubtedly be a key ingredient in UM's transformation back to a Big 10 power and national prominence!!
It wasn't that long that Michigan wasn't even on his radar. Welcome Kyle, your going to be part of something great at Michigan.
It truly is Christmas in July.
Hell Yea. Go Blue!
EXCELLENT News!!! This is going to be a great class! Now on to the last OL!
Look out ohio... we're gunning for you!
the power run we're installing. Can you imagine him as the pulling guard levelling some hapless linebacker?! Oh the Schadenfreude! Tears flowing like delicious wine! TomVH says he's already been recruiting for Michigan :)))))
wooooooooooo!!!!!!!
Has there been a bigger recruit for us in the past decade?
Welcome home, Mr. Kalis.
Well yeah... off the top of my head:
Gabe Watson, LaMarr Woodley, Prescott Burgess, Jake Long (I know he was only a 4*, but leaving him off this list just doesn't feel right), Chad Henne, Steve Schilling, Brandon Graham, Mallett, Warren, Turner, Campbell.
Not exactly bad company to be in.
It goes beyond stars, though. Pulling him straight from OSU's grasp is HUGE
also.. OMG ABBY WAMBACH WHAT A GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice transition, what a cluth goal! A great game!!!!
Ernest Shazor, Kelly Baraka I think were also 4/5 stars.... Kevin Grady and Shilling were also 5 stars by Rivals I believe.
Wasn't Devin Gardner a big deal?
Any Div 1 school would kill to have a backup as good as Dev
Wow, talk about a string of folks venturing off into the Land of Missing the Point. Michigan has always pulled top-tier talent. Just not very often from the grips of OSU (and vice versa).
Welcome aboard, Kyle. You made a great choice, and we all look forward to four years of road grader. We're all ready for what you bring to the table. Get ready for a great time, and to one day sing The Victors in Pasadena!
Smart decision Kyle! It just keeps getting better! GO BLUE!
The guy is on fire, to but we don't have a Houston Nutt class of 40 to fill.
A acl tear wouldn't be bad imo, if you not with OSU and goes to a conference rival then a injury is the the best thing that could happen.
http://ohiostate.247sports.com/Board/120/Kalis-Commits-to-Michigan-3047789/1
And they wonder why he de-commited from that fanbase...
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