Hello: Stephen Spanellis
Photo via Scout.
Three-star Baltimore (MD) Gilman OT Stephen Spanellis had made a habit of catching people off guard. First, he picked up a Michigan offer, and the news flew so far under the radar that I can't find a story reporting it on any of the four recruiting sites. Then his official visit last weekend went down in similar fashion. Last night, he flipped his commitment from Virginia to Michigan, and as you can tell from the timing of this post, he wasn't expected to announce so soon. For that, we can thank the snowpocalypse:
"I felt like I was leaning towards Michigan," he said. "I was going to take the official visit [to Virginia] this weekend if it wasn't for the snow, but then I felt like I didn't want to wait until next weekend to take the visit because I was ready to be done with the recruiting process. I was sure that Michigan was the place for me.
"It's a great academic school and the tradition there speaks for itself," he added. "[Head] Coach [Jim] Harbaugh I would consider him one of the five best football coaches in the world period. Any time you can be part of something that is excellent, it is something you need to think about doing."
Spanellis is the 22nd commit in the 2016 class and the fourth on the offensive line, joining Ben Bredeson, Michael Onwenu, and Gilman teammate Devery Hamilton.
GURU RATINGS
Scout | Rivals | ESPN | 247 | 247 Comp |
3*, #100 OT | 3*, #36 OT | 3*, 75, #60 OG |
3*, 86, #92 OG, #985 Ovr |
3*, #61 OG, #739 Ovr |
The recruiting sites are split on whether Spanellis is a guard or a tackle; all have him as various levels of three-star, with Rivals easily the most bullish—in their position rankings he's ten spots away from four-star status, while he's well off that mark everywhere else.
Spanellis has plenty of size. Scout and Rivals both list him at 6'6", 290 pounds; ESPN at 6'5", 313; and 247 at 6'5", 330. He's got the look of a right tackle or guard, depending on his ability to protect the edge.
[Hit THE JUMP for the informative portion.]
SCOUTING
Scout's free evaluation paints the picture of a strong RT/OG type who's got plenty of developing to do from a technical standpoint:
Evaluation
Spanellis' strength shows in his initial punch, which can be jarring and speaks to his balance. He is aggressive and finishes blocks, but he needs to improve his footwork so he can stay on a block better. He comes out of his stance quickly, but he needs to lighten his feet and drive his legs more in run blocking. He uses his strength and initial punch in pass blocking but needs to improve [lateral] quickness. -- Brian DohnStrengths
- Aggressiveness
- Power And Strength
- Size
- Tenacity
Areas to Improve
- Explosion
- Feet
- Pass Protection
ESPN sees him as a guard and has similar concerns about his pass protection; here's their take on his run blocking:
Flashes ability to come off with adequate pad level and when he gets hand placement displays lower body strength to generate some push, but pads can quickly rise and can get stalemated. Can use body and size to engulf and wall off defenders at times. Could struggle to adjust to moving targets, but displays good ability to locate and use angles to get a hit on second level targets.
They mention he can get top-heavy; his profile reminds me quite a bit of Ben Braden.
Everything else we have on Spanellis comes from Michigan media in the wake of his commitment. 247's Clint Brewster evaluated his senior film:
Spanellis is a big-bodied offensive lineman that excels in the straight-ahead run game as a mauler type of offensive lineman that Michigan looks for. He's physical upon contact and uses his body to overpower defensive lineman and drive them into the ground. Spanellis has some fluid movements to be able to turn his body on down blocks and cut off defenders. He's got a physical punch and is able to extend his arms to get separation from defenders and move them where he wants in the running game. Spanellis is well coached coming from national power Gilman high school. He understands pad level and leverage. Spanellis looks like a nice fit at Michigan with his physicality and if he continues to improve his body and foot-speed, he could be a really solid player.
The Wolverine's Tim Sullivan also says his primary strength is as a mauling run-blocker:
He's not the most athletic or flexible tackle prospect, and is probably more of a right (or frontside) tackle in the long-term. He has the ability to hold off edge rushers, but elite defensive ends can get around him. Better to have that in the quarterback's line of sight.
What Spanellis is best at is plowing ahead in the run game on the edge, and working to the next level (something Hamilton is exceptional at for a high school player, as well). That should serve him in the Jim Harbaugh offense.
One of his Gilman coaches told 247's Steve Wiltfong that Spanellis is an ideal fit for a Harbaugh squad:
“He’s a huge kid, 6-5, 330 right now,” Gilman assistant coach Henry Russell said. “He’s in excellent shape for that size and he’s extremely strong. Strongest player on our team. He has an unbelievable work ethic. First one in the weight room, last one to leave. He’s a quiet kid that leads by example.
“I think he’s a perfect fit for Michigan and the type of kids they’re trying to bring in.”
I'm sticking with my Braden comparison. Braden was similarly enormous coming out of high school, started out as a right tackle at Michigan, and slid inside to guard in part because of his difficulty staying with quick edge-rushers and his habit of leaning into blocks. Unlike Braden, Spanellis has the benefit of being coached by Harbaugh and Tim Drevno from the outset, which makes me more optimistic that he'll be able to stick at right tackle, where he's most needed on the roster.
OFFERS
Spanellis holds offers from Arkansas, Charlotte, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Maryland, Miami (YTM), Michigan State, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and West Virginia. While that list is missing top-flight programs, it's a very solid sheet for a player with his rankings.
HIGH SCHOOL
You're probably familiar with Baltimore Gilman, a longtime powerhouse that's already given Michigan current H-back Henry Poggi (son of Gilman coach Biff Poggi) and fellow 2016 commit Devery Hamilton.
STATS
Is OL, no stats.
FAKE 40 TIME
ESPN lists a 5.83, which gets zero FAKEs out of five.
VIDEO
Senior highlights:
Junior highlights and single-game reels can be found on his Hudl page.
PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE
With the entire line save Graham Glasgow returning, plus three higher-ranked linemen in the 2016 class, Spanellis is a dead lock to redshirt during his first year on campus. After that, things get interesting, especially if Mason Cole moves to the interior as we anticipate. Grant Newsome should hold down the left tackle spot in 2017, but the departure of Erik Magnuson will leave an opening at right tackle; Spanellis could compete for that job with Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Nolan Ulizio, Devery Hamilton, and perhaps Ben Bredeson.
Kyle Kalis and Ben Braden also move on after next season, so if Spanellis ends up at guard, he has a chance to see the field relatively early there, too. That will all depend on his development once he gets on campus.
UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS
Michigan should be set on the offensive line barring the unlikely event they get serious interest from EJ Price, who's too good a prospect not to take if he's interested. They will continue to pursue Texas grad transfer Jake Raulerson, who could immediately step in at center for the next two seasons. The rest of the upshot I'll slightly modify from yesterday's Hello post for David Long:
As for the class as a whole, Michigan is up to 22 commits, and we still expect one or two players from the current group not to end up in a class that could reach as many as 30. That leaves anywhere from eight to ten spots to fill before Signing Day. Top remaining targets include DT Rashan Gary, TE/DE Devin Asiasi, DT Boss Tagaloa, WDE Connor Murphy, ATH Khaleke Hudson, WR Eddie McDoom, TE Chase Allen, WR Donald Stewart, WR Pie Young, WDE Joshua Uche, ILB Elysee Mbem-Bosse, and K Quinn Nordin.
Here's the class as it currently stands:
January 22nd, 2016 at 12:55 PM ^
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January 22nd, 2016 at 12:59 PM ^
is the worst!
Second is the best!!
Third is a bird with a hairy chest!!
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:02 PM ^
Third is the one with the treasure chest.*
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:10 PM ^
This is the second time I've seen this lame joke in the past day.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:34 PM ^
Same poster. I propose a "three strikes and you're out" rule here.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:38 PM ^
I was a bit dismayed by your TTB score for Spanellis. Rare for any UM scholarship player to get a reading near 60 by you. Hope you end up wrong - respectfully. I actually thought your prose in the piece was more positive than the actual grade.
Curious what you graded Braden at out of HS as like Spanellis he was huge - but I think judged a bit more athletic but raw.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:49 PM ^
Braden was a 71.
January 22nd, 2016 at 7:01 PM ^
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:59 PM ^
When did you go from Brandon Graham to a WD-style avatar? Gonna take me a minute to get used to being mocked by a banner and not a nose tackle.
January 22nd, 2016 at 3:01 PM ^
LOL & Upvote, you are on Fire Today!
January 22nd, 2016 at 3:15 PM ^
And now thanks to WD's handy tip when I wax poetic I can do so with properly spelled words and stuff.
It's been a good day.
January 22nd, 2016 at 12:58 PM ^
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January 22nd, 2016 at 1:05 PM ^
As Ace stated, Michigan likely is looking to keep him at right tackle if he can manage it. With Harbaugh and Drevno on task from the outset, there is a good chance of that.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:23 PM ^
January 22nd, 2016 at 2:58 PM ^
January 22nd, 2016 at 4:02 PM ^
Is it a huge number for a 330 pound HS player?
January 22nd, 2016 at 7:05 PM ^
January 23rd, 2016 at 6:14 AM ^
I'm with you on this Gucci Mane. 395 is basically 4 plates on each side (405). I'm a gym rat and that is a lot of weight for anyone to squat with proper form. Also H.S. kids are just that. They haven't been in the gym but for a few years at most and many won't train legs seriously. I am impressed by anyone that can properly squat 395. Especially an 18 year old kid.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:08 PM ^
January 22nd, 2016 at 2:45 PM ^
How did you get 465 Mgopoints Mr. First?
In your Christmas stocking or was it a birthday gift?
You're frittering your inheritence away!!!
EDIT: 50 downvotes later, dude's down to 414... Democracy in action?!
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:00 PM ^
I don't know shit from shinola, but this seems like a weird pick up considering all the cirmcumstances.
Oh well, Welcome Stephen! You will never regreat coming to "the greatest university in the world" (Darth Vader, 2015)
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^
Hey sheepman - I me my Shinola watch; great Michigan brand.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:59 PM ^
I understand you are teasing me about something, but I really have no idea what you are trying to say.
January 22nd, 2016 at 2:47 PM ^
He refers to Shinola watches, made in Michigan,
His prose did him no favors in the comprehension dept.
January 22nd, 2016 at 3:02 PM ^
"He does not know shit from Shinola" is a reference to brown Shinola shoe polish:
It's something your grandfather used to say (back when they wore fedoras and polished shoes regularly).
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:51 PM ^
No what im sayin'
Scotty P!!!
January 22nd, 2016 at 3:04 PM ^
staee grads are now doing their magic on tattoos!
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:58 PM ^
I get this one.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:48 PM ^
without him, we only (most likely) sign 3 OL in this class - definitely not enough given the 2013 OL class disaster. Even if he doesn't become a starter, he provides necessary depth on the roster.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:01 PM ^
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:53 PM ^
Seriously, don't do it. I just did and I'm only making $83/hour and my best friend is only earning $8 thousand a month.
That was really surprings for me.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:07 PM ^
Eleven Warriors or RCMB, I heard they like that sort of thing.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:10 PM ^
You're giving people who joined this week a bad name.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:13 PM ^
I assume
January 22nd, 2016 at 2:57 PM ^
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:03 PM ^
Over/Under on whether this is the last Hello: post with Jordan Elliott in the class?
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:17 PM ^
I will take the over.
McDoom commits for the Hello post tomorrow.
Elliott decommits class on Sunday
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:22 PM ^
Yeah I am surprised Ace wrote "1 or 2" of current class to not be part of it. With Lorenz sending Elliott to Texas via CB, Nate Johnson seemingly bound for ND, and our few remaining legacy camps guys like Weaver and Johnson in similar situation to Enis & SPS, I count at least 4. That is not even accounting for another late "surprise" at this point like Richardson yesterday. Could see close to 20% of current class still depart - soon.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:31 PM ^
Im still hoping for Taysom Hill and a grad transfer LB.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:33 PM ^
Those are "later in the spring" decisions that won't have an affect on the signing class that finishes in 2 weeks.
January 22nd, 2016 at 2:50 PM ^
Is that Jordan Elliott the waveringest motherfucker we've ever recruited?
I wouldn't even sweat losing someone that "uncommitted" but he rocked his All-Star game practices... Oh well, such is Crootin circa 2016!!!!
January 22nd, 2016 at 4:21 PM ^
January 22nd, 2016 at 3:56 PM ^
I don't see him listed as one of our top targets?
Are we "dwumfour"?
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:28 PM ^
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:33 PM ^
texas kids, in the end, sure do seem like a hard pull to go way up north.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:55 PM ^
Rumor I heard: He thought there were going to be more Texas (state not school) recruits in the class and that he was just the first who was going to commit. Then all the guys he assumed were following him to Texas ended up elsewhere....and now we're here.
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:10 PM ^
I kept saying during the T. Davis "cooling" period, when the appearance was the staff was waiting on Delance, that JH/Drevno just must not like Davis as much as the recruitniks.
Time will tell, is Durkin right or our guys?
Also, I think the quote from the Gilman S&C coach about Spanellis' work ethic speaks volumes about the change in our OL commitment list this week. Nothing is promised to those that don't seize the opportunity with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind!
Some who've been railing on here and other venues about this change in tactics are just going to have to learn to deal with it...
January 22nd, 2016 at 1:17 PM ^
I think Davis could be very good for Maryland and still not have been what our staff wanted most. JH/Drevno won't necessarily be "wrong" if Delance is successful at Maryland.
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