justin turner
transfers
vince helmuth
w00t
marell evans

Justin Turner Is Officially A Go Comment Count

Brian

Very Web 2.5 way to find this out but here you go via the twitters:

RT: @umhoops: RT @mikerothstein: RR: minor didn't practice, headache. Turner cleared. #michigan

Waiting on Witty now.

Also, Helmuth and Evans "may look to transfer" and did not practice today, which would be further blows to defensive depth, albeit ones that weren't looking to play unless there were no other options.

UPDATE: The Free Press is reporting that Evans and Helmuth are transferring:

“Good young men,” he said. “Sometimes that happens, guys think maybe I can (play elsewhere), I’m not getting a lot of reps and not up on the depth chart or something. I try to remind the guys the depth chart is not going to be solid until the first week.”

Also, Teric Jones has moved to cornerback.

Initial takes on that: once Helmuth moved from FB his chances of ever seeing the field without injury Armageddon were very low. Evans started the first game last year but was immediately displaced; neither were touted recruits and if the defense wasn't already very short on bodies it would be No Big Deal. But it is, and wow the number of scholarship players on D is vanishingly small. Jones' move, then, is a very good idea.

UPDATE UPDATE: News is saying "may"; next presser we'll be at so this interpretation dance won't be an issue:

Michigan's football team could be down two more players.

Junior linebacker Marell Evans and junior defensive tackle Vince Helmuth have asked to look in to playing at other programs, Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez confirmed on Wednesday.

Comments

The King of Belch

August 12th, 2009 at 8:07 PM ^

The meme of "Hellz Bellz, that's another schollie" is beginning to ring hollow. Especially when the schollies that open up are by guys who could have contributed. And who's going to fill that open schollie? Oh, I know--it's just another player who held Rodriguez back, that's all.

Joined: 07/21/2009

MGoPoints: 8

WolvinLA

August 12th, 2009 at 8:29 PM ^

With Lloyd leaving and RR coming, we have had a lot of replacing to do, some of which is due to Robinson coming as well. That said, I wouldn't mind losing a couple likely non-contributors in favor of signing 2 extra guys who very well could be. No one is really pushing for the Rose Bowl this year anyway, but to add a couple extra play makers at key spots for 2010 and beyond might be a good idea. I don't think it's good that we're losing guys, but there's nothing wrong with seeing the silver lining.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 875

teldar

August 12th, 2009 at 8:33 PM ^

That's fine. As long as we get some players to replace those who are leaving. And by players, I mean Players. Not just warm bodies to fill their holes. Would be nice to see a couple more high end recruits come in and decide they have spots now that we're just about out of D Line.

Joined: 07/14/2009

MGoPoints: 8230

Blue boy johnson

August 12th, 2009 at 8:58 PM ^

From the commitment of Tate 8-31-08 here is a list of players who committed. per Rivals. on or after 8-31 5 Star a. William Campbell 4 Star a. Tate Forcier b. Vlad Emilien c. Cam Gordon d. Anthony Lalota e. Taylor Lewan f. Denard Robinson g. Craig Roh h. Je'Ron Stokes I. Quentin Washington 3 Star a. Thomas Gordon 2 Star a. Brendan Gibbons b. Adrian Witty

Joined: 03/15/2009

MGoPoints: 6633

wlvrine

August 12th, 2009 at 7:15 PM ^

One nice thing about the RR era is the level of transparency. If the team says Minor has a headache, he probably has a headache. With Carr, God love him, he could have had a broken jaw and I wouldn't know about it until kickoff.

Joined: 09/25/2008

MGoPoints: 1702

Don

August 12th, 2009 at 7:18 PM ^

He was a pretty powerful runner in HS, and I was surprised that he was beaten out by Moundros. But what the hell do I know. I admit that if he hadn't been local I really wouldn't care much, beyond the defensive depth question. Evans puzzles me, though... I could have sworn that he wasn't further back than #2 on some depth charts. Won't our APR take another hit if they both leave?

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148337

jrt336

August 12th, 2009 at 7:22 PM ^

Great news and bad news. So if Helmuth leaves we will have 3 DTs = really bad. Evans is on the two deep, so that wouldn't be good either. Any JForce news?

Joined: 01/16/2009

MGoPoints: 4498

wolverinepride

August 12th, 2009 at 7:38 PM ^

I was reading on rivals,and i will admit i might have been reading into it wrong, but it almost sounded to me like graham was saying we might be running more of a 3 man front this year or maybe a 3 man and bringing a lb to come stand at the line. He's really high on Martin opening up the oline with him. I personally would like to see those two tear into a line and roh come flying through free and eat the qb.

Joined: 07/29/2008

MGoPoints: 58

jabberwock

August 12th, 2009 at 8:05 PM ^

I'm thrilled about Turner, but he's an unknown at this point (but sure looks fantastic). Helmuth & Evans were productive team members and I hate to see them leave for any reason. If this isn't a talent wash it certainly is a karmic one.

Joined: 07/04/2008

MGoPoints: 51146

Don

August 12th, 2009 at 9:02 PM ^

playing for D2 program right away/sitting out and playing at Akron/wherever with virtually no real chance at the NFL > playing at Michigan and getting a degree from UM.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148337

Blue Durham

August 12th, 2009 at 10:33 PM ^

playing at Akron > sitting on bench at Michigan. Very slim shot at NFL > UM degree. I have suspected what Magnus has come out and said, the 2010 recruiting class is going to be pretty much close to the max of 25. I think these departures, if they do come about, all but assures it.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 6082

mgovictors23

August 12th, 2009 at 9:25 PM ^

I'm very excited that Turner is in, other than Will Campbell he has the highest ceiling of anyone in this class. I don't like that Helmuth and Evans are leaving though. Without Helmuth we are only going to have 3 defensive tackles on the team. I understand that we are only going to have one on the field because we really only put three true d lineman on the field but it is still way to low. I'm confused about Evans departure though because I thought him and Herron were battling it out for the deathbacker position. Their is somewhat of a positive with this though, we get more scholarships for this years class.

Joined: 05/03/2009

MGoPoints: 99