maurice hurst

Mo Hurst To Return For Fifth Year Comment Count

Brian

A massively important piece for the 2017 Wolverines will stick around:

Hurst was a rotation piece this year who did not start but played in crunch time next to Matt Godin; in about half of Michigan's snaps he had massive production in both UFR and PFF metrics. With the entire starting line off to the NFL draft, Hurst will start and get the lion's share of playing time as a three-tech next to Bryan Mone. They'll be flanked by Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich; that line project to be about as good as this one.

Depth remains an issue, which is why Hurst's return was so mission-critical.

Comments

boliver46

December 21st, 2016 at 1:11 PM ^

you could be right - but I tend to focus on NFL prospects a bit too much at times.

If he could work in another year - showcasing his talents receiving the ball - could he make it as a Hybrid-TE type in the NFL?

Too little is known after this year, so I feel he'd go undrafted.

Next year?  Could be a 3rd-4th rounder if he wanted to continue with Football.

Or maybe he is weighing it against moving on in life...but when I noticed he shows his major as Undeclared - I again lean more towards working to reach the NFL vs. entering the "Real World".

Joined: 09/14/2012

MGoPoints: -3374

ChiCityWolverine

December 21st, 2016 at 1:42 PM ^

FWIW, Kiper has him as his #3 Fullback (paywalled link):

Kiper on Hill: "I just love Hill's stat line this season: 25 carries, 39 yards and 10 touchdowns, with a longest run of four yards. The 6-2, 263-pounder has some hands, too -- he has 14 catches for 105 yards and another two scores."
 

Joined: 07/08/2011

MGoPoints: 3757

dragonchild

December 21st, 2016 at 1:51 PM ^

He's been great for us but roster sizes are fixed.  Making an NFL roster isn't about being good; it's about making one of the best players in the world unemployed.  Hill was moved to FB due to need and did fine, but if Hill was an NFL-caliber TE I think he'd have stayed there.

Harbaugh's gotten remarkable production out of his skill set, but his game has holes at the college level.  He's a great blocker in space and a fine receiving option for a fullback, but his pass protection is shaky and he's often hand-wavingly open because anti-spread college defenses often forget that fullbacks are eligible receivers.  He's not a mismatch against NFL coverage; he won't shake-n'-bake the linebackers or tower over the corners.  I don't want to take away from his legacy as Hammering Panda, but Hill yoinking a roster spot from an active NFL TE is not gonna happen.

Well, it's stupid to say never but it's unlikely.  At the very least, he'd have to take another leap on the level of A.J. Williams' final season from where he's at already.  It's also possible he makes a roster as a fullback, but Kerridge is on a practice squad and Houma isn't playing at all.  I think Kerridge had a more complete game than Hill had this season.

Joined: 10/13/2011

MGoPoints: 60554

steviebrownfor…

December 21st, 2016 at 1:55 PM ^

Hill would probably get the same treatment from the NFL as our last few fullbacks - some UFA workouts, maybe signed to a practice squad.  Not as a TE, hell no, but as a fullback.

If he comes back and maybe developes a reputation as a shorty yardage beast, I can see his odds improving in the NFL simply based on name recognition and such.  But I don't really watch NFL, so wtf do I know.

Joined: 02/01/2009

MGoPoints: 10037

ThadMattasagoblin

December 21st, 2016 at 12:55 PM ^

Now on to Jeremy Clark's 6th year and Newsome's health. If both of those things go our way, we can have a very good season. I think the WRs will be ok with DPJ, Perry, Drake Harris, and the freshmen from this past year. We have Asiasi and Wheatley from the tight ends. If Clark comes back that gives you 2/4 dbs coming back which isn't the end of the world. OL is obviously a huge concern but everything else seems to be decent at worst.

Positions in 2017:

1. DL

2. QB

3. RBs

4. LBs

5. WRs

6. TEs

7. DBs

8. OL

Joined: 08/24/2011

MGoPoints: 63925

Ziff72

December 21st, 2016 at 1:43 PM ^

If Clark comes back that gives you 2/4 dbs coming back which isn't the end of the world. 

 

Not sure what this means.   If your saying 2 of the 4 starting defensive backs return if Clark comes back then that is incorrect.   We have 0 returning starters.

If your saying if we get Clark back and with Kinnel we have 2 significant players returning then I could buy that but your formula would be 2/6 dbs.

 

 

Joined: 07/07/2008

MGoPoints: 9823

wayneandgarth

December 21st, 2016 at 1:01 PM ^

Oh yes, this is a big deal - literally and figuratively. 

Mo has a chance for All American honors with his dominating style.

After the D-line got over the Mone, Taco injuries early, they stayed healthy through the year.  That will be critical for 2017.

Joined: 10/10/2012

MGoPoints: 12937

stephenrjking

December 21st, 2016 at 1:02 PM ^

He was already a dominant player. Bringing up depth will be critical so that he can play full-throttle when he is on the field. With Mone and Winovich looking good but not spectacular he may have a year that is statistically more impressive than the balanced line we had this season.

Unless Gary gets all of the tackles. 

Given that Peppers is a sure-fire departure, Hurst was the big lynchpin that was a questionmark for next year's defense. The DL should be good, which will help everyone else. Even if there turn out to be some serious back-end weaknesses our DL should be able to mask them against most of our opponents.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143524

Mongo

December 21st, 2016 at 1:08 PM ^

Gerald Ford beat my post by 1 freak'in minute with the same subject line! Its carma for lot's of belly rubbing on next week and next year ... Mo sacks, baby !

Joined: 06/25/2016

MGoPoints: 9585

reshp1

December 21st, 2016 at 1:09 PM ^

He's gotten noticeably better every year, and he was a monster this year already. If he can keep his current trajectory and improve again in the offseason, look out.

Joined: 10/31/2011

MGoPoints: 34177

Gucci Mane

December 21st, 2016 at 1:18 PM ^

Thrilled he is coming back. He had a great year this year, and with a summer where he is fully healthy, he will be an all american candidate next season. 

Joined: 02/10/2014

MGoPoints: -99957423