2013 Draft- Guy really likes Lewan
I'm surprised the guy has not got more national and local respect. This guy seems to be where I am at. Obviously all the usual disclaimers apply(mock drafts are stupid, year ahead are really stupid, whose this guy on NFL .com, etc) but this is interesting.
Offensive Tackles
1. *Taylor Lewan, Michigan, 6-8/302
2. *D.J. Fluker, Alabama, 6-6/335
3. *Jake Matthews, Texas A&M, 6-5/305
4. *Chris Faulk, LSU, 6-6/325
5. Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin, 6-6/322
Lewan may be this year's version of Kalil if he continues to get stronger. Fluker's a massive road grader who has better feet than expected. Matthews is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, but his strong play is what gets him on this list. Faulk and Wagner have the girth and just good enough footwork to play immediately as rookies, even if it's on the right side of the line instead of the left.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8289ff57/article/2013-nfl-draft-top-five-prospects-by-position
Lewan should put on another 10 lbs. In any case, my lord, linemen these days are just giants!
Personally I hope not. I would love to see Lewan's donkey-hating ways stay all five years.
Hey nfl, keep your paws off of our left tackle.
It hurts to see OSU's DT (and Michigan native with no UM offer) Jonathan Hankins as the No. 1 DT; he was also on another list of the Top 15 for 2013 draft.
IIRC, back in the day, if he had an offer he was a lock to commit to UM. Oops.
Ya that was a recruiting miss. A DT, position of need since Graves and Jones decommitted the year before, right in the backyard. One can understand the desire to see him shed a few pounds and show an interest or desire to get an offer, but still, imagine having him this year. Dline would be much more proven. Shit.
For all his alleged "offensive genius," RR seems to have been blind and dumb about how to assemble a good defense (player and coaching staff).
...recall correctly. Coach couldn't stand UM. He was the little devil on Johnathan's shoulder telling him how UM didn't think he was worthy of an offer and if so they would have extended one long ago. Same high school as Fred Smith.
Not a "miss" when you never had a chance.
IIRC, Keenan Davis came from the same school as Adrian Arrington and had initial interest in Michigan which was never recpirocated.
However, his non-offer is only an issue now due to the change back to the pro-style offense and the loss of Stonun. Hankins' non-offer was perplexing both now and then.
At camp Hankins was gassed - literally chest heaving - after three reps.
Three. Stumbled away after the third rep. He looked great first rep, okay second, bad third.
Coaches weren't sure about his commitment to conditioning so said hey we'd like to watch you a bit during your senior season prior offering.
Rivals (Hemboldt I think) reported later that Hankins was nursing an injury (rib?) at said camp that he oddly didn't disclose. He didn't have any "big" offers at this point.
They monitored him during the season, he looked better, and they offered. As I mentioned before, his coach was NOT having it. Told his parents that UM was full of it, etc. OSU offered later and he steered him right to them.
That's it in a nutshell.
He did get a UM offer around the same time he got his OSU offer (interestingly no Sparty offer). When his HS defensive coordinator (Archie Collins - who followed Tom Gholson to MSU as a film aid?) got involved, there was no chance for UM.
There were a lot of concerns about his health and conditioning early on - hence the lack of offers until late in the game.
I hope he stays another year- but he definitely will be a high pick if he goes. Pretty cool to see him at #1 though!
Zack Boren, top fullback (where was the top fullback drafted this year?)
No Denard on the Receiver list.
Gholston on the Ends list.
Barkevious Mingo. Nuff said.
Defensive Tackles
1. *Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State, 6-4/317
2. Star Lotulelei, Utah, 6-4/325
3. *Sharrif Floyd, Florida, 6-3/305
4. Jesse Williams, Alabama, 6-4/320
5. Sheldon Richardson, Missouri, 6-4/295
Hankins is this year's version of Dontari Poe -- a huge athletic specimen who played end and tackle for the Buckeyes. 2011 Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Lotulelei will be a household name (pronounced lo-too-leh-lay), while Alabama's Williams could be another versatile Tide performer going to the pro.
Hankins shouldve been a wolverine and he wanted to be a wolverine thanks RR
yikes.
Looks like Alabama is going to dominate the first few rounds of the draft again next year.
If Lewan leaves early because he's one of the top LTs, then I'm cool with that. He could have a long NFL career.
2 groups are not ready for this to happen:
1. NFL-level donkeys.
2. NFL city bike paths.
Nothing to see here, NFL scouts. Move along.
Mel Kiper had an ESPN conference call today in which he stated that Taylor Lewan could "maybe" be the next Jake Long. High praise.
https://twitter.com/#!/davebirkett/status/197023095612121090
E.J. Manuel is way overrated, IMO.
I've got:
1. Matt Barkley
2. Aaron Murray
3. Tyler Wilson
4. Tyler Bray
5. Landry Jones
...also, I will say right now that as a whole this will be a MUCH better QB class than '12.
At first glace I think this draft as a whole will be a lot deeper, however, I think the '12 class will yield the better NFL playmakers.
top Defensive End listed when he is destined to be the #1 pick next year?
/spends too much time lurking at RCMB
I'm also not too worried about our 2013 OL if Lewan leaves. Schofield would be the LT since he'll be our biggest, most experienced OT. The line as a whole would like something like this:
LT: Schofield 5th SR
LG: Kalis So
C: Miller RS So
LG: Bryant RS So
RT: Magnuson/Braden/Bars/Fox/Bosch - whoever's best of that group (whichi is a big enough and talented enough group that someone will be a good starter at RT).
Depth is still non-existant, but the starting 5 would be solid.
I don't know what kind of offense you like to run, but I hear Al Borges prefers to have a right guard on his offensive line.
/s
Normally, yes, but I forget to specify this is for our unique "twin left guard" alignment. You'd think that because one of them was lined up on the right that he'd be a right guard. You'd be wrong though.
if he gets a proper rating and feels it is a good thing. While we would miss him I can't see how any person should walk away from a payday like that.
Any doubt I had about Lewan disappeared when he didn't break Gholstons face after his arm bar and punch. Any NFL team asking about Taylors maturity just has to look at that film.
The next person to wear 77 is gonna have titan sized shoes to fill.
I forbid the use of any "pro" or "draft" words when discussing any Michigan athlete prior to their final year of eligibility!
EDIT: They are allowed if not outright encouraged, however, when discussing players on other teams.
I know what you're saying, but what if the words "1st round" or "making the program look stong" were included?
Trey Burke leaving after one year only be be drafted in the second round or not at all is a bad thing for almost everyone. However, Taylor Lewan starting for 3 years and then getting drafted in the first round is not only awesome for him, but it makes our program look really good. You know recruits were seeing all those Alabama players drafted early and thinking they want to go there.