2019 Defensive Line Recruiting Board

Submitted by Gentleman Squirrels on

Source: MaizenBrew

I thought this was an excellent overview of the DL prospects that Michigan is recruiting for the 2019 class. There's been a lot of frustration about the lack of DT recruiting the last 2 years, but it seems Michigan is on some good prospects in this cycle and that they've been targeting both OL and DL early this year. In particular, Michigan seems to be in good shape with Mazi Smith and there have been a couple CBs for Rodas Johnson towards Michigan this morning so there may be something going on there. I'm really hoping that we end up flipping George Karlaftis from Purdue. He's been looking like a monster at camps and would pair really well with Hinton and co.

Here's to having a monster DL for years to come!

Magnus

May 22nd, 2018 at 1:10 PM ^

Drafted players since 2007 by round:

Wisconsin

  • Ryan Ramczyk (1st)
  • Rob Havenstein (2nd)
  • Ricky Wagner (5th)
  • Travis Frederick (1st)
  • Peter Konz (2nd)
  • Kevin Zeitler (1st)
  • Bill Nagy (7th)
  • John Moffitt (3rd)
  • Gabe Carimi (1st)
  • Kraig Urbik (3rd)
  • Joe Thomas (1st)

Michigan

  • Mason Cole (3rd)
  • Graham Glasgow (3rd)
  • Michael Schofield (3rd)
  • Taylor Lewan (1st)
  • David Molk (7th)
  • Steve Schilling (6th)
  • Jake Long (1st)

Wisconsin has 11, and Michigan has 7.

Wisconsin has 5 first round picks, and Michigan has 2.

Wisconsin's average draft round is about 2.5, and Michigan's is about 3.4.

I love Michigan, but if I'm an unbiased offensive linemen, I think Wisconsin is going to develop me better.

DrMantisToboggan

May 22nd, 2018 at 1:31 PM ^

Currently on NFL Rosters

Wisconsin (7):

  1. Travis Frederick, DAL
  2. Ryan Groy, BUF
  3. Robert Havenstein, LAR
  4. Tyler Marz, TEN
  5. Ryan Ramczyk, NO
  6. Rick Wagner, DET
  7. Kevin Zeitler, CLE

Michigan (8):

  1. Ben Braden, NYJ
  2. Mason Cole, ARI
  3. Graham Glasgow, DET
  4. Kyle Kalis, WAS
  5. Taylor Lewan, TEN
  6. Erik Magnuson, SF
  7. Patrick Omameh, NYG
  8. Michael Schofield, LAC

Ultimately, it seems like the difference in NFL OL production between Michigan and Wisconsin is pretty negligible over the past 10-ish years. Wisconsin has had better draft picks (which means more immediate money), Michigan has had better staying power with more guys currently on rosters, more guys signing as UDFAs and sticking, and fewer draftees no longer playing (even when you remove Joe Thomas from that category, since he had a HOF career and retired).

Magnus

May 22nd, 2018 at 8:49 PM ^

I'm still going with Wisconsin. You're talking about several high-impact players (Wisconsin with Zeitler, Ramczyk, Havenstein, Frederick) vs. a bunch of journeyman types (and Taylor Lewan). The second-most accomplished lineman on that list of Michigan players is probably Omameh, who has played on 5 teams in 6 years.

Plus being a high pick means a bunch of guaranteed money, whereas a guy like Kalis (without researching his contract) is probably SOL if he gets cut.

DrMantisToboggan

May 22nd, 2018 at 11:31 PM ^

That's all true. Wisconsin definitely can (and has, as a poster below pointed out) sell the money aspect of their higher draft picks.

 

It will be interesting to see the next few years in this area, especially with Warinner in the fold now. Bredeson, Ruiz, and Onwenu are all NFL probables. Hudson will be for sure if he becomes a 3-4 year starter. Wisconsin has at least 3 draft picks next year on their OL right now in Biadasz, Benzschawel, Deiter, and Edwards (I didn't think they were as great as some did last year, better in the run game than in pass pro, but certainly NFL players).

Maizinator

May 22nd, 2018 at 10:44 PM ^

I disagree.  He should be remembered as a a guy who stuck with it and turned it around (at a time when Michigan needed to turn it around).   Complete bust early in his career.  Also, he had the incident where he caved in the hood of the Lincoln when he slid across it (sounds funny but he was charged with a felony).   

He didn't quit and ultimately contributed to an 11-2  team that won the Sugar Bowl, made Honorable Mention All-Big Ten, and he got himself drafted.  I see nothing but positive in that.  He deserves to be on the list.

JonnyHintz

May 23rd, 2018 at 11:17 AM ^

Obviously it’s a positive for the player. But that’s not what we’re talking about. It isn’t a positive sell to recruits that your program had a kid playing DLine and he was drafted to play offense. Thatd be like OSU claiming Terrelle Pryor and Braxton Miller when talking about developing WRs.

Kevin13

May 22nd, 2018 at 1:49 PM ^

when you talk about development and that comes down to OL coach. Our new coach has a very good record of developing draft picks and if our line makes improvements this year, I would expect that to catch a lot of recruits eyes. 

See how this season plays out.

corundum

May 22nd, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^

DL is the position I'm least worried about considering how Mattison and Don Brown have been developing players. I'll be more likely to show concern once Mattison inevitably retires.

DrMantisToboggan

May 22nd, 2018 at 12:15 PM ^

We will (potentially) see. He coached DL at BC in 2012 and 2016. In 2016, BC's DL posted the following stats: Adjusted Line Yards - 6th, Std Down Line Yards - 4th, Pass Down Line Yards - 20th, Opportunity Rate - 11th, Power Success Rate - 2nd, Stuff Rate - 19th, Adjusted Sack Rate - 8th, Std Down Sack Rate - 23rd, Pass Down Sack Rate - 1st. Pretty good stuff. Football Outsiders did not keep DL stats in 2012, but BC had a much worse defense that year. 

 

Could be Don Brown effect, could be Washington's doing. We know that he's a great recruiter, and getting top end talent on the DL is a good chunk of the battle there.

DrMantisToboggan

May 22nd, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^

Hinton, Herron, Smith, Johnson, Karlaftis, Newburg and Hicks would be an excellent DL haul. Plus, the staff would like to add another End to that list I am assuming. 

 

That list gives you three Anchors in Karlaftis, Hicks, and Newburg (listed as an End, but no), two 3Ts in Hinton and Johnson, a Nose in Mazi, and one End in Herron. This staff also just loves taking big athletic guys and figuring out their exact position on the line later. 

 

Zach Harrison and Aeneas Dicosmo remain the other main End targets, I would guess. Michael Fletcher might be in there as well, but he seems to be destined for MSU.

DrMantisToboggan

May 22nd, 2018 at 12:36 PM ^

I'd agree with that. Similar players, Herron a little bigger, but both are guys that Stanford would actually probably stand up (and I know that we've talked about standing DiCosmo up too). As of now I would guess that we hang on to Herron and DiCosmo goes to Stanford. 

 

Ruke Orhorho is a guy I forgot to mention. Seems like another option as tentatively an End, but a guy that could also grow into another position.

Gentleman Squirrels

May 22nd, 2018 at 12:44 PM ^

Maybe they think he's a recruit they can get later? They also signed a huge DT class last year and have two top DL recruits in Zach Harrison and Jowon Briggs from Ohio that is likely to sign with them. I don't think Johnson's offer list is lacking though with ND, PSU, Wisc, MSU, and Oklahoma offering. It's definitely more of a regional list rather than a national one.

JVANVEEL

May 22nd, 2018 at 12:23 PM ^

Rodas Johnson looks to be teammates with Joey Velazquez, the potential Safety/Viper commit that is currently committed to the Ohio State baseball team. Both attend St.Francis De Sales in Columbus, Ohio. I hope we can reel them both in, maybe a tandem commitment!

Space Coyote

May 22nd, 2018 at 12:39 PM ^

It would have been nice to get a true NT type in last year's class, but Brown hasn't in the past utilized a ton of mass on the inside (rarely did he have interior DL larger than 300 lbs at BC). Brown likes a lot of movement: line stunts, pressure games, etc. He doesn't need a space eater as often as other defenses do. 

Two years ago he got Paea, who could grow into that (if he stays on D). They got Solomon and Dwumfour who can both take up snaps at 3T or NT. They got DIB and Jeter who will be a 3T/Anchor. So two years ago you got three guys that could take snaps at NT, and 4 that could take snaps at 3T, and all are still underclassmen.

Last year, they picked up three "DEs", but almost one of Upshaw, Hutchinson, or Welschof will end up inside (my guess would be Welschof, but hard to say, and will depend on how each reacts to the strength program). Hinton could very likely end up inside at 3T as well. So, yes, it would be nice for them to get an additional guy that can play some NT so they don't go two years without one, I think that's a need, but two true NTs isn't really necessary when they have one guy likely to slide into 3T already. This staff likes big guys that can move, not space eaters, because the goal is to let front attack, not sit and react.

Farnn

May 22nd, 2018 at 1:11 PM ^

I thought there was chatter during the spring of Paea moving to OL but I don't remember where I read it.  And I'm pretty sure the plan for Upshaw was always as an interior guy.

Maybe I'm still haunted by the Hoke and RR years but it always seems Michigan is not recruiting enough of the WDE types or the ones they do recruit outgrow the position.  I know we have Villain, Paye and Winovich this year, but they didn't take any last year and DiCosmo and Herron both seem iffy at this point.  I know they have Newburg committed who has been compared to Winovich, but I'd hope they can get another commit who is solid to stick to the class.

BoCanHam15

May 22nd, 2018 at 1:17 PM ^

There have been lots of negative nancies on here and boy have they had their way lately! It’s been Bluey vs. Maizen for the most positive people of this Spring towards Michigan football recruiting. I really appreciate this post! I’ll have to upvote you later on. My phone won’t allow it! Once again,”thank you very much!”

Bluey

May 22nd, 2018 at 6:35 PM ^

Sounds like he's committing to UM in June. Plays for a powerhouse in Georgia that is heavily scouted so he's likely ranked correctly. His offer sheet is probably the byproduct of the program he plays for because most of his big offers aren't commitable right now. With Couch already in the fold I don't see the logic in taking another undersized corner.