247's Early Impact players from the 2020 class
Features Andre Seldon at DB, with the assumption that he takes over slot corner and Dax Hill moves to full time safety. This is what Sam Webb has been saying for quite some time (he may in fact be the source of Seldon appearing on this list). Hawkins, Hill, Thomas, Gray, and Seldon at slot corner is a pretty good defensive backfield. Could be really good. I really like this kid, and he's consistently risen in the rankings.
The rest of the list includes three other B1G players. Seldon and that DB group better be good, because OSU's WR class is crazy. 247 actually has Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the early impact guy, where most probably expected it to be Julian Fleming. No matter, both are excellent and join Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. With Fields, that passing game is going to be insane. I'm not a huge fan of their RB's though, and they only brought in one 3* guy in 2020. Maybe the run game isn't as deadly without Dobbins. Hope for a bad day from Fields and someone or someones on D to make plays. They are going to score a zillion points on the season though.
The others are Rakim Jarrett, WR Maryland, and Peter Skoronski, who incredibly is a 5* to 247 despite being an OC.
February 7th, 2020 at 12:26 PM ^
Maybe Corum and Henning get some real playing time, that's about it. Lots of first year special teams snaps and garbage time.
February 7th, 2020 at 12:33 PM ^
Do you mean besides Seldon? Because I absolutely think the coaches would love him to take the nickel corner job and let Hill be a full time safety. And I think he'll do it - early enrollee.
Quick note on Corum - Ohio State made a late push for him, and per Lorenz it sounds like there was some nerves in Schembechler Hall, but he stayed with the good guys. I remember back in the summer/early Fall when I was doing my (disastrously incorrect) Let's take a look at Ohio State thing, there was noise on their boards about the lack of an elite RB in their class. It doesn't look like they fixed that. But I could be missing something. And I'm hoping Blackshear from Rutgers doesn't end up there.
February 7th, 2020 at 12:38 PM ^
No. I will be surprised if Seldon gets meaningful time this year. And if he does, it won't be until the end off the season.
February 7th, 2020 at 12:56 PM ^
I don't know if OSU needs an elite RB when their offensive dominance predicates everything. OSU has a top-notch OL and pushes whoever they want.
February 7th, 2020 at 1:11 PM ^
I'd partially agree with you, but say it's Ryan Day's play calling that gets them that dominance.
Still, I think Dobbins turned his share of 15 yard runs into 60 yard TDs because he's elite, and a few more 30-40 yarders into deep TD runs. You'd gave to think a few of those get turned into FGs and that might help anyone who could hang close with them next year.
February 7th, 2020 at 2:36 PM ^
Dobbins’ back up was 3rd team All-Big 10 last year. I think they will be fine.
February 7th, 2020 at 5:22 PM ^
He won't. Rumor is that OSU cancelled the visit of a 4* back (Jamar Gibbs or somesuch) to roll with who they have.
February 7th, 2020 at 12:52 PM ^
What about Braiden McGregor? I know he's still recovering from surgery but he enrolled early and is already the right size for DE. If he can get up to speed by the fall we could see a freshman Aiden Hutchinson type season from him.
Also Matthew Hibner might sneak in a few snaps. Getting TE's early experience seems to be important to the coaching staff given their history, as long as the TE in question is at least an OK blocker.
February 7th, 2020 at 1:03 PM ^
Not sure on Hibner, but was a riser through the process as well, at least at 247 (#133 nationally, 4*). But with Eubanks back, Schoonmaker having a bit of a mini-breakout late in the year, and Erick All on deck (who is a very willing blocker and is supposed to have great hands, but too skinny last year), not sure he's needed unless great immediately.
The knee injury probably took McGregor off this list, plus two heavy-minutes experienced starters at his position.
February 7th, 2020 at 1:09 PM ^
+++ Seldon ... immediate impact player in the 3-3-5. Seldon would be awesome on those OSU slots as he runs a no-fakes 4.3 forty dash. Seldon faster than Dax Hill.
February 7th, 2020 at 1:21 PM ^
247 Sports has him at 4.50 in the 40. Where did you see 4.3?
February 7th, 2020 at 1:26 PM ^
This is per Steve Lorenz at 247: his dad was a big M fan, but early the staff wasn't that interested. At the Sound Mind, Sound Body camp, Harbaugh and Brown couldn't help but notice him making plays on reps against the best competition there. They invited him to camp at UM, he did, ran a 4.3. Coaches asked him to run it again, ran another 4.3.
Who knows if it was a fast clock. But he's fast is the word.
February 8th, 2020 at 10:30 PM ^
Just posted below - the article has him at 5' - 8" tall and 158 lbs. Will he be durable enough to last more than a few games? If those measurements are correct, he is tiny. Don't know if I've ever seen a DB under about 175.
February 7th, 2020 at 1:15 PM ^
Personally if I was playing against anOSU, I would be excited if Fields is forced to make plays in the passing game, regardless of who is playing receiver.*
*Might not apply against Michigan
February 8th, 2020 at 7:26 PM ^
Stop hoping for a fluke against osu, not going to happen any time soon
February 8th, 2020 at 10:25 PM ^
Seldon - 5'-8", 154 lbs. - those numbers can't be right in the article - can they?