Brandon Smith has left the team?

Submitted by seanml11 on

A lot of noise going on at the Rivals msg board that Smith has left the team. Has anybody heard anything to support this this claim? Credible poster so it seems legit.

TomVH

December 6th, 2009 at 12:54 PM ^

Yeah, unfortunately it seems like it's true. I don't know what's being said on Rivals, but I've heard that he has received his release papers.

Obviously this could change, because I've heard he's wanted to transfer before, but it seems like it's going to happen.

seanml11

December 6th, 2009 at 1:06 PM ^

Thanks Tom! I wish Brandon the best of luck. Tom, is there anybody on the recruiting "radar" that you see UM trying to get to fill Smith's spot? When I say "spot" I mean added depth at a position of need.

TomVH

December 6th, 2009 at 12:57 PM ^

The 2008 recruiting class was part Carr and part RR, so we've seen a lot of attrition out of that class. It sucks, but I think it's relatively normal.

Magnus

December 7th, 2009 at 6:31 AM ^

Brandon Smith was moved to linebacker at the end of spring practice. He played there the entire season, EXCEPT when it got to Wisconsin week and our free safeties hadn't been getting the job done. The coaches moved him to FS to help in run support for that one week. That's it.

Hoken's Heroes

December 6th, 2009 at 1:01 PM ^

There will always be kids who will leave after a season. Attrition happens. It's not as if he was going to fill an important role next year. Best of luck to him and hopefully he finds a new program where he'll be happy. And a sincere thank you to him for putting in his all when he was with the team.

los barcos

December 6th, 2009 at 1:35 PM ^

he wasnt going to fill an important role next year? he was still young, bounced around, but he saw the field against wiscy and alot of us actually thought he played well (could have been played well relatively to who he replaced)

either way this hurts a defense already thin.

iawolve

December 6th, 2009 at 1:30 PM ^

I would not have much confidence in a group that can't find a spot for you. The kid only had one game against an oversized line at Wisky so I am not really sure what he is fully capable of. I wish we had been able to find out a bit more.

TheLastHarbaugh

December 6th, 2009 at 1:33 PM ^

Man, this sucks. I just saw him a few days ago with Martavious and Brandin Hawthorne at the diag party store. They all seemed like they were having a good time. I thought he could have been an impact player.

Raback Omaba

December 6th, 2009 at 1:38 PM ^

Depth is a good thing, especially on defense - Smith leaving will hurt this depth.

That being said, I know sources close to the team (who partake in practice, not gonna say whether they are players, managers or coaches) that say Smith has always been a bit of a quandry. Don't know what to do with him.

His running style is weird - he expends alot of energy and isn't very fast. One source said "I wouldn't be surprised if he ran a 5.5 forty"

Not knocking the kid, but his size may not translate into excellence on the field

these wolverines

December 6th, 2009 at 1:45 PM ^

he didnt seem to fast..i hate how kids think that they dont need to work and practice hard to start or play minutes.but i hope its not true we need depth. maybe this is the reason they picked up ray

bacon

December 6th, 2009 at 2:14 PM ^

This is really too bad. He was just starting to get on the field and he seemed like he might develop into a good player for us (I don't really know, but I was at least hopeful). It sucks that we can't even replace him this year.

One technical question about signing I have is if you're currently under the number of scholarships and there are limits on the number of guys you can take in one year, how do you ever catch up to the maximum? I'm sure this is obvious, but I'll admit I'm a little slow.

blueadams

December 6th, 2009 at 2:24 PM ^

It's not that big of a deal. He had all the potential in the world. But how often does production ever match potential really? Fact of the matter is...

...He was behind walk-on soph Kevin Leach at WLB (his probable long-term position).

...He was behind walk-on frosh Floyd Simmins at SLB.

...He was behind walk-on frosh Jordan Kovacs at FS.

How many all-americans do you know that couldn't beat out at least 1 of 3 walk-ons of relatively the same age? I can't think of any. So long and best of luck.

UMichinCA

December 6th, 2009 at 4:47 PM ^

I really hope your observations are as accurate as they are encouraging.

Because I'm completely confused by the "new recruiting rule" conversations swirling about, forgive me when I ask, "Doesn't this open up another scholly for us this year?"

Matt EM

December 6th, 2009 at 3:28 PM ^

along with JT Floyd & Cissoko on Thursday. Now this wouldn't be so unusual if the football bust wasn't that day, what time was the bust? They were definitely there Thursday evening at 6pm