The Center of Attention

Submitted by SBayBlue on

Got a question for everyone on the Board...why is it that we recently don't seem to recruit the center position very well?

Looking back on Rivals since 2002, I only see Christian Pace (left school), Ricky Barnum (guard and played some games at center), Patrick Kugler (listed as a guard, but hasn't started at center yet) and David Molk (only true center and ranked #5). That's 15 years of recruiting and the only ranking center according to Rivals who has played consistently is David Molk?

I still recall Moosman subbing for Molk when he was injured. Graham Glasgow has been good, but he's a walk on. This, from a school that has produced Steve Everitt, David Baas, David Brandt, and Gerald Ford.

We have done well at recruiting ranked guards, tackles, and even tight ends, but not center recently.

What gives?

MGoBoard
Football
Molk
Barnum
center
pace
glasgow

BlueWolverine02

December 29th, 2015 at 3:07 AM ^

It seems to me that there aren't many center prospects in the first place and the ones they do have tend to not be rated that high. I'd guess that every school is in the same boat we are.  Most teams probably try out their guards at center untll they find a good fit.

Joined: 09/20/2014

MGoPoints: 18419

PutInPeters18

December 29th, 2015 at 10:03 AM ^

As a guy who played Center in college, I can say that most kids do not play center in high school and thus there are not many, if any really, true center prospects coming out of HS. Usually when you have D1 level talent you are expected to be the best OL on your HS team, probably at any given position (with the exception of some schools like Cass Tech, etc where they have multiple D1 guys). The thing about center is that it often provides some of the easier blocks to make in any given offense, and therefore why would a HS coach waste the immense talent of the D1 prospect by having him make simpler blocks compared to other positions. The other thing is that most HS in America often struggle to get 5 true OL sized guys on their team which means that center is often the easiest spot to plug in a kid who is undersized. Not saying all high schools have this problem, just that most of them do, which means we see very few center prospects and usually the best option is to recruit a guard and try him at center until you find some that work. I didn't actually play center in HS until we have injuries there my senior year.

Joined: 12/27/2014

MGoPoints: 508

PutInPeters18

December 29th, 2015 at 1:10 PM ^

I mean kind of, most d1 caliber HS kids have good understanding of schemes and assignments as an understanding of that allows OL to confidently attack their blocking assignments. When schemes get more complex (I.e. College systems) then centers are usually the smartest in that sense in that they usually have a Mike ID or something similar to get the OL on the same page.

Joined: 12/27/2014

MGoPoints: 508

San Diego Mick

December 29th, 2015 at 3:10 AM ^

most times a guard moves over to Center if that player shows an ability at that position and/or the player wants playing time and Center is the best opportunity.

If memory serves me correctly, Everitt and Baas were either OT's or OG's in HS.

Joined: 05/11/2011

MGoPoints: 50494

M go Bru

December 29th, 2015 at 10:15 AM ^

Largest OL in HS usually plays tackle, then guard. Center is probably your smallest player on the OL. Stands to reason that HS guards and maybe even tackles need to be converted to center. 

Plus there is only 1 center on the OL as compared to 2 tackles and 2 guards.

Joined: 10/24/2008

MGoPoints: 1502

alum96

December 29th, 2015 at 3:59 AM ^

Better question is the failure in recruiting at safety.... a walk on has been the best in 10+ yrs despite years of high ranked recruits (I am not counting a top 5 overall "can't miss" guy in Peppers who is a hybrid)....talking all these top 200-300 guys for decade+.

Not even talking NCAA greats like Ed Reed, Polamalu, or Eric Berry types but just 2nd team All Big 10 types not named Kovacs. 

Our Mike Doss. MIA.

(Marlin Jackson ended career at UM in '04 and only played 1 year of safety I believe, sandwiched btw 2 years of corner... and again that was >10 yrs ago)

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82272

Everyone Murders

December 29th, 2015 at 7:47 AM ^

So what you're saying is that you're not 100% behind the Don Brown hire?  Very subtle.

(I agree with ThadMattasagoblin re: the center position.  On the safety position, I've suspected that many DBs are brought in as potential cornerbacks, since that position is a bit more of a glamor position.  Then, as they get bigger, they slide to the safety spot.  But alum96 is right - overall, safety has been under-recruited.)

Joined: 12/14/2010

MGoPoints: 65552

bacon

December 29th, 2015 at 8:45 AM ^

There have been some highly ranked safety recruits, but they haven't panned out. Smarter people than I can correct me, but I think the safety position has changed in the past 15 years with the rise of the spread, and I think our defensive staff has had a tough time recruiting players who fit athletically and were suited to play safety.

Joined: 01/04/2009

MGoPoints: 18646

Mr. Yost

December 29th, 2015 at 7:48 AM ^

We sucker for the majority of that period and sometimes you find a walk on and hit a home run. Oklahoma had a walk-on QB this year who finished 4th in the Heisman and led them to a CFB Playoff with one of the best years in school history. This post is about the Center spot (or WD depending on your take of the title)...our 2nd best C is a walk-on over that period. Our first or second best NG is a walk-on over that period (Alan Branch didn't play nose). In fact, if you made a first and second team of the past decade for every position. You're going to find a lot of lower ranked players and or walk-ons. Doubt we compare to Bama in this hypothetical. But over the past 10 years...we don't compare to Bama. Which is why we now have Harbaugh. I get what you're saying in that the other guys not named Kovacs haven't been better. But the again if they were then we probably were playing better football as a team. It's just like the NFL Draft argument. Well of course we haven't had guys drafted over the past 10 years...we sucked for most of it.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Mr. Yost

December 29th, 2015 at 11:24 AM ^

That's why I said first or second, because some would argue for Glasgow. I don't think those individuals would be even close to correct. But hey, I've heard it said at least 2-3 times on this board.

In fact, I've heard people say Glasgow was "the best sense Rob Renes" and I'd argue Martin was better than both.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

Mr. Yost

December 29th, 2015 at 11:27 AM ^

My point was simply that he wasn't some high level 5* prospect that panned out.

I would challenge the board to create a 2-deep roster of the best players at each position over the past 10 years and then go back an look at their * ratings. It's not going to be a ton of highly touted recruits. Too many Roy Roundtrees in the group.

Joined: 07/25/2011

MGoPoints: -9898220

UncleChuck24

December 29th, 2015 at 8:49 AM ^

I can't stand that in my life time (20 years, 10 that I can remember watching football games specifically) the best safety Michigan has produced is Kovacs. I hate to watch a guy like Jerrod Wilson who is a catch and drag tackler... it makes the secondary seem soft since they don't like to come down in their run fits. When they do come down its not with much boom.. I just wish Dymonte Thomas was our guy, being a good high school wrestler I expected him to be that guy. Once again, with recruiting you will never know...

Joined: 12/14/2015

MGoPoints: 439

Rhino77

December 29th, 2015 at 7:03 AM ^

I just don't think Center is a "natural" position for most people. It's a transition too position. Look at who currently hikes the ball to Tom Brady in NE (Stork), he was recruited to FSU as a TE.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 05/27/2011

MGoPoints: 14016