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?

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umbig11

December 29th, 2015 at 8:08 AM ^

Not everyone follows recruiting as closely as others. Some pretty good answers to your question were given by the folks that follow recruiting. Usually the guards are given the opportunity to move over. 

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UncleChuck24

December 29th, 2015 at 8:41 AM ^

a position that typically isn't the biggest lineman. hell a center can be a 6'0 285 lbs guy. You rarely see centers over 300. In the big ten, however... everyone on the line is almost expected to be 300+! In my opinion, that's why it's best to transition a guard to the center position. Honestly recruiting a lot or good guards can help you narrow down what guy looks best under center.

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michgoblue

December 29th, 2015 at 10:10 AM ^

He isn't saying that we haven't had good centers - he is simply focusing on recruiting at the center position and why we typically have not done well. Whether he is correct or incorrect, Glasgow was in fact a walk-on and not a star recruit, so that doesn't factor into the analysis of what he is asking.

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MGOBoca

December 29th, 2015 at 8:46 AM ^

If you are going to name star centers from Michigan's past you should probably include Rod Payne considering he was an All-American and team captain.

See ya'll at the Citrus Bowl. GO BLUE!

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MFanWM

December 29th, 2015 at 8:46 AM ^

Most high schools simply have to play their best linemen at tackle, a place like IMG that recruits has the ability to chose players at positions. Not many HS coaches have the luxury of having enough to go around on the line.



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Vote_Crisler_1937

December 29th, 2015 at 8:52 AM ^

I have always assumed that all of you are Brian and I'm the only person who actually reads this blog. I feel really secure in that. Like, "this crazy guy with hundreds of online aliases and 2 radio/podcast characters that he plays REALLY wants me to know everything about certain Michigan sports." Maybe because he knows how much I enjoy it. Either way, it means a lot to me. Thank you.



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Avon Barksdale

December 29th, 2015 at 8:55 AM ^

The problem with recruiting a center is there just are not many true centers playing that position in high school. If you are college sized center, you are typically 6'3 or 6'4 260 pounds in high school. That physically makes you the biggest and strongest kid at your school (most of the time) which naturally makes you an Offensive Tackle and Defensive Tackle in HS football.

That means there is quite a bit of projecting going on for all but maybe one naturally gifted center every year.

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rockydude

December 29th, 2015 at 9:50 AM ^

Rivals listed Kugler as a guard, which he could play, but he was the top rated center in his class, and as close to a sure thing as you could think of. I don't know what happened with him besides injuries, but the problem is not that we couldn't or didn't recruit the center position. I hate to say it because it has been said so often, but player development was really bad in the recent past.

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SBayBlue

December 29th, 2015 at 2:29 PM ^

I appreciate the great answers...been following college football since 1976 and didn't know that many centers are actually guards. And my question isn't negative towards walk ons. They play a really big role on our teams.

That being said, not sure it answers my question about why we haven't been able to recruit centers better. Every year, there appear to be 15-20 recruits that are ranked at center, about the same or more as kickers/punters. Other programs, and not major competition, seem to pull in ranked centers. I'm talking Duke, Northwestern, etc. Yet our answer has been to take a guard and make them a center. I guess it is philosophical, but I look at center as being important.

Rivals doesn't rank that many kickers/punters, yet we have been able to pull in our fair share. (Rivas, Mesko, Wright, Hagerup, Kenny Allen)

I apologize to those who didn't like my title as I'm pretty new to the Board. I've seen the gamut of titles and honestly didn't know it had to be completely descriptive of the content.

 

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