Center (Football) grad transfer possibility
Notre Dame has granted an unconditional release to Michigan for 5th-yr, grad-transfer Center Matt Hegarty. He is 6'4, 295lbs, and started 11 games last year for Notre Dame at Center.
No matter who the starting 5 end up being, adding a player who has started games against the likes of FSU and LSU would be a giant plus, especially given the state of our center depth.
EDIT: Didn't realize how sport-ambiguous I had made my post. FOOTBAUGH.
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We're talking about football. Isn't 6'4" a normal height for a center?
We're at 85 currently. Here's the breakdown:
http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2015/03/2015-scholarship-count.html
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You're good OP.
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ND has granted him permission to go to Michigan, however there is nothing to suggest he is leaning towards us. Just a new development, but one I'd think we will pursue heavily considering Glasgow's indefinite suspension and Kugler's supposed non-improvement
That the coaching staff will look over his film, talk to a few people, and then ask themselves one simple question, "Will this guy make us a better team, and give us a better chance to win more games." If the answer is yes, they will try and bring him in, if no, they will pass. It really is as simple as that.
Go Blue!
You are referring to a center who transferred from Alabama last year, not ND
As we learned last year with Lindsay, if a team is letting a 5th-year guy move on it's because they have a better option and don't see the value in keeping him, which is kind of a red flag. Hell, Lindsay didn't play a down for OSU this year.
At this point, Michigan needs to develop a guy in-house from the group of recruits they already have, not cobble together another 1-year fix and kick the can down the road. If none of the guys on the roster at C can perform, then (and this is the harsh truth) you might as well run through their eligiblity and try to recruit the next option. I know there are probably a spot or two left on the roster for taking a transfer, but trying to find a guy in the bargain bin doesn't seem useful.
A one-year fix allows good coaches to develop roster players who aren't game ready. It also breeds competition.
From the other side's perpective, why keep a player who doesn't want to be there? If he's an NFL center or a 3rd-stringer you won't get his best if he no longer enjoys playing at your school.
Yes and no. I'd buy that guys might not be "game ready", but at some point guys like Kugler need to either transition into being a viable option in the middle or they need to move to another position, but delaying it another year will just leave them scrambling. And as we've learned the last couple of years practice hype doesn't always translate to success on the field. Trying to grab a guy late in the process and then hope he can fill in for one year at a very crucial position for your offense, with all the other turmoil going on, seems like a recipe for disaster. I guess I'm thinking that I'd rather struggle with a guy who might be there next year than maybe get incremental success with a stopgap and then be stuck with the same issue a year later.
A second option on a better oline could be a contender to start on a weaker line
it still might be an upgrade for us. . .
Sometimes programs let a kid walk out of respect and appreciation for his effort, etc. Not every coach has to be a selfish prick, some actually care about a kids best interests.
Michigan is taking Lyons to "cobble together another 1-year fix" (i.e., add depth and competition at the position/position group), and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
I get what you're saying BB, but Michigan would benefit a good deal from adding 2-3 guys like this every year to fill holes and/or provide injury insurance.
"Hell, Lindsay didn't play a down for OSU this year."
That was due to injury.
Not that they can really stop other transfers either. While the reason he's transferring is supposedly for playing time, I would imagine ND would prefer he stay. At the very least, he would provide valuable depth. I would think Stanford and Lyons was the same situation.
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Why does adding depth and competition preclude development of what we already have? This is smart roster management. Small risk (1 year scholarship), huge reward (starter).
I could be wrong, and it might not even be the center mentioned, but I do recall watching a ND game last year where I believe their QB(s) had more than a few snaps sail over their head(s) and skid along the ground.
I believe Mason Cole will do a fine job until Glasgow returns, if he does. It's possible that Cole will perform well enough there that Glasgow may have to try to displace one of the guards.
Either way, I think there are 2-3 guys that can play multiple positions and whoever emerges as the starting 5 should be pretty solid.
I think bringing grad transfers in, at some positions, is basically telling the current guys they aren't cut out to start. In some cases it's motivational, in others it's truly b/c there's nobody good there, but in the case of center I think we have viable options they just need more coaching. Cole transitioning from LT to C has to be tough. Kugler just doesn't seem right for some reason (based on reports of him not responding well to Drevno's coaching), and Glasgow probably out for some significant amount of time.
I think bringing grad transfers in, at some positions, is basically telling the current guys they aren't cut out to start. In some cases it's motivational, in others it's truly b/c there's nobody good there, but in the case of center I think we have viable options they just need more coaching. Cole transitioning from LT to C has to be tough. Kugler just doesn't seem right for some reason (based on reports of him not responding well to Drevno's coaching), and Glasgow probably out for some significant amount of time.
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Based on the practice report from a "coach" with a blog (it was very detailed) he had a lot of trouble snapping the ball as did Cole. Cole we get - he has been a center for a week . Kugler has a NFL OL daddy and has been playing the position for years so it's confusing with him.
Clearly it is time to fire Funk.