Early enrollees: all 6 enrolled and with jersey numbers
December 26th, 2019 at 8:00 PM ^
Good sleuthing, WD!
December 26th, 2019 at 10:55 PM ^
Yeah, it was on the board last week.
December 26th, 2019 at 8:05 PM ^
Excited to see Blake Corum in Maize and Blue next year. Lots of depth and talent @ RB.
December 26th, 2019 at 9:19 PM ^
I still don't understand how one can think that we have lots of depth and talent at running back. Charbonnet might end up being a stud, but he didn't show anything elite (speed, power, quickness, etc.). But certainly he has room to develop.
Haskins is nothing but a nice running back. Not gonna take it to the house. Not a serious threat to any defense. His ceiling is an average B10 running back, but no DC is worried or game planning for Haskins talent...and don't give me any crap about how it's the OL.
What we do have is a stable of decent running backs. That isn't anything to be ashamed of, but what we absolutely don't have is "lots of talent" at the RB position. Anyone that says that we do isn't looking at our the actual play of our backs or are simply projecting what they hope our backs will perform like. Like all the people who were calling for Christian Turner to be All B10 this year based off of one performance in last year's Bowl game.
December 26th, 2019 at 10:39 PM ^
You are correct when you say no DC is concerned with the UM running game. Urban Meyer said the same thing all year. Meyer said every week the opposing defense was simply dropping two safeties back to stop the pass. The UM RBs are so slow that nobody has to defend the run.
December 27th, 2019 at 12:24 AM ^
More than almost anyone on this board, you (GOMBLOG) seem to confidently assert -- with stunning frequency -- absolute nonsense. Your contributions never lead anywhere and they have no substance to them whatsoever. You obviously know next to nothing about football, and even less about how to engage with others in interesting and productive ways.
December 26th, 2019 at 10:43 PM ^
Charbonnet might end up being a stud, but he didn't show anything elite (speed, power, quickness, etc.).
I don't know man, he seems pretty good to me. I was very impressed with him as a true freshman. He may not be the biggest, the fastest, the strongest, or the shiftyest, but he has a very good combination of all of them with excellent vision and balance. I'm pretty confident in his ability.
December 27th, 2019 at 9:04 AM ^
Charbonnet is what he is and I'd be shocked if he changed.
His ceiling is Mike Hart...which is pretty fucking good. But in Lloyd Carr's era and offense.
How well would Hart do today?
Charbonnet is going to be a SUPERIOR pass blocking RB. Just like Hart.
Charbonnet can go 3 years with less than 1 fumble per year...just like Hart.
Charbonnet can learn to catch the screen pass and be effective...Just like Hart.
Charbonnet's biggest attribute is his vision and shiftiness in the hole...he gets you 4 when it should be 2. He gets you 6 when it should be 2. He gets you 18 when it could've been 50.
...just like Hart.
Charbonnet is the PERFECT co-lead but you need a game breaker as well. Someone who can take one to the house.
Charbonnet's floor is De'Veon Smith with less power. Late in Smith's career...especially in that Florida game, his vision was unreal. He was making cuts Hart made and Charbonnet made as a freshman.
If Turner could hold onto the ball he could be that other guy. If Evans regains his form...he can be that guy. If Corum is a burner who can still run between the tackles...it could be him.
...but then you have Haskins. It's going to be interesting but we'll be fine. Someone will join Charbonnet as the true co-starter.
I'm hoping it is Charbonnet/Evans or Turner next year with Haskins as a clear and solid #3. And then Charbonnet/Corum or Turner or Donovan Edwards the year after with Haskins as the legit third option.
December 26th, 2019 at 10:56 PM ^
I agree 100%. You're getting downvoted, but there's no counter argument to any point here.
December 27th, 2019 at 3:15 AM ^
Other than Charbonnet setting a record for TD’s scored as a freshman? Nope, no counter arguments at all.
December 27th, 2019 at 7:31 AM ^
I like him a lot, but his long run of the year is 41 yards against MTSU and it wasn't a TD. Most of his TDs were 1-5 yard runs. He is not a burner. UM needs a back that can break a 50 yard or more TD by outrunning the defense.
December 27th, 2019 at 10:06 AM ^
Easy counterpoint...did you watch his actual touchdowns? The majority of his td's were not of him helping and aiding the team march down the field and then ZC punched it in. A fair number of his TD's were absolutely t'd up for him inside the 5. Don't make it sound like ZC was running all over the place and scoring TD's wth runs of 10+ yards.
=
December 27th, 2019 at 11:54 AM ^
I thought that after the first couple games word came out that Charbonnet sustained a knee injury that would require surgery and he was waiting for the offseason. After that rumor came out he had limited snaps and he looked a step slower.
That’s a decent counterargument.
December 27th, 2019 at 7:54 AM ^
I agree about RB. I am however excited to have Evans back, because he can take it to the house. I also agree about Charbonnet and Haskins. Just not enough speed from either to be more than serviceable. We need big play ability from this position. I was surprised Turner didn't do more and I'd be surprised if he stuck around at this point. Corum looks small and while he may contribute next year, he doesn't look like a 3 down back. It's been way too long since we've had a dominate running back around here. Another sign that our recruiting is overrated and not getting the job done.
December 27th, 2019 at 8:04 AM ^
Every back on our roster outside of Tru Wilson was either a true freshman (who set freshman rushing TDs record by the way) or a redshirt freshman.
They looked good this year. They weren’t elite. But they were good. They will also all improve.
You can’t find a team in the country that wouldn’t love to have their top two backs be freshmen, combine for 1,200 yards and 15 TDs. Then add a back like Corum to the group.
So sure, if you’re going to compare them to backs like Dobbins and Taylor who have been doing this for years, they weren’t great. But this was year one. With Charbonnet coming off of an injury. They’re going to get bigger. They’re going to get stronger. And they’re going to get better. And that’s a scary thought for a lot of our opponents.
But freshmen performing at that clip at this level, is a sign of talent. It’s a sign of depth. Add in a borderline top 100 back and bring Chris Evans back into the fold. And you sound like an idiot trying to say this ISN’T an incredibly deep and talented group.
December 27th, 2019 at 10:01 AM ^
Perhaps it is semantics, but when I hear "We have an incredibly deep and talented group at RB" I think of OSU, Alabama, Clemson, PSU, Etc. Those teams do have incredible depth and talent. To use those same words "Incredibly deep and talented backs" and apply them to Michigan I don't agree. We do have depth and serviceable backs. But they are not incredibly talented by any measurable of what they have produced on the field. None of our backs, if they perform like they did last year, will get drafted.
Also, Your first point speaks to you inability to objectively evaluate talent. ZC holds the Freshman record for TD's because they t'd him up inside the 5 for a fair number of them. If Ben Mason were a Freshman, they could have given it to him in the exact same situations as ZC and he would have done the same.
Furthermore, Chris Evans has a lot of talent!? Did you watch Chris Evan when he played? Again, nothing elite. Zero. The kid is a solid back, but not anything significantly better than his peers. His ceiling is an average to slightly above average running back. He isn't going to get drafted.
December 27th, 2019 at 4:06 PM ^
So most of those teams you mentioned have a bell cow back and that’s about it. Michigan has talent and DEPTH. That’s the key part. Michigan has multiple backs right now that can play and carry a load. Michigan’s backs are every bit as talented as PSU’s backs for example.
Now again, add in the fact that all of Michigan’s backs are young. They’re getting better. They’re getting bigger. They’re getting stronger.
I didn’t say Evans was elite. But he DOES have a lot of talent. My point was more that you’re adding a solid back to an already talented and deep group. You’re adding a guy with 1,700 career yards on 5.7 ypc and 14 TDs to the stable of young backs we had this year. That’s depth and talent.
December 27th, 2019 at 4:21 PM ^
My friend...Clemson, Alabama, OSU, etc, their top three RB's are better than any RB wearing Maize and Blue. Go look at their recruiting classes. Go look at their stats. More importantly, look at their stats verses the teams they play.
December 27th, 2019 at 12:32 PM ^
I’m very excited about running back next year and it’s not an Oline take. I think both Haskins and Charbonnet would have had breakout years with a QB run threat. The whole world knows the read option is toothless without a significant run threat. Which is what we were. FWIW
December 27th, 2019 at 1:42 PM ^
Here is the comprehensive problem. You cannot execute the RPO as intended, if you don't have a QB who will actually pull the ball and run when he should. Nor can you operate it as intended if your RB isn't of significant talent that the defense has to worry about.
I think the talent we have with Shea / McCaffrey and our RB's is the bare minimum to run this system. But you need to have at least one of these options close to elite / 1st team B10 to really put the defense on their heals. You need at least one to have not good, but close to exceptional athletic talent to really beat top ten teams with this offense. I don't know if we have that currently. Depends a lot on how ZC heals and develops and what kind of player Corum can be. Evans is not that kind of athlete.
December 26th, 2019 at 8:12 PM ^
Can they play against Alabama?
December 26th, 2019 at 8:17 PM ^
Zinter at DT?
December 26th, 2019 at 8:30 PM ^
Well OMG!!! The kid is massive-a friggin tank.
But the others are pretty impressive too. Corum with that speed and quickness...and put together like that!!! Whoa Nellie!
December 26th, 2019 at 8:16 PM ^
December 26th, 2019 at 8:18 PM ^
Couldn't give away that #7 fast enough!
December 26th, 2019 at 8:29 PM ^
Well considering Makari can't play until 2020 and Khaleke Hudson is a senior.....
December 26th, 2019 at 8:20 PM ^
Andre Seldon is TINY.
Put him in man against the little Slots that we face, but I don't care how good his technique is...he can't guard Nico, DPJ, CJ or Black :(
Zinter on the other hand. PLEASE have him shadowing Bredeson and Onwenu for the next week. Grown ass man.
Size wise, Paige looks like with a spring and summer in the weight room he may be able avoid his redshirt next year.
December 26th, 2019 at 8:51 PM ^
Corum looks even smaller than Seldon.
Funny how you're getting negged for saying Seldon is too short, which he is.
December 27th, 2019 at 8:52 AM ^
Corum plays offense...I see it as an advantage there. I like the short shifty guys on O mixed with the giants.
December 27th, 2019 at 8:54 AM ^
Parallax problem redux. Draw a line extending the ledge below the windows. Looks like Corum and Seldon are roughly the same distance from the camera, and since the camera is shooting above kneeling players it is probably reasonable close to Corum/Seldon head level (ie not angled significantly up or down). Corum's head touches the red line, Seldon is below.
Oh, and JT was short.
December 27th, 2019 at 2:16 PM ^
He is 'too short' for what?
You know not every receiver is 6'+ There are some shorter, shifty and quick WRs that can be tough for the taller CB to cover...
But I'm sure he's faced taller receivers in games and camps...has anyone heard of him struggling in those situations? I mean maybe his speed, quickness and technique are good enough to counter his height disadvantage.
Just don't think he should be written off before we see what kind of talent and effort he brings to the table.
December 26th, 2019 at 9:18 PM ^
For those concerned about Seldons height, look at Lamont Wade at PSU. He’s a 5’9 200lb safety and he does pretty well there. Ultimately it’s about putting Seldon in the best position to succeed, which should be as a nickel corner where his speed can be disruptive.
December 26th, 2019 at 10:41 PM ^
Seldon is 5’”7/150. He needs time to put on weights but is growing taller days are probably over.
December 26th, 2019 at 11:03 PM ^
At worst it’s 5’8 if he hasn’t grown since his junior season at all. Likely 5’9. Regardless my point stands. He needs to be put in position to succeed.
December 27th, 2019 at 7:16 AM ^
I grew two inches in height while attending UM. You never know.
December 27th, 2019 at 8:40 AM ^
Can't believe I'm going to support GOMBLOG, but he did say his growing taller days are "probably" over.
December 26th, 2019 at 8:29 PM ^
Anyone know if Seldon grew at all from his listed 5’9”? He’s definitely a talent but his height is definitely going to be questionable on some coverage assignments
December 26th, 2019 at 8:31 PM ^
According to 247 he's 5-8/154.
December 26th, 2019 at 10:04 PM ^
They haven't updated that? I remember reading a story back in Sept/Oct how he put on like 15 pounds (b/c he was often playing safety for Belleville), so he now weighed 170.
These sites have a lot to track, but it's weird something comes out 4 months ago (i.e., beginning of the season) and they still don't update it.
EDIT: Here it is.
Though, that said, Michigan uses that weight so I guess no one updates it until he gets in front of a scale for them (he's not an early enrollee).
December 27th, 2019 at 3:44 PM ^
Aren’t we literally in a thread about him being an early enrollee?
December 26th, 2019 at 8:33 PM ^
Height is not overrated but he can cover well enough to make those windows pretty small. He is put together pretty well too.
December 27th, 2019 at 12:03 AM ^
The Lions had a guy named Ray Crockett who was smaller and yet an all pro. seldon will change the fans desire of having tall and long CBs.
December 27th, 2019 at 8:03 AM ^
Crockett was 5'10ish I believe. Seldon is 5'8". He's probably limited to a nickel as others have stated. I hope he's incredible, I just don't see how he's going to be able to cover someone a half foot taller.
December 27th, 2019 at 8:48 AM ^
Ray Crockett wasn't going up against Megatron, Julio Jones, Randy Moss, etc.
Again...Seldon will be fine if he is going against the Mike Sainristil's and Giles Jackson's.
But there is nothing he can do against a Nico Collins/Braylon Edwards type. It's not just height, he caught have some major hops.
That doesn't help you as much when you're 80 pounds lighter. They'll just box you out and you can't do anything but get a PI.
December 26th, 2019 at 8:37 PM ^
I thought a couple others were enrolling early too - Lewis and Mohan
December 27th, 2019 at 8:57 AM ^
Yea, seems weird that we only have 6 EE's. I'm guessing a few more will be here for Winter semester, when EE's traditionally show up?
6.5.0December 26th, 2019 at 9:16 PM ^
I think Corum is gonna be good. Mike Hart 2.0
December 26th, 2019 at 9:17 PM ^
I’m also excited about a couple of the linemen from last years class. Rumler esp.