ESPN Top 25 Returnees in B1G

Submitted by OwenGoBlue on

The worldwide leader only has one Wolverine on this top 25 list in Speight at #12. I'm surprised at no Cole or Hurst, but it kind of makes sense with so many graduating and the stupid ways they put these lists together (represent as many teams as plausible to get more #clicks). 

Slow news day while we await the Rome(?) announcement; who do you think makes the list at the end of the year? 

My best guess is dudes above, Gary, Evans and Clark if he gets a 6th year. 

Wolverine Devotee

January 21st, 2017 at 1:50 PM ^

lol Maurice Hurst is gonna be a first round draft pick next year.

"The worldwide leader" and other national media types are very obsessed with returning starters.

Our second team DL would've been probably still been the #1 or #2 DL in 2016 in the B1G. 

OwenGoBlue

January 21st, 2017 at 1:54 PM ^

They're leaning heavily on counting stats, too. It's the only explanation for Jack Cichy at #23 and not top 10-15; he absolutely wrecked dudes in the gamss he was healthy for. 

Can we steal Wisconsin's LB coach for our 10th spot? Brown/Partridge have it covered but they're turning 3 stars into on-field murderers every year. 

cbs650

January 21st, 2017 at 2:05 PM ^

well to be fair although he will be a redshirt junior in terms of playing next season, mgoblue.com roster has him listed as a junior and will list him as a senior when rosters are updated. So maybe they are just listing him as the roster does in terms of year in school and year of eligibility.

CalifExile

January 21st, 2017 at 2:00 PM ^

Cole's absence is astonishing. He was 2nd team All BiG, iirc. Hurst should be on it as you said, but is probably off for exactly the reasons you set forth.

DrMantisToboggan

January 21st, 2017 at 2:07 PM ^

Eh, Cole was just average at best this year. He's probably one of the best 5 linemen in the conference next year, but there's not a great argument to have him on the list based on last year's performance.

 

No Hurst is egregious, but you should only be surprised if you were operating under the delusion that ESPN is good at things.

alum96

January 21st, 2017 at 2:13 PM ^

That's impressive for Speight considering half the MGoblog has him shining Peters shoes this next year.

How many guys did OSU have on this sort of list last year en route to a playoff appearance?  It's time to prove people wrong.

I know we are subject to poop on everything ESPN does but Hurst was a backup; we lost all 11 starters off the defense, our top 2 WRs, 3/5 of the OL, our starting RB and TE.  Generally a list like this is going to be about returning starters, not projected backups ascending.   (Specific to Hurst he benefited from playing limited downs and being well rested, many DL in the Big 10 played on less stacked lines where they have to play every down - let's see how he handles playing 3 downs and being worn down or being the of an OL beofre annointing him 1st round in the NFL) 

Who would you take off the list to calm down the outrage about all this?  The only argument I could see is Cole for Brian Allen of MSU.  The rest of those guys look really legit to me and proven.  Grant was hurt mid Sept and already had 20 receptions, and if put on a legit roster would be a terror on special teams.

Creating fake outrage about everything on the internets is getting old.

 

OwenGoBlue

January 21st, 2017 at 2:17 PM ^

I think it looks mostly legit and was going for conversation on who we get on at the end of the the year rather than outrage.

Think Hurst is the only egregious-ish one left off.  Though he was a backup he played a ton of snaps, his PFF numbers are insane and he could have entered the draft so it's pretty clear he's a legit player for reporters paying attention. I'd take either of the Allens off for him. Fumagalli could go, too, since he's a 40 rec yards per game type, but I like TEs and he can block so I'm generally good with him there. 

Given the nature of B1G scheduling I don't really know anything about the Minnesota, Nebraska or NW guys on the list.

 

LSAClassOf2000

January 21st, 2017 at 2:05 PM ^

Well, it is refreshing to see Rutgers make a Top 25 list of some kind, and how right of them to point out that they will be returning their offense - or what passes for it in Piscataway - when Grant returns. 

Wolfman

January 21st, 2017 at 3:30 PM ^

as among the top three TEs in the nation. As good and productive as Butt was, this young man was blessed with all the skills a top TE could possess. A large, but quick and mobile TE, and quite possibly a result of his time on the defensive side of the ball in h.s., where he established himself as a player qualified to play on either side of the ball at the next level, or equally possible the result of merely being born with the perfect mind set for football. Either among or possibly Harbaugh's final recruit last seasonk his commitment was met with both surprise and an understanding despite the large number of TEs Harbaugh and staff have pulled in just two seasons, he could easily be considered the absolute prize among that group. Not overly tall at 6'3"and packing a solid 280 plus on his extremely strong frame, he received a considerable amount of PT as a true freshmen as a  member of the deepest unit on the squad. 

Highlighted by his first career reception being a td, he displayed more than a few flashes of the talent that resulted in a ranking signifying him to be among the very best at his position. Already possessing the skills that ensured seeing the field as a freshman, displaying outstanding blocking ability on more than a few occasions, If he develops in the manner I think he will, I'm predicting he goes out as a consensus AA and could easily be the first TE taken based both on the way JH highlights the TE in his aerial game and possessing the skill set for his position better or as good as any other of the incoming freshman last season. 

Not sure is he will rise to the level of being considered among the top 25 so early in his career, but I have a feeling the entire conference will view him among the best at his position in only his second season. IMO, one of JH's absolute best gets to date. 

DMack

January 21st, 2017 at 5:06 PM ^

Somebody doesn't like us very much. I will add a few names to the list that once its said and done, these folks will be ashamed they came out with a list that didn't include these guys. 

1. Gary

2. Asiasi/Wheatley

3. Evans

4. McCray

5. Hill

6. McDoom

7. Bredeson

8. Isaac

Will make them eat those words.

stephenrjking

January 21st, 2017 at 5:38 PM ^

Agree with everybody that Hurst is a mistake to leave off. He was elite even in terms of our DL last year, so he has the performance to justify inclusion on a list like this (which weighs quite a bit on previous performance, thus fewer guys who will "emerge" as such next season).

But, as the OP says, there's not a lot else to argue with here. Cole was quite average last season, we've lost almost everyone else on defense (and McCray, while fine, didn't light the world on fire). 

The guys on this list are already guys who are well established, including Speight. Michigan will doubtless have other guys emerge this season, but the point of this list isn't to predict break-out stars. It's just kind of a survey of what proven talent is coming back, and ranking it to get a rise out of people.

And not much to argue with the #1 guy they list, either.

Bp6

January 21st, 2017 at 11:15 PM ^

I think the list is a tad light or wolverines. I really expect there to be several breakout players. Asasi is going to be a stud. Nick Eubanks is going to be a matchup nightmare. Ty Wheatley Jr is looking like a potential breakout guy. I expect McDoom to expand his role in the offense next year, and I'm certain there will be a dude or two on defense who breaks out.




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