Grad transfer Jake Raulerson update

Submitted by Losher on

Looks like things aere getting serious in the search for an addition to the team through tthe route of taking a grad transfer.

According to his twitter he will be visiting here on the 15th of January

He is someone whou could replace glasgow in the middle of the line or maybe be able to play guard. He also has two years of eligibility left after graduating in three years from Texas
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rob f

December 23rd, 2015 at 2:34 AM ^

more talent. 

Not to mention that, when it came to run blocking, the right side of the line looked more like the work of Flo from Progressive and Jan from Toyota than what "Jake from State Farm" is likely to bring.

Potentially getting two years out of an experienced offensive lineman---a position group sorely lacking in depth---excites the hell out of me.  No kid coming out of high school, regardless of how many stars, is going to come in as battle-ready and battle-tested as Raulerson, which is HUGELY important for an offensive linesman.

Joined: 11/11/2010

MGoPoints: 195189

AZBlue

December 22nd, 2015 at 5:10 PM ^

I think a big part of the O-line "lack of significant improvement" in 2015 was due to the switch from zone to man blocking. (Some including Brian thought this might be an issue heading into the season.)

I do really like this attempt by JH to add to O-line depth -- also would raise the potential carry over onto the 2017 line to 2 players. At present Dawson would be the only (assumed) backup with any real on field experience or practice buzz. (Based on Newsome, Kalis, Cole, Braden, Magnuson starting 5). We were as lucky on the OL this year with injuries as we were unlucky on the DL - that is not a sustainable model.

Joined: 09/14/2008

MGoPoints: 16864

Lanknows

December 22nd, 2015 at 4:27 PM ^

I expect that, for the first time since 2011, the OL will NOT be a weakness in 2016.  No scheme or coaching change, year 2 under Drevno, little turnover in personnel (hopefully) and plenty of veteran experience returning.  If they land Raulerson, all the pieces will be in place for an average to good OL unit.  In other words, a massive upgrade from the unit that produced the 114th ranked running opportunity rate in college football this year.

Other positions that might be weak (besides LB):  QB (wait and see), FB, and DE/OLB.

Joined: 03/23/2012

MGoPoints: 5384

Lanknows

December 22nd, 2015 at 5:09 PM ^

1. The OL needs to play MUCH better, I agree wholeheartedly.

The lack of continuity over the last few years and the lack of player development under Hoke have been discussed many times, but I don't think the full weight of it has been accepted.  It's easier to pin it on one guy (Fred Jackson till about October and then DeVeon Smith) than the more nuanced confluence of events (going all the way back to Lloyd Carr's poor recruiting affecting Rodriguez's scholarship allocations and then Dave Brandon hanging Rodriguez out to dry and then Hoke not recruiting well enough to fill the void and then Funk not developing and then attrition, and then the scheme changes, and then guys just flat out not performing, etc., etc. etc.)

2. There's good reason to expect the OL will play MUCH better next year.

Note that I didn't say "hope" but "expect".  For the first time since 2011 Michigan will not be grasping at straws to fill out a viable starting unit.  That means something.  I don't care that Magnuson and Kalis aren't necessarily elite players, I just want them to do their job consistently. They have ability/talent, they have the experience, and now they have the coaching. 

We saw the pass-blocking improve dramatically this year, but the run-blocking got worse.  I think you can chalk that up to scheme change.  And Drevno isn't Funk - so you can feel pretty confident that the OL will work better together as a unit in year 2.  Michigan went from a primarily zone-blocking team (with Nussmeir) to a primarily power-blocking team (under Drevno).  The Harbaugh/Drevno/Stanford OL assignments are not simple. This is not a simple scheme spread offense. The Michigan/Stanford run games requires the OL to work as a unit and that takes time to implement. 

So here's to hoping for no further position changes. Keep Cole at LT, plug Raulerson in at C, bring everybody back exactly where they were otherwise, and let Kugler, Dawson, and Newsome push the starters for playing time if they are ready.  An underclassmen playing due to merit (rather than need) would be a welcome change.

....

I'm watching this Raulerson thing very closely.  It's more important to 2016 team than ANY high school recruit, including Gary and Walker.  Even if Raulerson does not shore up the OC void, we should be OK given where Dawson and Newsome appear to be at.  But if he (or another grad transfer) DO come in, we should be in excellent shape with 7 or 8 guys who can play, no need to throw freshman to the wolves, etc.

 

Joined: 03/23/2012

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Lanknows

December 22nd, 2015 at 7:02 PM ^

Mike Cox last ran for Michigan in 2010 (not to mention that he ran for 9 YPC).  That was over 5 years, 2 head coaches, 4 OCs and many many OLmen ago.

Toussaint and Rawls were 2 years ago - when Michigan had it's worst OL in modern history and had to start a bunch of redshirt and true freshman.  Brady Hoke, Al Borges, and Darrell Funk were coaching the OL.

We now have Tim Drevno and Jim Harbaugh. The line will return three 5th year seniors, Mason Cole, a couple RS Jr backups, and a host of Harbaugh-Drevno recruits. 

2016 is not 2013 and it's certainly not 2010 (though I would sure not complain if our run game was back to that level of production.)

 

Joined: 03/23/2012

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Indonacious

December 22nd, 2015 at 4:18 PM ^

If we get him, basically we switched Tackle (LTT) for Center (Jake) as I think they are in teh same class. This works out well for us, if it were to happen because the tackle spots have been locked down and only our C spot is in flux.

Joined: 01/03/2012

MGoPoints: 16597

Everyone Murders

December 22nd, 2015 at 4:20 PM ^

All the Jakes. 

Hope it's a good fit and he and Michigan "get to yes".  Competition is always good, and kids who graduate from a good school like Texas in three years are good bets to do well at Michigan.

 

Joined: 12/14/2010

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Harbaughllin

December 22nd, 2015 at 4:23 PM ^

This works out well because we need players with some experience.  This guys would be here for 2 years, and if nothing else, he would provide much needed guidance for the younger kids that may not be ready yet.

Joined: 07/13/2015

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SharkyRVA

December 22nd, 2015 at 4:24 PM ^

The aggressiveness to make the UM roster as talented and competitive as possible is amazing.  Harbaugh uses every available option to try to better his team on top of being one of the best coaches in football.  Then I think of Hoke...  good recruiter, average coach, did nothing to try to sure up roster weak spots that had immediate needs.  

Are other top coaches this aggressive with transfers or is this another thing that makes Harbaugh, Harbaugh?

Joined: 10/01/2015

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His Dudeness

December 22nd, 2015 at 4:32 PM ^

Grad transfers were often said to be "too tough to make happen" at Michigan in the past, now suddenly they are all the rage with Harbaugh... looks like someone found the motivation to make things happen in order to win. This makes me happy.

Joined: 11/24/2008

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Maize in Cincy

December 22nd, 2015 at 4:35 PM ^

I'd like to know if Hoke ever approached Brandon about them.  It's pretty obvious part of Harbaugh's conditions for excepting the job were that he would be allowed to take them given that Rudock and Lyons were 2 of his first big splashes.  I'm really curious to see if he ever goes the JUCO route or if that is off limits.

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