META: Roster Exclamation Point Bang!!!

Submitted by d_ronii on

As noted in MGoBlog's Depth Chart By Class guidelines, the burning of a redshirt will be indicated by an exclamation point. I had an exclaimation point bang as I updated the roster just now!!! Yesterday was a Michigan record by having 16 scholarship true freshmen playing in the opener. Here is the list of scholarship freshmen that played:

  1. Chris Evans
  2. Ben Bredeson
  3. Devin Bush Jr.
  4. Eddie McDoom
  5. Rashan Gary
  6. Michael Onwenu
  7. Devin Asiasi
  8. Sean Mckeon
  9. Kekoa Crawford
  10. Michael Dwumfour
  11. Khaleke Hudson
  12. David Long Jr.
  13. Josh Uche
  14. Lavert Hill
  15. Josh Metellus
  16. Kingston Davis

Here is a link to recap article 

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverine…

MGoBoard

evenyoubrutus

September 4th, 2016 at 12:15 PM ^

Considering how few guys burned redshirt last year, this has to be a good sign for the future of this class, right? I mean, Harbaugh has made it clear that if you're good you will play.

Joined: 11/04/2008

MGoPoints: 178092

Gulogulo37

September 4th, 2016 at 9:24 PM ^

Are you sure? I don't think we went over this enough last year.

But, IIRC, you can still get a redshirt after playing a bit if you then stop playing because of a season-ending injury. So I think Harbaugh's plan is to get a few guys in there in garbage time for the first couple games and then break their legs.

Joined: 03/16/2010

MGoPoints: 28294

Worthing

September 4th, 2016 at 1:51 PM ^

I think Harbaugh knows how good of a team they have this year as is preparing for any possible issues This year. If the worst happens, and injuries or something depletes a position all the way to the true freshman, he wants them to have as much experience as possible. Putting the marbles in a basket so to speak, the value of redshirt this year < the possibility of what can be accomplished this year.

Joined: 03/22/2010

MGoPoints: 305

WolvinLA2

September 4th, 2016 at 1:23 PM ^

Oh no doubt about it.  Telling a recruit that 16 guys from our last class played in THE FIRST GAME is a huge selling point.  And that's on a team that had a ton of returning starters.  If you're a 2017 recruit, you can look at that and feel good about your chances of seeing the field immediately at Michigan.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

superstringer

September 4th, 2016 at 12:18 PM ^

I havent seen it anywhere -- did any freshman start? I also dont recall Rashan Gary getting much mention during the game, didnhe grt as much playing time as the more vetetan DL guys? Will be interested tonsee the UFR. (Brian will have his hands full with this one.)



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 02/04/2009

MGoPoints: 17845

Bigku22

September 4th, 2016 at 12:54 PM ^

Honestly for such a lobsided game, I didn't think the Hawaii O line played that poorly in pass pro when we just rushed base 4, and Gary did not have much of an impact. The blitz did tear them up and they got no push on the ground, but glass half full they won't play anybody rest of the year with half as much talent on the D line as we do. 

Joined: 05/23/2013

MGoPoints: 3019

JBLPSYCHED

September 4th, 2016 at 12:27 PM ^

There are a lot of factors in deciding to play a true freshman, obviously, but I really like sending the message that if you come to Michigan you won't be redshirted by default. If you can contribute then you will play rather than sitting out. For better or worse, young players want the instant gratification of playing and we don't want them to look elsewhere because it's unlikely they'll play soon after arriving.

Joined: 11/27/2010

MGoPoints: 7430

Bigku22

September 4th, 2016 at 12:58 PM ^

And I get Harbaugh's philosophy on if guys are going to play next year he wants them to get experience on field to be ready. However I am pretty surprised guys like Mckeon, Uche at his weight, Metellus, Kingston Davis with 3-4 backs in front of him, and Dwumfour (wow) all saw the field. Figured Uche, Metellus, and Dwumfour were at least a year if not 2 away from being able to really contribute. 

Joined: 05/23/2013

MGoPoints: 3019

Gentleman Squirrels

September 4th, 2016 at 2:31 PM ^

I think that also has to be due to how much we are going to lose this year. We need DL depth, S depth, and have inexperienced LBs, and if that means not redshirting Dwumfour, Metellus, and Uche then so be it. I was surprised to McKeon out there but I guess he really has the coaches trust. The TE position is so packed, but competition will sort out playing time. Same with RB.

Joined: 06/03/2014

MGoPoints: 43421

UMCoconut

September 4th, 2016 at 12:28 PM ^

Three reasons why I think this is a good idea:

1. We'll need a lot of new dudes next year, good to get them PT this season 

2. Keeps starters relatively fresh for later in season to have deep rotation in many less competitive games

3. Shows recruits and current players that it's always a copmetition for PT and good players will get to see the field right away

 

Joined: 08/12/2011

MGoPoints: 2055

bacon

September 4th, 2016 at 1:34 PM ^

I think this is spot on.  Not many guys are coming to Michigan to play as 5th year seniors. You only get 4 years of eligibility, and whether it's true freshman through true senior or RS freshman through RS senior, the playing time is theoretically the same.  The "burned" redshirt anger seems to be more about people who play a lot less as true freshmen than they would as RS freshmen.

Most players want to be on a trajectory to play some as freshmen (true or RS), more as sophomores, and starting as Juniors and Seniors. If you're not starting as a true Junior, you at least are probably coming back as a true senior, but if you're not starting as an RS Junior, you're probably not getting renewed for your RS senior year. You only really need to worry about that RS senior year if a guy was not ready to play as a true freshmen (so he's redshirted) or got injured. With the talent on this team continuing to roll in, there's a good chance if you get off the track, you're not getting back on it.

Joined: 01/04/2009

MGoPoints: 18646

CorkyCole

September 4th, 2016 at 1:35 PM ^

There's actually some truth to this. Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if some of these guys are never major contributors if Harbaugh continues to recruit as strongly as he has been, particularly in the 2017 class. We are in decent to good position for 7 or so 2017 five stars. I expect that it will be a killer class.

Joined: 06/13/2011

MGoPoints: 4498