Michigan interested in Grad Transfer DT Timmy Horne

Submitted by Gentleman Squirrels on December 22nd, 2020 at 9:33 AM

According to maize n brew

6’5 318lbs who’s been a starter for the last 3 years at Charlotte

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energyblue1

December 22nd, 2020 at 11:25 AM ^

IIRC They pursued a TCU transfer DT, both Stanford DT transfers last year and the Miss st DT transfer, I think miss st...

So, I'm not sure why none came or if the staff stopped pursuing them.  I know we've had several grad transfers refused by admissions over the last several years.  So, who knows, we never get the rest of the story.  I don't think it wasn't for lack but no matter what the staff has failed to field a roster of competent DT's. 

chunkums

December 22nd, 2020 at 1:58 PM ^

It's shocking to me how terrible Nua is at recruiting defensive tackles. Does he call them fat when they get on campus or something? Between the reputation of the program, Michigan's recent (other than 2020) success on defense, and the strong academics for grad school, you would think a young former NFL lineman could pull in someone.

BluethroughNthrough

December 22nd, 2020 at 9:45 AM ^

Seems like we are out of it with Benny. Hit the portal hard for some transfer DT's. With the number of D-linemen we have sent to the NFL it is bothersome that we can not seem to land some quality DTs.

bluebyyou

December 22nd, 2020 at 11:06 AM ^

Hindsight is always 20:20 but losing Mattison seems to have hurt us big time on the recruiting trail for DT's. 

I'd like to know the story behind his departure. Perhaps it was just the money and the title but I'd venture a guess that Harbaugh and Mattison were not good buds when Mattison left town.

BluethroughNthrough

December 22nd, 2020 at 11:11 AM ^

I get the same vibe, of all programs to go to he left UM for OSU. Mattison was a huge part of the program. Going back to 97. I could also see him wanting to take on a DC roll because he was one under Hoke. He took a demotion under Harbaugh and OSU offered him that DC spot. It just stings he would leave UM for OSU. But I understand the career move going from a position coach to a DC.

bluebyyou

December 22nd, 2020 at 11:35 AM ^

I considered Mattison a turncoat and a traitor of sorts at the time, but looking at the current state of the program and the number of coaches who have left the program along with players willing to leave as soon as possible via the transfer portal along with the number of players not playing in bowl games, it would seem to suggest a toxic atmosphere at Michigan thus giving Mattison little choice.  JH seems to do well for a while but his style might be overpowering or annoying or both.  Regardless, The 49ers never seemed to miss him much after going into the toilet when he left.

 

BluethroughNthrough

December 22nd, 2020 at 11:48 AM ^

I am not completely surprised about the coaching turn over. Some of it has been because they have better opportunities. While some seem like it was because they were not seeing eye to eye with Harbaugh. That was something that was always discussed when Harbaugh first came to Michigan. That he "wears out his welcome, blah blah blah". I do not think he has worn out his welcome. But with coaches making lateral moves it does seem like Harbaugh is tough to work with. But who really knows. I am just coming to my own conclusion based off what has been said.

AC1997

December 22nd, 2020 at 11:58 AM ^

We will probably never know the true or full story - but I'd love to hear it.  While I see the argument about title and pay....let's be realistic - he's as much the DC at OSU as he was at Michigan.  His first year he was co-DC with Hafley and then Johnson was the DL coach and assistant head coach.  Then when Hafley left they brought in Coombs.  I find it hard to believe that the slight bump in title and pay when his responsibilities are almost exactly what they were at Michigan mattered.  

If I had to guess it was a difference of opinion with some combination of Brown and Harbaugh regarding approach and/or recruiting.  I think Mattison is a great coach and a good recruiter....hard to argue losing him didn't hurt in hindsight....

My Name is LEGIONS

December 22nd, 2020 at 12:18 PM ^

Let me explain this to you.

Mattison came to be DC with Hoke due to his daughter being here, and the big salary.. then when Harbaugh came in, Harbaugh wanted Durkin, so Mattison stayed as DL coach.  When Durkin left, Mattison had to sit on his hands and watch Jim hire Brown... now he knew of Mattison's history with Meyer, and Meyer was his best prospect, yet he still stayed behind, behind Brown.

The thing to do was to do a co-DC like they did with Hafley... maybe with Partridge, as recruiting travel for an older guy is hard...   OSU figured that out, and was the smart move.  If Jim was blindsided then that is totally 100% on him, because the human condition is quite clear here.

Jimmyisgod

December 22nd, 2020 at 11:38 AM ^

Josh Helmholdt has an article this morning with direct quotes from Benny.  He's solid to MSU, doesn't seem flippable.  Explained that he was always signing in February and he stuck to his plan.  I would say the doors shut, but there's always a slight chance.

But at this point, Benny would have to not only like UM, but hate MSU and their staff to troll them like this, his best friend signed with MSU last week, so I doubt he'd be trolling them like that.  If he is, he'll be the most hated lost recruit ever for MSU.

BluethroughNthrough

December 22nd, 2020 at 11:45 AM ^

I got called a troll for not believing the "smoke" around Benny flipping to Michigan. That is yet another article where he explains how his plan was to always sign in February. Thus why I have had the conclusion him not signing is not a reason to believe there is "smoke". I was following his recruitment pretty closely, lame I know, and from what many insiders have said, he is just...not going to flip to Michigan. 

bronxblue

December 22nd, 2020 at 10:18 AM ^

That's my general approach as well.  Charlotte isn't a particularly good G5 program, so expecting a Mike Danna-type performance is unlikely, but at least he's DT-sized and -shaped.  I also think we're going to see a lot of guys start kicking the tires about transfers as rosters shake out, so this likely won't be the last guy Michigan sniffs around.

JonnyHintz

December 22nd, 2020 at 12:11 PM ^

Danna came with a bit more of a floor since he was considered a draft prospect and had huge PFF numbers to go along with all conference honors.
 

But yeah, generally you figure major contributors at G5 schools can at least be rotational pieces at a P5. Obviously different situations (like Danna if our DEs weren’t already great) and they can be higher impact. But again, looking worse case scenario and you have a DT sized person that is playable and not a major liability. Anything more than that you get is a bonus and you absolutely take it

energyblue1

December 22nd, 2020 at 10:53 AM ^

Frey's approach works due to evaluation and projection with body type to tackle.  He targets guys with the size/frame to add the strength/weight and maintain feet/athleticism to play the tackle position.  Hayes still needed one more year to add the strength, he has the size.  It takes time to do this and that is Brown and Nua's issue. 

Brown/Nua have not been good on evaluating this.  Second, i  Size/athleticism but needs strength still.  Now look at Upshaw, Welschof, Morris and Newburg at the DT position.  They're now nearly big enough but still need more size and another year getting stronger and learn the position with this size/strength they now need technique. 

Wolverine In Exile

December 22nd, 2020 at 11:20 AM ^

Nua and Brown do NOT see eye to eye on DT recruiting and this is causing problems. Inside source. It is not a "Brown & Nua" thing, it is a "Brown thing imposed on Nua". If Brown leaves, I actually think Nua's going to get a chance to stick around. This is more an indictment on Harbaugh's management of his staff than anything else.

Golden section

December 22nd, 2020 at 3:09 PM ^

Hinton was a  5 star top 50  and Smith  a solid 4 star. Clearly the issue isn't talent or evaluation but development. And right now that's on Nua regardless if he has issues with Brown or not. 

Larry Johnson and Mattison get the most out of their guys. Nua doesn't get enough from them. Even PSU and ND have consistent interior Dlines.

If this area doesn't get addressed hello 8-4!