Michigan Recruiting Kalen Ballage Again
Webblog: U-M Makes Revealing Stop in Colorado to see 2014 RB/ATH Kalen Ballage - http://t.co/cq2P45U1B0
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) October 23, 2013
Rumors swirling that Michigan is now back in it for Kalen. Michigan might have space for 3 or 4 guys in the class now. I've heard rumors about two players on offense possibly transferring. I've also heard a rumor that one player has a possible career ending injury, but he's getting a second opinion on it. I'll leave it at that, but looks like Michigan could be going after Hand, McDowell, and Ballage.
October 26th, 2013 at 12:06 PM ^
Hand, McDowell, Ballage, and then if anything the two guys from Ohio, Smith and Lattimore. I think they prefer the two Ohio guys to Nicholson, that's besides the point that right now they're only looking to pick up Hand, McDowell, and Ballage.
October 26th, 2013 at 7:54 PM ^
and he wasn't interested, would we know? If Ballage wanted to commit today, would they accept it? I don't think we know that either.
October 26th, 2013 at 9:58 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 11:48 AM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 12:03 PM ^
Thing is though, Toussaint graduates after this season and then competition for tailback carries will be wide open. As of now we have no RBs in the 2014 class, so the non-seniors on the roster all have to like their chances of earning PT.
October 26th, 2013 at 12:09 PM ^
I'll say this, right now the depth chart for next year is projected to be Green, Smith, then Drake if he comes back healthy. And now the staff is looking to bring in Ballage. So it may not be as wide open as you think. I won't speculate who might be transferring but there's a reason they want Ballage.
October 26th, 2013 at 12:15 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 1:34 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 5:58 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 12:23 PM ^
as to why the recruiting of Ballage has been re-opened by the Michigan staff. Maybe, just maybe, they've seen some things from Ballage in his game tapes or in person that shows he's taken his game to an even higher level.
October 26th, 2013 at 12:36 PM ^
Maybe Thomas Rawls is the transfer candidate? I don't see him getting many carries at all next year.
October 26th, 2013 at 12:42 PM ^
...but there are probably 10 guys I could name right now that would fit the "mold" of a transfer candidate.
In fact, I could name at least one at every position.
October 26th, 2013 at 12:56 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 12:18 PM ^
The reporters don't ask THESE questions so people aren't speculating on who may be injured for his career.
Not suggesting that asking Hoke if someone has a career ending injury...but just periodic status updates. How's Johnson's progress? How's Pipkins doing? Hell...anyone heard anything on Russell Bellomy in the past 4-5 months?
It seems like Jake Ryan was the only guy they ever asked about.
October 26th, 2013 at 12:26 PM ^
My guess is that reporters don't want to run into that particular 9=man box over and over. These coaches just don't get into any specifics on injuries.
I forget who said it a few weeks back, but the degrees of injury at Michigan these days seem to be "booboo, booboo, booboo, death"
October 26th, 2013 at 12:40 PM ^
...but even if Hoke says "Drake's making progress...we're looking forward to having him back next year" you can deduce that he doesn't have a career-ending injury.
At the same time, Hoke really didn't say anything that gives too much info.
October 26th, 2013 at 12:57 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 12:53 PM ^
Still pining over Montae Nicholson
October 26th, 2013 at 9:55 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 12:53 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 1:04 PM ^
Drake Johnson. I think this guy was going to be a pleasant surprise. What he did in HS was impressive...not just FB but the track records. A diamond in the rough.
October 26th, 2013 at 1:30 PM ^
Nothing against these kids because I'm sure they are great guys, work hard, and have given UM their best. But, as a fan I wouldn't be upset if Johnson or Rawls transferred because Smith and Green fill the same role of larger backs and are younger and more talented. I hope it's not Hayes because I still think he has value, but with Norfleet he may never get snaps so I wouldn't hold it against him if he left. If any of them transfer however I wish them the best and thank them for their service. But, I think some transfers is a part of improving our roster.
October 26th, 2013 at 3:34 PM ^
As a fan, I wouldn't be upset if you stuck your arm down a garbage disposal and turned it on.
October 26th, 2013 at 8:27 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 2:12 PM ^
But based off of just pure depth, transfers are likely to occur at RB or at OL, IMHO. I was thinking this at the beginning of the year, and the rumors do not surprise me.
October 26th, 2013 at 2:46 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 5:00 PM ^
Seems like everyone is getting a chance this year.
October 26th, 2013 at 6:29 PM ^
Players are getting a chance but how much of real chance could be debated. Byrant played good against Minnesota not so well against PSU and got benched after two starts. When players are on that short of a leash, that does harm to their confidence? My point is, hs coaches and families when they send their child/player to a school, they want them to get fair shot to play and it the perception is they are not getting that fair shot, it could cause them to start seeking out other opportunities.
October 26th, 2013 at 3:05 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 3:27 PM ^
chris fox maybe? he had a torn acl and havent heard anything since
October 26th, 2013 at 6:29 PM ^
Hes a true freshman he was going to redshirt
October 26th, 2013 at 3:34 PM ^
Transfers happen everywhere, and most are win-win. A player who isn't going to crack the depth chart or doesn't fit in socially finds playing time and the school gets another scholly.
October 26th, 2013 at 4:55 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 4:58 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 5:28 PM ^
I hate it when people post rumors like this. The only thing it can possibly lead to is everyone else filling in and making up whatever details you can't reveal...If you can't or won't reveal the details of a story like this, just go ahead and not post it. (speaking specifcically to the transfer rumors bit, not the "UM is recruiting Kalen Ballage" part)
October 26th, 2013 at 9:03 PM ^
I choose not to reveal any names, but you can continue telling me what I can and can't do. The thing, I'll continue doing whatever I feel like. I posted the bit about players transferring because otherwise people would be in an uproar about why we were back to recruiting Ballage with only 2 spots and an assumption that we get both Hand and McDowell. So without me telling you about transfer candidates, this is how the thread would have went.
1) Devin is now leaving early after his awesome performance. PANIC.
2) Hand decided on someone other than Michigan. PANIC.
3) McDowell has chosen OSU or Notre Dame. PANIC.
4) Insert player here is leaving.
So instead of people listing all of these reasons, which would have happened had I left out the transfer part, I included the transfer part. That way everyone knows that Michigan is still just as likely to get McDowell and Hand, there's just another spot(or 2) that might be opening up.
October 26th, 2013 at 6:18 PM ^
October 26th, 2013 at 7:20 PM ^
I don't follow this too closely but I don't remember a him ever losing interest. This seems like appropriate bye week activity.
This guy can play either offense or defense.
October 26th, 2013 at 7:56 PM ^
I think the assumption was that we didn't have enough room. But his recruitment has been fairly quiet as far as I know. I agree, I want this kid. He has elite size and speed.
October 26th, 2013 at 10:33 PM ^
Let's be honest - there aren't many guys on offense who aren't playing. If you're not a freshman, you're pretty much getting some significant playing time. The only exception, really, is at the running back position.