bluebyyou

December 17th, 2015 at 6:29 PM ^

As we have seen up close and personal, it takes a couple of years for most O linemen to get enough S&C time behind them to be truly effective, with some exceptions.  In a couple of years, with recruiting classes like this one, O-line depth should not be a problem, but at this point, some additional experience might be nice.

dipshit moron

December 17th, 2015 at 6:14 PM ^

michigan fans are so used to such poor depth and lack of competition on these teams it is hard to understand that harbaugh could have 5 great players at a position but he wants 6.

  this is how osu gets 3 qbs during the same time and all are talked about at sometime for the heisman. we havent had those type of players that arent afraid to compete. depth is everything it breeds great competition.

In reply to by dipshit moron

James Burrill Angell

December 17th, 2015 at 7:13 PM ^

1) where the hell they going to find room on the roster.
2) I was kind of hoping an underclassman would win that gig. Three of the starters leave after next season. You take a grad transfer you make it four that leave after next year. That's making for major rebuilding year in 2017

In reply to by dipshit moron

somewittyname

December 17th, 2015 at 7:50 PM ^

Nothing you said rules out the possibility that they aren't confident in Kugler. If Kugler were a stud, he probably would have played this year and one of the guards would have taken a seat behind Glasgow.

dipshit moron

December 17th, 2015 at 8:44 PM ^

so if you dont become a major player  by your jr year you are a lost cause? i dont know how much you ever played but some of the best players i ever saw were great their senior years. long after everyone had given up on them and fallen in love with the new guys.

  harbaugh and his staff probably know more about these players then any of us and i hope they dont give up on them as easily.

MChem83

December 17th, 2015 at 9:58 PM ^

The vast majority of players who are going to be great have shown it by their second year on the field.  Almost all of the best players I'VE seen have been great long before their senior year. Not sure what games you've been watching.

Mr. Yost

December 17th, 2015 at 7:26 PM ^

Nevermind, I know why.

But we brought in Wayne Lyons...did that mean Hill or Wilson weren't good? No.

Maybe we just want competition and depth at the position.

Right now Kuglar is the only natural center on the roster, Cole and/or Dawson could move into the middle. Both have repped at C in the past.

stephenrjking

December 17th, 2015 at 8:29 PM ^

Good point about Lyons, but in this case I think we can assume that Michigan isn't comfortable with what it has at center. If Kugler were ready to mash this fall and Cole was a solid choice to back him up in a position switch with other ready-to-go players behind him, Michigan doesn't make this move.

Either the depth at tackle is poor enough that they don't want Cole to move, or they think Kugler would be a serious liability.

Conclusion: Michigan has at most one solid center on the roster right now.

bacon

December 17th, 2015 at 10:22 PM ^

I think when Lyons was brought in there were questions about the secondary, then guys stepped up to the competition. Rudock won the competition for starter probably because of his experience at a key position, but it wasn't a guarantee he'd beat out the other QBs. Kugler hasn't really had much experience, so bringing in another guy who played 12 games as a RS freshman (started 5) and at least brings some experience to a critical position. Kugler could be great and win the job, or this transfer could be better and win the job. Either way, the OL wins by having the best guy on the field.

Lanknows

December 17th, 2015 at 10:21 PM ^

Lots of ands and ors there.

Michigan could think Kugler is a decent option at center but not want to move Cole because moving Cole would just create another problem spot.

Even if you optimistically take the 4 returning starters and plug in one out Dawson, Newsome, Kugler in at the 5th spot that gives you only 2 backups who are even semi-proven/well-regarded.

That means you're an injury away from trouble.

The bottomline is that the OL was bad last year (ranking 114th in run blocking/opportunity rate), so there's room for improvement even if everyone is back, healthy, and improved.  If everyone is not...there is room for disaster if things go badly.

So Michigan could use a better starter, better depth, more experience, more bodies, etc.

Lanknows

December 17th, 2015 at 10:58 PM ^

Grad transfers provide great options for depth, regardless of if they start or not.

Michigan took Wayne Lyons even when they had Lewis, Peppers, Countess, Stribling, Clark, etc.

Michigan should take as many as they think can contribute.  3-5 grad transfers should be the minimum given the need for proven players at almost every positon group.  DL, TE, and outside WR are about the only positions where we are really set and even there you can make an argument for a grad transfer to help.

DairyQueen

December 18th, 2015 at 12:17 AM ^

Exactly.

Alabama gets about 5-7+  5-star players EVERY year, and they still gladly and often take grad transfers.

In Michigan's case, it's called staying competitive, if you're unwilling to adapt, you're going to get left in the dust, period.

And thankfully Harbaugh (unlike previous coaches) is all about getting better every day ,and, in every way possible.

Wolverine Devotee

December 17th, 2015 at 6:05 PM ^

Possibility of a the first two guys that touch the football every play both being grad transfers.