Question about Justice Hayes
There has been discussion on the board about how Michigan will likely not take a WR this year. This is most likely to the amount we already have on the roster. That got me thinking about Justice Hayes, however. i believe he was originally recruited as an athlete and was looked at as a slot type of player. In fact, there is some belief he would actually be more suited for this role. Now, with the seeming impending commitment of another RB more suited to this offense, is Justice still considered an athlete by this coaching staff? I know Borges likes to use 2 back sets so they may want more rb's, but maybe the staff look at hayes as a WR recruit. Does anyone know what they are planning on using Hayes for?
January 24th, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^
The staff told him they want him to play RB.
January 24th, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^
thats what i thought
January 24th, 2011 at 11:10 AM ^
Actually I heard they recruited him as the next fred jackson. He will play four years and then when hes done he will join fred on the recruiting trail for many years to come.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:37 PM ^
"Fred Jackson is like a mix between Bear Bryant, Optimus Prime, and the original Bone Thugs but with more style" -Justice Hayes
January 24th, 2011 at 1:23 PM ^
-Fred Jackson
January 24th, 2011 at 11:14 AM ^
the dreaded double post... Fail
January 24th, 2011 at 11:19 AM ^
He argueably wasn't even the best RB on his HS team?
January 24th, 2011 at 11:23 AM ^
I don't disagree, but you'd have to ask Hoke/Borges that question.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:55 AM ^
If that's really what you think, then why should we even offer him a scholarship?
January 24th, 2011 at 12:12 PM ^
Cadillac Williams wasn't even the best RB on his college team, but he still went 5th overall in the NFL draft..........
January 24th, 2011 at 3:24 PM ^
a PRO style RB, so that makes sense.
January 24th, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^
Gotta be a RB. No way Hoke wants a guy under 6 feet tall to be a WR.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:22 AM ^
I don't think Hoke could stomach another Desmond Howard. There is no way that type of player fits in a pro-style offense.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:49 AM ^
Desmond wasn't recruited as a WR.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:19 PM ^
True. He was recruited as a running back.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:15 PM ^
but finding the first Desmond Howard was pretty difficult. He's more the exception than the rule.
January 24th, 2011 at 2:15 PM ^
Theres another exception. Its not like this is unique to Michigan. There are plenty of under 6' WR in the NFL and Martavious Odoms is way under that and an effective player.
I realize Michigan will prefer to recruit prototypical tall and fast WR, but there's no reason to rule out smaller players.
The recruiting rep on Hayes that he was a much better receiver than runner. We'll see where he ends up, but its early to rule anything out.
January 24th, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^
can he kick?
January 24th, 2011 at 10:55 AM ^
Don't worry dude, we got an Army All American Kicker in the bag...(whose been kicking of the ground for three years)
January 24th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
Gibbons was an AAA kicker, too. That obviously hasn't worked out too well so far.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:04 AM ^
True but Hoke has been watching this kid kick without a tee for two years.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:08 AM ^
Really? That's awesome, if true. So now we only have to worry about the mental aspect of kicking in the big house getting to him, since he can kick off a not-tee.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:23 AM ^
I get the feeling the previous coaching staff didn't do their homework well enough on Gibbons. But even if they did, there's always a big unknown with kickers. It's one thing to kick off a tee in front of paltry crowds on Friday night, and quite another thing to try and kick a game-winning field goal in front of 100,000 in a nationally televised game.
January 24th, 2011 at 10:54 AM ^
Should be a RB. Him and Rawls would be a good duo.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:21 AM ^
Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown? Yes, please.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:01 AM ^
Are you asking if Hayes will be the Recruiting Coordinator for Head Coach Mike Hart in 2035?
Yes. He will.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:14 AM ^
Can't wait to hear those Mike Hart HC press conferences.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:45 AM ^
Big Brother > Little Brother.
'Nough said.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:23 AM ^
hayes is making it his mission in 2029 to have the first recruiting class to land all top 10 players on rivals, scout, and espn. How is he doing this you may ask. Hes going to knock up 10 women and train all of his future children into the greatest athletes anyone has ever seen and then recruit them to michigan. JUSTICE HAYES WILL DO ANYTHING FOR MICHIGAN!
January 24th, 2011 at 11:43 AM ^
Antonio Cromartie is doing a hell of a job for Florida State
January 24th, 2011 at 11:54 AM ^
Littlen known fact: The Portland Trialblazers entire roster are all Shawn Kemp's sons. True story.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:57 AM ^
all four of his three year olds (no multiples) will commit there in 15 years.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:35 PM ^
Hard Knocks is a great mini-series. Cromartie had like 11 kids from 10 different women.
January 24th, 2011 at 3:51 PM ^
Hard knocks is great. They should use that clip of cromartie talking about his kids as what not to do when you are in school or the Pro's.
January 24th, 2011 at 10:42 PM ^
this will make me the happiest person on earth
January 24th, 2011 at 11:03 AM ^
January 24th, 2011 at 11:11 AM ^
In the past, Borges running backs have functioned a lot like slot receivers though (short passes in space) so I not sure if there is a big difference other than him taking some through the tackles.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:34 AM ^
None of our guys did particularly well catching the ball out of the backfield. Coaches hinted at this in the Fall, then we didn't see many pass plays to the RBs. When Shaw dropped that wide open swing/screen against Iowa (I think), RB passes were pretty much dead. If Hayes can catch out of the backfield, he can play early
January 24th, 2011 at 11:40 AM ^
Maybe they see Justice as a screen specialist like Chris Perry.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:34 AM ^
should join the staff after his dad retires, hes already coached a heisman winner and a running back that shattered his records
January 24th, 2011 at 11:34 AM ^
I regularly see comments on here that seem to imply that either Brady Hoke or Al Borges prefer a big back (e.g., comments suggesting that Stephen Hopkins will be our leading rusher next year, or, as the OP mentioned, that Thomas Rawls is better suited for this offense).
Neither Hoke nor Borges, however, have a pronounced history of using large backs as the primary rushing threat. Let's look back a few years at the leading rusher from each coach's team:
San Diego State:
2010 - 5'10 / 175
2009 - 5'11 / 210
Ball State:
2008 - 5'6 / 201
2007 - 5'8 / 188
2006 - 5'7 / 189
2005 - 5'10 / 225
2004 - 5'11 / 190
Auburn:
2007 - 5'11 / 218
2006 - 5'11 / 218
2005 - 5'11 / 200
2004 - 5'11 / 204
Of the 11 seasons available for analysis, 4 featured backs in the Mike Cox, Stephen Hopkins, and Thomas Rawls mold. An equal number featured backs in the Justice Hayes, Vincent Smith, and Michael Shaw mold. The final three seasons employed a Fitgerald Toussaint-like back.
Can we please stop with the omgbowlingballupthegut assumptions about our future offense?
January 24th, 2011 at 11:45 AM ^
my statement had more to do with the belief that Rawls is believed to be a better RB than Hayes, but i get your point completely. Clearly this staff can work with many types of rb's.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:15 PM ^
Thanks, I'm glad someone pointed this out. SDSU's go-to back last year was just a little guy in Ronnie Hillman. He ended up being named MWC Frosh of the Year.
I think we'll still be in running back-by-committee this year unless someone stands out in real game action.
January 24th, 2011 at 1:02 PM ^
but V smith should be in his own category. Shaw is 6'1" and Hayes is 5'10" while Smith is 5'6". They are not in the same class as far as size is concerned, just sayin'.
January 24th, 2011 at 1:20 PM ^
Thanks for looking up that information.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:56 AM ^
still would love to see the big back, Stephen Hopkins be starting and running in between the tackles.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:25 PM ^
Run the ball. I just want him to keep recruiting. Let justice be served.
January 24th, 2011 at 1:04 PM ^
What does this "running back better suited to the offense" look like? I'm confused by this upon looking at 2010 SDSU.
January 24th, 2011 at 1:15 PM ^
Given JH's performance thus far, as a recruiter and fan, let it be decreed that you are henceforward forbidden from questioning the talents or potential of the Supreme Justice.
January 24th, 2011 at 1:36 PM ^
They are planning on using Hayes in the "120 yd a game avg. RB" postion previously held by on Mike Hart who will lead us to guranteed victories over little brother and ultimately POSU!
And additionaly as the permanent host of recruits..... Well, him, Ricardo and Denard