Question about Justice Hayes

Submitted by dinsdale613 on

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?

UMaD

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.

True Blue Grit

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. 

Philbert

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! 

08mms

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.

Bodogblog

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

chally

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?

Hardware Sushi

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.

mackbru

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.

F5

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