TomVH: OL Joshua Garnett Visiting
Washington OL Joshua Garnett was originally planning on visiting Michigan for the Ohio State game. That changed, though, and he's now going to be in for the Notre Dame game on September 10th.
He has a top 11 right now, which Michigan is in. He plans on cutting that list down soon, and since he's already planning on visiting you can bet Michigan will be in the short list as well.
Just something to keep in mind, he and commit Erik Magnuson have become pretty good friends lately. Magnuson will also be in Ann Arbor for the Notre Dame game.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:19 AM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 12:46 AM ^
I guess that pretty much solves that issue.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:35 AM ^
Generally, it's easier to move from OT to OG. If you recruit a kid for OT and you need to move him to OG that is easier than the other way around. OT are usually a bit taller and more athletic in a "they move better" sort of way, but we really are splitting hairs here.
All four of Garnett, Diamond, Bisnowaty and Banner are among the best OL prospects in the country and almost certainly could play both. They also have not even played their senior years in high school, so projecting them 2-4 years into the future is extremely difficult. We should want whichever one has the best attitude and will fit in with the culture Hoke is trying to build at Michigan. That would be the deciding factor I would use if all four wanted the spot and I could pick only one.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:44 AM ^
but, this is a sports blog after all, and it is fun to project. I just think that given the available information, I think these players will probably end up where I suggested. For the record though, I'd love to have either.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:23 AM ^
Don't be shocked if Kalis or Stacey end up being the center in this group...
August 10th, 2011 at 9:58 AM ^
I would certainly be shocked if Kalis ended up at center..
August 11th, 2011 at 11:37 AM ^
Coaches have said time and time again that they want the best OLmen on the field, regardless of position.
Kalis has been seen as a leader/recruiter/etc. this offseason so I'd be willing to think he'd be selfless enough to move to the center spot.
Kalis' knock has also been arm length. See David Molk.
...Michael Brewster at OSU was listed at 6'5 300 coming out of high school and was orginally listed as a OT. He moved to C to make room for J.B. Shugarts and Mike Adams in the same class.
Is it a stretch? Maybe...but don't be shocked, it's been done before.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:44 AM ^
If either were to commit I wouldn't be upset that we didn't get the other. However, I've been hoping for/expecting Diamond to go blue for a very long time, so it would hurt to see him go elsewhere.
August 10th, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^
I'm pretty sure Diamond has long maintained that he's holding off on committing because he wants recruiters to see his teammates play; if he signs now, fewer eyes will be on his buddies (although certainly some would keep coming). If this is indeed the scenario at play here, M is probably saying we want you, Mr. Diamond, but we're not gonna be left hanging. First blue-chip to commit gets the spot.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:01 AM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 12:10 AM ^
One more vote for Garnett.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:18 AM ^
just a reminder to be careful. both diamond and garnett are great prospects however remember many prospects and hs coaches may come across this blog and i doubt they wanna see a fanbase come to a consensus that they much rather have one recruit over another. just please be careful.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:29 AM ^
Good point, but to be fair no one is really saying that Diamond stinks at football. I think we would be more than a little happy to have either one come to play in Ann Arbor.
To put it another way, I love grilled cheese and steak sandwiches. I would prefer a steak, but if you give me a good grilled cheese I'm not going to cry. (I guess I'm hungry tonight...)
August 10th, 2011 at 12:35 AM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 12:42 AM ^
You shut your mouth sir. No two mere pieces of bread could hold together a sandwich of that awesome magnitude. Steak on a grilled cheese could very well destroy the space-time continuum itself.
August 10th, 2011 at 1:02 AM ^
This isn't really a steak/grilled cheese discussion, this is more of a steak at a 5 star restuarant and a steak at a different 5 star restuarant. Just because one steak is more highly regarded does't make the other any less delicious.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:44 AM ^
man247 makes a good point, and its something to always keep in mind. It does smack a bit of buckeye-esque arrogance to vote on preference of one recruit over another. Michigan arrogance means that we would be above that. In other words, would be too arrogant to degrade ourselves like that. In choosing between the two, we simply want the kid who most wants to play for Michigan.
Having said that, recruits and coaches trafficking this site should also keep in mind that those voicing their opinion here represent perhaps about 1% of the UM fanbase. They represent the most fanatic of fans. Very few UM fans follow recruiting closely enough to comment on a blog about whether they would prefer one recruit over another.
August 10th, 2011 at 10:06 AM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 12:24 AM ^
Cant go wrong with either one. Just want to make sure we get one.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:57 AM ^
Yep, this is a win win situation.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:26 AM ^
Just thinking abuot a line with Magnuson and Kalis on it makes me happy either way.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:37 AM ^
Diamond has been my guy from day one but it seems like the longer things go the less likely he ends up in this class. I won't shed a tear if we lose him to Garnett, the kid is an absolute wrecking ball. Dunn has to see what is happening. Go read Bucknuts (painful I know) but they're scared $hitless about their OL depth and recruiting class. I really believe Dunn goes blue in the end. Not enough spots left!!!!
August 10th, 2011 at 12:45 AM ^
I can only see that him moving his date up earlier as a good sign for michigan. He knows we only have 1 spot left for OL and if he waited to visit at the OSU game it would be very likely gone.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:49 AM ^
Schilling was a Washington kid. Would be good to see Garnett make the same move.
I've been expecting all along that UW would get both Garnett and Banner. Sarkisian has the program moving in the right direction.
How about if we just go to a 7 man o-line and get both Garnett and Diamond? And Banner too for that matter.
August 10th, 2011 at 12:59 AM ^
Talk about your pocket protection, Morris would have all day for receivers to get open.
August 10th, 2011 at 2:16 AM ^
I have said this for quite some time but Garnett is simply my favorite OLineman in the country. Yes better than Peat or any of the other tapes I have watched not just who we are in on. Every time I see film on this kid I am impressed by something small that I missed the last time. He is truly that good and like Tom mentioned he seems to be very smart and the few times I have heard him speak I was equally impressed. Seems like a great kid and anyone who Magnuson has befriended seems like a great person to me! This would be an amazing addition to this already great class and round out our OL recruiting. Hopefully we can get him on campus, impress him and the other big time players that will be in town for that game, and get Garnett to Go Blue.
Thanks for making my Tuesday night Tom.
August 10th, 2011 at 8:12 AM ^
I totally agree with your assessment. Best film out there outside of Kalis.
August 10th, 2011 at 10:02 AM ^
I've been impressed by the comments from a lot of these kids. Strobel, Magnuson, Wormley, Kalis, etc. all seem very smart and Garnett seems to fit that mold as well. When Hoke and Mattison say they are looking for kids that fit the program I think they are weighing brain power and integrity alone side playing ability and potential. We all know these characteristics aren't considered in concert by some coaches.
August 10th, 2011 at 2:45 AM ^
Is there any chance UM takes two more OL?
August 10th, 2011 at 6:40 AM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 8:57 AM ^
Texas or Alabama has had a similar (or better) haul on the OL in the past 10 years, although this is definitely the best OL class that UM has seen in quite a while
August 10th, 2011 at 10:18 AM ^
I follow Big-12 football to watch Baylor, and let me tell you, I do not trust Texas O-Linemen. I would never have said it while we were recruiting him, but I was glad when we passed/were passed on by Keenan. Everything in Big-12 football is built of athleticism, so the skill position players are the most important part of the game down there. I find them to be very weak in the trenches. This, however, is not usually reflected in rankinghs, which I find to be overly generous to Texas linemen.
So, yes, Texas might have received as highly rated an O-Line class, but I don't believe they have gotten as much overall quality as I actually expect from this class (expectations wise).
August 10th, 2011 at 7:59 AM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 9:27 AM ^
Hey Tom, I know you're probably not reading this thread anymore and the game is a long way away, but is there any way we could get some kind of rundown on who is gonna be in for the ND game? It seems like every high school football player in the country will, so I lost track a while ago. Thanks!
August 10th, 2011 at 9:46 AM ^
August 10th, 2011 at 9:59 AM ^
You take the guy you want most. You recruit offensively, not defensively. UM would never turn down a player they liked more because they were worried that the alternative would mean another B1G school getting a good player.
August 10th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
Numbers always work out because you never get everyone you want...but the amount of talent interested in us is staggering.
August 11th, 2011 at 9:26 PM ^
Who would you rather have?