TTB: Scouting offensive tackles

Submitted by Magnus on

It's generally a slow football news time, aside from the NFL Combine. But since it's the off-season, I posted a guide this morning to what I look at when watching offensive tackle prospects. It's mostly centered around Michigan recruits/players.

LINK

Who's the best left tackle prospect in the 2018 class? I haven't had enough time to look at all the candidates.

The Oracle

March 3rd, 2017 at 2:04 PM ^

I look for Australians of Pacific Islander ancestry, around 6'8" and 400 pounds or so, who, despite little actual football experience, can fling more experienced and normal sized players to the ground with a flick of their wrists.

maize-blue

March 3rd, 2017 at 2:57 PM ^

Nice. Hopefully that gives them the inside track. I feel like the hype and attention surrounding this guy is going to continue to build and build. Especially if he shows he can play even a little bit in real games.  

LKLIII

March 3rd, 2017 at 3:36 PM ^

Michigan was not the very first school.  IIRC, I think it was University of Hawaii that was first. One of their scouts saw him in a gym over in Australia.

However, I do think Michigan was the first major/national level program to show major interest. Certainly the first to send a whole satellite camp/gaggle of coaches to meet him in person over in Australia.

Then IMG got word of him, and now that he's on everybody's radar now that he's stateside.

But there's no doubt that as far as big/major programs go, Michigan was the first one in the door.

ramenboy

March 3rd, 2017 at 3:59 PM ^

Was anyone else treated to not just informative football information after clicking on the TTB link, but also scantily clad females on some hot girl dating site ads on the side bars?  Had to very quickly close the window as I was browsing at work.

GoBlue C4

March 3rd, 2017 at 4:18 PM ^

Magnus, what do you think of Bredeson at LT as a 1 year fill in? Incase Newsome isn't 100% healthy by August 1st. I know he doesn't have the height but he seems to be good to great at everything else on you list

Ahriman

March 3rd, 2017 at 5:44 PM ^

as always Magnus. Just had a few questions for you regarding the potential starting O-line.

You mentioned that Cole is the most technically sound, and while his body type isn't ideal, don't you think the best option if Newsome isn't ready would be Cole (LT) - Bredeson (LG) - Ruiz (C) - Onwenu (RG) - Ulizio (RT) at this time?

If not, what do you think the O-line will look like (obviously we'll know more in summer camp when the other freshman show up, but it seems like it would be a miracle if Newsome plays this year)?

And do you think the line will be the Achilles heel of the team this year? It seems like hiring Coach Frey and having Coach Drevno should help mitigate some of the inexperience with higher ceiling players vs. what Michigan had last year.

Thanks

Magnus

March 3rd, 2017 at 8:40 PM ^

I don't trust freshman centers, so no, I don't think best option would be to have Cole-Bredeson-Ruiz-Onwenu-Ulizio. IMO, I think the best non-Newsome line would be Bredeson-Kugler-Cole-Onwenu-Ulizio from left to right or Cole-Bredeson-Kugler-Onwenu-Ulizio. It all depends on whether Kugler is trusted enough by the staff.

Jim Harbaugh is optimistic that Newsome will play this year. I don't know what to think. But I hope Harbaugh's optimism pans out.

Yes, I think the OL will be the Achilles heel of the team this year, assuming Newsome isn't back up to speed. I wish we could clone Mason Cole and have him play every position. I think the other guys are going to have some growing pains.

Alumnus93

March 3rd, 2017 at 7:04 PM ^

So did coach Frey recruit both Lewan AND Schofield? If so that is impressive, especially considering we went to the spread.