Wherefore art thou 247 4stars from 12 and 13

Submitted by leftrare on
A number of guru-approved recruits in the Hoke era have not managed to see the field in serious playtime. From 2012, you have Terry Richardson, who apparently took a medical redshirt last year and, let's be honest, has not filled out. And where has Tom Strobel gone? BH gave him mentions in pressers, but the guy has been invisible. From 2013: Chris Fox has had health issues. Not much mystery there. Mike McCray has been up against a packed depth chart, but still, zero PT, IIRC. Wyatt Shallman may have been a victim of the Nussmeier scheme, but I think I'm more surprised that he has stayed in the backfield at all, if you believe the Fall roster. He seemed like such a great athletic prospect out of high school that he would have seen the field somewhere else last year. Finally, Pat Kugler. Son of an OL coach, check. Body ready to go, check. I appreciate that Jack Miller has done a great job, but, wow, I wouldn't have expected Kugler to sit the bench last year and likely 2015 as well. I know that every class has guys that don't pan out, but is it too early to write off these six? I hate posts that just ask questions, so of those six, I will posit that in the Harbaugh world, Shallman now has the best chance of making an impact. Thoughts appreciated. Edit: sorry no paragraphs from this here iPad.
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CoachBP6

February 12th, 2015 at 10:47 PM ^

Not sure if Hoke had a poor eye for talent, or if these players are underdeveloped. I always expected Kugler to be a great player, and there is still time for him. I was not big on any of the others you listed. I'd say this year, out of those you mentioned, shallman is likely to get the most snaps.

Joined: 12/18/2013

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AnthonyThomas

February 12th, 2015 at 11:00 PM ^

They all had offers from across the country.

Obviously many players have not received the greatest coaching, but I'm not sure how you can put someone like Kugler in this group, seeing as he was a RS freshman last year. What evidence is there that he won't play this year? Because Miller is still around? That isn't really Kugler's problem.

In the same vein, someone like Richardson was only going to live up to his rating if he put on a bunch of weight. For whatever reason he hasn't. Maybe that was Wellman's fault or maybe his body can't carry much weight. Another thing, we have had hardly any attrition over the last few years. Where is someone like McCray supposed to play? 

There are certainly disappointments (Strobel is one of them), but not everyone can be a starter or even big contributor. With how good the 2012 and 2013 classes were, there were bound to be highly rated players who wouldn't pan out. 

Joined: 11/13/2010

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Pit2047

February 12th, 2015 at 11:37 PM ^

Agree. Not worried about Shallman (Should flourish in the new Harbaughfense), Kugler (was RS Fr and didn't get snaps at center, PANIC!!) or McCray (stuck behind a loaded linebacking core). Don't have a good feeling about Richardson with Lewis and Stribling already ahead of him on the depth chart and Strobel might just be a depth guy. I though rumors were that Fox might take a medical hardship.

Joined: 06/12/2013

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TheThief

February 13th, 2015 at 2:50 PM ^

Besides the year of transition, every Hoke class was well regarded by both the recruiting services and other schools as evidenced by the offer sheets most of these kids had. Regardless college football is littered with 5 and 4 star players who never make a significant contribution to their team. Scouting and recruiting is an art not a science. Many top level teams have big time recruits, who they expected plenty of, sitting on their benches. You can't hit on every player.

If Hoke had a bad eye with some guys, then you have to believe the inverse with others. Guys like Kovacs and Jake Ryan come to mind. Both were players seen as MAC guys that played above all expectations.

I do not buy the idea that the cupboard is barren, that is why I am bullish on a good year next year. We have depth issues, a question at QB and a lack of playmakers in the skill positions. All those can be handled with a little luck and some good coaching.

Hoke was an excellent recruiter, a good man and beloved by his players and the University. He did not excel in delegation, time management and player deveolpment. Hence the sloppy play that surrounded our team. I believe Harbaugh will rectify this and I also believe it is way too early to dismiss a kid who hasn't played to his potential. Some are late bloomers.

Hoke was also too stubborn for his own good. I may literally get goosebumps the first time I see Harbaugh wearing a headset on the sidelines.

Joined: 09/17/2011

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ken725

February 12th, 2015 at 10:53 PM ^

It is either going to be Shallman or McCray who makes impact next year.

Mike McCay has been a big contributor on special teams and is going to be either 1st or 2nd on the depth chart at ILB.

 

Joined: 10/26/2008

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DCGrad

February 12th, 2015 at 10:53 PM ^

that we misevaluated that much talent (and everyone else too). It's gotta be lack of development from the prior staff. Maybe lack of offensive system played a part for the O guys I have no other explanations for the D guys.

Joined: 09/20/2014

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DCGrad

February 12th, 2015 at 11:10 PM ^

considering QB's and guys now transferring It's up to 10 or 11.  You can make the attrition argument but those were highly regarded players who didn't do anything for us.  Not to mention Bama oversigns and redirects. That's not our system. Losing/not developing scholarship players hurts us far more than it hurts Bama.

 

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tolmichfan

February 13th, 2015 at 9:07 AM ^

That's what Hokes staff was trying to get to, it's just hard to completely retool a roster when you don't oversign and cut guys. We had 2 complete recruiting classes with 0 offensive linemen. So they had to take I think 6 guys in one class. We all should know that Oline is one of the hardest spots to evaluate and lots of players don't reach their "potential". What sucks is being forced into this position made us not take a QB in that class (along with haveing Morris already signed up). To the Op: I know it's been a long time since Michigan has had true depth. Going on 9 years now, but when we did, the last time was under Carr, 4 "star" guys would go through Michigan all the time and play maybe 1 year. Take a guy like Adrian Arington he was a highly recruited guy, and he didn't really have a good year until his 4th year in the program.

Joined: 11/26/2010

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Jimmyisgod

February 12th, 2015 at 11:05 PM ^

I expect our depth chart to get scrambled with the new staff. I am convinced the best players did not always play under Hoke. Expect surprises and some of them shocking ones.

Joined: 01/24/2012

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HANCOCK

February 12th, 2015 at 11:06 PM ^

most of these guys are still hanging around and guys like mccray, fox, kugler and shallman still have a lot of potential and a lot of time to fullfill their potential.

 

but im gonna be honest, i totally forgot tom strobel even existed.

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Libertine

February 12th, 2015 at 11:33 PM ^

First, what's your source on TRich's medical redshirt? Not saying I don't believe you, but this is the first I've heard of this.

Second, the younger offensive linemen were beaten by guys who were older than them (Glasgow, Miller, Braden) and if we've learned anything over the past couple season, offensive linemen take longer to develop. Just my opinion, but once Miller and Glasgow graduate after next season, I think Kugler and Dawson secure starting spots on the line.

Lastly, when you take 47 kids in 2 years, some (regardless of star ratings) are not going to pan out due to being poorly ranked in the first place. This happens at Bama, Ohio State, USC, everywhere. And others, that are more underrated, will exceed expectations (Funchess, Henry, the Glasgows) or you get glimpses that show they are moving in the right direction (K. Hill, Strib, Drake, Godin). I also think you're giving up on Shallman and McCray way too early as there are some pretty good senior football players in front of them on the depth chart.

Joined: 01/04/2011

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Danwillhor

February 13th, 2015 at 1:05 AM ^

players I think this staff could turn into monsters. IIRC, he took a medical RS. As I pointed out below, I wonder how many kids are asked to take a late career RS for development. Is Pip a Senior on the field or a medical RS Jr? Either way I think he can still take the ordinary RS. If possible, I think he could use another year to heal but more importantly develop his game & get properly coached up. He's another RS casualty, a kid they played just to play when it didn't matter much whether he did or not.

Joined: 12/02/2008

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Danwillhor

February 13th, 2015 at 12:43 AM ^

can't you understand that some of us live lives that force us to use terrible apps that don't allow spacing of any kind?!? You laptop & phone browser people think you're so much better then us. The revolution will not be televised (or paragraphed lol)! PS: no matter what phone browser I use (chrome, dolphin, default, opera, etc) & no matter if I use it under mobile or desktop format it still posts without paragraphs even if they were in there when written. We're the lost, the peasants of this blog.

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