Why not Tyler O'Connor?
I have mentioned this in previous comments, but still cannot understand why we haven't offered Tyler O'Connor. I keep watching his film to look for flaws but all that I see is a guy that I would much rather have than either Kiel or Mauk. How does he fit our offense? let me count the ways: excellent mechanics, great touch but also can zing it in when he needs to, plays in a pro style offense, moves well in the pocket, can run enough to be useful (almost 500 yards rushing last year with 13 TDs - and he ran back two INTs for TDs), good size at 6'3" 210, 3.75 GPA. Other than Pike I have seen no other QB who is a better fit for us this year.
Watch the film and you will see that he knows how to put air under the ball but also throws lasers when he has to. Would love to see this kid in a winged helmet competing with Bellomy after Devin departs... or before.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdFtw1cFLHc&feature=player_embedded
I went to Lima Senior, so I am not a fan of Lima Central Catholic. That is probably why I haven't felt the urge to attend any of the Tyler's games to see what he is about. Every since he has been on Michigan's radar, I have wanted to find out as much as I could about him. I have no problem with kids from small programs getting a shot, if you got talent you deserve it. I just don't know if the kid Michigan ready, that is to say, D-1 ready! The point was made earlier about every kid having highlights and that is what they send to various coaches in hopes of being looked at. If Hoke saw enough to want to bite, he would have had him already IMO. That was not the point of the original post, it was "why not". Well, let's ask why him over Kelly? I am just rambling a little...because if we are just looking at a few clips of kids and wishing, then I want Kelly. That is, of course, Kiel is not coming and Pike doesn't wake up and say "I want to be a Wolverine!"
I live in Elida ohio, It is a suburb of Lima.. which Tyler playes for Lima Central Catholic. I think the reason behind it all is that LCC is such a small school. Division 4. I know the kids family, they are all very respectable people. I know academically he would be a great fit. Just don't know if coming from such a small school to such a large school how he would do.
Maty Mauk is on a Division 4 team too though. I almost wonder if Mauk is better suited for a spread offense in college. Tyler O'conner looks like he would have less of a learning curve in Borges' offense. IMO
LCC is division 5, and yes kenton is div. 4
That outside of Kiel and Mauk, we still have offers out to a couple of other uncommitted prospects. According to the 2012 Offer Board, we have offers out to Bennie Coney (who's placed us in his top five), Jake Rodrigues and Devin Fuller.
I have nothing concrete to back this up other then I try and follow recruiting as much as possible, but I wouldn't get hopes up for any of those three.
It's more likely we get a backup plan like O'Connor or Appleby assuming we miss on Kiel and Mauk.
Has anyone seen video of Rodrigues? I have not. Just curious what his game looks like.
But the kid has a serious strike against him: if he ends up as the starter after DG leaves, would anyone feel comfortable refering to "the Rodrigues Era" of Michigan football?
I haven't seen O'Connor play in person but Mauk I have. Can we please just keep his name out of the conversation. The kid is a product of the system, a system his DAD runs to get him stats and get him noticed. Getting him would be a horrible waste of a scholarship IMO.
i think a big knock on him would be that he plays division 5 in ohio...my brother played against him in the playoffs and he is a very good player, but the speed at every position isn't there in division 5 like it is in divisions 1 and 2