EJG

November 30th, 2011 at 1:16 PM ^

I think size more than speed is Dunn's game.  He reminds me of Anthony Thomas -- big, strong, physical back very competent between the tackles and enough speed to run outside the tackles.

For example:

100M Bri'onte's best is 11.42; Denards is 10.56

200M Bri'onte's best is 22.95; Denard's is 21.89

Plenty darn fast for a big man, but not lightening fast.

sheepdog

November 30th, 2011 at 10:18 AM ^

Have you ever seen a power runner is ANY of Meyers offenses over the years? NO

Has Meyer ever had a 1000 yard rusher in his offense? NO

Is Urban going to change and build his offense around a senior in HS recruit? NO

Unless Brionte is interested in playing LB, I don't see him playing for the buckeyes.

MattisonMan

November 30th, 2011 at 4:34 PM ^

If I were Meyer, I'd argue that in the short term, OSU will be more like a pro-style offense and Michigan is still clearly a spread.  Plus with Toussant just putting up a 1000-yard season as a Sophomore, he might have a better chance to start right away at OSU.  

The other side of that is that Michigan's already proved it can get a RB some spotlight even in the early stages of the 'transition' and OSU hasn't even begun the process.  Plus, even if the sanctions are mild, less scholarship players is less talent around you to make you look even better.

tjl7386

November 30th, 2011 at 10:17 AM ^

With his recruitment I would say the biggest thing is that he wants to enroll early. There is still no word on what the NCAA is planning on doing in terms of bowl bans and that is something that is very important to Dunn and his father. Things look good for Michigan consider he is a soft OSU commit and he was standing on the opposite side for a visit during The Game.

sheepdog

November 30th, 2011 at 10:37 AM ^

"Son, I have been here forever and I have coached a lot of good ones.  Tyrone Wheatley, Timmy B, Chirs Howard, Chris Perry, Miek hart...  You are a combination of all of them except bigger and faster.  I have no doubt you will be at the top of the record books in every category by the time you are a senior."

Edit: damn! redundant!

readyourguard

November 30th, 2011 at 10:20 AM ^

I am sure Meyer is putting the full court press on Bri-Onte.  Let's face it, he's theirs to lose (seeing as he's a commit).  But he came to our last two games and stood on OUR sidelines.......AGAINST THE TEAM HE'S COMMITTED TO.  I think that's a pretty good indication of where he's leaning.

 

Mitch Cumstein

November 30th, 2011 at 10:20 AM ^

There was a really informative post in one of the Dunn threads about Meyer's lack of track record when it comes to developing RBs.  I wish I could find it now b/c it was really in depth and interesting.

sheepdog

November 30th, 2011 at 10:30 AM ^

We all have asked why BRIONTE would want to go to OSU in Meyer's system... but I want to know why Meyer would want Brionte so bad?

Seriously,  I can't recall a single running back (Dunn's style) that Meyer has recruited that has done anything but block... I am kind of hoping that Meyer and Brionte have a mutual parting of ways.  Then Brionte will gash the Buckeye defense for years to come.

Magnus

November 30th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^

As a coach you want to get as much talent as possible.  Bri'onte Dunn might not be a prototypical back for Meyer, but he might be a better option than some other 5'7", 160 lb. kid who's a nobody recruit.  Lots of kids are leery of going to a place like OSU right now, so he won't necessarily be able to woo every awesome scatback out there.

Besides, I think too much is being made of the Meyer/powerback thing.  True, he's always had smaller backs...but that doesn't mean Dunn couldn't have success on par with some of his smaller backs.  He won't have success in the same way (i.e. getting to the outside), but he could be an inside zone runner just as effectively.

I think Meyer is also trying to save face and not lose a high-profile kid from within the state.

All that being said, I think Dunn has better options and I think Meyer would prefer a different kind of back.  But I also think Meyer could find a use for him and not just have him sit on the bench for four years.

Magnus

November 30th, 2011 at 11:22 AM ^

You're right, but high school kids are going to be more impressed by players who actually have success in the NFL.  We all love Tim Biakabutuka, Tyrone Wheatley, Anthony Thomas, Mike Hart, and Chris Perry, but they never really did much in the NFL.  Places like Miami (McGahee, James) and Oklahoma (Peterson, Murray) probably have more clout than Michigan right now when it comes to producing running backs.