Scouting Report: Mason Cole
Well, now that Denzel Ward is gone, Michigan doesn't have any offensive linemen committed for 2014. But February was good to Michigan last year, so maybe it will be again. One guy who likes Michigan is Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake's Mason Cole. I did a scouting report on him, and while he doesn't look likely to replace Ward as a tackle, Cole does look like a promising guard prospect. He moves pretty darn well for an offensive lineman. I think he would do a good job as a pulling guard in Al Borges's offense:
http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2013/01/scouting-report-mason-cole.h…
January 30th, 2013 at 8:23 AM ^
January 30th, 2013 at 8:27 AM ^
January 30th, 2013 at 8:28 AM ^
He sounds like a great guard prospect, as you highlighted. Any campus visits scheduled for him in the near future? Thanks for the report!
January 30th, 2013 at 8:43 AM ^
I believe he's planning to return sometime this spring. Not sure of the date.
January 30th, 2013 at 8:28 AM ^
January 30th, 2013 at 8:36 AM ^
January 30th, 2013 at 9:04 AM ^
Speaking of Borges, what region does his recruit? West Coast? Maybe I'm not paying close enough attention, but I never hear recruits talking about Borges in their interviews. It's usually Hoke, Mattison, Funk, Jackson or Montgomery.
January 30th, 2013 at 9:10 AM ^
I don't think Borges is an area recruiter. He visits some prospects (mostly quarterbacks, to watch them throw), but that's only done selectively. I believe it is an NCAA rule that at least one coach has to stay on campus at all times (in other words, not all 10 can be on the road at once), so he's usually that guy.
January 30th, 2013 at 12:32 PM ^
IIRC, one of the reports on the Denzel Ward debacle talked about how disappointed he was that Borges focused on a QB at IMG and didn't have time to see Ward. I have probably conflated two reports, and may be wrongly remembering another recruit. Nonetheless, I'm sure that someone's feelings were hurt (because Borges didn't have time for them.) I have indeed noticed that Borges doesn't seem to be on the recruiting trail as much as others. Frankly, as someone over 50 myself with 11 year old twins, I really like that Hoke supports Borges in being a dad. Being with his daughter has to mean that Borges can't be on the road as much.
January 30th, 2013 at 9:49 AM ^
January 30th, 2013 at 9:38 AM ^
Hey Magnus, how does a guy like Tommy Doles compare to Mason Cole? I know that the coaches really like Doles, but he seems sort of undersized for his projected position. Perhaps I'm wrong. Doles also seems sort of important to the recruitment of Drake Harris...Curious what your thoughts are. Thanks
January 30th, 2013 at 9:42 AM ^
I haven't seen Doles's junior film. He's about 6'4" and 255 lbs. right now, so I don't think he's THAT undersized. Centers are usually the smallest guys on the offensive line, so that doesn't concern me much. I think Miller was in the 260's as a freshman, and I think Molk was somewhere around there, too.
Michigan is supposedly recruiting Doles for center, so he and Cole don't really overlap much. I didn't think Doles was extremely impressive in his sophomore film, but he was also only about 240. He was athletic but small. I'm interested to see what he looks like at 255 lbs. or however big he gets this fall.
January 30th, 2013 at 9:53 AM ^
seems like UM needs to focus on tackles more so than guards, no?
January 30th, 2013 at 10:05 AM ^
In 2014, Michigan will have:
OT: Braden, Tuley-Tillman, Magnuson, Fox
OG: Kalis, Bryant, Bosch, Dawson, Bars, Samuelson
C: Miller, Kugler
January 30th, 2013 at 9:59 AM ^
Magnus, do you coach OL or have you in the past? Your scouting reports for offensive lineman are so detailed and more technical than some of the others. Just curious.
January 30th, 2013 at 10:10 AM ^
I've coached every position at one point or another. This past season I coached OL and DL. I think those positions are more technical than most positions on the field (other than QB), because they're physically fighting for position as soon as the ball is snapped. Because of that, I think it's a little easier to notice how advanced they are. There are technical aspects to WR, RB, etc., but for the most part, they're just relying on speed, strength, leaping ability, agility, etc.
January 30th, 2013 at 10:03 AM ^
I'm getting more interested in linemen recruiting (both sides of the ball) for a while now. I understand our oline depth issues were the reasons for the massive hauls of last year and this year, but I'm curious.
What is considered a normal haul for oline and dline in a recruiting class? Given average depth and average starters for a program, would you take 4 for each side of the ball? Does it rotate by year like 3 then 4 or 4 then 5?
I understand my question is incredibly vague, but any kind of insight would be appreciated.
January 30th, 2013 at 10:13 AM ^
Coaches generally want to have about 15 scholarship linemen on the roster at any given time. Due to attrition, you probably want to take about 4 per class. Over a five-year span, that gives you 20 linemen. Once you remove the guys who transfer or get injured, that should put you around 15 or so.
It's not an exact science, obviously. Some years you might take 3, some you might want 6. But 4 is a pretty safe bet.
January 30th, 2013 at 10:17 AM ^
That makes sense. The more important number is having around 15 scholarship linemen. Thanks for taking the time.
January 30th, 2013 at 10:22 AM ^
There was an article yesterday on rivals about how Ben Braden is going to move down to guard this spring since Lewan/Schofield are back at tackle. What are your thoughts on this magnus?
January 30th, 2013 at 10:39 AM ^
I think they need to get the best 5 blockers on the field. Since Lewan and Schofield have already proven that they're 2 of the best 5, you might as well concentrate your competition at guard. I think it will be a three-headed battle between Kalis, Bryant, and Braden for the guard spots, with the freshmen likely redshirting.
FWIW, I think Kalis wins the LG spot, but Bryant vs. Braden at RG is too close to call. Bryant missing this past year puts him behind the eight ball a little bit, and he really needed to work on his pass pro.
January 30th, 2013 at 11:41 AM ^
that Braden is too tall for guard at 6-6? i seem to remember that his frame is more suited OT than OG. from seeing him in person on sidelines and after games, he just looks like a lankier guy that could play OT next year with some sub duties this year.
January 30th, 2013 at 2:12 PM ^
The coaches played Schofield at LG in 2011, so I don't think they have a hang-up about it. I also think you get your best five guys on the field. Lewan and Schofield have already solidified their spots, so now I think the coaches can concentrate the competition at the guard spots. I'm guessing it will be a three-headed battle between Kalis (who probably wins the LG spot) and then Braden vs. Bryant at RG.
January 30th, 2013 at 2:45 PM ^
Braden is one of my best friends, so I thought I would offer some insight haha. He is currently 6-8 at about 315. He has told me the coaches consider him the most athletic kid on the line (which doesn't seem like too much of a stretch to me after playing with him in high school). As of now he would be ahead of Kalis on the depth chart. Most likely he will start at left guard
January 30th, 2013 at 12:00 PM ^
If the coaching staff only took 4 or 5 OL in 2014 then that should end up being a very solid group. There are some good OL prospects in 2014. If we got 3 or 4 of the following I'd be happy: Braden Smith, Tommy Doles, Mason Cole, Brian Mone, Alex Bars and Jamarco Jones.
January 30th, 2013 at 10:44 AM ^
January 30th, 2013 at 11:11 AM ^
Yeah, I do like the way he finishes plays.
January 30th, 2013 at 1:14 PM ^
January 30th, 2013 at 2:10 PM ^
Unlike what some Michigan "analysts" are saying, I think losing Ward is kind of a big deal. Ward is not an immediate impact player, but his athleticism gives him a good chance of improving down the road. If he were to improve his technique consistently over the next four or five years, that kid could be REALLY good.
That's not to say that Michigan can't find a quality replacement, but it's not a positive development. Regardless, I'm not a fan of the way Ward was handling the situation, so if his personality doesn't fit, then so be it.
January 30th, 2013 at 2:18 PM ^
January 30th, 2013 at 4:21 PM ^
You're welcome.