New Jersey's finest [Patrick Barron]

Onward: Rashan Gary Comment Count

Seth November 26th, 2018 at 1:52 PM

As expected since committing on Signing Day 2016, Rashan Gary will be playing in the NFL next year. The top overall recruit of his class helped establish Michigan as a premier destination after Harbaugh's first year. After a season backing up Chris Wormley, when not sidelined by/playing through a nagging shoulder injury, Gary was quietly dominant as Michigan's starting Anchor for two seasons.

Since Gary's draft stock is already well established, and given his injury history this year and last, it seems doubtful he will play in the bowl game. I'm sure the vast majority of Michigan fans will understand and wish him the best of luck in what will assuredly be a fantastic pro career.

In his time at Michigan Gary's work ethic and leadership were by all accounts on par with his ludicrous talent. Though it's sad the injuries meant we didn't get to see him Suh it up while in Ann Arbor, that season and many more good things will be coming his way. It was an honor to have him while we could.

Michigan awaits decisions from several other early-entry candidates, including Devin Bush, David Long, Lavert Hill, and Shea Patterson.

Comments

RobM_24

November 26th, 2018 at 2:11 PM ^

Just curious, what is his logo? Is that supposed to be an "RG" (like TB12 for Tom Brady) or something? Or is it a logo for something else? Maybe I just can't process it b/c I'm 100% math 0% art brained.

RobM_24

November 26th, 2018 at 3:05 PM ^

Thanks. I kinda see an "R", but not a G. I also could never see those 3D images in those books and posters that were popular in the 90s. Nothing ever popped off the page, no matter how much I relaxed my eyes or whatever. But I was a beast at Number Crunchers.

jbrandimore

November 26th, 2018 at 2:22 PM ^

There are players who end up much better pros than they ever were as college players - (Tom Brady, Taylor Lewan, J.J. Watt etc.)

I suspect Rashan Gary is going to be one of those guys.

dragonchild

November 26th, 2018 at 2:28 PM ^

Gary, Bush, Long and Hill probably had nothing left to learn [at the college level].  Something to prove, maybe, in Gary's case, because of his injury, but what would that be?  Just to rack up stats against overmatched opponents for a year at the risk of getting injured again?  I can see his case.  Long and Hill are so feared they're actively avoided, and Bush has put up all the tape he needs to show what happens if you don't scheme around him.

Shea Patterson stands to benefit the most from staying.  He had a pretty efficient year, but one in which he clearly hadn't hit his ceiling.  Don't get me wrong, he'd be drafted, but after some chin-stroking by scouts I think he'd be a Day 2 pick with some serious danger of getting cut if he couldn't instantly prove things that just take time to learn.  OTOH, with another offseason under Harbaugh's wing he could torch the B1G and leave next year with a much bigger payday, barring injury.

Yes, I have a huge conflict of interest here, but I think I'd say the same thing if he was wearing a different uniform.

I Like Burgers

November 26th, 2018 at 3:06 PM ^

Shea would be lucky to be a day 2 pick.  Feels more like a 4th or 5th rounder.  Seems like he'd land somewhere in the 5-10 range for available QBs and that's 4th and 5th round territory.

I mean, a guy like Mason Rudolph was a 3rd rounder last year.  To me, Shea's not even at that level yet.  I think he has a lot to gain by coming back.

JFW

November 26th, 2018 at 2:35 PM ^

I've been thrilled to have Rashan. It's been amazing. Heal up dude! Come back and, if you haven't already, get your degree. In the meantime, to paraphrase his mom, 'Go get some NFL quarterback ass!'

Steve Breaston…

November 26th, 2018 at 2:38 PM ^

Seems like a great young man and wish him nothing but the best.

That being said he was remarkably overhyped and stubbornly out of position. Had he played 3T he might have been the best to ever do it. It’s crazy to think he was never once the most productive lineman on his own team.

All'n4Michigan

November 26th, 2018 at 2:46 PM ^

Your true legacy at Michigan is based on 2 primary things: 1.) titles 2.) beating Ohio State Gary did none of those two. I wish him the best, but he couldn’t deliver while he was at Michigan. Heck, at least Chad Henne and Mike Hart brought a Big Ten title to the table during their tenure!

Blucifer

November 26th, 2018 at 3:08 PM ^

I wish him well too, but word association with RG is "unfulfilled potential." It's very hard to see by his on the field performance why he was the #1 overall recruit. I know he was injured a lot and I know he faced a ton of double teams when he wasn't, but there were simply not enough 5* performances for his time at Michigan to be considered anything other than lackluster. Certainly not enough to warrant the big fella brandishing his own monogrammed swag. I mean, don't you have to win something besides the gene lottery before you roll out with your own brand?

Work volume, injuries, and double teams don't get easier in the NFL. I hope he makes it, but I certainly wouldn't want to pay him big money until he shows it consistently on the field.

ColoradoBlue

November 26th, 2018 at 2:49 PM ^

Farewell to a great Michigan Man.  He'll leave a huge huge void to fill and it will be sad to see his skill and leadership go.  I know it's in his best interest to never play another down, but man... it would be so nice to see him shine one last time in a bowl game that will still mean a lot for the program.  

The "sitting out of the bowl games" thing is understandable in an age where it makes financial sense.  But man, it really is a buzz kill for fans of the college game like me who view pro football as a mere pastime.

JWG Wolverine

November 26th, 2018 at 2:49 PM ^

I’ll always remember Rashan Gary as the five star recruit who said fuck no to the bagmen down south, and instead came to Ann Arbor to pursue his dreams as a football player by playing on the highest level in front of the most people, and attending a world class university to assure he will dominate the off-field world during and after what will be a successful NFL career.

I wish this could have been on a less depressing note, but best of luck Rashan, and forever Go Blue.