Mason Cole could make history...
If reports are correct Mason Cole would be just the 4th true freshman to ever start a game on the OLine for Michigan.
As far as I can tell ...Tom Dixon (one game, 1980), Dean Dingman (three games, 1987) , Bubba Paris (two games, 1978) and gasp Justin Boren, are the only U-M true freshmen to make a start on the offensive line.
August 14th, 2014 at 7:19 PM ^
August 14th, 2014 at 7:42 PM ^
Paris played left tackle eventually - don't know if he started there as a freshman
August 14th, 2014 at 7:57 PM ^
has only relatively recently been seen as the most important. For instance, 1997 Jon Jansen was a three year starter and Michigan's RT while Jeff Backus was a RS Freshman playing his first year on the OL at LT. For 2003 Tony Pape was moved from two years as LT to RT. So it may be that Matt Stevanich is Michigan's firt OL that was moved to LT to specifically protect the QB's blind side.
August 14th, 2014 at 7:43 PM ^
August 14th, 2014 at 7:49 PM ^
August 14th, 2014 at 8:22 PM ^
August 14th, 2014 at 8:07 PM ^
August 14th, 2014 at 8:24 PM ^
I'm sure Cole is good in his own right, and being on campus since January helps, but I just have minimal confidence that he's physically ready (as of right now) to stand up to defensive lines like MSU or OSU. No true freshman would be.
Then again, nothing else we've tried has worked. Maybe this is the best option long term. Still, I'm terrified for Gardner's well-being. Here's to Cole growing up in a hurry, otherwise guys like Bosa, Calhoun and Spence are going to have an absolute field day.
August 14th, 2014 at 10:12 PM ^
Seriously - You could also look at it as the "best lineman" (from whichever All-Star Game Cole played in) is a combination of Jake Long and Michael Oher that will dominate immediately at M for 3 years before being the #1 pick in the NFL draft.
I suspect the truth is somewhere in between. Would Cole be starting LT if Lewan was still at M? No. Would he be pushing for a starting spot somewhere on the line? Maybe. I am pretty sure the kid is damn good regardless of the actual situation.
PS -Thank God Schofield, Lewan, Molk, etc. were such natural talents that they were able to succeed despite the complete lack of OL coaching development at M.
August 14th, 2014 at 11:36 PM ^
I'm no football expert, but line positions take the longest for players to develop in. Particularly the O-Line. I don't know Cole, but I can tell you that he's physically not ready yet. That's not a knock on Cole. He's a true freshman. If we were actually developing our O-Line talent, Cole would be using the next year or two to hone his fundamentals, learn the playbook, and perhaps most importantly, bulk up.
He will progress throughout the year and get valuable playing time, but a true freshman guarding your QB's blindside is not normally a recipe for success. Unless he's the next coming of Jake Long, I foresee him getting absolutely abused by MSU, and by that extension, Gardner as well. Again, not a knock on Cole, but in the ideal world, he's using this time to develop. In my opinion, he shouldn't be anywhere near the field right now.
August 15th, 2014 at 1:16 AM ^
Lewan and Schofield are still bitter with Funk over their wasted time playing for him, when they could have been "developing". I'm not sure where we could find them today to confirm though.
August 15th, 2014 at 12:26 PM ^
In Nola just grabbed dinner with @BrianSchwenke @MichaelRoos @LevitreAndy #NoBadDays #GonnaGetFat
— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) August 15, 2014
August 16th, 2014 at 5:02 AM ^
August 14th, 2014 at 8:40 PM ^
that Cole is another guy with a ceiling ala Long, Everitt, Jansen, etc. The "OL household names" more or less. We are due for some more legendary players. If Cole can stand up thru the season, look out down the road.....Road Grader coming 8-)
August 14th, 2014 at 9:17 PM ^
If it was only about need (instead of talent), then I doubt Cole would be slated to start at Left Tackle. He might just be that good.
August 14th, 2014 at 9:30 PM ^
August 15th, 2014 at 1:49 PM ^
IIRC Cole has gained 17lbs since arriving in January
August 14th, 2014 at 9:31 PM ^
August 14th, 2014 at 10:17 PM ^
August 16th, 2014 at 4:59 AM ^
August 14th, 2014 at 11:59 PM ^
August 14th, 2014 at 9:33 PM ^
Would be nice if he really is a superstar!
August 14th, 2014 at 9:46 PM ^
If he starts as a freshman he needs a cool nickname like Cole train.
It seems like a lot of these big guys come out of high school lacking basic football tech. I think they are so much bigger than the other kids they just stand up out of their stances mow over the other team like Will Campbell. It is refreshing to see a kid like him come in D1 ready. Wow!!! Coach Hoke praised Cole's high school Coach, but I bet it started in pop warner and the high school Coach also did a great job.
August 14th, 2014 at 10:25 PM ^
Considering the amazing OLine classes we've hauled in seemingly every year for the past couple of years, this has the feeling of DOOM. Hopefully it's the opposite and Mason is just that good, but I'm pretty skeptical.
August 14th, 2014 at 11:20 PM ^
August 15th, 2014 at 9:02 AM ^
Mr. OP..."THAT'S NOT TRUE!!!"
August 15th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
Wouldn't he merely be adding to a select few rather than performing something groundbreaking like being the first OL to ever start in M history? Sounds more like her story.