Blake Countess To Transfer
Via his instagram:
That is a blow to Michigan's secondary. Countess was the leading candidate to start opposite Jourdan Lewis, give or take a Wayne Lyons, and even in the event he lost the job he figured to see considerable playing time spotting various guys in the secondary.
Countess struggled mightily last year as Michigan transitioned to a man press style, but was an All Big Ten performer as a sophomore in a zone system. It is possible that Michigan apparently rededicating themselves to the aggressive system they had to ditch midseason last year may have precipitated a transfer. Either that or the usual transition stuff compounded by the availability of immediate eligibility elsewhere.
Other than Lyons, the main beneficiaries of Countess's departure figure to be Brandon Watson and Channing Stribling. Watson was impressive in the spring game and has a ton of experience as a press corner; Stribling was promising as a freshman before a relatively anonymous sophomore year.
Countess was set to be a fifth year senior so this doesn't impact recruiting classes going forward; it does end any questions about if any contributing walk-ons would get stiffed. If anyone else leaves Michigan would have a spot to add another fifth year transfer.
Godspeed, Mr. Countess.
Would have been nice if he'd stayed, but he earned his degree, so he earned the right to head elsewhere too. I can certainly see where playing elsewhere in a zone system where you have to think he can win a starting job (given his success in a zone in 2013) might be more interesting to him than trying to play man press here again and potentially seeing less time on the field.
Time to wish Countess luck and success in finding a place well suited to his talent. Sorry to see him go, but his decision is easy to understand.
I don't mean to sound like an idiot but is there enough attrition expected that we could have a class of 25 this year?
I keep hearing the coaching staff run with this #Fab25 idea.
Watson has "a ton of experience as a press corner"? He's a RS freshman who was moved to safety last year and whose HS only played 3 games a couple of years ago. He looks like a better fit for this staff's defensive system, but let's not get carried away.
I wish him well.
What is the process for a grad transfer to leave? Do they declare they want to transfer and interested schools contact them? or do they reach out to schools they would like to attend? Do they take visits? Are they still practicing with their current school during the process? I don't know how this could be totally facilitated by an athlete and their parents. Anyone have any clarity on this?
still a michigan man, i wish him the best.
Man all these tranfers... Whats going on in A^2?
/s
Attrition is apart of every program especially those who go through a huge philosophical shift.
We have had a much worse history of attrition with coaching changes. Thankfully the results worked out in our favor with Bo Schembechler.
In all your seriousness you missed my sarcasm.
I did...
Unless you're Rich Rodriguez and don't have the entire fanbase in your corner, in which case player attrition is due to the fact that you "ran off" all the talent with your egomanaical personality.
One of the more obnoxious memes that popped up during the Rich Rod years that still annoys me to this day.
Well thats a gut punch.
Good luck to him where ever he lands. I'll just leave this here as a way of saying thanks.
Im bummed that he's leaving, but I appreciate the four years he gave us and it's great that he got his degree. I love seeing the photos of our guys in the caps & gowns. Good luck to Blake wherever he winds up.
Countess is an alumnus who just made a hard choice. He undoubtedly got his coaches' advice. (Remember Mattison's involvement in Blake's recruitment and reaction when he committed and signed.) He worked hard, did his best when faced with adversity, and earned our respect.
Glad he graduated but sad he will be playing college football elsewhere this fall. If this due to a desire to play under a different coach to learn different facets of the game then I wish him well. I hope his decision is not to duck the new "competition" mentality that Coach Harbaugh has brought to the football programs. I am not saying that this is the reason because I do not know Blake; I just hope this isn't the case.
Its hard for some players to try to adjust from a Marshmellow Best Buddy Head Coach to a Head Coach who has Expectations that must be met.
If I remember correctly, Countess was recruited by and commited to Rich Rod and then reaffirmed his commitment to Hoke? Is he the last player with a Rich Rod connection on the roster?
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Who represented the UM well in the locker room, classroom and community. It gets way overused, but Blake really was a true student athlete. As a NOVA native, I've watched his career closely since he's from Olney MD. Really sad to see him go. Great kid who will be successful and continue to be an ambassador to the greatest public University in the world.
Who represented the UM well in the locker room, classroom and community. It gets way overused, but Blake really was a true student athlete. As a NOVA native, I've watched his career closely since he's from Olney MD. Really sad to see him go. Great kid who will be successful and continue to be an ambassador to the greatest public University in the world.
I've always loved Countess and was rooting for him to win the job this year. Disappointing but I hope he succeeds wherever he ends up.
Does this mean Norfleet will see playing time on defense. Oh, wait.....
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Blake was one of my favorite guys over the last few years, despite having some difficult recent games...was hoping for big things for him as part and with the support of our lock-down D this year.
Glad he got his degree, but nevertheless, I haz a sad.
Good luck, Blake, and thanks for the memories but...fffffffffuuuuuu...
I liked the Denard post much better.
Wow. In some ways I expected more attrition, but it sure didn't seem like Blake was the kind of guy who would transfer.
Huh. Proof will be on the field in the fall, as always. Hope this works out for the best for all concerned.
cool, I predicted 5-6 players would leave so I didn't buy into that assertion. I was right.
Can't really blame him for leaving if his options are as they appear to be sharing time and playing press which hes not good at or going elsewhere playing every down in zone coverage which he excels at. He'll have a much better shot making the NFL doing the latter. Hate to see him go but the move makes sense.
Blake was one of the best student athletes we had. I wish him all the best wherever he goes.
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I thought he would get much playing time. Unless he's worried that others have passed him in the coaches eyes and does not want to ride the pine. I suspect he'll go to a MAC school and get plenty of playing time. At least he got his UM degree. All the best to him!
Total bust last season, left early
#2 given to Blake
Another bust of a season, transfer
Last number defensive #two that was notable that I can think of was Shawn Crable. Carr told him he should transfer bc he wasn't going to do much for the team his senior year.. Carr's methods of motivating players worked with him.
...makes me extraordinarily happy.
we get all involved in wins and losses here, but we can't ever forget this other stuff. he got his degree, and he's a successful outcome for this program, whether or not he goes somewhere else or ever plays beyond college.
don't forget, either, that the coach he signed for got canned a few weeks after he committed, and he stuck it out, because he liked the school.
i wish him the best.
Very sorry to see you leave for your last year of eligibility. You represent the very best aspects of a student athlete on and off the field. Thank you for four years of hard work and the best of luck where next you play. I am among those who will miss seeing you in Maize and Blue.
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