Sam Webb officially projects Najee Harris in UM's class

Submitted by ThatGuyCeci on
Without giving away paywalled info, Sam Webb's latest update has Najee Harris going blue. Says theres info he can't divulge right now.. stay tuned
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stephenrjking

January 2nd, 2017 at 2:03 PM ^

I don't want to be a hater, because Fournette is a good player, but Fournette is a cautionary tale for me. Terrific player with flashes of brilliance, but LSU's offense was basically a failure with him as the centerpiece even when he was healthy. And Fournette didn't really emerge as a power until his sophomore season.

With our OL it may take some time for Najee to really show what he's capable of, should he come to Michigan. And while I really want him to come here and will be thrilled if we get him, I feel like our needs in other areas of the team are greater than our need to get a #1 RB. 

I'd trade Najee for Leatherwood in a heartbeat, honestly. But if nobody's dealing, I'll take Najee.

Of course it's worth noting that Michigan's offensive coaching should be a lot more competent than LSU's was when Fournette was there.

Joined: 03/15/2012

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Stringer Bell

January 2nd, 2017 at 2:12 PM ^

I think you got to the heart of the issue at the end there.  Unimaginitive offensive coaching and lack of a passing game meant teams could key in on Fournette.  He was good enough that it didn't matter against most teams, but obviously one guy isn't gonna beat Bama all by himself.  With a good passing game and a (hopefully) improved offensive line, Najee will thrive here if he does come.

Joined: 11/06/2014

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Ghost of Fritz…

January 2nd, 2017 at 2:17 PM ^

Dalvin Cook in the Orange bowl?  FSU does not have an elite o-line this year either.  Michigan bottled Cook up very well 95% of his touches.  It is the other 5% that was the problem.

The thing about a truely elite RB is that they will bust a two to four big gainers per game even against really good defenses, even if they do not have the best o-line in the nation.  They also alter the way opposing defenses align and call defensive plays. 

I agree that it would be great to get a Leatherwood type guy.  But a guy like Najee Harris can be the guy that tips the balance in Michigan's favor in game after game, even more than getting an elite LT. 

Joined: 10/04/2014

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TheCool

January 2nd, 2017 at 2:57 PM ^

Exactly. I just don't understand that thought. It's as of these people haven't seen great running backs strike fear into defenses and make big plays even when running behind mediocre offensive lines. They haven't seen our running backs' inability to create or get extra yards to close out games we eventually lost. The dude is a dude. He's the number 1 player. Yeesh.

Joined: 07/13/2011

MGoPoints: 7155

Mr. Yost

January 2nd, 2017 at 2:33 PM ^

But it showed that if you have a capable QB and weapons at WR...1 all-star LT...your all-everything RB can do the rest.

Speight is Tom Brady compared to anything at LSU.

We have the weapons on the outside and we have a offensive coordinator that's not going to run that Toss Dive play every damn down.

You take the #1 player in the country, no question about it. Don't care if he's a RB or LT or DE or DB..if he's the #1 player in the country. You take him over anyone and anything else.

Joined: 07/25/2011

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stephenrjking

January 2nd, 2017 at 9:40 PM ^

Never said anywhere that I didn't want him. I did say that I want a solid OL more. As such, If given a choice between the two I would prefer Leatherwood. Doesn't mean I don't want Najee, but a team that can consistently blow up the D Line of its opponent will be able to run very effectively with many different RBs. I think the guys we have coming back can all be effective.

I agree with others that Dalvin Cook was an impressive weapon, and I've enjoyed watching him for three years. Harris is not a Cook type back. I foresee his impact to be more akin to Derrick Henry--superb athlete, makes yards after contact, makes some big plays. But the team will be good regardless of who is back there.

At least, I hope it will.

Joined: 03/15/2012

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WestBrew

January 3rd, 2017 at 12:50 AM ^

With elite Oline across the board I could probably gain 4 ypc for the 5 plays before I get injured. If you want to know what the NFL thinks are the most important positions the best indication is how much cap space they spend on the top players. LT > RB by a bit but then again NFL QB's are precious and need to be blindside protected and the NFL is pass happy.

 

NFL Highest Paid Positions

Joined: 02/24/2016

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WestBrew

January 3rd, 2017 at 12:44 AM ^

Agreed that we'd both want both.  The point that a mediocre to bad Oline will make any RB struggle is well taken. Lets say we have a baseline Oline that is "good" and then compare adding a gamebreaker LT or RB.  LT probably gives you more consistent yards and maybe more wins (although this is debatable) but I'll take the RB if for no other reason than I want to watch sweet highlights. Although since I watched the Najee highlights today it's probably jinxed to hell and he's headed to Georgia...

Joined: 02/24/2016

MGoPoints: 534

cletus318

January 2nd, 2017 at 3:51 PM ^

A career 6.2  YPC, including over 1000 yards in a freshman year you said he didn't do much in, is a cautionary tale Michigan would be practically orgasmic over. Any offensive struggles LSU had were far more to blame on the facts that his QBs were Anthony Jennings, Brandon Harris, and Austin Appleby and his head coach's idea of offensive innovation was a toss dive. LSU's offense was always a dumpster fire outside of the Jimbo years, and even those years weren't great. Even as a self-professed LSU hater, the fact that Les Miles and everyone on the offensive staff collected paychecks despite not being able to be better than pedestrian on offense despite having Odell Beckham Jr. AND Jarvis Landry AND Alfred Blue AND Jeremy Hill AND several NFL lineman remains one of the great sports tragedies of our time.

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stephenrjking

January 2nd, 2017 at 2:06 PM ^

I didn't see AP's HS tape, but while Harris looks impressive on film, he doesn't look like AP to me. AP was an almost inhuman combination of speed, power at the point of attack, and violent cutting ability that is impossible to replicate. AP was the best player in college football the moment he stepped on the field for Oklahoma, and honestly should have won the Heisman his freshman year.

Joined: 03/15/2012

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YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

January 2nd, 2017 at 3:01 PM ^

this audience but I see Eddie George - hey, he had a losing record vs UM and won a Heisman. Large guy (6'2" and 225 lbs) with good vision, good/not great speed, very good balance, good physicality, good cuts. Some slash, some glide, some burst, some juke, but always moving forward. Just wears down defenses while picking up 5-15 yard chunks.

Joined: 11/01/2012

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MGoStretch

January 2nd, 2017 at 2:17 PM ^

I just hope that at least one time in my life I can experience the pure joy and excitement that Arvind demonstrates.  If Harris comes, I'll probably be more like the kids at that dinosaur revival.

Joined: 03/20/2015

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jalenwestman

January 2nd, 2017 at 1:59 PM ^

If he flips...expect radio Paul to say: bama didn't need him, Michigan sold him a bunch of false hope, and of course he would of been a 1st round pick at bama but won't at Michigan. Hearing Paul explain the Harris flip might be the best part of this whole thing.

Joined: 08/04/2016

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YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

January 2nd, 2017 at 3:58 PM ^

You've been stating that Najee wouldn't flip for quite a while and seem deferential to Bama. The best part would be Najee playing for UM. Listening to Paul is a poor habit that you should break or else root for a SEC team.

Joined: 11/01/2012

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