DB could be set for years
With top 50 Garrett Taylor's tweet stating UM is no. 1 for his signature, an announcement that he could make w/in next 2 to 3 wks, I couldn't stop but consider-despite whether he pulls for us or not- if UM has ever had this much quality depth at one time. Because it has been proven that stars do matter, I am including a list of all those with four star ratings along w/Peppers, although some will not play as such, there are 3*s that will play to the higher caliber so considering this, I don't think I would be off-base to suggest we should get 4* performance throughout. Such quality depth and individual strengths as to speed, superior size, closing speed, coverage and anticipation, etc., our coaches will able to field a back 4, at times 5,designed "theortically at least" to more-than-adequately defend any type offense we face. ^I am confining this list to those that should, barring injury,give us at minimum two years on filed contribution. I am certain I have missed a couple but when one considers the following names and none will have less than two years eligibility, it is quite impressive. As you are aware, I am unable to do paragraphs or breaks of any nature on this site, I will; therefore, merely give you the list of names in a sentence like format: ^The 13 rated at least 4*(impressive total) w/two or more years eligibility are: Peppers, Lewis, Countess, Wilson, Avery, J.Clark, D. Thomas, R. Douglass, Hill, Crawford, Kinnel and Taylor. As stated above, running out of our traditional 43, this provides a depth chart of 3 deep, all rated at 4* or above. I cannot recall a time in recent memory, although I am sure Bo may have been able to field like backfields with the extra 30 players alloted. Quite impressive, indeed.
Drink second. Just a little friendly advice.
Hoke's been able to bring in some really highly ranked recruits in alot of positions. Still need that breakout guy on the D line.
It's great that they're all getting playing time. Hoke is bringing in quality talent. Hopefully he can really develop it.
March 18th, 2014 at 10:02 AM ^
He listed a top 5 with Michigan listed first and Stanford listed second. Multiple insiders have suggested that the list is in order, but I don't think Taylor has explicitly said so.
March 18th, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^
March 18th, 2014 at 10:29 AM ^
March 18th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
March 18th, 2014 at 11:03 AM ^
Never forget.
March 18th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^
I think this post is a year early. I thought Taylor basically is a Stanford/UM 50/50. But aside from that yes "stars matter" but production also matters.
Blake is a good (not great) player. Taylor is solid but not knock your socks off. Wilson I thought looked good but the coaches benched him late in the year at times in games which had me scratching my head (not due to injury) and then we have a bunch of unproven "stars". I think the cart is ahead of the horse here. If this was Beilein's staff I'd have another take but everything in football I am taking with massive grains of salt and I don't know how anyone else cannot.
My views are as follows - Stribling was the guy who excited me the most last year with his "flashes" on the field. But he was a lowly 3 star so based on this type of analysis he is one of the guys to get least excited about. He was in position for a lot of plays but did not make the play - that is ok, he is a damn freshman. Being in positions is 70% of the battle for a CB - a lot of other guys the last half decade have been nowhere near the right place at the right time. He has the size and I remember last year in practice they said he was the guy making the plays. So if he can develop into a press corner I'd be thrilled as we haven't had one in a while. So let's see if he makes a nice freshman to sophomore leap this year - if he does, it's something to be very excited about the following 2 years.
Dymonte Thomas is an unknown quantity- just a recruiting star at this point. Unlike Stribling I saw almost nothing from him last year other than a blocked punt. And that's not going to help in as a safety. He has everything on paper but so have many players who have walked through many college programs. So a year from now we'll know what we have.
Peppers is Peppers; my hope is worst case scenario is a step behind Ty Law level. Medium case he is Ty Law. Best case, well is basically what everyone here hopes he is. But he has size and if matched with Stribling in 12 months would give us 2 potential press corners with size. When did we have that last?
Lewis looked solid for a young player but smaller - right now he seems like a Raymon Taylor path, maybe with a bit more upside.
I have no idea where Jeremy Clark is - never see him on the field, he is just a prospect. He could be a career backup or a stud for all we know.
Kinnel sounds like he is headed to UM but with our decommits and a rough schedule in 2014 I am not counting on anyone until they sign. Yes stars matter but seeing them do something on a football field matter a whole lot more. I would have hoped the last 7 years has by now stained that into people's heads.
March 18th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
head was stained with this. (upvote for you)
You'd like heavier fast guys on the corners to be able to stick receivers and get a shoulder in on run support too.
The availability of small fast guys seems pretty good, but they get eaten up in run support.
Add in tall WRs as we seem to be focused on (Funchess, Mo Ways) and there's another mismatch opportunity.
I would agree with "flashes of brilliance" comment, I hope we can shore up the points in between.
Wish we could have added Montae Nicholson to the list of names, I just have a strange feeling he will be a really good player.
....And if Dave Brandon gets a golden parachute...I will be outraged....8-)
March 19th, 2014 at 12:25 AM ^