The First Harbaugh Era Commits are in: What's Next?

Submitted by Go Blue Eyes on

With our two commitments this weekend (finally!), I was curious to see what are the thoughts/theories moving forward.  My first thought was with the commitment of Gentry does that leave Russell Bellomy with a "thank you" handshake?  He hasn't shown much at all and as a 5th year senior how many reps is he going to get anyways. 

Another thought is that originally the number of commits?  I have heard anywhere from 12 to 18.  It seems with the numbers or offers out there and the rumors of some medical hardships that the number is going to be closer to 18.

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ChicagoBigHouse

January 25th, 2015 at 11:24 AM ^

Hopefully more commits are next!  

I don't know in regards to Bellomy.  If we have room, and he wants to stay, I say keep him.  You never know when you might need some garbage time snaps, and you don't want to burn a redshirt.  However, if he cannot help at this stage, and is taking snaps from someone else in practice, then I wouldn't mind if he gets his degree and moves on.   

Joined: 10/25/2008

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Yooper

January 25th, 2015 at 1:01 PM ^

Your summary, and results show so far, how hard it is to come in late. You are fighting months, if not years, of relationship building. I know Harbaugh and all, but we should keep our expectations in check. That hasn't kept me from thinking we can still bring Weber to the good guys though

Joined: 09/01/2009

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mGrowOld

January 25th, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^

"What's next?"

If only someone would take the time to summarize all the potential recruits for this class and rank them based on the side of the ball they play on, their particular position and the likelyhood of landing them.  If only that person would take the time to put their thoughts down in writing and save them, say in a diary for example, for others to see. And if If only that someone would take the time to title that mythical post something like "Updated Realistic Projected Recruting Board" and if only that person would update it periodically as recruits committ or go elsewhere and lable their update "2.0" or such so others knew the information was fresh and current.

Sigh....I sure wish we had such a person amoung us.

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Fitz

January 25th, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^

Bellomy hasn't shown much but neither have any of the other QBs on the roster. Assuming that neither of the true freshmen win the starting job, you'd probably want them to redshirt which would leave Speight as the only other option. Losing one of a not that large or experienced group of unproven players doesn't seem like a good trade off for that scholarship, especially this late in the recruiting period.

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DealerCamel

January 25th, 2015 at 11:34 AM ^

He'll probably never play a gametime snap again, and that's okay.  Denard used to talk about what an effect having Nick Sheridan around had on him, as an upperclassman and mentor regardless of his play on Saturdays.

Not everyone has to produce on the field to still be part of the team.

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Miami Maize

January 25th, 2015 at 11:44 AM ^

What's next is letting the process work itself out til signing day. JMFH has assembled a first rate staff and generated enough Harbaugh-mania with recruits and fans that the seeds of good harvest are planted. Just look at ESPN coverage yesterday on Gameday. Beilein was almost an afterthought, they were so obsessed with JH. I wouldn't worry about attrition victims like Bellomy yet. Existing team players like Bellomy who have seen zero or garbage time see the writing on the wall. They see the expectations and competition skyrocketing and know they'll likely be part of a voluntary or involuntary pruning process. It's like a butterfly converting from a caterpillar. It's HAPPENING, and in a very good way.

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VicTorious1

January 25th, 2015 at 1:09 PM ^

I don't think we know if there is going to necessarily be a pruning process. Additionally, without knowing the relationships on the team and the work ethic of the players, I don't think it's fair to assume that Bellomy is a goner.

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DrMantisToboggan

January 25th, 2015 at 11:46 AM ^

I bet Jim gets Lockett from UCLA. Houston kid, an area that Jim recruited incredibly well at Stanford. Idk if there is a relationship, but a UCLA flip could help with Clark too (I think we get him anyways). There's probably 6 more commits (Clark, Lockett, Arnette, Williams, Pickard, and Ulizio is best guess, and a 7th if we are able to cash our 7 year Karma Check and land Marshall or R. Smith

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STW P. Brabbs

January 25th, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^

So this post is exactly the same as the dozens of other 'so whaddya guys think about recruiting' posts that have been thrown up on the board. The clause about the first commits does not change the redundancy or vapidity one bit.

Joined: 08/27/2008

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gustave ferbert

January 25th, 2015 at 12:07 PM ^

is if this year's recruiting class was loaded with talent and you needed to muster every scholarship you can to stack the team.  

we didn't have much room this year which made it perfect for a transition year.  

Not to mention, Harbaugh arrived so late, that it doesn't appear he is going to make much of an impact on the recruiting trail this year anyway.

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Perkis-Size Me

January 25th, 2015 at 12:20 PM ^

I hope you're not seriously insinuating that Harbaugh give Bellomy a boot out the door. Bellomy might not have played well with the time he was given, but he sure as hell would deserve better than that. Especially as a senior to a team that is in desperate need of leadership. I don't think Harbaugh would stoop so low as to do something like that.

Besides, Harbaugh is likely giving everyone a clean slate going into next year. Everyone has to earn their spot, and since we've seen nothing out of any of the other QBs on our roster that would imply one has a lead over the other, Bellomy has just as good a chance to start as Morris, Speight, Malzone or Gentry.

 

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getsome

January 25th, 2015 at 1:13 PM ^

grow up, if they want to play big time ball and compete with the best then they need to manage the roster as effeciently as possible.  every competent and successful coach understands the need to trim the fat every so often via not renewing 5th yrs to non-contributors.  if a player has been treated fairly for 4 years and has had enough time to earn his degree (and given summer sessions, every kid should finish early) yet will not contribute to the team or is not projected in the 2-deep, championship caliber teams skake hands and move on.  cycle through some more highly rated prospects and reload.  if you cannot handle this 100% fair attitude and practice then maybe you should not expect much of your favorite team  

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Miami Maize

January 25th, 2015 at 1:44 PM ^

No one is saying Bellomy is a bad, undeserving kid who doesn't show up to practice and want a chance to play. Every kid on the team wants to play, no matter a senior or a freshman. The point is that with a new regime that is as demanding in its precision and execution (versus previous staff that was sloppier than Oscar Madison), there are NO sacred cows. It's about a maniacal will to win led by a well known maniac. Do you think Urbz or Saban would worry about Bellomy's senior leadership when it was based on a very underperforming execution? Senior leadership is a misused phrase. Yes, Gardner was a trooper who could inspire, but where were the winnable wins? While we don't know what seniors say to underclassmen in the locker room to motivate them, the point is that regardless of which year a player was in the past 4 years of Hoke, the entire attitude of the program has to be changed wholesale to one where they EXPECT to win. Like our teams pre-2004. So we need to change the paradigm entirely, and if that means a good enema for the program, then let it be so. I'm totally fucking tired of watching us lose games that in regimes past, we would have won in the first quarter. Losing to Rutgers? Maryland? Minnesota? Seriously? New energy, new expectations, new results. Perfect coach, perfect time.

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WMUKirk

January 25th, 2015 at 12:42 PM ^

I believe NSD will end up with michigan finishing in the top 10 in regards to average recruiting rank. They won't have a top 10 class because of size but the average rating should be high.



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mackbru

January 25th, 2015 at 12:50 PM ^

Barring absolute catastrophe with Morris or Speight during the pre-season, we should assume the coaches intend to RS the two incoming freshmen. Which means we only have two QBs. Which means Bellomy probably sticks.

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Mich1993

January 25th, 2015 at 1:31 PM ^

I think Bellomy will stick around.  As a 5th year senior, he should have enough practice experience to play ok if needed now that there are some experienced players around him.  

We do have Cleary if we just need someone to take a few snaps in an emergency to avoid burning a redshirt, so he doesn't have to stay just to protect Malzone's redshirt.

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Webber's Pimp

January 25th, 2015 at 12:55 PM ^

Bellomy should be encouraged to leave. He does not provide any value where the roster is concerned and we are better off using his spot on another position where depth is needed. DE and TE seem to be a logical spots. Fwiw, I still have nightmares of Bellomy running around like a chicken with his head cut off looking for his helmet...

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mgoblue0970

January 25th, 2015 at 1:04 PM ^

What's next? Presumably more recruiting, then the spring game, then summer conditioning, then Utah on Thursday night for the whole nation to watch.

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Danwillhor

January 25th, 2015 at 1:17 PM ^

but I've heard from a few that Bellomy isn't the happiest camper, nicest guy or inspiring influence in the locker room. I've heard from a few people (could all be wrong but it would be odd as all have heard it from students/players & himself) that he can rub many the wrong way, has few real friends on the team due to odd things like strong political views/social opinions, etc. Just "one of those guys" most know that HAVE TO tell you/argue their opinion on everything & it's often not the consensus. haha. Again, just what I've heard. Could be B.S. , overblown or hate because he hasn't panned out. He hasn't been in trouble, in the news or rumor mill for anything has he? Seems like an average dude to me but I've never met him. I only say this because if coaches see other players don't really like him they could remove him. If he leaves or isn't brought back that could be a reason. /Don't want to be that guy but....

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the Glove

January 25th, 2015 at 1:38 PM ^

I think what it says we're going to have a five quarterback competition this spring and fall. As of right now all of them are on an equal playing field in a new system.

Joined: 07/01/2008

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kb

January 25th, 2015 at 1:50 PM ^

who the dead weight is on this team after the players go through the Harbaugh boot camp. Expect at least a few players or locker room lawyers to leave or find themselves at the bottom of the depth chart.

Joined: 10/31/2009

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Uper73

January 25th, 2015 at 2:35 PM ^

Bellomy has struggled, but the only thing I can say in his defense is he was always put in a pressure cooker(Alabama, Nebraka) role with no game experience and never was put in a confidence gaining mop up role against lesser opponents.

No matter, I say he gets his chance like all the others to compete.

There are always some players that shake out during a coaching change for one reason or another. In my opinion, Bellomy may be obvious, but there are others of which there is likely to be a surprise or two.

Especially when some underclassmen Scholly players find out they are 3rd, 4th & 5th string.

What will be will be. And, let's face it regarding the QB situation. Despite a couple of great people and athletes in Denard and Devin, it's clear now they both were playing in the wrong position.

The QB situation is one that is up Harbaughs power ally. And, while Bellomy is obvious he may not be the only casualty before this is all said and done.

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Uper73

January 25th, 2015 at 3:09 PM ^

Yes, of course his stats are amazing, but he was at best an ok passer and, while he had some great games(ND 11 particularly comes to mind), he too was prone to interceptions and our offense stalled quickly when good teams defended the run well.

I love Denard, and in no way am I suggesting he was not a fantastic player.

Perhaps I am jaded because he got stuck between systems and offensive philosophy changes. He surely was more of a Rich Rod style QB.

Joined: 10/12/2013

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Danwillhor

January 26th, 2015 at 1:58 AM ^

from people in the know (much more than I am) and separately have the same story. He *SUPPOSEDLY* left the team for reasons not very viable. I won't say what but issues most would say could have been dealt with without leaving the team. Many people (even teammates) think he "quit on them". Again, what I've heard and apparently what coach heard. So, he told him if he wanted to be a part of THIS team he'd have to work for it. The player chose not to and to not say why he left. I believe those words more than Bellomy being unfriendly. BTW, not an insider and don't want to be. Just what I've heard from people who've been right about a lot before.

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