Multiple Options for last OT spot
Harbaugh and co have made it a mission to shore up the OL in this cycle and they've assembled a monster haul thus far with Jones, Carpenter, Rumler, Stewart, and Barnhart. It's been well known that they're looking for one more tackle and they have multiple names on board - Trevor Keegan, Danielson Ike, and now Bryce Benhart.
Keegan (6'6 310lb, #16OT, from IL) is the most likely to join. He was leaning towards Michigan for a long time but OSU got their foot in the door and now it seems most people think it's a bit of a toss up which way he is favoring. Crystal Ball has 67% in favor of the good guys. He doesn't interview much so his recruitment is a bit of a mystery. Word was that he wanted to commit on his mother's birthday (Aug 30) but I don't know if that is still the case.
Ike (6'6 300lb, #29OT, from MO) visited Michigan recently and came away super impressed. While that could have been just post visit reaction it seems Warriner has really resonated with him to the point that he was still repping the maize and blue at his Bama visit this past weekend (see wristbands).
Had a great time in Tuscaloosa....Thanks to @LetsMeetAtTheQB for showing me a good time. @RTRnews @AlabamaFTBL @UA_Athletics #RollTide pic.twitter.com/9juSR1eR73
— Danielson Ike (@danielson_ike) July 28, 2018
Benhart (6'7 285lb, #20OT, from MN) hasn't really been mentioned recently but he was a surprise visitor at the BBQ this weekend and took pictures and hung out with the current recruits. All crystal balls currently point to Wisconsin, but it has to be a good sign that he made it to the BBQ. I don't know much about him in general but any OT that Wisconsin wants is good with me.
The boys are back in town. 〽️ #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/lpdF7fIVdt
— Zach Carpenter (@CZach23) July 29, 2018
Who do you all think we end up getting?
Is this Sky Panther's burner account?
No. Not enough pics and links.
Excuse me, I am a squirrel
Hey, maybe it's Mineral Kings. No, wait, I'm Mineral King.
(am I doing this right?)
No! I’m Mineral King!
You wish!!
I was called Mineral King before you were. WD too!!
I’m Franklin Hatchett also.
Man, you get around.
Yeah, I forgot I was so many people, but the town drunk known as Timaaay told me so.
hahahahhaha
You got me. I don't have a reply.
I thought you were Jugs Branham.
Yes. Take them all. I never want to be questioning who the OT is again.
Exactly.
In fact, I was hoping this thread was going to be about how multiple viable options have emerged at OT heading into camp.
Then I clicked on the thread and cold reality hit me like a rake handle to Sideshow Bob's face.
Why am I the only one liking this post?
Would have been nice to get one of the 3 tackles ranked as top 5 players in-state.
IMO only the kid going to Wisconsin competes with these prospects.
I think Benhart fits the mold of lighter guys that grow into the position. A surprise visitor to the BBQ is also a good sign.
Especially if all the experts think it's Wisconsin. I'll take him!
Any one of the three would be fantastic. I believe I would pick Ike at this time...I like his film a lot but I love his interview/attitude more...he's got "it".
After seeing the photo with the five current commits...I'm fine with what they have.
Wait the kid's name is Danielson Ike and not Ike Danielson?
That threw me for a loop lol
A little odd to miss Keegan and Ike at the BBQ. Benhart is a promising new target. UM will have to beat 3 OL factories (Bama, OSU, UW) for one of them.
Good to see Trente is solid at one OT. He is also getting positive reviews from Grayson’s offseason and intersquad scrimmages (top tier GA competition).
Is Barnhart a candidate for OT? Rumler, Carpenter and Stewart seem like only inside talent while Barnhart has enough mobility if not size for OT.
Sorry OP but if Keegan didn't show to BBQ and now Benhart a Wisc commit shows instead, then Keegan is no longer the favorite to join... Benhart now is.
I agree-don't care what the crystal balls say. Personally, I like Ike and Benhart better than Keegan. I really like what the current five commits bring to the table! (Rivals lists Benhart as 6'9" 301)
It looks like Danielson Ike has a lot of potential. I'm trying to find the link where he says it's down to 3 schools. It looks like Alabama and Michigan are 2 of them. Alabama has 3 offensive linemen committed at this point. Michigan has 5. I really want him to go Michigan. But I think I am giving up on that idea. I'll just be surprised if it happens.
Don't forget Jaylen Mayfield and Ryan Hayes are on campus now. Ed Warriner was telling Sam Webb that he sees future tackles in both of these guys, very emphatically so.
Over the past 15 years we have suffered with poor OL play. If two of these OT want to come, then take 7 this year. We are still hurting from the #1 rated OL recruiting class of 2013
Hilarious Danielson Ike repping Michigan on his Bama visit. He looks like a college OT. Think we are in great shape either way.
Get 'er done.
So, I think I'm missing something. The rankings Squirrel-man (er, woman?) listed them at #160, #200, and #290, with a 'T' after the ranking. Is the 'T' for tackle prospect, or total - as in, overall player? So, is Keegan the #160 tackle, or the #160 ranked player?
This is unclear to me, so I'll go off and googleize it. Just saying the 'T' is confusing. So, while I'm over at Google gooleizing, I'll try to find a smart pill, also...
You are missing something... that last zero is actually an "o" (making it OT for offensive tackle)
I don't want options. I want them all.
I want a pure OT backing up a pure OT, with a an OT prospect playing OG while he waits his turn.
I want a Plan A left tackle, and a Plan A right tackle.
I want the coaches to be concerned that they can't get their OTs enough playing time because the OTs in front of them are too good.
I want an OT playing fullback on passing downs.
Basically, I guess I'm saying that "too many OL prospects" is not a thing...
Ike's interviews declare he is a "Like hell you are getting to my QB" LT. He will refuse to be beaten without one helluva battle. You sign this kid up and live happily ever after.
I know that it's very possible to read too much into random photos, but:
1). Nick Saban is making a half-assed effort to smile like a normal human being and failing miserably.
2) Danielson Ike looks like he was just sentenced to 30 days in the company of Nick Saban.
If a picture paints a thousand words this picture is very good news for Michigan!
Yes, until satan's bagman comes a calling and he commits to 'bama.
They could save the money for someone else. All they gotta do is show some Michigan film and go, "You really wanna refine your game there?"
I mean, it sucks, but in our current situation, that's all it would take to get a tackle prospect thinking.
That's a nice Michigan bracelet.
$10 says saban asked him to take it off for the picture and he's said "naw, coach'.
OMG, that is hilarious! I didn't notice the bracelet until you mentioned it. Awesome!
Ike looks very fluid for a guy his size. Quick feet, moves well. Benhart looks stiff in comparison. He is taller, so maybe that's to be expected. So hard to tell anything about OL from game tape. They are all just so much bigger than the competition.
Anyone else think this was going to be a post discussing what the last OT (off-topic) thread of the offseason was going to be?
Whatever happened to the Harrod kid that was a “lock” for M a while back?