OT-ish: In-state OT flips from Penn State to Ohio State
In an interesting development yesterday, Warren (MI) De La Salle offensive tackle Grant Toutant flipped from Penn State to Ohio State. It's not unheard of for players to flip, obviously, but I find the lack of Michigan involvement curious. The kid has offers from some big-time programs, goes to a perennial national championship contender, and yet...Michigan has poked around but never offered. Toutant is a 4-star, the #27 offensive tackle, and #323 overall in the 247 Composite.
Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Toutant's game, but when PSU, OSU, and Wisconsin are going after a lineman in the Mitten, you would think Michigan would throw their hat in the ring, too.
Plays too high, doesn't fire out low and keep his feet square. Got rocked back by smaller defenders a couple times. IMO. Definitely has the size though
Aren't most tackle prospects over 300 a bust if they're not a top 50 type? It seems like all the best tackles outside the cant miss large uber athletes are the undersized good athletes who put on weight in college and half the time used to be tight ends.
Well, his tape looks pretty good-high ceiling. Good feet, good pad level...decent athlete.
Decent athlete, but not great. If not for his size, athletically he looks more like an interior player to me. The fact that he ends up on the ground in almost every clip is not a good thing either, it shows he has balance issues and bends at the waist a lot.
It isn't all bad, he has one clip where he does a really nice job rooting out an interior player that shows he has some flexibility in him. His footwork looks relatively comfortable while pulling. And he does have that length. He isn't a bad prospect by any means, but I'd probably take both Michigan OL commits over him at this point (that doesn't mean he would be a bad fit in the class, depends on how things shake out).
At the end of the day though, Michigan pretty much puts out offers to everyone and their uncle. It does seem odd that they didn't extend one here.
Does he play to high or does he have good pad level?
The kid is a giant!
Was the issue academics or character? Probably, if he ends up at OSU>
Michigan only offers 2/3 stars. Besides, even if he did somehow end up here, Harbaugh would piss him off and he would transfer out.
Wisconsin’s threshold for admitting players academically is pretty high, so I doubt that’s an issue.
Maybe he's too smart for Gen Studies...
I suppose Michigan did not jump in because they don't believe in him. It does not seem like you do either. Jumping in on someone you aren't sure of, despite whoever else may love him, seems like a recipe for disappointment.
Curious why we never offered him as I don't see us high on many 4-star true tackle prospects.
This has happened with a couple of highly touted offensive line prospects when it looked like Michigan would be a natural fit to offer or pursue. I'm not sure what exactly the traits or characteristics that Harbaugh looks for specifically in offensive lineman that prove disqualifying for some prospects but this isn't the first one that was curious in terms of lack of pursuit. I'm sure there is a reason. It is also very possible that, while a majority of prospects and families would love to play for Harbaugh or see their son play for Harbaugh, I think there are certain prospects that don't want anything to do with him. Only speculating here, but my guess that coach can be...., well, difficult at times.
What football coach isn't..., well, difficult at times?
I don’t think dislike for Harbaugh would be a reason for him. I remember he was on campus for consecutive weeks hoping to get an offer last season. When he didn’t get one, he went to PSU, immediately received one and was soon committed to them.
I have him down as visiting at least three times (last June, September, and October) on TTB, but some people here are suggesting I'm saying the coaches aren't aware of him... SMH
Do you think the high frequency of visits explains the lack of offer? Harbaugh seems to use offers as form of "Hello", so if the kid was already visiting a bunch it wasn't necessary as they were both familiar with each other. Also they may be slow playing him because they know if they offer he would commit instantly and he's not at the top of their board. After a 6 OL class they may be trying to be more selective.
No, I don't. There are plenty of examples both ways.
I'm just speculating here too, but IMO, since none of these kids live with Jim Harbaugh in their neighborhood but they do live with a lot of Michigan fans .....probably makes it an easy decision for some, especially if there not really the academic type.
Or De la Salle is a cracked pipeline because of how you guys treated Shane Morris.
And yet Toutant still should have an offer.
Treated Shane Morris? Please elaborate. Are you referring to the Minnesota game?
Would it really be that surprising if he was?
Yes, why would how Brady Hoke and Dave Brandon treated Shane Morris have anything to do with Harbaugh, Michigan and this kid?
Well, while the "just speculating" should let you know im not really serious, I was referring more to how Morris became the poster child for how " Michigan 5*'s are always a bust" in the whiney parts of the fanbase.
Tru Wilson passed up a scholarship in order to walk on at Michigan, so I don't know how cracked the pipeline could be.
And has done well and been treated well, as far as anyone on the outside can tell.
Tru ...haha.
Buuuuuut, to be fair, when Tru walked on, Shane was still on the team and still had a shot to play meaningful games; maybe that was even one of the reasons he walked on.
But thanks for correcting me on a half joking post while ignoring my post that actually engaged your obvious desire to highlight in state recruiting struggles.
So let me ask again:
If Grant was pissed he didn't get an earlier offer and didn't want to acknowledge one that was late in his eyes, how would anyone know?
You're wrong, and honestly, your posts are all over the place, so I'm choosing not to engage.
"choosing to engage"
Do you mean choose not to engage?
I'll take your lack of response as a "yes":)
Or is this like an intervention and you're gonna engage to focus my posts?
I'll assume the first, and say "that's cool", I'll disengage as well.
I've always respected the work you put in, good luck.
If he did not like the idea of playing for Harbaugh, it would be a reason for him to turn down an offer. I don’t think Harbaugh would be able to read his mind and conclude the kid didn’t want to play for him, so he wouldn’t give him an offer.
Saw this on a FB trash talking group. The implication was that Michigan was letting another highly rated OL slip out of the state. Funny thing was that no one thought it was a slight toward MSU.
It’s silly to think the coaching staff were unaware or had no interest in the kid. There is a lot of evaluating going on which is never discussed publicly. If we didn’t show public interest, you can bet there is a well thought out reason for it. This doesn’t mean that some mistakes aren’t made, it’s just that we, the fans, simply don’t have any insight to the real details. Good luck to Grant, though.
*sigh*
When did I say the coaching staff was unaware or not interested?
I know for a fact the coaching staff is aware, and they've been talking to him. I follow in-state recruiting very closely.
It sure would be interesting to hear the evaluation discussions amongst the coaches. Thank God there is a rule against speaking about recruits. I can only imagine.
My comment was certainly not directed at you, Mangus.
Damn double post. Early onset palsy.
Does palsy explain misspelling Magnus, pal?
While they may be aware, are they fully aware???
/couldn't resist
Are they Officially Official aware?
I dont get why people just brush it off when we lose a kid out of state. The 'we didnt want him' crowd is annoying.
Its no secret this staff hasnt gotten in done in Michigan and Ohio. You can talk about how the talent is better elsewhere all you want. If you dont do well in Michigan and Ohio you are going to have problems.
Sorry to disappoint you. I'll go cry about losing this kid for you as soon as I find some time.
Ohio recruiting has picked up the last few years...
He didn't have a Michigan offer so, my guess is we didn't want him. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Yup.
What's the alternative? He doesn't have a Michigan offer and he's committed elsewhere. What do you want me to do about that?
I mean, in this case not having an offer is the literal definition of "we didn't want him."
Especially considering he visited 3 times. Unless he just likes to visit schools he's not at all interested in 3 times. I know he's a local, but that's still a lot and implies he was interested.
Warinner gets the benefit of the doubt until his recruiting and development are shown to be sub par.
I published this evaluation of him on March 2 (LINK). I agree with Warinner.
All of this belly aching. It's 2019 not 1999. Recruiting is different. Warriner and this entire staff know more about these kids than any of us do. I'm going to trust in them until proven otherwise.
I'm not belly aching. I find it to be an interesting situation. That's all.