What incoming Freshmen could start next year?
First Board Tab for me so I hope this is ok to ask. Who do you guys think could start for us or be major contributors out of this incoming class for next season? Also, who will they beat out? Meaning if Hill starts, who will be his backup? I’m having a blast today following this and conversating with all of you!
December 19th, 2018 at 10:21 AM ^
Well since everyone will have transferred out by September we will need all of them to play
December 19th, 2018 at 10:21 AM ^
Dax Mother Fucking Hill
December 19th, 2018 at 10:24 AM ^
Would he beat out Mettelus or are they different safeties? If so, does that mean Hawkins or Woods is backup.
December 19th, 2018 at 11:45 AM ^
My hunch is it's Matellus with Hill & Hawkins battling it out for the other spot.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:21 AM ^
Dax Hill.
(Do I win a prize for most obvious comment?)
December 19th, 2018 at 10:47 AM ^
Yes, +1 from me! (and anyone that feels like do so too)
December 19th, 2018 at 10:23 AM ^
Hill obviously.
Charbonnet looks really good. I like the idea of he and Evans splitting carries.
The DTs will probably have to be ready.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:28 AM ^
Or convert Evans to slot and let Turner and Charbonnet split the carries.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:37 AM ^
Yes, Evans should be a slot receiver anyway.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:53 AM ^
Yeah there is no way Evans is an every down back in the Big Ten.
December 19th, 2018 at 11:03 AM ^
Yes, or get him going on wheel routes out of the backfield. Anything to get him into space and not running up the middle on 3rd and 3
December 21st, 2018 at 10:41 AM ^
Yes... Evans is quick but he needs open field plays where he gets a second to accelerate. He is DEFINITELY NOT a 3rd & 3 up the middle runner.
December 19th, 2018 at 11:53 AM ^
Or we could finally update our offense and he'd be a great Big Ten RB. Our problem is we give most of Evans his touches at what is probably his biggest weakness. Running downhill between the tackles. Coaches are supposed to put their talent in its highest potential to succeed. Saquon Barkley had 54 catches his last year at PSU. Evans MIGHT reach 54 by the time his eligibility runs out. Evans is a space player. Design plays to put him in space and spread out the D. If we actually did that it would open up so much more for him when he did run between the tackles.
December 19th, 2018 at 12:25 PM ^
Absolute agreement.
Those kinds of backs are catching on in the NFL. Every time Evans DOES get the ball in space he's electric. And yet we run him directly at the nearest linebacker 15 times a game.
December 19th, 2018 at 12:55 PM ^
I used to think Harbaugh was a great coach. But the great can get better, apparently. I cannot fathom why he is wasting talent like Evans. A very good to great player in space. But Harbaugh never f'ing puts him in space. And let's not forget wasting the WRs.
I guess we really do have a 80s offense :-(
December 19th, 2018 at 1:16 PM ^
The thing is, that 80's offense was working pretty well. Ever since Warriner had taken over play calling after ND, we were winning because our ground game offense complimented our defense.
I don't disagree on how Harbaugh can improve, but for the most part I think he and John are gonna run Har-Ball wherever they are, given the amount of 50+ rushing attempt games we've seen the Ravens and Wolverines run this year :P
December 19th, 2018 at 11:49 AM ^
I'll predict Jackson starts in the slot.
Evans and Charbonnet split the bulk of the carries.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:49 AM ^
Hill, Charbonnet will start day 1.
M Smith will play. And Giles Jackson will play (ST for sure, with some offensive plays for him, hopefully more than jet sweeps).
December 19th, 2018 at 11:42 AM ^
Seems like we struggle to use guys like Jackson beyond the obvious jet sweeps. That's why I'd be hesitant to move Evans to slot since that'd mean he'd only get 1 or 2 touches a game.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:24 AM ^
Mazi is going to play.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:39 AM ^
That's what I was going to say. Especially with Solomon leaving, I expect Smith and Hinton will get plenty of opportunities to break into the 2-deep on the interior DL.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:24 AM ^
I could Mazi Smith getting major reps next year.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:25 AM ^
It would be a major surprise if Daxton Hill wasn't starter right off the bat. You can't teach that level of speed and athleticism. Cornelius Johnson will definitely get some playing time, too tall to deny and some seriously sticky mitts. Due to Solomon leaving, Mazi Smith might see the field earlier than he really should. And if he signs, Charbonnet will be getting handoffs, especially after Samuels wen't and did a stupid.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:29 AM ^
I don't think Johnson will play actually. He's a great athlete, but we have a lot of young playmakers already in DPJ, Collins, Black, Bell, and Martin. Add in TEs and I doubt we see Johnson make an impact unless its for garbage time and that too only in 4 games. I bet the coaches try to preserve his redshirt.
December 19th, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^
Excited about Johnson, but the height comment doesn't make sense. Nico collins is 6'5", Tarik Black is 6'4", DPJ is 6'2" and Bell and Martin are both roughly 6'1". Add in the giant TEs and the height is average. Agree with GS.
December 19th, 2018 at 11:32 AM ^
Don't leave out Jake McCurry. (He has a height listed---too soon?)
December 19th, 2018 at 10:25 AM ^
better hope its at least one DT and probably a rotation DE too.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:27 AM ^
Dax Hill of course.
Zach Harrison, I hope!!
December 19th, 2018 at 10:41 AM ^
Crazier things have happened but Zach is gone. He's already informed the programs. So, unless he feels differently by Noon he's going to OSU.
That said, I didn't think Hill was coming back. I didn't and don't follow recruiting much anymore so I didn't hear Webb say anything about Hill as much as I didn't think we could get him back from Bama.
Anyway, I had pretty direct info from last Summer (explained the other day) that Zach didn't like Meyer. It was said that he was going there but didn't like Meyer. His later scandal is what opened the door for us in a real sense. The rumors I heard seem to have been proven via recent news so their cause truly was helped by losing their HOF coach. That's mind boggling but true.
Zach is 99% gone. I'd say 100% but crazier things have happend so 99%.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:27 AM ^
I’d bet a finger or two on Dax starting. Coverage ability and speed is like nothing we have in our DBs right now. He’s taking Kinnel’s spot.
Charbonnet could definitely be the lead back, idk about “starter” label.
Outside shot at Mazi starting.
December 19th, 2018 at 1:34 PM ^
Its hard to start as a freshman safety tho.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:27 AM ^
I’m not sure if any will start but significant playing time could include: Dax Hill, Mazi Smith or Chris Hinton, Charbonnet, maybe Giles Jackson ??
December 19th, 2018 at 10:31 AM ^
Jackson will definitely play a good amount.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^
Sainristil too! He's an early enrollee which may give him a leg up.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:38 AM ^
True. I was discounting the talk of him being taken as an offensive guy but I guess that’s real.
December 19th, 2018 at 11:26 AM ^
He's going to be a fan favorite! Don Brown NE special. Underrated nationally because of where he plays, but kid is explosive. Seen him play a number of times.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:34 AM ^
Agreed, Doc. He better get some screens and jet sweeps.
Get the ball in the hands of your elite athletes.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:37 AM ^
Ambry’s O touches -> Jackson
December 19th, 2018 at 11:23 AM ^
And all the Ronnie Bell sweeps.
Bell is going to be a playmaker down the field, not sure we need to get him the ball behind the LOS
December 19th, 2018 at 11:37 AM ^
There also might be significant playing time for Joey Velasquez. We need a speedy center fielder, but it sort of depends on his bat, on base percentage.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:28 AM ^
Watch out for Giles Jackson
Michigan has not has a player like him and is necessary for today's elite college football and modern NFL. Tarik Cohen like.
Zach Charbonnet, another Cali kid, are going to be very nice surprises.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:30 AM ^
How does Jackson compare to Tarik or DPJ?
December 19th, 2018 at 10:33 AM ^
Different kind of receiver. Jackson is 5'9 and more of a speedy slot to get a 1st down plus more, while Tarik and DPJ are taller, with speed to take the top off the defense.
Unless you meant, Johnson who I've heard is basically another Tarik Black and possibly more developed at this time than Black was.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:35 AM ^
He's 5-8 and an all purpose back on 247. He's as slot as slot gets.
So he doesn't.
December 19th, 2018 at 11:13 AM ^
Jackson is going to keep getting Rondale Moore comparisons if Moore keeps blowing up. Similar stature and versatility, Jackson has a higher SPARQ score. All Jackson needs to do is squat 700lbs.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^
Maybe you mean Cornelius Johnson, the kid who committed this morning. He is similar to Black/DPJ.
Giles Jackson is like a Rondale Moore/Theo Riddick type.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:55 AM ^
A Rondale Moore type is a good comparison
Moore also is the opponent that gave OSU the most fits all season.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:41 AM ^
Smaller,shiftier, quicker, but probably not as fast in line 40..
He is a spread the field, one v one coverage problem and has the "it" factor like Mike Hart and Denard did using real quickness and creativity to break big plays.
A professional analysis from the DetNews earlier this fall..
“(Jackson) is the kind of explosive athlete who can score from anywhere on the field,” 247Sports’ Greg Biggins said. “He showed off his athleticism at The Opening testing off the charts with a 4.43-40, 3.85 shuttle and a 38 (inch) vertical jump. And he is one of the most competitive players around. He should be a fan favorite because of his style of play and his big-play potential, and if he's used right in the offense, he'll be a major headache for opposing coordinators to deal with.”
December 19th, 2018 at 10:30 AM ^
Hill will start over Hawkins at the single high safety. Charbonnet will get reps with Evans and Wilson. Mazi and Hinton will be rotational players. Surprise contributor: Ojabo. He will get some run in pass rushing situations.
December 19th, 2018 at 10:31 AM ^
RB is the easiest position for a true freshman to play so Charbonnet has as good a chance as anyone of ''starting" next year, but even if he gets the plurality of the carries I don't think any one back is going to be a main back like Higdon was this year.
Safety is definitely an area of need and Dax Hill is instantly the most talented guy in the secondary, but if he starts it probably won't be until deeper into the season. He'll play right away, but probably split time.
Smith and Hinton will likely both get a chance to play some next year, but won't start.
Jalen Perry has a lot of people to jump, but there might be two jobs open at CB next year so he likely has a shot at least.
Jackson and Sanrastil both should see some time as they aren't other players like them on the roster right now.
Soloman, Johnson, and Velazquez might get some scattered snaps here and there. I'd guess everyone else redshirts.