jalen mayfield

the "mom's retiring" leap [Patrick Barron]

The NFL Draft is a nice weekend because no matter how the football team did the previous season, Michigan fans can be assured they'll see a Wolverine achieve a professional dream every single year since 1938, a streak unmatched by any school except USC. That run continued in last weekend's 2021 edition, though Michigan State's 80-year streak was snapped. Tragic.

Michigan had eight players drafted, tied for the fifth-most of any college with Florida—Alabama and (sigh) Ohio State had the most with ten, followed by Georgia and Notre Dame. Other Big Ten programs with at least three selections were Penn State (6), Iowa (4), Northwestern (3, including two first-rounders), and Wisconsin (3). That number is a bit misleading in terms of how much talent the Wolverines fielded last season, though:

Sorry, sorry, this was supposed to be fun. Let's take a look at where the former Wolverines were picked and the roles they project to play at the next level.

DE Kwity Paye, Indianapolis Colts, Round 1, 21st overall

This is why the draft is worth watching:

Paye was the second defensive end off the board in what's considered a down year for edge rushers. He joins a solid Indianapolis front four that could use some pass-rushing pop from strongside end, where he'll be in competition to start right away—as a first-round pick he'll get every opportunity to take hold of the job.

His disciplined run defense and high-level athleticism should translate right away, and the expectation is his pass-rushing production will improve with development (and not playing in front of M's 2020 secondary). He'll at least be a consistent rotation player.

No matter what, Paye's estimated $7.3 million signing bonus will afford his mom plenty of leisure time.

[Hit THE JUMP]

Beilein demonstrates my facial expression if Indiana hires him [Marc-Gregor Campredon]

Welp. Wouldn't bank on a Livers return:

I'm trying to remember the last time Michigan went into the postseason with a significant injury. A meaningful one: not having Devin Gardner for the Oh God Tyler Lockett Bowl doesn't count. I guess Jabrill Peppers versus Florida State. Mitch McGary in 2014 sort of counts but he'd been out for a long time and Michigan was still really good.

Anyway, having the chair pulled out like this sucks.

this tweet: lol lol lol lolllllllllll

Stay away from basketball dad. The Minnesota and Indiana jobs just opened and I swear they're really going to chase me into the ocean this time if this dread prophecy is fulfilled:

Thankfully, early vibes don't seem to be pointing in this direction. Beilein did draw mention on Seth Davis's candidate list—was in fact his pick for the job—but it sounds like he's just guessing. Beilein was omitted from David Cobb's, and it doesn't seem like the fanbase is overly enthusiastic about a guy who would necessarily be a stopgap since he's 68.

On the other hand, some of these Indiana names are downright preposterous. Davis listed Scott Drew and Nate Oats, as did Inside The Hall. Oats already shot that idea down. Drew has spent 18 years at Baylor, which stuck with him through a 12-52 conference record in his first four years, and has finally turned the Bears into an outright power with what would have been back-to-back one seeds if last year's tournament happened. ITH did not list a singe mid-major head coach, instead focusing on two guys above and further extreme longshots (Eric Mussleman two years in at Arkansas, Oregon's Dana Altman)… mostly.

The exception? MSU assistant Dane Fife. This would be amazing. MSU fans want to run Fife out of town on a rail because they blame him for having Thomas Kithier and Foster Loyer on the roster instead of large, athletic persons. Fife is a former Indiana player, FWIW, but man there's no in-between here. Porter Moser now seems like a solid idea! Try that!

[After THE JUMP: even more Michigan connections to Big Ten coaching searches]

[Patrick Barron]

Apologies for not noting this last night—we're running a little ragged heading into the holidays. Around the same time the Kwity Paye news broke, right tackle Jalen Mayfield announced he's also signed with CAA Sports Agency, forgoing his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by JMAY (@gucci_jay_)

Mayfield nearly made this move prior to the 2020 season, initially opting out before rejoining the program when the Big Ten went forward with a season. After a strong close to the 2019 campaign got his name high on draft boards, he was limited to two starts this year because of an ankle injury. He's still expected to be an early-round selection.

Barring further attrition, there should be healthy competition to fill Mayfield's right tackle spot with Ryan Hayes returning from his own injury-plagued season to start again at left tackle. 

Sophomore Karsen Barnhart has played both tackle positions and started in Hayes' place for four games this year; Trevor Keegan earned his way onto the field and is more tackle-shaped; Trente Jones is the third member of that class who projects to tackle; Jeffrey Persi could be a wild card after taking a redshirt; and finally, massive Louisiana Tech transfer Willie Allen will be motivated to catch the eye of the NFL in his final year of eligibility. [EDIT: I initially omitted Andrew Stueber, who started the first two games at right guard before kicking out to right tackle in Mayfield's place and performing well. He's also a strong candidate, though M may prefer him on the interior.]

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the best case scenario 

some of the best, some of the worst

I shouldn't say this but definitely quote me saying it 

you put your right foot in, you put your right foot out 

the ringmaster! 

the furk is really flyin

Why?

test and trace is the only way out and isn't gonna happen because there is literally no federal coronavirus response 

i'm going to try to make any ludicrous 3-pointer SNACKS, let's make fetch happen

ah crap now i have hope