Tony Posada Gone Almost Before He Arrives
nice while it lasted
Exit one of two large grinding guards:
A Michigan athletic department spokesman confirmed Monday that true freshman Tony Posada has left the Wolverines' football program.
The spokesman did not elaborate on the departure.
You have to wonder if the reason was because of conditioning. Posada showed up at over 340; unlike Chris Bryant that was about 30 pounds more than his reported playing weight.
Posada's departure isn't immediately painful since Michigan's starting guards both have two more years of eligibility. It does force a redshirt freshman (or worse) into the starting lineup in 2013. After Barnum and Omameh graduate the guard depth chart will look like this:
- Redshirt sophomore Chris Bryant
- Various members of the 2012 recruiting class
Michigan now has no option but to take a sixth OL this year, something they were planning on anyway. They might even go to seven if this was unexpected—and it probably was since the kid just hit campus. This may push Michigan's number to 27 this year, which would allow them to take a seventh OL or Danny O'Brien (yes, please).
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:34 PM ^
My count assumed a non-senior LB is gone, that's how I got 23.
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:28 PM ^
28 IIRC, 25 + 3 that can be backdated
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:31 PM ^
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:33 PM ^
Very good recovery though. Honestly laughed out loud.
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:23 PM ^
Whatever happened - conditioning issues, homesickness, etc. - good luck to the kid. Hopefully he goes somewhere where he can be happy, play ball, and get a degree.
August 22nd, 2011 at 11:15 PM ^
It's interesting to contrast the reaction at the MGoBlog with that of the Ohio fans when Kalis decommitted. Admittedly different situations and one much more highly ranked player but a level of impact potentially greater in Ann Arbor given the very real depth issues at offensive line. The Michigan fans, as usual, pure class.
Kudos to you, sir.
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:32 AM ^
As fans we may never know the entire story for his departure and, to be honest, we likely don't need to. I, along with many others, hate to see anyone verbally commit only to change their mind at a later date. Still whether alum, booster, or merely a fan no one will be impacted more by the decision than Tony himself. Consequently, I wish him nothing but the best. Hopefully, he will find a program at another university that will allow him to play football if he so desires while enjoying the university/college experience and, more importantly, continues to obtain an education.
Good Luck to you Tony.
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:29 PM ^
"WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET THE SCHOLARSHIPS?!?" panic anymore. And it's only August. Is Tim's last post going to be on how shady it is he's leaving?
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:32 PM ^
Losing Tim and TomVH will really hurt MGoBlog's APR for this year. Considering that's 2/3s of the guys on scholarship (I assume Misopogon's a walk-on), sanctions could be looming.
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:00 PM ^
Is Brian oversigning?!?! Was it REALLY Tim and Tom's choice to leave? They didn't get medical'd, did they?
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:05 PM ^
Ugh, the Sparty blogs are gonna have a field day with this stuff.
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:12 PM ^
The day he gets out of jail, we should be fine with them.
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:12 PM ^
In order to prevent this from being a problem, I vow to continue not paying attention to any Sparty blogs.
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:15 AM ^
This matters how?
Edit: Uh sorry. This was a reply fail to the sparty post above. Done from Ipod. Awesome.
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:23 PM ^
I heard that Heiko is taking a grey-shirt so we should be ok.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:21 PM ^
Shortly after they finish roster trimming.
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:33 PM ^
Good Luck to you, Tony...I hate attrition
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:37 PM ^
I wouldn't be surprised if Yerden works his way onto the field. I was actually higher on him than Posada.
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:28 PM ^
I've heard from two different people around the program that we have "a few walk-ons" that could potentially play down the road. And Posada was behind some of the freshman walk-ons as well as the older walk-ons at both OT and OG.
People keep comparing Posada to Bryant...both are HUGE and both are overweight and both are (or would've) redshirted...however talent was, Bryant was WAY ahead. Without looking at the depth chart, I think Bryant will be ready to start by his RS Soph year.
I don't think Posada was ever going to start, in fact, I saw him as a quality 3rd string option for much of his career...because by the time I think he would've been ready to contribute, the guys from the next class or two would've passed him.
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:29 PM ^
I would like to see Yerden get some playing time, it would make for a good story the walk-on powerlifter to some time.
August 22nd, 2011 at 8:38 PM ^
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:01 PM ^
I wish he would have decided this before he signed my authentic Michigan helmet on Fan Day.
Kidding.
Edit: But only a little.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:55 PM ^
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:09 PM ^
We were very happy when he chose Michigan and we wish him the best in whatever he does.
A little video to remember his departure;
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:20 PM ^
With that said, and let me preface this with I HATE the "not a big loss" posts after a kid leaves...but I'll be honest, I don't think this is a big loss. I was never high on Posada and I live in Florida and have seen him quite a bit. He just seemed like a big guy, who was stronger than anyone he went up against because much of the time that kid wasn't going to play D1 football or BCS D1 football. He also played for a Florida powerhouse team so he had more exposure.
I never saw any athleticism and he seemed disinterested at times...like the only reason he was playing football was because he was good at it, and the only reason he was good at it was because he was bigger than everyone else.
With that said, I wish Tony the best...I think he'd be best at UCF or USF. He's that level talent wise, not Big Ten. I do also feel he was homesick. If you go back and read his comments throughout his recruitment, he never seemed "sold," in fact, he waivered a little with the coaching change and Hoke had to re-recruit him quite a bit.
I hope Tony can go somewhere he can be happy, be comfortable, succeed on the field and in the classroom.
As for us, I'm not sure this changes much...sign up Diamond, Garnett, Banner or Simmons. All would be better fits at this point. Or don't go with any of them and close out this class with a 4 of the following 5: 1 WR, 2 WR, Dunn, Wright, O'Brien.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:18 PM ^
But not all cases are "not good enough", "homesick", "can't handle class" or "don't like the program". It's hard for some of us to understand, but some guys don't really love football. A lot of us love it, but even then most of us didn't bother to play it at any level. We can say we'd do anything to be in their shoes, but playing college football is a HELL of a lot of work, both on and off the field. You have to be really dedicated, and enjoy it. And if you don't, it's maybe best to give it up. Having your brains beat in, run to the point of exhaustion, sore while you study play books and watch film, rehab injuries, and oh yeah, go to class....it's not easy. And there are great rewards. But it's not for everyone.
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:11 AM ^
Posada has a tremendous amount invested in football at this point. Like Dann O'Neill or Tom Lindley sometimes it's not in the cards at Michigan but unlike in Nebraska there are plenty of other opportunities in Florida or elsewhere to get an education based on girth.
Apparently Posada stepped up to the blocking sled and looked left and right and finally backward (to the coaches that didn't recruit him) and didn't see enough in the school work going forward. It was not going to be an easy rep.
There are different modalities of attrition. I don't think - football is not for me is the one (at least not yet) for Posada.
I'm interested to see O'Neill who broad jumped 8'7.5" over the summer in the Western game. He found a good place and still gets to play in the Big House.
August 22nd, 2011 at 10:31 PM ^
Now I see why we're taking 26 in the 2012 class.
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:32 AM ^
I've never understood how high-level athletes, whose livelihood (or potential future livelihood) depends on being in fantastic physical condition, can completely let themselves go in the offseason and show up to camp massively overweight. Two-a-days are tough enough as it is, but for a guy who's 30 pounds too heavy they've got be a living hell.
Let's hope the buzz on Yerden is legit.
August 23rd, 2011 at 9:13 AM ^
Him ending up at indiana. He and gf were very close.
August 23rd, 2011 at 3:05 PM ^
Sorry to hear he is transferring. If weight is a problem, hope he gets in better shape. He sounds very talented and should do well elsewhere!
Sorry to hear about Tim and TomVH leaving - when is the mgoblog draft?
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