Exit Jalen Mayfield
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:
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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December 19th, 2020 at 1:10 PM ^
This cursed pseudo season was terrible, but at least we got to give our entire 2021 offensive line some in-game experience. We won't actually feel the Mayfield loss since he didn't play this year due to injury, so OT will likely feel like an improvement with the addition of Allen as a potential player. I know things are bleak right now, but I'm actually feeling pretty good about the offense next year with Cade leading the way.
December 19th, 2020 at 1:16 PM ^
Allen and Steuber give you about 700 pounds on the right side. Hayes and Barnhart/Zinter on the left should be good. Center is a question, but there are several potential answers. The offense could be really, really good next year.
December 19th, 2020 at 2:28 PM ^
Just need a quality QB.
December 19th, 2020 at 2:28 PM ^
oops ... sorry
December 19th, 2020 at 4:55 PM ^
The center position is definitely wide open. It's a shame about Zach Carpenter transferring.
I know Andrew Vastardis graduated but is doing his Master's degree. Is he done? Is Carpenter gone for sure?
I think next up is Reece Atteberry. He's listed as a tackle but played center in high school.
Then there is true freshman, Raheem Anderson, a 4 year starter art Cass Tech whose already 300 lbs. If Anderson isn't the center next year, he likely will be in 2022.
Another true freshman Greg Crippen could get the nod too. He gave some snaps to JJ McCarthy at IMG, although Crippen projects more of a guard than Anderson.
December 19th, 2020 at 7:50 PM ^
If I remember correctly, before the center position was set I think there was talk about trying Barnhart at center.
December 20th, 2020 at 2:22 AM ^
Hopefully. Playcalling is still a giant wildcard. Sure, it could be the QBs, but 2 years now with Gattis and Harbaugh where things just don't make sense most of the time. Although, assuming Harbaugh stays, you'd think if they were having major problems getting on the same page it'd be surprising that Gattis would stay. We'll see what happens next year. They could be amazing, they could be terrible.
December 19th, 2020 at 1:20 PM ^
just a bummer that we didn't geta full final season of him beating the hell out of people. on the other hand, some kids got some major experience, so next year's learning curve won't be so steep.
i love the guy - his stalemate vs chase young showed me he could be great. i hope he has a long career and makes a ton of money in the nfl.
December 19th, 2020 at 1:43 PM ^
Best of luck to Mayfield. Hope he has many games as dominant as the 2020 Brown Jug game.
As far as his replacement, I’d assume Willie Allen will have the inside track. He’s a huge (343), smart, highly experienced (first season was 2016) dude with NFL chatter and a gut-check backstory (survived Katrina in New Orleans).
Man, if somebody could make line calls, we could have a Hayes-Keegan-Barnhart-Steuber-Allen line that most people would feel good about, with a sophomore Zinter as a 6th OL.
December 20th, 2020 at 5:51 PM ^
We do have an embarrassment of riches in the O-Line
December 19th, 2020 at 2:04 PM ^
Jalen Mayfield is forgoing his final THREE years of eligibility...
December 19th, 2020 at 2:16 PM ^
Stueber ? Coaches All-B1G HM honors as his “backup”.
December 19th, 2020 at 2:28 PM ^
Thanks for giving it a go this year Jalen and all your hard work at UM. Good luck in the NFL next year
December 19th, 2020 at 3:01 PM ^
I like the potential of the line next year where everyone should be in year 3, 4, or 5. Can we expect some reasonable growth if the group can stay healthy?
December 19th, 2020 at 3:39 PM ^
Good luck to him. Was so glad he returned, albeit for naught.
December 19th, 2020 at 4:05 PM ^
Good luck.
December 19th, 2020 at 4:32 PM ^
Not hard to see this one coming. Still, would have been nice to get a full season out of him playing at an elite level, presumably. Hope he follows in Lewan’s footsteps and becomes a pro bowler.
December 19th, 2020 at 5:18 PM ^
Nice post umbig11
December 20th, 2020 at 5:44 PM ^
We were all expecting this, right? He's ready and been a true blue contributor. Best of luck in the NFL.
December 20th, 2020 at 5:45 PM ^
We were all expecting this, right? He's ready and been a true blue contributor. Best of luck in the NFL.
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