Concerned about DT/NT recruiting

Submitted by Maizen on

After reading the Rashan Gary post (which was great by the way), it made me realize we are going to be dangerously thin at DT next year and the year after that. Gary and Dwumfour were signed last year and Peaea is committed this year, but outside of those three we aren't really in on any inside DL other than Greg Rogers. Meanwhile we signed 6 WR's last year, which seems like overkill. Anyone else perplexed or concerned by this?

WolvinLA2

June 6th, 2016 at 5:18 PM ^

Yeah, but most of those younger guys are dudes who cannot play inside. So that's pretty irrelevant to this discussion. It would be nice if one of them bulked up enough to move inside, like Wormley can do.

Opinion25

June 6th, 2016 at 6:25 PM ^

1. On the plus side: We are okay if nothing unexpected happens. Also, JH and staff are deffinitely in the know about this issue and are in on some excellent talent for 2017.

2. On the neg side: We will be very thin at NT/DT in 2017 (most of those 2016 recruits some ppl are mentioning are of questionable size to play SDE, and are irrelevant to this discussion), so an injury or early departure of two could be devestating. JH et al were aware, but missed on their top 2016 choices except for Gary.

  

turtleboy

June 6th, 2016 at 4:47 PM ^

Every year guys freak out about how "scary thin" we'll be after our starters graduate. News flash: we replace the entire roster every few years!

youn2948

June 6th, 2016 at 5:02 PM ^

If we have multiple dl go pro early same year I'll cackle with glee, enjoy the offenses were murdered and couldn't care less about future depth issues. Clone a few more Glasgow's to walk on?

evenyoubrutus

June 6th, 2016 at 5:04 PM ^

In one sense, yes it is a concern.  But I don't think "scary" thin is really true.  Michigan is almost certainly not going to be contending for a national championship in 2017, but however you draw it up, I like how our roster projects for next year better than MSU's roster was in 2015, and look how their season turned out.  There are very few teams in college football that don't have at least one position of concern depth-wise.  Michigan will almost certainly be better than 9 or 10 of our opponents, and probably quite close to the others, which we get at home.

clarkw267

June 6th, 2016 at 5:07 PM ^

We are recruiting a ton of DTs: Tufele, Aumavae, Rogers, Ewell, Bolds, Andrus, etc...... Not to mention guys like Irving-Bey and Hudson who could project inside as well. 

 

 

BlueinOK

June 6th, 2016 at 5:08 PM ^

It seems a little too early to be worried. We aren't sure how some of these guys have developed from year to year or how good some of the young guys are coming in. Someone could come in and make a huge impact as a freshman...And some of the other less talked about guys could round into form. I mean look at our best guy on the DL this year. He was what? Oh yeah a walk on. I like the group we have this year, and I'll worry about 2017 after 2016 ends. 

Jeff09

June 6th, 2016 at 5:24 PM ^

Ehhh, in my mind I assume Mattison will coach up whoever we get into a damn good unit, kind of like my faith in Harbaugh w QBs, I think he's earned that by now. Heck, some of our very best players have been walk-ons or 3/4 star tweeners (Glasgow, Hurst, Henry) so my assumption is we'll get some decent guys and Mattison will turn them into dudes. No way we don't take a bit of a step back next year, but the step back may be from a historically good d line this year, so...

Schmozerine

June 6th, 2016 at 6:52 PM ^

I think you bring up a good point. The thing that will come from having G. Matt is there is consistency in the position coaching which we haven't seen in a long time. Look what longevity in coaching brings from Mich State and Iowa, their coaches have been there for a decade or so and they have made so much more out of nothing than we have in the passed with more (star wise). We are going to do amazing things as stability in coaching becomes the norm around here as well. Look at that position last year. I'm super excited for what's to come.



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stephenrjking

June 6th, 2016 at 10:59 PM ^

I think it's a stretch to make this an issue with recruiting. Depth? Sure, that could be a problem. But it's not like Greg Mattison (whose credentials in this area are impeccable) is standing up at staff meetings yelling "WE NEED MORE DTS!" while Harbaugh sits back in his chair with his fingers in his ears yelling "LA LA LA LA CAN'T HEAR YOU."

The coaches know what their needs are. They don't always hit on every recruit; we all know from the frenetic approach to signing day this past year that things are pretty fluid right up until the bitter end, and that means that sometimes a position doesn't get a perfect fit every year.

And, if there is a serious need for this year's class, count on Harbaugh walking into the living rooms a half-dozen significant DT prospects rolling film of Ryan Glasgow, Mo Hurst, and Rashan Gary shredding opposing OLs and saying "this can be you." He has already shown the ability to flip guys late.

6 WRs sounds like a lot, yes, but it appears to be necessary. A couple people have (reasonably) mentioned that some of Hoke's guys have developed well on the outside, but the position is extremely thin behind Chesson and Darboh. And those guys have been mild surprises. Harbaugh seems to be looking to put athletic guys on the field to make plays; I like that a lot. Michigan's signature last year and probably this year has been defense, but like the early 00 USC teams, as Harbaugh gets rolling the offense has a chance to become a dominant force in the country.

rc15

June 6th, 2016 at 6:05 PM ^

Did they eliminate grad transfers? Pretty sure a grad would want to come play at Michigan if the depth was that slim on the DL. Maybe some guys from Boston College..?

Mr. Yost

June 6th, 2016 at 6:56 PM ^

I knew I shouldn't have posted that depth chart...

I didn't add Brady Pallante or any commits to this class. And you could easily play a 3-4.

FREAK OUT!!!!

Richard75

June 6th, 2016 at 7:23 PM ^

6 WRs wasn't overkill. They *had* to throw the kitchen sink at that spot. Save for Perry, who could be a solid possession guy, no WR with 2017 eligibility has shown they can even play at this level, let alone play starter-level snaps—which we'll need 2 guys other than Perry to do.

The DT situation isn't ideal, granted, but the 2017 roster was pretty much devoid of guys who can do something with the ball.



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DMack

June 6th, 2016 at 10:24 PM ^

I agree that there was no overkill with taking 6 Wide Receivers. The odds are that 2-3 of them will be flat out studs and we need depth so that opponents will again respect our passing game. I remember a time when we kept a couple of great receivers and I think we are back to that philosophy. I think Harb was concentrating on the best talent available regardless of position but as we close with back to back top 5 recruiting classes, he will likely be more selective about position. My hope is that we get the offensive linemen we want. At least 3-4 of them. I think it would be a mistake not to go after KJ Hamler. He has been very impressive in camps and such. Tell Harbs to give this boy another look.

bronxblue

June 6th, 2016 at 8:01 PM ^

It's an issue, but one I assume the staff is aware of and will try to mitigate as much as possible through recruiting and scheme. Brown is used to making it work worth limited talent, so he won't be shocked if the depth chart is shallow.

Avon Barksdale

June 6th, 2016 at 8:34 PM ^

Not worried in the least bit about 2017 D-Line. Gary, Mone, and Hurst are as good a three as one could hope to have. Pretty confident in Mattison's ability to develop Shelton Johnson, Lawrence Marshall, Chase Winovich, Mike Dwumfour, Brady Pallante, and a true frosh into an effective unit.

Keep in mind there are also a number of guys who are capable of moving from the other side of the ball. Guys like Wheatley could move over if depth looks like an issue in February 2017.

Avon Barksdale

June 7th, 2016 at 9:38 AM ^

I'm excited about Wheatley at TE as well, but there will come a point when there are not enough snaps for Bunting, Wheatley, Asiasi, Eubanks, Gentry, McKeon, and a Freshman or two. Ty is 6'6, 280 pounds already. It is conceivable that he could mold into a slashing SDE or even play a 3-Technique (although he is large for that role).

A Fan In Fargo

June 6th, 2016 at 11:54 PM ^

This subject is moot to me. UM probably lands 2 or 3 of the top 10 interior d-lineman this year. Definitely the year after. Just tell them you'll be playing next to Rashan Gary over half the time and boom. The stats go up from his double teams and one is allowed to kick asphalt. Not that it's about stats at UM but the pro scouts sure seem to notice. If I were a top D-end coming out of high school, I'd most certainly be licking my chops to play next to Gary. 

MgoViper

June 7th, 2016 at 3:51 AM ^

I can't speak for everyone else, but i feel that you're overthinking the whole situation. I am sure they will address those needs.