Concerned about DT/NT recruiting
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?
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.
You can say that, but have you looked at the 2022 roster? We're paper thin at every single position.
Jeez thanks a lot. I guess I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue
but DT/NT is the last thing I am going to worry about at this point
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
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.
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.
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.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
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.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
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!!!!
The DT situation isn't ideal, granted, but the 2017 roster was pretty much devoid of guys who can do something with the ball.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
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.
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).
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.
Except we don't appear to be the leader for any of the top 10 DL at this point.
Harbaugh.
*except with moar slot receivers*