ESPN Mid-season All-America Team
I didn't see this link already posted, but maybe I missed it somehow. Anyway...
ESPN posted its mid-season All-America team, and there are no Wolverines on it. I find that understandable, though you could make a case for a couple guys (Hurst, Winovich). Anyway, the guy I thought was most interesting was Wisconsin OT David Edwards. A few years ago, he was trying to get Michigan to offer him as a QB, even though he looked like a tight end. Add some weight, and lo and behold...All-American offensive tackle! That just goes to show how good Wisconsin is at developing offensive linemen.
There are some other near misses on the team, too, like Dorian O'Daniel and Roquan Smith.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/20944842/penn-state-nit…
October 10th, 2017 at 8:22 AM ^
How are Hurst, Winovich, and Bush not on that team? Some things...
October 10th, 2017 at 8:27 AM ^
That's a Michigan-centric point of view.
For example, Dorian O'Daniel has 41 tackles, 5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions (returned for a total of 66 yards and 2 TDs).
Hurst doesn't have very good numbers, because he's been playing NT in a 3-3.
Winovich...has a good argument.
October 10th, 2017 at 9:15 AM ^
is one position where the numbers don't always tell the story. I will admit, I never seen O'Daniel play, and his numbers are good, but Hurst affects nearly never play he is in on. Either by demanding double teams or by compromising the middle of the line, which forces the ball to go outside on run plays and flushes the QB on pass plays.
Also when considering DT numbers, you have to consider yards here rush. I know that is a team stat, but it is nearly always tied into defensive tackle play. Think of the the Williams Wall from the Vikings, when no one could run on them.
I have never been a Michigan slappy and assume a tackle our player makes adds up to 5 another team's player makes, but having watched Hurst closely, if there is a DT playing better than him, then he must be from Kyrpton.
October 10th, 2017 at 9:22 AM ^
While you might be right overall, there's really no way for one person (or even a group of people) to evaluate the defensive tackles on 130 teams every snap of every game. So a DT who's doing well but doesn't have any numbers is usually going to be less highly regarded than a DT who's putting up great numbers.
In the NFL, you can be an All-Pro nose tackle with low numbers, because there are only 32 teams to track and everything is dissected on national TV in a maximum of 16 games per week.
It's the same thing I've said about Rashan Gary when some people talk about him being an All-American or even First Team All-Big Ten. He might be the best, but he's not going to get rewarded because he doesn't have the stats (IIRC, he has 1 sack this season).
October 10th, 2017 at 3:58 PM ^
I haven't followed the UFRs this season, but I've heard and seen on telecasts that Maurice Hurst and Rashan Gary often have been double teamed, so that their respective stats might not be very impressive to those who vote for All-Ameican teams, despite never having seen Michigan play. So, even if they've both been very effective in stifling opposing offenses, if stats rule when it comes to selecting All-American and All-Conference teams, it seems unfair that they might not get special recognition.
Maurice Hurst is being mentioned as one of the top defensive linemen eligible for the next NFL Draft, and considering Rashan Gary's talents and work ethic, they seem like among those college players who could become All-Pro without ever having been named a first-team All-American.
October 11th, 2017 at 8:58 AM ^
I have watched him on every play and although i do think he has played well, despite no stats, any talk of him being an All American caliber player are pre-mature.
Although he does get a push on the edge most of the times, he rarely if ever beats his man cleanly, and despite the prevailing thoughts here, he is blocked one-on-one a good portion.
Ultimately for a defensive end, to make it to All American status, you have to start beating one-on-ones cleanly. Not saying that he won't eventually do it, he is just not there yet.
October 11th, 2017 at 8:58 AM ^
I have watched him on every play and although i do think he has played well, despite no stats, any talk of him being an All American caliber player are pre-mature.
Although he does get a push on the edge most of the times, he rarely if ever beats his man cleanly, and despite the prevailing thoughts here, he is blocked one-on-one a good portion.
Ultimately for a defensive end, to make it to All American status, you have to start beating one-on-ones cleanly. Not saying that he won't eventually do it, he is just not there yet.
October 10th, 2017 at 11:02 AM ^
that Mo Hurst is universally regarded as a top interior DL prospect in the draft with a 1st round draft grade (Pretty much assured by the scouts). It's hilarious that they left him off the mid-season AA but awards don't mean shit when it comes to NFL draft.
We'll see him on the big stage come April when he gets picked at 1st round.
October 10th, 2017 at 8:36 AM ^
Thanks Magnus, this was just the pick-me-up I needed to start my day...
October 10th, 2017 at 9:44 AM ^
I think that Nick Baumgardner's latest articles are a "bit much"! I guess you could argue there is some merit to them but his Rosenberg Orwellian tone is over the top for me.
Hurst, Bush, and Winovich deserve consideration for All American honors at this point.
October 10th, 2017 at 9:57 AM ^
You guys are so funny. Bush is outside the top 100 in the country in tackles. He's #98 in tackles for loss (including #45 amongst linebackers). And he's #21 in sacks (including #8 amongst linebackers).
Hurst is #10 in tackles for loss in the Big Ten and has 0 sacks.
October 10th, 2017 at 10:00 AM ^
Dude, that's my cousin. Whatever happened to common decency?
FYI, you should have seen when his mini hearse pulled up to the cemetery. 50 of us got out all at once, falling over, horns honking, etc...
October 10th, 2017 at 8:37 AM ^
Because their defense sucks and he makes 15 tackles a game? I don't really care about these 1/2 season teams, because they are usually just click bait, like September Heisman winners, but Josey Jewell isn't that good.
October 10th, 2017 at 8:41 AM ^
The QB turned into All-American OT makes sense in context. By which I mean there is a shit ton of Trenbolone acetate in Wisconsin (think of it as bovine testosterone, but much more potent). Finaplix/Finaplex anyone?*
(I'm only joking about this, BTW. I don't know whether Wiscy has a steroid program or not.)
October 10th, 2017 at 8:57 AM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 10:33 AM ^
And a miss! [Not the look alike - that's spot on!]
October 10th, 2017 at 11:08 AM ^
October 10th, 2017 at 11:29 AM ^
I'm by no means an expert on how college kickers are doing this year, but I figure Nordin has to be somewhere near the top.
October 10th, 2017 at 4:00 PM ^
Bush should definitely be on it... anyone else is eh
October 10th, 2017 at 5:15 PM ^
Hire Wisconsin OL coach and pay him whatever.