Grad transfers

Submitted by Eye of the Tiger on
Given the lack of depth and experience on our 2017 squad, should we take a couple grad transfers at key positions? Personally, I think we should--provided there are suitable candidates. (I'd be particularly keen on an OL grad transfer, though a solid non-starter DL for depth and rotation would be great too.) What do you guys think? For those in the know, are there known targets and, if so, who might they be?
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Mr. Yost

January 5th, 2017 at 8:44 AM ^

In all seriousness...I thought it would've been an awesome move to put him at DT for an entire year.

He could've certainly given us the same amount a depth a true freshman would've given us even if their ceiling is WAAAY higher and they'd be the better DT 2-3 years from now.

But if we're talking about ONE season? NEXT season. Dawson could've found his was as the 4th or 5th DT and been find with a few snaps a game.

Really would've liked to have seen him stay. He could've been an emergency OG as well. Plus senior leadership on a young team.

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mgoaggie

January 4th, 2017 at 10:52 PM ^

While I like the idea of grad transfers, I always go back to the thought that they usually transfer because they're not getting PT, and there must be a reason they're not getting PT. Rudock was a great exception, but we also picked up Wayne Lyons who was a non-factor. 

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reshp1

January 4th, 2017 at 11:43 PM ^

I think the point is he plays QB, where only one guy usually gets meaningful PT. It's a lot easier to find someone good who lost out to one guy than someone good who lost out to 5 or 6,which would likely be the case for OL and DT

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stephenrjking

January 5th, 2017 at 1:30 AM ^

Right. QBs in particular seem to be the ones that can make an impact in their new location, as far as it goes. A quarterback with a lot of experience in college is valuable, and a team that has more than one can easily jettison a guy even if he is equal to the person replacing him if that player is younger.

NC State's perfunctory "seeya" to Russell Wilson is a good example of this, though they probably think it was a mistake in retrospect. Iowa is a perfect example, and both guys were good in 2015. The ultimate win-win.

The lines are where Michigan has the greatest needs but, given the number of players who get serious playing time, the chances of Michigan finding a guy they actually want to plug in are pretty small. Given how Michigan has been recruiting I wouldn't expect to get any grad transfers that weren't strictly depth players that actually came to Michigan with an interest in school. 

Not that some backup depth wouldn't be a good thing on the OL, mind you.

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Red is Blue

January 5th, 2017 at 7:57 AM ^

I agree with the comments that traditionally grad transfers occurred because of lack of playing time.  But I wonder if Alabama's Tight End (Dieter?) isn't another type of grad transfer of which we might start to see more.  Player excels at a lower level program and grad transfers to very high level program. 

 

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steviebrownfor…

January 5th, 2017 at 8:44 AM ^

Gehrig Dieter was a WR, not a TE, and he absolutely tore up MAC secondaries last year for Bowling Green.  He went from 94 catches in the MAC to having 15 this season for Bama.

I get what you're saying, but I don't think those are results that are going to start a trend - although to be fair he is probably going to win a National Championship.

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CalifExile

January 5th, 2017 at 1:10 PM ^

He benefitted from the exposure to a higher level of competition. If he was looking for glorious stats he should have enrolled in the big 12 (which has 8 members).

Another example you might prefer is Ryan Ramczyk, who was 1st team All Big Ten (which has 14 members) after transferring from a D3 school.

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TheReal_GR3

January 4th, 2017 at 11:00 PM ^

Hard to see that happening. Seems like the team could be pretty full on spots already with this big class. 

However, I hope the staff looks into it. Spots that could use a vet... DB, LB and DE... Hardly ever see a OL that is worth anything transfer. 

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alum96

January 4th, 2017 at 11:04 PM ^

If we didnt get grad transfers following he debacles of OL in 13/14 we are not getting them now.

You have to keep in mind if you are not in the 2 deep of a P5 OL you are 5th, 6th or 7th best guard or tackle.  That is not a top 3-4 Big 10 team depth player even.

The only guy that we ever really seemed somewhat in the boat for was that Alabama center who I think went to OSU?  Not sure I ever heard from him again.  Maybe I am mis-remembering and he was a competent player.

It's different with a RB or QB because only 1 QB plays at a time on the field and usually you go 2-3ish deep @ RB.  You are not talking about the 6th best guy in the program at a position.  Look at who is leaving UM -  Dawson types, Kugler maybe - guys who don't sniff the field unless it's Hawaii or Rutgers.  So who do you think is leaving Boston College, Arizona State or similar programs.

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trustBlue

January 5th, 2017 at 1:15 AM ^

What about a backup from someplace like Alabama or LSU or Wisconsin or Stanford?  

Like QBs, backup OL don't get much PT. Also guards/tackles/centers are not necessarily interchangeable - its not too hard to envsion a pretty decent guard squeezed out of a starting spot on a team that already has two excellent guards and doesnt have the ideal frame or skillset to play tackle/center. 

Someone like that could certainly entertain the idea of coming here and competing for a starting role and the chance to put on some film for NFL scouts.

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UMichWolverines

January 4th, 2017 at 11:05 PM ^

If we could pick up a serviceable starter at OT it would be a major help. I don't want to have to rely on Ulizio or a true freshman to have to start. Maybe if we're lucky Newsome will be back in time.

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Ducky Bump

January 4th, 2017 at 11:05 PM ^

IMO, grad transfers are great at certain positions but not offensive line. With all the injuries that happen on the o-line, good players wouldn't transfer. Anyone on the 2 deep is too valuable to let go and anyone below that isn't worth a scholarship.

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Tater

January 4th, 2017 at 11:07 PM ^

The only exception would be some guy tearing up the MAC or a similar conference and wanting a chance to line up against the best to improve his draft position.

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corundum

January 4th, 2017 at 11:20 PM ^

Agree. Gehrig Dieter would have been one of the best players in the MAC this year, instead he chose to grad transfer from BG to Alabama and will play in a national championship game where he will get exposure to all sorts of NFL scouting.

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OwenGoBlue

January 5th, 2017 at 1:27 AM ^

It absolutely does. Look at Wisconsin's OT; he may have been drafted but now that he has proven himself against top competition he will go much higher this year or next.

The more "tapes games" in which you're going against good players, the more opportunities to prove you belong. 

The NFL will find you anywhere, but those lower level guys still get downgraded in terms of where they get drafted. The lower you are drafted the less a team has invested in you, the more a team has invested in other guys from the same year, etc. It makes a big difference not only in the first contract, but if you get a better chance to develop for that second deal. 

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OwenGoBlue

January 5th, 2017 at 3:58 AM ^

Of course there are exceptions (other high picks include Flacco, Ware, and Big Ben though they all would have gone higher if they played in the P5). It's a huge list of guys who were underrated in part because of where they went to school including: Brandon Marshall, Cruz, Woodhead, Edelman, Colston, Jahri Evans, Osi Umenyiora, Jared Allen, Asante Samuel, Romo, Josh Sitton and so on and so forth. Sometimes talent is just undeniable but more often than not it matters who you played against. These are judgement calls made by scouts and GMs; they prefer as much evidence as possible that someone can play against talented opponents. It does seem like at QB you can literally be from anywhere and still go at the top of the draft.

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