It's official, Giles Jackson is in the portal
March 29th, 2021 at 10:46 AM ^
Sigh.....I think we have a really solid WR room without him, but I look forward to the day where wide receivers don't regret coming to Michigan. Come on Gattis, make it happen!!!
March 29th, 2021 at 10:51 AM ^
Who's solid? Bell is good. Other guys may be talented but no one else has proven anything. Who knows if they'll even be here in 2022 anyway.
March 29th, 2021 at 10:55 AM ^
Well Bell and Johnson show all the signs. Obviously Wilson and Henning could/should be big time players for us. I think its a matter of not getting the ball to our skilled guys more than the talent level(Giles had 24 catches in two seasons)......
More on Gattis/Harbaugh than Giles in my opinion, but who knows, maybe he'll go back West and have 50+ catches in his first season. Wouldn't surprise me....
March 29th, 2021 at 11:12 AM ^
Scheme has not been good. Quarterback play has been worse. Hard to fault a wide receiver for trying to find better for himself.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:30 AM ^
Do we have an obvious star receiver? Unfortunately no. But ww certainly seem to have a number of receivers who have shown they can contribute. Last year (and for his career), Cornelius Johnson has more yards receiving, more touchdowns and more yards per catch than Jackson. Last year, Jackson had 15 catches for 167 yards and zero touchdowns. Johnson had 16 receptions for 254 yards and 3 TDs.
Behind our 3 leading wide receivers, Roman Wilson had 9 catches for 122 yards and 1 TD. Those stats are not far behind Jackson’s freshman year (9 catches for 142 yards and 1 TD). Jackson however had more than twice as many games in his freshman year to compile those stats.
That suggests why Jackson might see himself as at best the 4th best wide receiver on the team. Mike Sanristil fell a bit behind his classmates Johnson and Jackson, but he had a better freshman year than either of them and still has more career touchdowns (3 TDs and 15.1 yards per reception) as compared to 1 TD and 12.9 yards per reception for Jackson.
I think we will have plenty of guys who can catch the ball, the bigger question is, do we have a coaching staff that puts them in a position to succeed.
March 29th, 2021 at 12:00 PM ^
All very good points so my question is does or will Michigan have the QB that can deliver the ball to these said receivers? Also, I have seen too many dropped passes by our WR group.
Ronnie Bell's drop in the end zone against Penn State cost our guys the game, as one example.
Let's hope both our QBs and WRs can improve on these weaknesses.
March 29th, 2021 at 12:18 PM ^
Hey it was a big drop no doubt, but cost us the game? Not sure I agree. It would have tied the game and given us some momentum but we still would have needed to win a road game in a tough environment in overtime.
Mo was definitely on our side. I think there is a very good chance we would have won. That said did it cost us the game? - No stinking up the first half cost us the game.
I think it was Arnold Palmer who when asked about how it felt to lose a tournament by missing a 5 foot put on the last hole, said, "I didn't lose the tournament by missing a 5 foot put on the last hole, I lost the tournament missing a 2 foot put on the 3rd hole."
I like Ronnie Bell. I think he's great in the locker room and decent receiver. He made several plays over the last few years where he was still playing hard when the 5* guys had already called it a day.
He is one my favorite players as a good guy right now.
No way would he be my anchor on my bowling team though. It can be both.
Bell is the only guy who can make extra yards after the catch. I don't understand why people constantly rip him.
Your last paragraph is the key issue.
March 29th, 2021 at 10:56 AM ^
What's your definition and comparison point for "really solid?" If the goal is to compete for Big Ten titles, there's no way it's solid. Its a single-ply toilet paper thin WR room.
March 29th, 2021 at 12:32 PM ^
Well, you DO know buns and stuff...
March 29th, 2021 at 10:57 AM ^
I don't necessarily think he's regretting it, and if he is it's because he is getting passed by younger players. That's an OK thing. He wants to play and is getting passed by Henning, who is a much higher rated recruit. That's generally a good sign for recruiting (although potentially a negative for development but we don't know for sure). I don't see anything wrong with that. He's not transferring because the offense sucks. The only thing I don't like about it is the impact on depth, but what are you gonna do. Unless you're in the playoff hunt every year like OSU, Clemson, & Bama, chances are 4 and 5-star guys that aren't starting by year three are going to look around for greener pastures.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:13 AM ^
I don't buy that he was passed. You still think McCaffrey got passed by Milton? They've gone through only half of spring practice. This team is basically built to have 2 slot receivers. We don't have enough outside guys. Fullback is now gone and should see more HB snaps for guys like Jackson. Plenty of snaps available for a number 2. I think Henning will be good but he was 100 on the composite. It's very good but that's not 5-star almost can't miss territory like Peppers or Rashan or Dax Hill. 300 on the composite is not a random who dat 3 star rating either.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:22 AM ^
Well, considering both McCaffrey boys have now transferred from their teams and one wound up playing for his dad and the other one is still looking may point to something particular with that family. I don't blame them but if every transfer is a sign that Harbaugh is a monster and trying to destroy everyone's lives with his incompetence, additional evidence that he might not in a particular circumstance shouldn't be overlooked.
Edit: I didn't see McCaffrey had signed with Louisville. I stand corrected.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:43 AM ^
Luke is going to Louisville.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:51 AM ^
Yep. Hadn't seen that yet.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:48 AM ^
I don't buy that he was passed.
I'd encourage you to watch the film of Henning last year. I think it's easy to think he has passed Jackson.
You still think McCaffrey got passed by Milton?
I have no idea. I'm skeptical, but Jackson/Henning was more clear IMO. Henning looked great last year in limited time and is a much higher rated recruit. The same was not true of Milton when comparing him to McCaffrey. There is also the rumor about McCaffrey sitting out and JH not liking it. Not sure of that's valid or not, the two situations seem different.
I think Henning will be good but he was 100 on the composite. It's very good but that's not 5-star almost can't miss territory like Peppers or Rashan or Dax Hill. 300 on the composite is not a random who dat 3 star rating either.
Henning is roughly 200 composite place rankings higher than Jackson, only a year behind him in class, and already showed big play ability in limited time as a true freshman. I can see him passing Jackson. Don't get me wrong. I'd love to hang onto Jackson and can see plenty of snaps for him. But, maybe he'd prefer to be a feature guy somewhere else with less WR talent. UM now has several guys in Johnson, Henning, Worthy, & Dixon that are higher rated recruits than Jackson at WR.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:15 AM ^
What if it's not about him getting passed? What if being a starting receiver, or even the top target, in a poor scheme with even poorer QB play just isn't good enough for him? Your college ball days are a limited time offer. Maybe the program can be more patient waiting for the offense to develop into something better than a college kid can.
March 29th, 2021 at 12:36 PM ^
What if it's not about him getting passed? What if being a starting receiver, or even the top target, in a poor scheme with even poorer QB play just isn't good enough for him? Your college ball days are a limited time offer. Maybe the program can be more patient waiting for the offense to develop into something better than a college kid can.
I agree that all of that is possible, but based on the information at hand that is not what my assumption is. Unless you're a playoff contender many 4-stars aren't gonna sit around and wait if they aren't starters in year 3. I don't blame him. If he was at OSU he might stick around. Is that an indication of the scheme or QB play? I don't think so. UM's scheme was perfect for Jackson and he got snaps early. I think he's just getting passed, but that's my take. I can see why they want more snaps for Henning.
https://youtu.be/c_qgcTAcD4k?t=409
March 29th, 2021 at 11:47 AM ^
It's really amusing that every time a player leaves it's because he was "passed by a younger better player" especially at wide receiver. Where are these younger better players?
Also as mentioned before at the rate players leave this place we have zero ability to build a team with quality depth.
March 29th, 2021 at 12:15 PM ^
And then once season play begins, and players struggle, we hear "the team is just too young and inexperienced...just wait till next year"
LOL
Where are these younger better players?
Please meet AJ Henning...
Ah yes, AJ Henning who had all of 6 receptions last year is clearly better. Silly me.
Ah yes, AJ Henning who had all of 6 receptions last year is clearly better. Silly me.
Your guess is as good as mine. FWIW umbig11 agrees with me and generally seems to have some inside knowledge. I don't know why you wouldn't appreciate a discussion rather than use sarcasm to shut down an opposing opinion. But, just to clarify your point. Are you saying it's unreasonable to think Henning, UM's highest rated recruit in the 2020 class, #102 in the composite, going into his sophomore year has passed Jackson, a guy only one year older and roughly 200 spots in the composite behind him?
March 29th, 2021 at 11:37 PM ^
This composite stuff doesn't mean everything, especially when you consider Michigan's lack of developing the skill positions. We lost a solid WR that had the most game experience besides Ronnie Bell. Sure, AJ Henning could be an upgrade over Jackson. But let's not act like losing a veteran reciever is no big deal. Jackson showed alot of promise as a true freshman, and then last year everybody's production dipped because of the terrible offense. Michigan has a very talented WR room, but pretty much all of those guys outside of Bell and Sainristril are unproven. Johnson got some experience so that bodes well, I guess we'll see if Giles will be missed at all. The passing game as a whole has been underwhelming to say the least under Gattis. Part of that is QB play, but it's also the route trees they're running.
This composite stuff doesn't mean everything, especially when you consider Michigan's lack of developing the skill positions.
I appreciate your input, but my question was to clarify his opinion and why he thinks that is unreasonable. But, if you'd like to discuss I'm all for it. To clarify my point I'm not suggesting that his recruiting ranking means everything. However when you also take into account Henning was just a true freshman and had some big plays in just a few snaps, it's not unreasonable to think with an offseason now under his belt that he is passing him. The recruiting is just part of the equation.
But let's not act like losing a veteran receiver is no big deal.
I also wouldn't exactly call Jackson a veteran WR. He's not Nico or Ronnie. He had 15 receptions for 167 yards and no TDs. That's not a ton of production. I wouldn't even call him a starter last year.
Jackson showed a lot of promise as a true freshman, and then last year everybody's production dipped because of the terrible offense. Michigan has a very talented WR room, but pretty much all of those guys outside of Bell and Sainristril are unproven
I agree Jackson showed promise and as I said in my original post I think there are plenty of snaps for him and he'll be missed for depth. But, I also don't think he showed anything better than our other WRs. Jackson & Wilson had pretty much the same freshman years. Johnson had significantly better stats than Jackson. And, as I said Henning appears to be passing him. I think our top 3 WRs are Bell, Johnson, & Henning. I do think Jackson was better than Sainristil, but we also have Worthy & Dixon coming in where are both higher rated recruits than Jackson. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have him. But, I think him leaving is more of an indication that he's getting passed than a problem with the offense. I think most of the offensive guys are excited about McNamara & McCarthy.
I say veteran because he's played the most besides Ronnie Bell the past 2 seasons. Johnson kind of took over Collins role in the offense last year, Jackson didn't get many opportunities downfield. I hope that changes with whoever starts in the slot. Get the opponents safety or 3rd or 4th string corner against Henning or Wilson and that should be a mismatch.
March 30th, 2021 at 10:57 AM ^
Losing Jackson is no big deal to be honest with you. We lost Nico Collins and that was a big deal. Jackson is replaceable, and him leaving is not going to effect this offense coming into this season. Per my inside source this team is fast on both sides of the ball. And you guys have to remember that this locker room was divided by guys who stood behind Patterson, McCaffery and Joe Milton. Jackson was team Milton maybe this had some effect on his decision. But him leaving cause the offense sucks? I think that is false, I think he just lost his spot which is possible due to the fact you have Bell, Johnson, Sainristil, Wilson, Henning, and the incoming freshmen. That is a lot.
March 29th, 2021 at 12:36 PM ^
There is a lot of young talent especially at the slot. I would suspect we seeing some depth chart attrition from spring ball.
The whole "Milton over McCaffrey" will forever have me question the staffs ability to objectively look at talent. I mean that was straight Bizarro World stuff.
March 29th, 2021 at 12:19 PM ^
Solid?? Lmao
March 29th, 2021 at 10:47 AM ^
You won the thread race by less than a minute and included the link. Bravo.
March 29th, 2021 at 10:48 AM ^
Not good.
March 29th, 2021 at 10:49 AM ^
Basketball school
Can we have Juwan speak to him?
March 29th, 2021 at 10:49 AM ^
For me personally, the saddest part is, I hardly care anymore.
I hate the apathy that the Michigan football program has led me to. I'll always watch every game, I'll always root for the players to succeed. Outside of that, I'm pretty checked out, to be honest. That breaks my heart to say but here we are.
March 29th, 2021 at 10:59 AM ^
I'm always bummed when players don't come to Michigan or leave Michigan without realizing their potential.
USA had an NFL mock draft and both Kwity Pye and Jalen Mayfield were projected before Najee Harris.
It would have been awesome to get Najee Harris, or Damien Harris, or had Charbonet work out, but we do develop a lot of players even if we don't win every game.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:15 AM ^
To be fair that's really just because RBs aren't drafted high anymore. Teams will definitely take good OTs and DEs over them.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:28 AM ^
Yeah, NFL teams have decided that with the salary cap as it is, their moneyball strategy is to have a stable of cheap RBs that can get 3.5-4 ypc and are easily replaced.
I don't necessarily agree with it, but given the rate of RB injury, it is a risk to invest a huge chunk of cap room into the RB position.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:34 AM ^
As far as I'm concerned, as a fan, I care about winning games, not how many guys get into the NFL.
If we are putting plenty of guys into the NFL but not winning games, to me, it means that our coaches don't know how to use them properly in game play.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:04 AM ^
Watching every game and rooting for the players success should be the only thing a reasonable person should do. Getting caught up in emotional turmoil of losses or transfers or missing out on recruits is the biggest waste of emotional energy there is. You can be super passionate and still leave the feelings there when you turn the tv off or leave the stadium, raging online or having your entire weekend ruined because of a loss or getting bent over teenagers decisions doesn’t make anyone a bigger or better fan.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:20 AM ^
Same here. Just numb to the constant disappointment.
I try not to watch/care as much but just can’t help it.
It’s truly amazing how far this program has fallen. I can’t help but think where UM football would be today if they beat OSU in’16 like they should have.
Fallen from where lmfaooo. Harbaugh is the only coach Michigan coach in the past 10 years that has won ten games in consecutive seasons. Last year I’m just going to throw away completely because it was a weird year. I have to ask the question of when we’re the coaches wrong when they went with another player? What has Mcdoom, Crawford, any member of the defensive line that left in 17 done in college football? What player that has left Michigan’s football program set the world on fire? The short answer is none, I’m not worried about our starting punt/kick returner leaving. I think most of you Michigan fans forget the Rich Rod and Brady Hoke years.
March 29th, 2021 at 10:49 AM ^
add another under used WR to the list
March 29th, 2021 at 11:12 AM ^
Every WR is underused since 2016 because QB play has been mediocre to bad for most of it, but when QB play looks like it's improving, we go to a run heavy offense.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:47 AM ^
When exactly was that?
March 29th, 2021 at 11:18 AM ^
He was actually on the field quite a bit.
March 29th, 2021 at 11:56 AM ^
'On the field' does not equal 'used'. Nico Collins was on the field nearly every play. Was he used enough?