It's signing day. Do you know where your DT's are?
Here's a look at where some top college football teams, known for defense, are with DT commitments on signing day, then at Michigan DT commits. I don't have Oklahoma in the list as they are not currently known for defense.
The DT's ranking among DT's is to the left of their picture. Their weight is in large numbers:
2020 Commits
Alabama
Clemson
Georgia
LSU
Ohio St
Michigan
Here the list at the link. You can see for yourself:
https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Football/RecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool&Position=DT
You might say that Michigan doesn't have "need" for a DT in the 2020 class. So I'll go back 2 years to see how Michigan, and those others, did with DT's.
2019
Alabama
Clemson
Georgia
LSU
Ohio St
Michigan
2018
Alabama
Clemson
Georgia
LSU
Ohio St
Michigan
While Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith are excellent signees, it's apparent, that overall, Michigan is not keeping up with elite teams.
You may assert Michigan doesn't go after DT's, because they are making DE's into DT's, as they want a quick defensive line. What is your answer for this player, Evan Neal, (and others like him on elite offensive lines) that Michigan will be seeing on January 1?
December 18th, 2019 at 11:01 AM ^
...and Michigan is probably worse than that makes it looks because:
2016: #1 - Rashan Gary, never played DT.
2017: #2 - Aubrey Solomon transferred, #13 - James Hudson transferred
December 18th, 2019 at 8:22 AM ^
Some blame should go on the NCAA for their failure to monitor and lack of institutional control. Ironic.
December 18th, 2019 at 7:29 AM ^
I think an interesting theory is that since UM is probably not going to get too many 5*, sure thing NFL, monster DTs, that they are recruiting speed or athletic guys that could be DE or DT. Don B seems to like hybrid guys, so I think that will lead to smaller D lines on the average. I don't really know.
December 18th, 2019 at 8:25 AM ^
That's fine if you have a few Devin Bush's on the second level but we couldn't get it done even when he was here.
December 18th, 2019 at 8:37 AM ^
Devin Bush's work best when you have 2 big guys up front that keep OL off of him and allow him to do what he does.
Look at Ray Lewis' entire (playing) career and what was in front of him.
December 18th, 2019 at 8:55 AM ^
Ray Lewis is an inner-circle HOF'er. Dude would've balled out with you & me at DT for his entire career.
December 18th, 2019 at 10:24 AM ^
Yes, but would he have made his tackles at the line of scrimmage or 5 yards downfield? Watch the Wisconsin and OSU games again. Focus on how often their offensive lines were able to reset the line of scrimmage 3-4 yards downfield. Did Don Brown have to face really good big 10 offensive lines while at BC? Maybe that speed and quickness stuff worked in the ACC, but it ain’t working here against the top Big10 o-lines.
December 18th, 2019 at 11:37 AM ^
that is so true. It was about "setting" the line of scrimmage 5 yards after the ball was snapped in the OSU and Whiskey game. Need at least one big strong type in the middle. Ryan Glasgow where are you.....
December 18th, 2019 at 9:40 AM ^
What was in front of Ray Lewis?
Two men and a knife.
Fuck that pious murdering asshole.
December 18th, 2019 at 7:49 AM ^
It is fair to criticize the coaching staff for not having been able to add 1-2 good DT in this class.
However, to claim that DB and JH don’t understand the importance of having a good DL, while you sitting at home with a subscription to 24/7 have discovered the secrets to success unknown to the coaches is plain stupid or just trolling.
BTW, the guy responsible for our DL recruiting is now at OSU.
December 18th, 2019 at 7:57 AM ^
This attitude is a joke.
It's football. They're "theories" on DL/DE aren't working.
It took Don Brown 3 years to make a simple adjustment so that our safeties weren't getting torched by superior WR's.
Let's not pretend like the only ones who know anything are the coaches. Coaches are wrong all the time.
December 18th, 2019 at 8:09 AM ^
The example you cited is about coaching or lack of it. Sure there are competent and incompetent coaches everywhere, including here. But all coaches know something as basic as having good DLs is important. It is no different than claiming that the coaches don’t know that more accurate QBs are better.
BTW, we were recruiting many of those DT and they ended up somewhere else. It is fair to say whoever was in charge of their recruitment was not competent, but stupid to claim that they did not know having good DLs is important.
December 18th, 2019 at 8:38 AM ^
Right on. The thing is if no Michigan coach could have recruited a top-250 type DT this cycle because of how highly they're valued by the programs that go to the playoffs every year, then it's not a problem of coaching but of Michigan systemically trapped in second-tier status. I agree that Michigan needs elite DTs badly. I think it's dishonest at best to pretend like the staff didn't try to get those guys, and moronic to expect them to keep pursuing when it was clear they didn't have a chance at any of them.
At that point you have to ask if they have a plan for breaking out of the cycle, and it seems the plan is to take a lot of shots at DE types you can bulk up to penetrating DTs. It does seem like Hinton is poised for a breakout next year.
December 18th, 2019 at 11:10 AM ^
Top 100 DT recruits 2020:
Michigan: 0
South Carolina: 3
Kentucky: 3
North Carolina: 2
Tennessee: 2
December 18th, 2019 at 1:16 PM ^
You named four extremely baggy programs.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:12 PM ^
Even those 4 teams are landing more than one. This is just sad.
December 18th, 2019 at 11:12 AM ^
I think its more philosophical.
It's obvious they haven't prioritized DT.
They think they can win by converting 240 LB DE's.
If they truly thought they needed more true 300lb DT they would go out and find them.
December 18th, 2019 at 1:20 PM ^
You mean 300 pound DTs who can't get move. At that point it's just a tradeoff of bad options. If you can't generate interior pass rush you have no shot at beating Ohio State.
December 18th, 2019 at 7:52 AM ^
I have no DTs this morning and I'm proud of it. I laid off the sauce last night.
December 18th, 2019 at 7:53 AM ^
Just curious but wouldn't it make sense to at least grab 1 DT every year? Even if it's a high 3* with some good attributes you think you can mold wouldn't it be a good idea? Or since DB has his defense the way it is you just don't need as many true DT's?
I know you have to fill in the entire rest of your roster but it just seems like o-line and DT are just positions even if you are not in dire need you just add a little anyway even on a "project kid".
Or am i way off?
December 18th, 2019 at 9:51 AM ^
There are very few high school athletes big and fast enough to be labeled elite defensive tackles. Even top high school programs play their less athletic — albeit huge — kids at defensive tackle and their tall stud athletes are usually on the outside. Good (3 star to low 4 star) high school defensive tackles are rarely good tackles in college. That’s why you try to find great huge athletes who can add weight and then bulk them up so that they can eventually play inside. It’s a waste of a scholarship most often to add a 3 star high school defensive tackle, although perhaps we could have added a couple this class to mollify some of the complainers on this blog.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:14 PM ^
It sure would beat an emergency converting of a FB to a DT.
December 18th, 2019 at 7:55 AM ^
Edit: Double post. Stupid phone.
December 18th, 2019 at 8:03 AM ^
Smack 'em in the nads! (in response to the 'what is your answer' question)
December 18th, 2019 at 8:24 AM ^
I bet you felt smart posting that.
December 18th, 2019 at 8:26 AM ^
Bama 2020 DT's looking like grown ass men out there. Would be curious what other squads are recruiting DT wise besides the top 4 teams..
December 18th, 2019 at 8:39 AM ^
What Im seeing is Ohio St is too light on d line. Thanks for letting me know so I can change my CFP bet.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:05 AM ^
Should have taken 1 or 2 elite HS wrestlers weighing 270+
Even if they have minimal or no football experience, they have quick feet, violent hands and good motors.
If we know we are going to come up empty at the position, this is a good fall back.
Also, Samoans. We should have a satellite campus in Utah and Samoa and hire a Mormon recruiting coordinator.
December 18th, 2019 at 11:10 AM ^
May be those elite wrestlers do not want to play football. Otherwise, I am sure their high school teams would love to have them.
December 18th, 2019 at 10:13 AM ^
I vote that we hire Brady Hoke as DL coach and defensive recruiting coordinator. His players running Brown's scheme in 2016 was a pretty damn good defense.
December 18th, 2019 at 10:17 AM ^
Don't fret. We can grab some of these guys from the transfer portal in a few years.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:15 PM ^
This is just plain ole funny! +1!
December 18th, 2019 at 11:00 AM ^
Why does the truth get you down voted on this blog ? Facts are facts.
December 18th, 2019 at 8:24 PM ^
Because most sports fans want fantasy.
December 18th, 2019 at 11:00 AM ^
Why does the truth get you down voted on this blog ? Facts are facts.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:16 PM ^
Because most sports fans want fantasy.
December 19th, 2019 at 12:18 AM ^
I haven't heard one mention of Justin Rogers. Haven't followed recruiting closely but obviously in our backyard and top 100 recruit who goes to....Kentucky!?!?! Have to imagine it's been discussed here, but I missed it. What on earth happened there?