CWood2

January 16th, 2023 at 1:06 PM ^

Well if that is your standard, the threshold is pretty low. Hardly anybody would ever make a bad decision with that reasoning. To me, I think it was pretty clear he made a bad long term decision (why come to an American college at all if his criteria matches what you say). One more year of him being the center piece of a good team capable of making a deep run could have doubled or tripled his contract (money and years). Obviously, he got paid, but it could have been so much more. Lithuania was always a fall back option (where he is now, I believe). 

Joined: 09/30/2014

MGoPoints: 1275

1974

January 16th, 2023 at 1:26 PM ^

Being a centerpiece of a Final Four team would capture attention, yes, but scouts tend to filter that information and focus on the player and his projected fit with their team and the NBA.

I don't think Iggy would've moved the needle much with another year at Michigan. He "was who he was."

You raise a good question about college. Maybe he wanted visibility? A year of U.S. university experience? I don't know.

Joined: 04/17/2011

MGoPoints: 7799

bdneely4

January 16th, 2023 at 11:36 AM ^

Make it to the Top 10 draft grade Jenkins!  I believe I can speak for all Michigan fans that we will do our part in cheering and encouraging you on in 2023.  Go Blue!

Joined: 01/06/2009

MGoPoints: 13935

Indonacious

January 16th, 2023 at 12:19 PM ^

By year end, gemon wasn’t actually a starter as Will had ascended. So we return 16/22…including the likes of jj, Corum, the don, will, etc. wow…

hayes-henderson, olu-nugent, wr (cj returns as WR1, wilson could outside depending on how the young wr develop).

mazi - graham, cb (will need to replace the other outside cb), Morris (have the bodies, all a year older as well).

Joined: 01/03/2012

MGoPoints: 16597

Indonacious

January 16th, 2023 at 12:25 PM ^

In all fairness to gemon, he wasn’t a slam dunk at corner initially either. McBurrows or a younger Cb or even a potential transfer will make us fine. With Will on the other side, there will be safety help too. Hard to have 0 questions in current portal era. The fact that we didn’t go after a portal cb may be somewhat reassuring. 

Joined: 01/03/2012

MGoPoints: 16597

trustBlue

January 16th, 2023 at 1:25 PM ^

But our dline depth is the best its been in....  forever? 

Is it really? Mazi, Mike Morris, Taylor Upshaw, and Okie all gone. Our top returning DL are Jenkins, Mason Graham and Jaylen Harrell?? I think we'll be fine in the interior with Jenkins, Graham, and Benny/Grant. But feels like we are thin at DE/Edge.

Joined: 04/14/2014

MGoPoints: 8169

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

January 16th, 2023 at 3:40 PM ^

As you noted, Grant saw ample time despite being a very raw true frosh who didn’t enroll early. and Benny has a lot of upside. Goode is returning and he at least provides depth for 8-10 non elite games. Also, I bet Trey Pierce will be more serviceable as a true frosh than Grant and possibly closer to Graham. 6 guys to rotate and keep Jenkins & Graham fresh for the big games.

I’m less concerned about DE than 2022. Moore should take a big step forward. McGregor should add strength/explosiveness after 18+ months of health. Stewart is likely > Okie and Upshaw in the run game, and Stewart might be a big boost in pass rush as he had 12.5 sacks in 2021 and 3 in 2022. That’s four solid guys with Harrell. Not Hutch & Ojabo, but very solid.

While those two groups get their depth sorted out and the coaches try to find 1 CB, the defense should really improve at LB with age & depth and maintain strong safety play.  

Joined: 11/01/2012

MGoPoints: 18054

UMinSF

January 16th, 2023 at 11:37 AM ^

This one is huge (literally and figuratively).

KJ is gonna be the heart of the defense this year.

Man, the practice battles in the trenches are gonna be rougher than any opponent we face.

Go Blue - already excited for FB season!

Joined: 04/06/2009

MGoPoints: 18204

bdneely4

January 16th, 2023 at 11:40 AM ^

Since Jenkins is the last to make his decision, is anyone else having this feeling that seems weird inside.  Besides maybe Turner, almost everyone that was on the fence has now made the decision to come back.  I am so used to Michigan not ever having good things happen but yet now we have experienced 2 seasons of some of the greatest success this football program has ever had with now a 3rd season that is shaping up to potentially be even better than the last two.  I almost feel like with the way things are trending that all of a sudden our basketball team is going to make a complete turnaround and finish in the top 3 of the B1G 10 because that's Michigan now.  We can have good things.  It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine!  Go Blue!

Joined: 01/06/2009

MGoPoints: 13935