LB William Mohan in the Transfer Portal
Really sucks to see him go because I loved his playing style. But with the viper position being phased out in McDonalds defense it’s not a surprising turn of events. I really hope that Michigan can find a decent LB in the portal to offset this departure
It seems McDonald wants bigger LBs but still. LB was a black hole last year. You'd think he's a useful piece to keep on the roster. It's possible they didn't want him to leave, but I can't say we'll be fine without him.
Bigger LBs make some sense with 3-4 scheme. But I doubt McDonald pushed him to leave. Mohan is probably just using the rules to find the best fit for himself.
Honest question: Could any of the departing LBs, vipers or not, find a role in the new defensive schemes? Is that position so specific that these players are only married to the idea that they can only play viper LB? I’m just thinking if players can transition from FB to DL or from OT to TE, that a LB of sorts can make the switch to another LB position within reason.
They probably could with time but with Michigan also recruiting guys like Junior Colson who could potentially get playing time immediately, it’s easier and probably faster to look for playing time elsewhere
Mohan is listed at 205 pounds on the spring roster. He’s safety sized. If he doesn’t have safety speed, transferring to a G5 school is his best chance at seeing playing time.
I’ll always have a soft spot for recruits who get Michigan tattoos before enrolling.
Did he? Yikes. Don't get tattoos of partners, bands, or schools you haven't graduated from yet I guess.
Good news for him is that the intentions didn’t match the outcome, so he could end up with one of the many Bears out there. https://twitter.com/william_apache8/status/1155981481631596546?s=21
Oh right I remember that now haha. Well, he was destined to be on a team of Bears or Wolves I guess.
He wasn't very highly rated, but Brian liked him. I think he's the guy Craig Ross raved about but I could be wrong. And as Brian pointed out, his ranking is probably due to the fact that the services don't rank vipers properly still (or maybe ever with some of their focus on NFL potential).
From the McDonald comments on the roster, they seem to want bigger LBs who are sort of DE hybrids and more speed in the secondary without worrying about size much, which does sound like the Ravens defense Seth talked about.
Idk, I'd still rather have speed over size in LB for today's game, at least for ILB. In a hybrid 3-4 I can see wanting the fast LB/DE hybrids for OLB instead of S/LB types.
"... they seem to want bigger LBs ..."
Just reading that is going to result in a chubby for a certain kind of Michigan fan. "We won't get runned over by Wisconsin no more!"
Well to be fair, it would be nice to have that stop happening.
When I read 'bigger LBs" I picture slow LB's chasing much faster RB's in pass coverage.
In an ideal world you get guys like Micah Parsons who are 6’3” 245 and run a sub-4.4
But that’s the problem when you try to bring a pro scheme to college. The NFL already has the best athletes possible. They don’t grow on trees at the college level unless you’re at one of a select few schools. Otherwise you hold out hope that you get one or two of those unicorns (Parsons going to PSU being a good example of that).
A “multiple” defense would be great if we could clone Dax Hill, Aiden Hutchinson and Devin Bush. But since we can’t, it has the looks of a “Jack of all trades, master of none,” scenario. My fear being that we’ll be asking players to do things outside of their abilities for the sake of versatility. Just has the looks of a defense that is great when you have a roster of NFL guys but is ineffective at the college level.
Obviously I hope I’m wrong, but it just seems Michigan is going to try to be the smartest guy in the room defensively and I don’t think the results will be there.
From a short interview I saw with coach Mac, it seemed more like they run concepts. Like a few base concepts/coverages and then change up the look frequently that they give the offense, instead of trying to run a bunch of totally different types and styles of defense. I think it's the same basic idea as offenses running the same play except out of totally different formations. The core is the same, it just has lots of very different window dressing.
Since when is 190 a LB size? There’s a reason Jabrill is a safety, not a LB. same with Khaleke.
Look at how fast guys like Khalil Mack and a Vonn Miller. Those are the kinds of OLB/DE Mac wants. Also, for MLB, the Ravens first rounder—what’s his name? Patrick Queen.
Mohan isn’t fast enough or likely athletic enough to play the Marlon H role which is like an in the box safety who can also cover like a nickel back.
“ 4.78 testing time in 40.” I’m sorry, but I ran a 4.76 as a scrawny 135. Says he played fast, but for someone with safety size playing OLB, we aren’t missing a guy that actual slow before packing on size.
Farewell, Apache. Had a great offer list, maybe he will end up somewhere with a better fit
When he jumped on it I was hoping it would be demolition of B1G skill players, not the portal.
The way it's going McDonald will have to get creative filling those LB spots.
I know it's the right thing to let these young adults do what's best for them but I just have a fear this will ultimately lessen my fan-dom as it becomes a little more free agent-like and the turnover gives me less and less investment in the individual players.
If anything, it really points out the importance of winning when you can and not planning on anyone staying longer than a year. Used to think of recruiting classes as a whole unit and how they grow together over the natural progression from freshman to senior years. Now I can’t really recall who’s here and who’s left.
May you survive the hardship.
well said
2 decades of face planting as a program hasn't lessen your Fandom? God bless ya cause you are much stronger fan than me.
More to follow....
This is year 7 with the Savior....
Fucking more?!?!?! This is starting to get old, is there just bad messaging going on in practice or end of season meetings.
Or is it just that Harbaugh's an asshole and no-one wants to play for him anymore.
I mean we basically just overhauled the whole defensive coaching staff. The system is different and the people are different. Idk why people are surprised by attrition on the defensive side of the ball right now
It's amazing that when Rich Rod had a ton of attrition it was because he was an asshole who ran people off, but when Harbaugh does it it's normal because we're switching schemes. Literally gets a pass for anything.
RichRod did get a pass from fans when he first got here. To say otherwise is revisionist history. I don't remember how many trust the coaches arguments I got into. Obviously eventually people came around and wanted him out of town, but not at first.
I understand and remember that, but it's year 7 and still the same regurgitated excuses exist.
I've been critical of Harbaugh and the transfers, especially when McCaffrey left, but this one actually makes sense. He wasn't in line to be a starter. He seems to not really fit with the new scheme. I wish he'd stay but I understand it.
How about some actual names or actual info, man. I feel like these vague comments you make lately are just to keep up the appearance of being an insider.
I'd guess you certainly have more inside info than someone like me, but if you've got it, spill it.
If he's still an insider with his attitude, someone should fire him just for that. You can't have that kind of cancer working for you.
Everyone thinks he's a booster, not an employee. To be fair, I don't think he should just be calling out names of guys he thinks will transfer.
Lol this fanbase is trash lol anyone that calls out the truth gets nagged. This program is a mess ??
Who at this point is calling him a savior? You sound like someone whose friend got fired and are a little salty about it.
UMBig11, it seems you have really taken an incredibly negative turn towards the program. In your opinion, what do you think has gone wrong? Is it fixable? Are you not even slightly encouraged by Harbaugh cleaning house? This team still has a ton of talent, so why do you believe the fan base is set up for another long season?
Looking for an answer outside of fire Harbaugh.
Wish him well. Concerns me that the defense gets thinner on depth to add to the transition year. Gonna be tough to get through this year on that side of the ball.
We never seem to get good players through the portal on the football team.
Mike Danna would like a word with you.
One player two years ago doesnt exactly prove your point
It disproves the assertion about "never"--which is the point to which he was replying.
Good Luck Apache!
Although he hasn't decommitted, 4 star safety, Taylor Groves announced he is reopening his recruitment and taking a look at other programs. It's never a good look when a commit decides to explore other options.