Red Shirts seem to be settled down

Submitted by reddogrjw on

7 left - I imagine the only one that might get burned is Nordin

QB - Peters

RB - Walker

G - Spanellis

DE - Kemp - played, so the web page here should be updated

DE - R. Johnson

OLB - Gil - played, so the web page here should be updated

these 6 likely stick unless injuries force one of the defensive guys in

K - Nordin - plays based on need vs. FG Kicking performance

 

I think the 2 DE's plus those in the 2017 class and carryover should really continue to give us a great rotation there.  Onwenu to DT and get about 10 OL in the 2017 class and we're good

 

Walker and 2017 guys replacing Deveon Smith should keep that going strong - are Walker and Smith similar?  I want to say yes but do others have more insight?

 

Edit in bold - Even with those 2 defensive guys getting in some time depth on the D-Line should be in fine shape

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GotBlueOnMyMind

October 13th, 2016 at 10:52 AM ^

Maybe Harbaugh puts freshmen in to see what they can do in actual games, and then redshirts guys as sophomores if they aren't progressing as expected to give them an extra year of strength and conditioning. I doubt this is the case, but givent that he gave Morris one last year, it's a thought. I understand that Speight was higher on the depth chart, and that's why he got in before Morris, but, Morris still could have been put in in some garbage time snaps, like how both he and O'Korn have seen the field this year.

Joined: 03/01/2012

MGoPoints: 2349

Magnus

October 13th, 2016 at 10:59 AM ^

Morris was higher on the depth chart to begin the season in 2015. Speight moved ahead of him after the season began.

I think that was a unique situation with Morris. The coaches knew Rudock was going to be the starter. If they played Morris as a backup, he would have been a true senior here in 2016.

If he won the job for 2016, the coaches would only have one year with him and then they would be looking for a new starter in 2017.

If he lost the job for 2016, he would maybe play as a backup and never have a chance to start.

If he redshirted, then they could see what they have with him, give him a chance to graduate, and potentially become a grad transfer in 2017. Ultimately, I'm guessing that's what will happen. I think Morris will probably be playing for a MAC program or in C-USA in 2017.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166237

BassDude138

October 13th, 2016 at 12:16 PM ^

I think if he was going to leave, he would have done so already. Mitchell was gone as soon as he found out he wouldn't be playing this year. I'm pretty sure Harbaugh talked about Walker needing to get his academics in order before the season even started. The fact that we have heard recently about how well he has been coming along in both the classroom and the practice field tells me that he is willing to work his way through it.

Joined: 03/01/2016

MGoPoints: 3977

Guy Fawkes

October 13th, 2016 at 12:48 PM ^

Walker could very well stay and fight his way through the academic issues, BUT sometimes there is writing on the wall that makes you curious. Evans, Isaac, and Higdon are all back next season, maybe even Drake Johnson who knows. Add in 3 RB recruits and another who our coach is currently visiting and you have a crazy depth chart.

Joined: 09/28/2016

MGoPoints: 1716

maize-blue

October 13th, 2016 at 11:04 AM ^

Based on H.S. film and Spring practice video, Walker gets to and through the line of scrimmage much faster than Smith. 

I feel like Smith is slowly getting passed by Isaac, Evans and Higdon. Smith's leadership and blocking abilities cannot be overlooked, but he seems to not be able to get out of his own way on 50% of his carries. When his momentum is built, he is a bull. But of the four RB's in the rotation, he is the slowest at getting to and through the hole. 

Joined: 01/10/2013

MGoPoints: 44662

beevo

October 13th, 2016 at 12:10 PM ^

Honestly, I find myself looking for Higdon and Evans to be in the game with Issac as the "change of pace" back.  I think Harbaugh is playing this correctly.  He is rewarding his hardworking Sr. with enough carries while developing his more explosive younger backs.  This is the reason we see Morris run package type plays.  They don't "steal" practice reps from Speight and JOK yet allow Harbaugh to reward Morris' hard work and dedication with some game time action.  I think he balances meritocracy with rewarding the program elders' dedication and "loyalty" perfectly. 

Joined: 05/13/2011

MGoPoints: 1120

redjugador24

October 13th, 2016 at 12:31 PM ^

But I don't think it's excessive for a few reasons.....

1) Harbaugh will always play the best players, regardless of class/experience. Gary, Asiasi, and a few others fit into this category.  Could even make the argument for guys like David Long, Devin Bush here that don't see a ton of time but do contribute meaningful snaps and could be an injury away from a significant increase in playing time.

2) Because of 1) above, there is no room for complacency from upper classmen. The competition is ongoing and guys don't want to lose playing time to a true freshman. If a guy is being redshirted he's not a threat to steal playing time.  This puts more pressure on everybody to compete at all times throughout the season.

3) This is almost certainly a (very effective) recruiting tactic to "put on tape" the fact that Freshman will play if they earn it. Blue Chip recruits want to play right away and Harbaugh can honestly say (and show tape) that if they come to UM they will have that opportunity.  If we can consistely re-stock the program with highly regarded recruits and have them improving every day, I think Harbaugh would greatly prefer that over "decent" recruits that all get a 5th year.  Again - the best guys will play every Saturday, so if the Freshman earn PT they give us a better chance than the 5th year guy.   

4) I don't think Harbaugh is overly concerned about "burning" a redshirt if a guy is ready to contribute and has earned playing time because if he's ready as a Freshman, he's probably not coming back for a 5th year anyways.  Plus there's ALWAYS going to be medical redshirts that can fall anywhere in the middle of a 4 year career and attrition that can't really be planned.  This all really ties back to point #1 which is give me the best team NOW and foster constant competition & development.

Joined: 11/08/2015

MGoPoints: 5461

Avon Barksdale

October 13th, 2016 at 2:12 PM ^

There is a reason to play the young guys early. Remember last year when Mario, Mone, and Glasgow went down along with the departure of Pipkins? Yeah, we had to watch Ohio State utterly destroy Pallante and Godin for four quarters. Sure would have been nice to have an experienced talented freshman like Kemp/Gary/Gil ready to go come November.

The small amount of September/October snaps come in handy in November when the inevitable injury bug bites you. Would it be ideal to have Gil, Metellus, Kemp, and others for a fifth year? Sure, but what does it really matter if you bring in a top 5 class of 21-25 guys every year.

Joined: 04/27/2013

MGoPoints: 12859

UofM626

October 13th, 2016 at 2:33 PM ^

and not burn your redshirt, just so you know. As long as you play under a certain amount of snaps before week 3 or it might be week 4 now you can still be redshirted. That's kinda how it works.

Joined: 01/02/2012

MGoPoints: 3443

CoverZero

October 13th, 2016 at 3:33 PM ^

Love what Harbaugh is doing with Freshman.  If they can play....they do...gotta build experience quickly with a senior-heavy team this season.

Joined: 08/30/2014

MGoPoints: 14571