The Redshirt Inferno

Helps. Lots of graduation and early departures. Guys will need to be ready in 2017.

ALWAYS trust Harbaugh.

Helps. We lose a ton of guys after this season, we need as many young guys battle tested as possible for that. Not to mention some of them will add value (e.g. Evans, Asiasi, Gary, Hudson) this season.

With Harbaugh recruiting, who needs redshirts?

i think it sends a signal out to all the recruits that if you are good you will play. he kept a few red shirts. i think it is smart.

Helps. This senior class was the apex of Brady Hoke's recruiting prowess, and his subsequent two classes lagged in quality and quantity.  It is important to get Harbaugh's first full class experience as we graduate a ton of talent this year.  The Freshmen this year are crazy talented, but they need seasoning at the college level to be able to step in next year and fill the spots that Hoke's last two years of recruits would struggle to fill.

 

By the time this is even something to be concerned about we will have 3 more years of top 5 Harbaugh recruiting classes to soften the blow.  I have faith the man knows what he is doing.

We shouldn't be talking about redshirts until we beat ..

One thing I think to note is that Harbaugh will most definitely not burn Peters redshirt. I think Harbaugh recognizes that THE most important position is QB for future success of the team.

It will be a bummer for 2-3 guys, a boon for a handful more, and the rest were never considered for redshirts. Also, because of the way college football is these days, it wouldn't be a big surprise for a couple to get their redshirt anyway due to a transfer or a medical year at some point in their career. 

Only head scratcher for me was Kingston Davis. Seems like 3 carries on the garbagest of garbage time for a guy 5-6th on the depth chart is a waste. Who knows, maybe he really lobbied to get in. Metolius and Uche seem like they aren't close to contributing competitive snaps, but they're in positions of need. No better way to improve than to play football. I know Brian didn't like McKeon playing because he's 4-5th on the TE depth chart, but the way I look at it, there's really two TE positions in Harbaugh's offense, so really he's 2nd or 3rd in the Flex role next year, depending on if Gentry develops.

Helps short term as we need more people ready to play next year. Also bc it makes Michigan even more intriguing than it already is. May cause regret in the future like we do for Dymonte Thomas. Someone who needed a redshirt and figure out their role in the team. But I think we'll recruit at a high level during Harbaugh's tenure so it won't end up mattering.

Look at the talent Harbaugh brings in. Most of these guys are ready as freshmen. Personally I think he wants kids to contribute immediately and will continue in that manner. Remember, the fifth year is not guaranteed to anyone. I see this as a continual reload. This is also a great recruiting tool. Most coaches say you'll see the field your first year. At Michigan, if you put in the work, you will.

I think it was a statement by Harbaugh about Michigan.

If you haven't made your mark early, you're going to be replaced by incoming talent by year 5 anyways.

In the old days this would have horrified me and truth be told, I'm still a bit anxious about it.

But, it sent a very clear statement. Good players are going to come here. Make your mark quickly.

Playing Freshman that are your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd best option now, and will be needed this year and likely next year, makes a lot of sense to me. It's a meritocracy.

I did question Higdon last year and thought I saw a tight End catch a pass on Saturday that I wasn't expecting to play, but my observations are based on my own thoughts and knowing none of what Harbaugh and the coaches do. Gotta trust em...

48 months to get a quality replacement ready behind them. Harbaugh is 20 months in and will be replacing a large portion of the team in another 12. I think when you look at 4 more recruiting cycles and maybe over 100 kids you gotta feel we will be just fine.