Freshmen On OL
I deleted the game from my DVR before I got a better look. Did any of the freshmen OL get into Saturday's game? I'm specifically thinking about Kalis and Braden (although Magnuson is listed on the two deep).
It seems to me that if those guys are going to play at all this year.....this was the game to do it. Now, it seems unlikely that they'll burn a redshirt unless it's necessary due to injury (fingers crossed).
I'm surprised by how many freshmen have played up to this point. I guess that bodes well for the future.
September 17th, 2012 at 11:00 PM ^
They did not play, and I believe Hoke stated that outside of injury, the freshman that have already played will be the only ones to do so
September 17th, 2012 at 11:03 PM ^
I'm a little surprised about Kalis. The OL should be pretty deep (and dominant) in another 2-3 years.
September 17th, 2012 at 11:24 PM ^
It's rare for a true freshman offensive lineman to play. That extra year of learning and putting on weight seems extra important for offensive linemen.
September 18th, 2012 at 1:20 AM ^
Lewan redshirted, Long redshirted, Boren played as a true frosh, then he redSHARTed.
September 18th, 2012 at 3:43 PM ^
I wanted to start a new thread about the future of this team...but I don't have enough points to start my own thread...and this is the best opening I'm going to get.
The first "All-Hoke" team. 2014. Not next season, but the next. It won't be a true "All-Hoke" team...as it will include some redshirted players from Rich Rod's last full class, and some Rich Rod commits from Hoke's first half-class...but it's close to an "All-Hoke" team. How good will it be?
*Keep in mind that the 2014 class (Michael Ferns and co.) will be true freshmen on this squad.
*OFFENSE*:
QB: S. Morris(So./Fr.), R. Bellomy(Jr.)
… Shane should be the starting QB of this team. No one seems to have a clue about D. Gardner’s medical R.S; and I think it’s irrelevant here – Shane’s going to be the best QB of this group. It might even be his second season as our starting QB. That means we should be full-on into Borges’ Pro-Style offense at this point. Let’s hope that Shane is at least half as good as we all hope he is.
PB: D. Smith(So./Fr.), W. Shallman(So./Fr.), T. Rawls(Sr.), J. Hayes(Jr.), D. Johnson(So.)
SB: D. Norfleet(Jr.)
FB: S. Houma(Jr.), *J. Kerridge(Jr.)
…This will be Hoke’s first season without F. Toussaint. I haven’t been one bit impressed with T. Rawls thus far, so I think that D. Smith or W. Shallman (or D. Green, a ’14 stud) is the leader in the clubhouse to replace him. I like both, and behind what should be a great OL, I think that we could have one of the best power-running games in the nation outside of Bama/LSU at this point. I also expect D. Norfleet to be the D. Sproles of college football at this point.
WR: (?)D. Gardner(Sr.), J. Chesson(So.), R. Miller(Sr.)
WR: J. Robinson(Sr.), J. Dukes(So./Fr.)
WR: A. Darboh(Jr.), C. York(So./Fr.)
…This is somewhat of an area of concern. If Gardner gets his medical redshirt and continues to develop, that helps. But none of these other receivers have much sex-appeal. Most of them could be more than solid, and some of them could be great. Still, L. Treadwell and/or a ’14 stud committing would be a big, big deal.
TE: D. Funchess(Jr.), J. Butt(So./Fr.), J. Paskorz(Sr.)
TE: A. Williams(Jr.), K. Hill(So./Fr.), *C. Eddins(Sr.)
…This should be a real position of strength. D. Funchess looks like a future All-American and high NFL draft pick. J. Butt has a ton of potential. A. Williams – should he remain a TE – is going to be a great blocker. And K. Hill makes some interesting personnel groupings possible. Looking good!
LT: K. Kalis(So.), E. Magnuson(So.), *K. Mateus(Sr.)
LG: K. Bosch(So./Fr.), B. Bars(So.), *J. Burzinski(Sr.)
C: P. Kugler(So./Fr.), J. Miller(Jr.)
RG: D. Dawson(So./Fr.), C. Bryant(Jr.), *R. Glasgow(Jr.)
RT: C. Fox(So./Fr.), L. T-Tillman(So./Fr.), B. Braden(So.)
…This should be another position of strength. It’s hard to tell who will emerge at this point. But it’s safe to bet that a great OL should emerge out of the group. Nine 4-star or better recruits in the group, all with at least one season of experience. Looking good!
*DEFENSE*:
NT: O. Pimpkins(Jr.), M. Hurst(So./Fr.), R. Ash(Sr.)
3T: H. Poggi(So/Fr.), C. Henry(So.), M. Godin(So.), K. Wilkins(Sr.)
SE: B. Beyer(Sr.), C. Wormley(So.), T. Strobel(So.), K. Heitzman(Jr.)
WE: F. Clark(Sr.), M. Ojemudia(Jr.), T. Charlton(So./Fr.)
…This should be another position of strength. F. Clark looks like a future All-American and high NFL draft pick. B. Beyer is a great player who I think could bulk up to get on the field at the same time as Clark. Pimpkins and Poggi are both real-deal studs who could emerge. And there is just a TON of greath depth behind all of them! Looking good!
SLB: J. Ryan(Sr.), B. Gedeon(So./Fr.), K. Ringer(So.)
MLB: J. Bolden(Jr.), M. McCray(So./Fr.), R. J-Stone(Jr.)
WLB: J. Ross(Jr.), M. Ferns(Fr.), D. Morgan(Sr.), A. Poole(Jr.)
…This should be another position of strength. J. Ryan should be a 4th year starter, and J. Bolden and J. Ross should be 3rd year starters. Plus, we’ve got three – IMO – real-deal studs behind them in Gedeon, McCray and Ferns. AND some great depth behind THEM! Looking good!
FC: B. Countess(Jr.), T. Richardson(Jr.), J. Lewis(So./Fr.)
BC: R. Taylor(Sr.), G. Conley(So./Fr.), C. Stribling(So./Fr.)
NB: R. Douglas(So./Fr.), D. Hollowell(Sr.)
…This should be another position of strength. Countess and Taylor are both basically going to be 3rd year starters. R. Douglas is taylor-made for the nickel-back position. And there’s just a TON of super talented depth behind them. Looking good!
FS: J. Wilson(Jr.), J. Clark(So.)
SS: D. Thomas(So./Fr.), A. Gant(So.), J. Furman(Sr.)
…This should be another position of strength. Wilson is a 2nd or 3rd year starter with a ton of talent. D. Thomas is a real-deal 5-star talent. Clark and Gant provide great depth. L. McQuay could very well be a part of this group as well. Looking good!
*SPECIAL TEAMS*:
K: M. Wile(Sr.)
P: K. Allen(So.)
LS: S. Sypniewski(So./Fr.)
R: D. Norfleet(Jr.)
…This should be another area of strength. More than enough talent at each spot – and Norfleet could be an All-American candidate as a return man.
*OVERALL*:
…This is going to be a team that has an elite, elite level defense. Not quite at the current Bama/LSU level, but close, and certainly the best in the B1G. That’s what this team is going to be known for. It’s going to be a team that’s able to run the ball very well as well. Again, not quite at the current Bama/LSU level, but close, and certainly the best in the B1G. The passing game is sort of the x-factor. It could be above average, it could be great. Who knows? We’ll have to wait and see. But one thing is certain – D. Green, L. Treadwell, L. McQuay, these are all very, very important recruits.
September 17th, 2012 at 11:03 PM ^
2nd team OL was
Kristian Mateus - LT
Joey Burzynski - LG
Jack Miller - C
Graham Glawsgow - RG
Erik Gunderson - RT
AFAIK, those are the guys that finished the game.
September 17th, 2012 at 11:08 PM ^
so many walks on... curse you RR oline recruiting.
hopefully miller will develop well though. Hes a redshirt freshman without looking right?
September 17th, 2012 at 11:25 PM ^
Both Miller and Glasgow are RS FR. Burzynski and Mateus are RS SO and Gunderson is a RS JR.
September 18th, 2012 at 1:54 PM ^
that Jack Miller is a DE.
September 18th, 2012 at 3:07 PM ^
Magnuson and Braden would both play if they had to. However, I think we'd be more likely to play Burzynski at guard and kick Mealer or Omameh out to tackle.
September 18th, 2012 at 3:44 PM ^
Actually I think there was a series later in the UMass game, but before the wholesale changes, where Lewan came out, Schofield went to left tackle one of the guards (can't remember which one) went to right tackle and Burzynski came in at guard.
September 17th, 2012 at 11:06 PM ^
Pray that we do not see any freshman with significant playing time on OL. (That does not include Jack Miller who I belive is a RS Freshman).
I already have nightmares of one of the starters going down and young Kalis or Magnuson getting lost at such a young age with the type of defenses that we have to play upcoming.
September 17th, 2012 at 11:08 PM ^
September 17th, 2012 at 11:44 PM ^
It takes more than attitude.
September 17th, 2012 at 11:12 PM ^
Offensive linemen don't rotate during normal (i.e., close/competitive) game situations, so the starting five we have now are likely to remain the starters all season unless there is an injury. Since none of the freshmen are among that group, the staff probably figures they'll try to redshirt all five of them and hope for the best. If an injury happens and they need to throw Kalis into the fire, so be it.
I can also see the counterargument--we're unlikely to get through the whole season without somebody on the O-line going down, so may as well put him in against UMass and get some early experience, But having a shot at an extra year of Kalis is probably > one quarter of action against UMass.
September 17th, 2012 at 11:19 PM ^
Sure, but if Kalis is the player we think he will be, also likely he doesn't stay around for a 5th year.
September 17th, 2012 at 11:49 PM ^
September 17th, 2012 at 11:17 PM ^
If either tackle gets hurt, Burzynski will come in and play right guard, and Omameh will bump out to RT....
If either Guard gets hurt, Burzynski in...
If Mealer gets hurt, could see Barnum in with Burzynski at LG or Miller in...
If two people get hurt, however, I bet Kalis or Braden plays... Gunderson and Mateus looked downright AWFUL
September 17th, 2012 at 11:25 PM ^
Personally I'd like to see Braden, Magnuson, and Kalis keep their RS until next year when this year's OL class is on campus. I think if Kugler is as good, as all of the scouts say he is, then he'll play as freshman. Then Hoke and Funk can get all of the right pieces in place and turn this O-line loose on an unsuspecting Big Ten.
September 17th, 2012 at 11:30 PM ^
When you say Kugler is going to start, are you assuming that he starts at guard? There were some talks about him being recruited to play center.
September 18th, 2012 at 9:06 AM ^
I'd assume he meant him starting at center over Miller.
September 18th, 2012 at 10:59 PM ^
September 17th, 2012 at 11:27 PM ^
I'm usually not one to look beyond this season much, but I was just coming to the realization that if Lewan leaves we're going to be replacing 4 out of 5 Olinemen. Then I took a look at the depth chart and realized that between those 4 guys and the next guys on the depth chart I'm pretty sure there's a collective 13 years of age and experience between them. Lewan to Magnusson- 3 years; Barnum to Kalis- 4 years; Mealer to Miller- 3 years; Omameh to Bryant(I think?)- 3 years; Schofield. I might not have this right and the positions are very likely going to get shuffled, but dang. Coupled with losing our superhero QB and probably transitioning much further into Borges's preferred style means the offense could look really rough next year. Someone please convince me otherwise. Seriously, I want to think otherwise.
September 18th, 2012 at 12:21 AM ^
1) We get 3 months of football and 9 months of no football... enjoy 2012 right now.
2) You're right, next year will be a transition year on offense... it will be young, but that doesn't mean the offense is doomed!
September 18th, 2012 at 1:04 AM ^
next year will hopefully be pretty stout, especially with all the young guys seeing time and getting experience.
September 18th, 2012 at 7:51 AM ^
September 18th, 2012 at 12:27 AM ^
Yeah I've thought about this recently. I'm thinking 7-5. :(
It's especially a shame because next year all the powerhouses are at home. We'll start to really see the benefits of Hoke's recruiting in 2014 and hopefully from there on we have an upward trajectory and the sky is the limit.
September 18th, 2012 at 7:03 AM ^
September 18th, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^
but stayed as a 5th year senior. He then becomes #1 pick in the draft.
Lesson ? Offensive lineman still need a vast amount of game experience at the college level (plus they still develop physically) during the 5th year. I still believe Lewan will return next year which will help his NFL prospects in the draft 2 years from now.
Go Blue!
September 17th, 2012 at 11:28 PM ^
Is Chris Bryant injured or something? He didn't come in with the second team and is not listed on the offcial depth charts.
September 17th, 2012 at 11:30 PM ^
September 17th, 2012 at 11:31 PM ^
Thanks. I totally forgot about that.
September 17th, 2012 at 11:49 PM ^
We could really have used Chris Bryant this year. He would have been 1st off the bench if not a starter by now.
September 18th, 2012 at 7:08 AM ^
September 18th, 2012 at 7:09 AM ^
September 18th, 2012 at 7:30 AM ^
I would doubt it...if most full time freshman OL have a a hard time catching up, it's probably DOOM if a freshman that spends half his time catching passes is our best option on the Oline
September 18th, 2012 at 8:32 AM ^
Have they even looked his way. Seems like he's only been in on run plays
September 18th, 2012 at 9:08 AM ^
September 18th, 2012 at 9:24 AM ^
He had 0 receptions his senior year of high school, so not too surprised. Plus the ButtFunch combo next year will take all of those TE receptions.
September 18th, 2012 at 9:35 AM ^
Is a pretty big run indicator.
September 18th, 2012 at 9:59 AM ^
September 18th, 2012 at 9:40 AM ^
No shit did the same thing.. The last series at the end had damn near the whole freshman class on D.. Pipkins, Richardson, Jenkins Stone, Wilson, etc.. First yr I have really was aware of the recruits i have been following...I enjoyed watching them play.. All looked good
September 18th, 2012 at 10:17 AM ^
Not to pick on him since all the freshmen probably did freshmen like things at one point or another, but Pipkins really didn't look that great. He got blown up on a couple double teams and while he did generate some push one on one he couldn't seem to disengage from the block to make the tackle. He was amazingly fast in pursuit in the open field though. I think he'll be a force next year after they've had a chance to work on losing some bad weight and building up his strength, but I don't think he'll threaten Q Wash or BWC this year as starter.
September 18th, 2012 at 3:15 PM ^
Other than Schofield and MAYBE Miller, the entire starting OL is going to be rookies who have not played a down of college football in their lives. That is terrifying, and it might mean some walk-ons actually start at the beggining of the year. Burzynski probably will.
Let's cross our fingers and hope Lewan does the illogical thing and returns for his 5th year.