OT: 2018 OT Jalen Goss commits to Florida State
Valdosta (GA) Lowndes offensive tackle Jalen Goss committed to Florida State. To Greg Frey. Who used to be Michigan's OT/TE coach. So it's probably fair to say that Michigan had a pretty good shot at Goss if an offer from FSU/Frey a week ago turned into a commitment already.
This is most notable because it takes another OT off the board. For Michigan right now, it's basically Jarrett Patterson or Nick Petit-Frere in the 2018 class, unless they send out more offers.
January 15th, 2018 at 5:57 PM ^
Also noteworthy: Goss is a teammate of QB/RB Michael Barrett, who also has a Michigan offer. They aren't/weren't considered a package deal, but every little bit helps.
January 15th, 2018 at 5:59 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 6:04 PM ^
He is still a take, I believe. It is (was?) basically down to playing QB at Georgia Tech or RB at Michigan. Not too long ago, Georgia Tech flipped a QB from Virginia Tech (James Graham, whom Michigan also had offered). I still think Michigan is the favorite to get Barrett, but I don't blame him for weighing his options.
January 15th, 2018 at 6:31 PM ^
change this outlook?
January 15th, 2018 at 5:58 PM ^
Magnus, why are we having such a hard time recruiting the area for us of greatest need?
January 15th, 2018 at 6:02 PM ^
2 4-star tackles in the class
January 15th, 2018 at 6:02 PM ^
If the coaches weren't concerned about the position, they wouldn't be recruiting Goss, Patterson, and grad transfers.
January 15th, 2018 at 6:13 PM ^
it wasn't a position of concern or that we were still recruiting at
2 OL in the class isn't enough - need 3-4 (although we only lose 2, maybe 3 with JBB) this year
but Hayes is definitely a tackle and Mayfield looks like he could play anywhere on the line
need 1 more in my opinion, 2 more would be a bonus
January 15th, 2018 at 6:33 PM ^
True, but I'd put the grad transfers in a different category. That speaks to M's view of OT starting candidates for the 2018 season only. It shouldn't say anything about their view of the 2018 incoming recruiting class who would presumably (in most cases) not start impacting the depth chart in any realy way until 2019.
January 15th, 2018 at 6:51 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 7:03 PM ^
Hayes is coming in as a TE just like Mason came in as a LB, which is to say that he will only stay at that position for as long as it takes to set in that his path to playing time is at the position the coaches want him at.
January 16th, 2018 at 1:51 PM ^
I don't like the comparison. Mason from day 1 had the body to play FB or LB. Hayes does not have the body to play OT yet, and its not even close. He also looks to have narrow shoulders for an OL to me. Gaining 40-50 pounds might not be easy for him.
https://s3media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/187/307/6_7307187.jpg
I'm not saying he can't or won't put the weight on but I would not be surprised if he can't and ends up a large TE like Wheatley.
January 15th, 2018 at 6:09 PM ^
I think there are a few reasons. One is a bit of instability at the position coach spot (Frey left for FSU, Drevno is on the hot seat, etc.), and another is a lack of development at the position. Michigan's struggles to develop offensive linemen have been noted in a lot of places, and I'm sure some schools are using that against them.
Also, it is my belief that Michigan has narrowed its board too much. A guy like Jarrett Patterson isn't under any pressure to commit, because Michigan isn't pursuing enough other people to squeeze him out of the class.
Additionally, Michigan is trying to recruit a lot of kids from Georgia, Florida, California, Texas, etc., and it's just really tough to get them. It's not a coincidence that kids from Michigan, Illinois, etc. almost always put the Wolverines toward the top of their board, just like what happened with Ryan Hayes and Jalen Mayfield. I'm not saying Michigan should offer more kids from the state of Michigan, but there are other talented kids in the midwest.
January 15th, 2018 at 6:24 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 6:46 PM ^
but not to Michigan. Not every southern kid will come north. Auburn had all of the CBs for Goss until FSU got involved.
January 15th, 2018 at 8:14 PM ^
Man, I feel so old. I remember when Michigan was year in and year out in the top 5 OL in size and production. I love you "Glory Days"...but maybe come back and visit.
January 15th, 2018 at 10:54 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 9:08 PM ^
I am surprised they haven't had more success in the region getting linemen. They got the top guys in the state this year at the position, but like you said, they seem to be going national and maybe they could have better prospects looking closer to the area even if the players might be lower rated/have a lower ceiling. I guess they assume they'll have a chance to poach them late in the process, but that feels like a dangerous game to play.
January 15th, 2018 at 6:21 PM ^
Harbaugh had a dominate line at Stanford so why the struggles here at a school pretty well known for line play
January 15th, 2018 at 6:27 PM ^
I don't think the whole Michigan being known for line play really holds water. When was the last time that was true? The late 90s? This decade (8 years of drafting) we've had 6 OL drafted, 3 in rounds 3 or earlier, and 1 first rounder. Jake Long and David Baas are the only other OL we've had drafted before round 4 since 2001.
Since 2002 (16 years of drafts) we've had 2 1st round OL, 1 2nd round OL, and 2 3rd round OL. What about that screams "school known for OL play?" Especially to the kids we're recruiting who were being born around 2001 at this point. As long as they've lived, and more importantly currently, Michigan has not been a good school for OL to develop at, so it's not really a selling point for recruits.
January 15th, 2018 at 6:31 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 6:33 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 7:23 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 7:34 PM ^
This guy is responding to a mobile troll who is collpased on desktop, not me.
January 15th, 2018 at 10:56 PM ^
January 16th, 2018 at 9:29 AM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 6:31 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 9:53 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 9:53 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 6:49 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 7:01 PM ^
This is true I need to remember that I'm older than recruits and I remember Jon Runyan, Doug Skene, Steve Everitt, John Elliott, Dean Dingman, John Vitale, Jake Long and so many others
January 15th, 2018 at 6:21 PM ^
Jr collage, 5th year transfers forget the stars. lots of good players are still out. look at michigan, ohio etc. closer to home better chance.
January 15th, 2018 at 6:27 PM ^
Things have changed under Harbaugh but Michigan doesn't go the JC route
January 15th, 2018 at 6:33 PM ^
doesn't let in much JUCO transfers.
January 15th, 2018 at 9:01 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 9:15 PM ^
#toosoon
January 15th, 2018 at 9:45 PM ^
Deontay Anderson, the 4-star safety from Ole Miss. Too bad.
January 15th, 2018 at 6:23 PM ^
It's amazing to me that Michigan could be so unsettled at OL three years into the Harbaugh regime.
January 15th, 2018 at 6:51 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 6:30 PM ^
Interesting to see if this means FSU isn't getting into the mix with NPF. Florida state offered Goss only 5 days ago. Obviously Frey knew him from recruiting him at Michigan.
January 15th, 2018 at 6:35 PM ^
would make a spot for NPF. Goss is a high upside player, but raw.
January 15th, 2018 at 7:04 PM ^
Unless there was an understanding in place
January 15th, 2018 at 6:38 PM ^
Was there talk about FSU getting involved with NPF?
January 15th, 2018 at 7:07 PM ^
Yes, Frey's area is Tampa and he recruited NPF a good deal at Michigan. NPF himself said that Frey's addition in Talahassee would intrigue him, but there may be an understanding between Jim and Willie/Greg about NPF's recruitment.
January 15th, 2018 at 7:09 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 7:23 PM ^
Like Harbaugh's brother taking a coach from us whose main recruiting area is the hometown of our most important target in years agreeing to not go after said target very hard. Idk if that's what has happened, but Harbaugh and Taggart have the type of relationship where I could certainly see that.
January 15th, 2018 at 9:47 PM ^
not sure about recruiting players.
January 15th, 2018 at 10:04 PM ^
More like the gentleman's agreement that the Big Ten had before RichRod showed up.
January 15th, 2018 at 6:32 PM ^
January 15th, 2018 at 6:39 PM ^