Playing with House Money: 2022 Michigan Football

Zososoxfan

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Trained his ass off and probably made himself a nice chunk of change. Michigan should have approx. 8 players drafted, but I'd be surprised if more than one was a first rounder:

Mazi Smith
DJ Turner
Olu Oluwatimi
Mike Morris
Ryan Hayes
Ronnie Bell
Luke Schoonmaker
Jake Moody (Kicker)

Mazi seems like a late first rounder to me. He's got elite strength and the first round IMO is about having elite skills. He's not electric enough against the pass, but he's a two-gap NT, and a 3-4 D or any team that wants the NT to two-gap will want him. Chargers, Giants?

Olu is an elite C, and I'm surprised he's not higher on draft boards. Dude won the Rimington and was a finalist last year. Biggest knock on play is that he had a terrific OL around him, I guess? Bucs??

Similar to Mazi, I think Mike Morris has an elite skillset (very strong against the run) but I think he's not quite as elite as Mazi in his one skill, but unlike Mazi I think Morris is a significant positive against the pass. He's not any kind of edge rusher, but he's the quintessential anvil for those bendy edge guys to hammer opposite of (syntax is hard on Monday morning). I think he's an early 2nd rounder for the clubs that typically draft defense well--maybe Houston, Tennessee, Jets, or Pats? Likely need to look at need more than fit here.

Turner should be a late 2nd or early 3rd rounder as a top notch slot corner. That's just not a hugely valuable position though, as there are plenty of twitchy and terrific undersized college CBs.

Hayes looks to me like a late 3rd-5th rounder. The kind of depth OT that any team is usually happy to take, since he's got the right frame at 6'6'' for it. He's a little underweight, but he's likely not a year 1 contributor anyway.

Bell is a Michigan favorite, but he's a 4th/5th WR/ST type. Late 5th, 6th, or 7th even.

Schoon probably has the widest range of any Michigan player IMO. As an inline TE with decent route running, he could be a late 2nd or 3rd rounder, or a 5th rounder if clubs don't see the projection.

Moody is a kicker.

@SMU_Sox , any opinions or chatter on these guys?
 

SMU_Sox

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1) Yes I knew/expected Turner was that fast. A lot of the draft pods were saying to expect him to break the combine. Check out Journey to the Draft :)
2) I have a ton of opinions.

I like Mike Morris - he has pad level issues but when he gets the right hip sink and leverage he is a hoss. Super strong.
Olu needs to get more powerful but I think he is a fringe starting center with some OG versatility who I see anywhere from late late day 3 to more realistically a 4th/5th rounder.
Bell is a practice squad kind of guy. Didn't think much of him.
I loved Luke Schoonmaker. 2nd best blocking TE in the class and a certified ass kicker. I have a 2nd/3rd round kind of grade on him and I think he can be a starter. Better receiver than given credit for but needs to work on his route running. Nothing special with RAC. Would love to see him on the Pats. (I don't do round grades but I have a rough translation for my grades into rounds if that makes sense).
I like Ryan Hayes as a backup swing tackle who probably makes sense as an OG in a gap/power scheme. He might be able to back up 4/5 OL spots in time. Super sub type.
 

Zososoxfan

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1) Yes I knew/expected Turner was that fast. A lot of the draft pods were saying to expect him to break the combine. Check out Journey to the Draft :)
2) I have a ton of opinions.

I like Mike Morris - he has pad level issues but when he gets the right hip sink and leverage he is a hoss. Super strong.
Olu needs to get more powerful but I think he is a fringe starting center with some OG versatility who I see anywhere from late late day 3 to more realistically a 4th/5th rounder.
Bell is a practice squad kind of guy. Didn't think much of him.
I loved Luke Schoonmaker. 2nd best blocking TE in the class and a certified ass kicker. I have a 2nd/3rd round kind of grade on him and I think he can be a starter. Better receiver than given credit for but needs to work on his route running. Nothing special with RAC. Would love to see him on the Pats. (I don't do round grades but I have a rough translation for my grades into rounds if that makes sense).
I like Ryan Hayes as a backup swing tackle who probably makes sense as an OG in a gap/power scheme. He might be able to back up 4/5 OL spots in time. Super sub type.
Really appreciate you popping in here! Where do you expect Mazi, Morris, and Turner to get drafted?
 

SMU_Sox

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Really appreciate you popping in here! Where do you expect Mazi, Morris, and Turner to get drafted?
TBH I am not sure. I have seen Mazi talked about as a 2nd rounder, Morris sometime late day 2 or day 3, and Turner I have seen some guys have him as top 75 and others top 125 or so. Let me give you an update in about a month.
 

Zososoxfan

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TBH I am not sure. I have seen Mazi talked about as a 2nd rounder, Morris sometime late day 2 or day 3, and Turner I have seen some guys have him as top 75 and others top 125 or so. Let me give you an update in about a month.
Thank you again for your thoughts, cheers!
 

Zososoxfan

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Here is Luke Schoonmaker blocking. Such an asskicker... figured you all would appreciate it.

View: https://twitter.com/JohnALimberakis/status/1633889326588108801?s=20
That's a nifty lil play design eh?

Michigan landed a huge get in the 2024 recruiting class, bringing in 5* QB Jadyn Davis from NC. Kid seems to understand he's gotta take lead building this class to boot. Michigan's spring game is tomorrow, and I expect there will be some other commits to fall over the weekend. Davis' scouting says he's not a big guy at 6'1'', but he's exceptionally accurate, good reader, mobile, accurate from the pocket as well as on the move, and a good enough runner to keep defenses honest. The Tua comps came up for sure.
 

Average Reds

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That's a nifty lil play design eh?

Michigan landed a huge get in the 2024 recruiting class, bringing in 5* QB Jadyn Davis from NC. Kid seems to understand he's gotta take lead building this class to boot. Michigan's spring game is tomorrow, and I expect there will be some other commits to fall over the weekend. Davis' scouting says he's not a big guy at 6'1'', but he's exceptionally accurate, good reader, mobile, accurate from the pocket as well as on the move, and a good enough runner to keep defenses honest. The Tua comps came up for sure.
It’s a hugely important get, because JJ is almost certainly going to leave after next season and, as you mentioned, Davis understands that by committing early, he’s in a position to help build the recruiting class.

He would have committed earlier if not for the QB coach losing his damn mind and committing computer fraud. (Still shaking my head at that one.) But, better later than never.

We move forward.
 

Zososoxfan

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Not 2022-related, but Michigan will be hosting Texas in Ann Arbor on 9/7/24. Return game is in 2027 in Austin.
They have a home and home scheduled with OU coming up too. USC and UCLA almost certainly on the schedule soon as well, and season ticket packages are looking way more interesting in the next handful of seasons.
 

Granite Sox

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Picked up a couple more good recruits (TE Brady Prieskorn, DL Jerod Smith, IOL Jake Guanera) and as of this moment stand #1 in 2024 recruiting. Still have some big time targets out there at LB, DB, WR, and DL. Mama mia! Might be Harbs’ best class if things continue on this trajectory.

On the other side of the coin, AJ Henning, RJ Moten, and Nikhai Hill-Green have all entered the transfer portal. Each made some good contributions to the team and started at different points in their career, but are caught up in a numbers game at their respective positions and are likely searching for a clearer path to playing time.
 
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SMU_Sox

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Just wondering if anyone would want to meet up and go to Penn State - Michigan at Penn State this year. Don't have to sit together but might be fun...
 

Granite Sox

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It will be a great atmosphere, but a bit too far for this old guy to travel. I haven’t even been to the Big House in many many years… need to get back there first.

P.S. It would be great to go to a game with you; I’d love to understand how you view various Wolverines through your lens…
 

Zososoxfan

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Just wondering if anyone would want to meet up and go to Penn State - Michigan at Penn State this year. Don't have to sit together but might be fun...
It will be a great atmosphere, but a bit too far for this old guy to travel. I haven’t even been to the Big House in many many years… need to get back there first.

P.S. It would be great to go to a game with you; I’d love to understand how you view various Wolverines through your lens…
Love this idea for the future, but I'm in the same boat as Granite. I'm trying to take the fam to a game this fall, as the kiddos to A2 yet and I haven't been there in at least 5-6 years.
 

SMU_Sox

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My favorite part of being at games and why I dislike broadcast is you can’t see what is happening down field. Most of the time when I am watching I am watching the route distributions and what the secondary does. It’s crazy to me on so many plays on TV you might only see 4-5 defenders in the shot. I usually look at coverage wise what is happening the most. Though with Michigan I’m going to be looking a lot at the LOS because they guys they have up front on offense are some of the best of the best.
 

Zososoxfan

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My favorite part of being at games and why I dislike broadcast is you can’t see what is happening down field. Most of the time when I am watching I am watching the route distributions and what the secondary does. It’s crazy to me on so many plays on TV you might only see 4-5 defenders in the shot. I usually look at coverage wise what is happening the most. Though with Michigan I’m going to be looking a lot at the LOS because they guys they have up front on offense are some of the best of the best.
It bothers me to no end that football isn't broadcast from the Madden cam view yet. Like, there aren't many casual fans of sports anymore--there are enough distractions out there. Give the diehards what they want. Moreover, I'm much more impressed by quickness and lateral speed than I am about straight lining. And it's not like bigtime NCAA and NFL don't already have the money and production infrastructure to give us Madden cam and then cut to a breakaway if necessary. At least give us the option for it!
 

tims4wins

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It bothers me to no end that football isn't broadcast from the Madden cam view yet. Like, there aren't many casual fans of sports anymore--there are enough distractions out there. Give the diehards what they want. Moreover, I'm much more impressed by quickness and lateral speed than I am about straight lining. And it's not like bigtime NCAA and NFL don't already have the money and production infrastructure to give us Madden cam and then cut to a breakaway if necessary. At least give us the option for it!
Only problem with the Madden cam is you still can't see the outside WRs.
 

twibnotes

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I’ve been to State College a few times to see the Wolverines - highly recommend. It’s an awesome take
 

Eric1984

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I would actually love to do that -- never been to a game in Happy Valley -- but we'll be traveling to Pittsburgh the weekend before for Pitt parents weekend (and, presumably, Pitt vs. FSU).
 

Rick Burlesons Yam Bag

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It bothers me to no end that football isn't broadcast from the Madden cam view yet. Like, there aren't many casual fans of sports anymore--there are enough distractions out there. Give the diehards what they want. Moreover, I'm much more impressed by quickness and lateral speed than I am about straight lining. And it's not like bigtime NCAA and NFL don't already have the money and production infrastructure to give us Madden cam and then cut to a breakaway if necessary. At least give us the option for it!
Let me politely disagree. If you look back on broadcasts from the 70s - 80s, the cameras were almost entirely focused on the LoS and the tackle box. When you would watch replays after each play, you would generally see a narrow angle of the WR from a distance. In the last 10-15 years the networks have gotten MUCH better about having the camera angle for the live play come from a consistent angle focused on the tackle box or slot-to-slot (and that is a good thing, IMO, but reasonable people can disagree), but the replays and color breakdowns - more often than not - capture the coverage and motion across the field. It isn't perfect, but it is so, so much better.
 

Zososoxfan

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Only problem with the Madden cam is you still can't see the outside WRs.
Let me politely disagree. If you look back on broadcasts from the 70s - 80s, the cameras were almost entirely focused on the LoS and the tackle box. When you would watch replays after each play, you would generally see a narrow angle of the WR from a distance. In the last 10-15 years the networks have gotten MUCH better about having the camera angle for the live play come from a consistent angle focused on the tackle box or slot-to-slot (and that is a good thing, IMO, but reasonable people can disagree), but the replays and color breakdowns - more often than not - capture the coverage and motion across the field. It isn't perfect, but it is so, so much better.
I should've been more specific--narrowest view that include the WRs from the high EZ perspective. I'm willing to die on the 'lateral quickness is more entertaining to watch than straighline speed' hill.
 

tims4wins

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B1G announced the new schedule formula. Somehow MSU is not a protected opponent for UM, and yet, Iowa has 3 protected opponents (including Nebraska, which only joined the B1G within the last decade). WTF?
 

MuzzyField

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B1G announced the new schedule formula. Somehow MSU is not a protected opponent for UM, and yet, Iowa has 3 protected opponents (including Nebraska, which only joined the B1G within the last decade). WTF?
I think it was, at least according the ESPN article.

The protected games are: Michigan-Ohio State, UCLA-USC, Minnesota-Wisconsin, Indiana-Purdue, Michigan State-Michigan, Iowa-Minnesota, Illinois-Northwestern, Iowa-Nebraska, Maryland-Rutgers, Iowa-Wisconsin and Illinois-Purdue. The Big Ten on Thursday announced all opponents for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, although specific dates will be finalized later.
 

tims4wins

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Granite Sox

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Kind of a joke, especially when compared to all the shit that went down at Tennessee. But missing the non-league schedule plus Rutgers isn’t the biggest deal…
 

Average Reds

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What's this suspension for?
The simplest explanation is that Michigan committed some technical infractions, which the school acknowledged. But the NCAA believed that the coaching staff was initially less-than-candid with investigators. And they wanted to hit Michigan with major infractions because of it.

When this first came up in January, Harbaugh was very vocal in saying that he would not accept any finding that he lied to the NCAA:

In the Notice of Allegations drafted earlier this month, the NCAA alleged that Michigan held practices with too many coaches on the field, contacted two prospects during the extended COVID-19 dead period, and observed practices via an unauthorized video feed. Those are all Level II violations and considered minor in nature. Harbaugh has acknowledged those violations and apologized to the university, but stands firm that he didn't recall those events upon first speaking with investigators and was never deliberately deceitful.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/resolution-talks-between-jim-harbaugh-ncaa-stall-after-coach-refuses-to-admit-level-i-violation/

The way that this has now been settled tells me that the NCAA is basically looking to save face here. If reporting is accurate, they gave out two seemingly serious penalties - suspending Harbaugh and issuing a one year "show cause" notice for Mike Macdonald - but if one looks below the surface, these are relatively toothless slaps on the wrist. (Harbaugh misses one conference game against Rutgers and Macdonald is a defensive coordinator with the Ravens.)

Basically, the NCAA gets to claim vindication without actually inflicting significant punishment for the technical violations and Michigan gets to move on.
 

Zososoxfan

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The simplest explanation is that Michigan committed some technical infractions, which the school acknowledged. But the NCAA believed that the coaching staff was initially less-than-candid with investigators. And they wanted to hit Michigan with major infractions because of it.

When this first came up in January, Harbaugh was very vocal in saying that he would not accept any finding that he lied to the NCAA:



https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/resolution-talks-between-jim-harbaugh-ncaa-stall-after-coach-refuses-to-admit-level-i-violation/

The way that this has now been settled tells me that the NCAA is basically looking to save face here. If reporting is accurate, they gave out two seemingly serious penalties - suspending Harbaugh and issuing a one year "show cause" notice for Mike Macdonald - but if one looks below the surface, these are relatively toothless slaps on the wrist. (Harbaugh misses one conference game against Rutgers and Macdonald is a defensive coordinator with the Ravens.)

Basically, the NCAA gets to claim vindication without actually inflicting significant punishment for the technical violations and Michigan gets to move on.
With NIL and Tennessee happening at the same time, the NCAA once again shows itself to be the dumbest organization ever. Just wow.
 

cornwalls@6

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Can't believe I'm writing this, but rooting for Harbaugh on this one. The "infractions" were such typical, NCAA bullshit, that I'm at the point where I don't even care if he lied to them. Good. Fuck that organization. Beat them in every way you can.
 

Average Reds

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I don't think this ends with the NCAA holding the short end of the stick.
I think it does.

The NCAA is in a difficult spot here, because they are trying to insist on an unprovable assertion - that Harbaugh is lying when he said he didn’t remember one of the specific (minor) violations that Michigan later agreed had happened. And they are using that unprovable assertion as a way to bootstrap a series of minor violations into a major violation.

Cooler heads seemingly prevailed when they made a face-saving deal with Michigan, and now the COI has rejected that deal, which leaves Michigan and Harbaugh in the position that they have nothing to lose by pressing their case.

Does the NCAA have the “right” to find Harbaugh guilty regardless of the facts? Yes. But that exercise of power comes with the abandonment of the moral high ground, and will hasten the eventual implosion of the NCAA as a sanctioning body for collegiate sports. (IMHO, of course.)