Steve Wiltfong puts in 3 new CBs to Michigan
4 star CB IL Jyaire Hill, he's down to Michigan and Illinois. Expected to announce on ESD this Wednesday, Dec 21st at 4 PM.
3 star CO LB Hayden Moore, currently committed to Nebraska.
3 star transfer OL Drake Nugent from Stanford. He has 2 years of eligibility left, started the last 24 games for Stanford at C and was All-Pac 12 honorable mention this year. He was ranked outside of the top 1000 as a recruit in 2019, and is currently the #63 transfer player according to 247.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:33 PM ^
Really hope Hill goes blue.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:36 PM ^
instant Center
just add portal
December 18th, 2022 at 2:37 PM ^
We currently have 86 scholarships according to the depth chart on this page. We have 19 commits and 4 transfers as we speak and looking at at least 3 more and a few more high school kids. Let’s say the overall combined numbers hit 30, that’s a lot of attrition unless Michigan can still carry a lot of covid spots?
December 18th, 2022 at 2:38 PM ^
I can’t remember which post it was, but Brian said there basically is no such thing as scholarship and/or roster limits now
December 18th, 2022 at 2:45 PM ^
If that’s true then that is awesome! Keep the three deep and add to it!!
December 18th, 2022 at 3:05 PM ^
NIL is a wonderful thing. It makes scholarship limits a thing of the past per Brian/Seth.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:38 PM ^
Just give people NIL deals in lieu of scholarships…
December 18th, 2022 at 2:38 PM ^
Scholarship numbers dont mean shit anymore.
December 18th, 2022 at 4:23 PM ^
I’m not really sure I agree that the 85 is no longer a thing. I think there are limitations on things when an athlete is not on scholarship so it’s not like teams are going to have 100 scholarship guys and 15 are just being paid NIL. I think you can get really good PWO types with NIL money, but I think teams are still paying attention to the 85 number. I think we were at 86 last year from what I counted. I’ve seen people say 88, but I don’t see it. So probably somebody was without a scholarship that normally would have one, but don’t expect us to have a 5 deep at every position because the limits don’t exist anymore. It’s still relevant.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:40 PM ^
Pick 85 guys, the rest get “NIL” deals. Welcome to modern college football.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:40 PM ^
Jordan, not sure how the CV year impacts the scholly numbers.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:18 PM ^
It does not any longer (was just a 1 year exception last year), we're back to a "limit" of 85 – but as others have mentioned NIL makes this a moot point.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:31 PM ^
Can you explain this?
Is the school giving all of these kids money then saying to pay us for your tuition? Are some kids who may not be big NIL attractors getting the scholarships and the big NIL players are paying their own way? If there is still technically a limit, then we must be doing something for book keeping purposes. I’m curious.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:50 PM ^
I think the NCAA just isn’t even pretending to have any regulatory role anymore
”Whoever has the gold makes the rules”
- CFB 2022
- also Jafar
December 18th, 2022 at 4:16 PM ^
Is the school giving all of these kids money then saying to pay us for your tuition?
Yes and no. The schools still aren’t allowed to pay the kids, so the money isn’t coming from the school itself. But there is an understanding between the athletic department, the student-athlete and NIL entities that some of the money is earmarked for tuition.
For example, have MDen sign some of the guys to do a few autograph signings/photo-ops and the money earned is to be spent on tuition.
Notably, scholarships are year to year. Players have to re-sign their contracts every year, so there’s some wiggle room in this and technically, there’s nothing against the rules.
December 18th, 2022 at 4:43 PM ^
MDen must be fucking loaded!!!
December 18th, 2022 at 11:57 PM ^
Well MDen (as the example) is likely charging people to attend the autograph signings and the players are getting a cut of that in addition to player jersey/shirt proceeds.
We’re talking ~$40k each needed for a half dozen players. $240k isn’t much for MDen and that’s assuming those players don’t have other NIL income to go towards tuition.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:43 PM ^
There’s going to be a lot of attrition. I have the current number at 99 (including draft eligible players who have not announced for the NFL yet like Corum, Morris etc, and including commits and transfers). We will probably add 5-6 more which brings us to 105. I imagine 5-6 to the NFL and 12-15 in the portal and/or 5th/6th year guys not coming back.
December 18th, 2022 at 4:18 PM ^
Yeah I think Michigan is expecting to lose a lot of players to the NFL after this season. I'm now fully convinced both guards are leaving. They're going to have to find 4 new starters along the OL for next season... not that I'm worried or anything.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:37 PM ^
Others have mentioned Nugent wants to commit as well. I’d imagine if we take him then we feel pretty solid about BOTH Keegan and Zinter going pro.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:44 PM ^
Almost makes me wonder if they expect Crippen or Anderson to leave as well. Otherwise I'm surprised they'd recruit a transfer center
December 18th, 2022 at 4:19 PM ^
That makes sense if Anderson pipped him on the depth chart. They were in the same class and play the same position. There can only be one center and I don't know if either guy can play guard.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:45 PM ^
There’s rumblings Crippen may transfer.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:38 PM ^
Overall it's been a great to see the rapid success in the portal this cycle. The only downside to all these OL acquisitions is what's implied in terms of attrition. Happy that the staff is showing awareness and being proactive.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:41 PM ^
Attrition to the NFL draft is why portal OL are clamoring to come here…
December 18th, 2022 at 3:06 PM ^
Never a bad thing…
December 18th, 2022 at 2:48 PM ^
It’s not 2010. Guys are coming to compete for starting roles to be a part of the best line in college football. If dudes transfer out I’m not gonna lose sleep.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:36 PM ^
I get that. You do feel somewhat bad for the guys that have stuck around waiting for their chance and then see the coaches going out and picking guys who play your position. I think it’d be wrong to assume the guys on the bench now couldn’t be better than the transfers in. You might have some great guys on the bench awaiting their turn but end up leaving because they feel like the coaches are going to prioritize the transfers. Its the new college football but it still feels a little unfortunate.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:53 PM ^
I think the writing is on the wall for everyone at some point as to whether you are starter material or not
December 18th, 2022 at 4:28 PM ^
I feel the coaches only bring someone in at a position like center if they feel the current guy isn’t where he needs to be for the the team to compete at the highest level. Then again, this isn’t a guy on the level as Olu, so they could be bringing in depth.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:01 PM ^
If you have a chance to be better, take it
December 18th, 2022 at 3:32 PM ^
And if you have a chance to get more sleep, take it.
Your overall health will thank you.
December 19th, 2022 at 8:08 AM ^
These OL transfers have no guarantees of supplanting those already in the program. In fact, I will be surprised if Nugent starts over Anderson or Crippen...I do think Hinton gets coached up top be an All-American. What we have here is a second string that is likely a top ten OL in the country...and this is where Michigan is going to continue to make "hay"...lots and lots of hay. If Keegan and/or Zinter return this OL may very well win the Joe Moore trophy for the third consecutive year-they might even if both of them choose the NFL.
It would be very nice to add another Hill to the roster-but this is a "lights out" secondary next year. On the one hand, RB may be a concern but with JJ and Davis at QB many issues are mitigated-and there are a ton of kids on this roster playing other positions who were outstanding RBs in HS-I'll take Zeke Berry at RB any day of the week.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:41 PM ^
I feel me a lot of Michigan momentum. And it feels good.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:41 PM ^
🥳 💣 💥
December 18th, 2022 at 2:42 PM ^
Thank God for the transfer portal!! #GoBlue
December 18th, 2022 at 3:37 PM ^
Is that you Tuck? Sorry, I don’t think Walker is available to save you.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:43 PM ^
AJ Barner likely to join the portal class as well (TE from Indiana).
December 18th, 2022 at 2:47 PM ^
Are there any rumblings of currently rostered OL thinking of moving on? Love Nugent coming in with two years to be our center. Henderson seems great as well. Hinton seems like solid depth but not ready to start here to me and despite the gaudy recruiting rankings I like Persi/Gentry better. Hope they and Anderson/Crippen stick around. Crippen in particular has been portal over twice (obvs worth it this time).
December 18th, 2022 at 3:13 PM ^
There certainly will be players who decide to leave because of these transfers. I’ve read here that the coaches were going to be fine with Greg Crippen as the starting center this year until Oluwatimi arrived. Now they may be bringing in someone else? If that happens, why would Crippen stay? I think there’s a long term danger for the program in focusing on every shiny object that might be available. Players might be less likely to commit to you if they see that you’re not really committed to them.
December 18th, 2022 at 3:27 PM ^
Your last two sentences express my concern too. I have been looking forward to Crippen taking over at C. I understand why he had to wait this year (obviously). But potentially to lose your starting position to consecutive transfers?...
December 18th, 2022 at 5:02 PM ^
It’s also possible crippen told the staff he intends to transfer but will play thru end of the season. Some have rumored he has been passed by Raheem Anderson as well.
December 18th, 2022 at 4:11 PM ^
Crippen may be the starter, but what happens if he gets injured? You absolutely need a plug-and-play replacement at this position--and every other one, too. If you don't have a 1 and a 1A, your floor just got lower.
Not just depth, but quality depth is what we are building. I love the idea of a 2 or 3 deep rotation, and a staff willing to put all the players on the field.
Even better--just think what that does to the quality of practices, when the 1's are facing the (hungry) 1A's every day! The reality is that UM won't be the place for you if you don't love competition. It's just getting you ready for the next level.
December 18th, 2022 at 4:39 PM ^
I don’t think someone like Nugent, who was a two year starter, goes anywhere without some assurances that he’s going to be the starter at his new school.
December 18th, 2022 at 5:04 PM ^
That seems quite unharbaugh like…plus Stanford OL is inferior to UM so just because he started there doesn’t guarantee he would start at UM. If he wanted an east path to starting, UM probably wasn’t the easiest with Crippen/Anderson who know the system and have been waiting (assuming only 0-1 of them transfer).
December 18th, 2022 at 4:12 PM ^
This can go 1 of 2 ways
1. The new guy is better and we (maybe) lose a player
2. The new guy is solid but a back up for sure
Im missing the part where there is a no problem. Is there a number 3 im not aware of of does everybody have the Frankie Collins scare in them?
December 18th, 2022 at 4:17 PM ^
Yes. We aren’t going to keep 20 OL next year so some are going to go. Probably 4 or 5.
December 18th, 2022 at 2:54 PM ^
Nugent was not only the starting center for two years, but both years he was a team captain which is pretty impressive for an underclassman. Seems like one of those guys whose value is greater than just his physical skillset.