OT: 2018 OT Jalen Goss commits to Florida State

Submitted by Magnus on

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.

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Magnus

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.

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Magnus

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.

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reddogrjw

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

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LKLIII

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.

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Fezzik

January 15th, 2018 at 6:51 PM ^

One is coming in as a TE and his body development will determine if he ever becomes an OT or not. They are both on the low end of 4 star status. They were considered prototypical Frey type OTs. Now without Frey I hope they still pan out. I want another OT bullet in the chamber.

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Fezzik

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.

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Magnus

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.

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Coldwater

January 15th, 2018 at 6:24 PM ^

Michigan constantly offers people from far off states instead of in state and the Midwest, where they have a much more realistic chance of landing the kid. To kids from Florida, Texas, Cali, Michigan is NOT a big deal. Long time Michigan fans don't like to hear that, but it's true

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bronxblue

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.

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Bambi

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.

 

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erald01

January 15th, 2018 at 6:31 PM ^

Dont forget that pac12 doesnt play defense so i am not surprised Jh ran manball with success there. I think that has been the issue for him here at michigan. He thought he would come in and easily replicate Stanford but big ten actually relies on defense so its not easy to run manball.

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golfer

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.

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We are back

January 15th, 2018 at 6:32 PM ^

I don’t think that means Michigan had a shot at all, a lot of Valdosta kids go to FSU when they get the chance, Valdosta is southern Georgia on the boarder of Florida and the highway takes you right into Tallahassee

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