Michigan Friday: Kurt Confusion

One of the things you can always count on during the 1st round of the NFL Draft is a GM overreaching and looking like a fool.  The GM for Atlanta did just that on Thursday night and picked a 4 x seriously injured Michael Penix at #8 in the draft.  Some experts expected Michael to be a mid - late first rounder or even 2nd round.  I believe he probably wouldn't have gotten past Vegas at 13 who has a former Purdue QB as its starter. 

What is the difference between 8 and 13 your ask? $180M reasons.  Atlanta just paid Kurt Cousins $180M to be their QB for now and the next 4 years. Mike Penix is now 24, if he sits for 4 years, you will lose all value in his rookie contract and he will be 28.   The Falcons had a chance to get a starter now on defense (which they sorely need) vs. paying a guy to learn and sit on the bench for 4 years.   A horrific decision by the Falcons.  Arthur Blank must be confused as me looking for item in Home Depot.    

So that decision along with the Giants electing to go WR over JJ, pushed the talented Michigan QB to #10, where the Vikings traded up to get their guy.   The Vikings then used their other first round pick to snag Bama LB/DE Dallas Turner who the Falcons should've taken. 

Happy that JJ went in the top 10, not happy that the Lions has to face him twice a year. 

Another red flag and questionable pick for me was UCLA's Laiatu Latu who was drafted by the Colts.  Latu has had serious neck injuries in the past and was told by some Doctor's to take a medical redshirt.  The kid is very talented but when your are talking about the neck, that is a serious concern.  (Please note, I do understand that not all "medical retirements" are created equal and that it worked out for former Wolverine St-Juste who had hamstring issues).

• Former instate 4 -star recruit OL Amir Herring has put his name in the Transfer Portal.

• Early enrollee and true freshman LB who is also an instate kid Jeremiah Beasley has also entered the portal.  The kid has been on campus for only a few months. 

• It's hard to know why some of these guys are jumping into the portal but the buzz is they are not happy with their NIL.  As backups and young players, I think you need to wait your turn before you start looking for a larger NIL bag. 

• Michigan has been strangely quiet in the transfer portal so far in this spring period, sure would like to see a bit more activity at adding players/offers. 

• Congrats to the fans that showed up for the NFL Draft and set a record with 275,000 fans.  How was the parking and $16 beers?

• Marvin Harrison Jr. has not signed a licensing contract with the NFL PA yet and his jersey is not available for sale right now. 

• Congrats to Worthy getting picked by the Chiefs.  Anyone looking for Gattis in the background as he celebrated with his family and friends? 😀

• On ABC Nick Saban discussed how Bama last season was trying to get Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell to enter the transfer portal.  Thanks for letting everyone know that "tampering" is happening all over the place. 

• Tonight in Round 2: on Kiper's Best Available #8 FSU DT Fiske and #9 WMU Kneeland were both coached by Michigan's new DT coach Lou Esposito. 

Michigan Thursday: Big Day for JJ

JJ has had a ton of dreams come true in the last few months.  He finished a 15-0 season with a National Championship in January and now he will be drafted in 1st round of the NFL Draft tonight in Detroit.  JJ is not expected to attend and will enjoy the night with family and friends. 

I want to address the "talking heads" who doubt JJ because he didn't throw 40 times a game.  Booger McFarland on ESPN should not be able to speak about any offensive players, because his takes are offensive. 

Here is why JJ will make a great franchise QB:

1. He has been trained by Jim Harbaugh one of the best QB coaches on the planet for 3 years:  For example, see Andrew Luck, Colin Kaepernick, revived Alex Smith's career, and turned Iowa throw away QB Jake Rudock into an NFL Backup QB in one year. 
2. Ran an NFL balanced offense 
3. Has the mental capability to handle big games and makes quick decisions with the ball. 
4. Strong Arm 
5. A winner 
6. Good Athlete 

Anytime you draft a QB high in the draft, it's a gamble.  I watched a number of Caleb Williams games last season.  That offense was a mess and he was running for his life on most downs.  He is a very good athlete but he would not be my first draft pick.  He is not going to have that type of time in the NFL and I think he will throw a ton of picks.  Comp for me is: Jameis Winston, will look great and terrible in the same game. 

Jayden Daniels, wants to be the best running back QB in the NFL.  He is talented but reminds me of RG3.  I worry about the length of his career.  What is the old saying, "there aren't any old running QB's".

Drake Maye is more of mystery to me then JJ is for the media.  I did not watch a ton of Drake at UNC as that team was terrible.  What I did see was not impressive.  Yes, he has the size and looks like the prototypical QB, but I wonder about him in the NYC spotlight for example.  Comp is Daniel Jones for me. 

I think JJ is just as good or better then the QB's above.  It's hard for me to be objective when I've seen every snap JJ has taken in the last 3 years vs. other QB's.  Michael Penix I think is a very well rounded QB. Being 24, history of 4 bad injuries, and how Minter got him seeing ghosts in the championship game is hurting his draft stock. 

The WR class might be better than the QB class this year. 

• Michigan has depth needs at CB and Safety.  Rumor is that Keon Sabb wishes he didn't leave after learning of Rod's injury.  So when we learned DJ Waller entered the transfer portal.  Best guess is another program made an illegal contact and offered him a nice NIL deal.  Also Hill and Berry have been playing well in practice.  Look for DJ to maybe land at Kentucky. 

• Michigan might have only 1 player taken in the 1st round.  Long shot 1st rounders could be Kris Jenkins, Junior Colston, and Mikey Sainristil. 

• Michigan has offered 2026 QB Brady Hart (his parents have to be Michigan fans right?)

Wolverine Wednesday: Picks Up a 2024 Point Guard

Basketball recruiting is weird, there are still 2024 recruits still available due to coaching changes and kids making decisions to keep their recruitments open.  Michigan just picked up and signed Scottie's kid and now a Florida PG in Lorenzo Cason.

Lorenzo is a former FAU Commit that will follow Dusty to Ann Arbor.  Cain is a 3 star PG and is 6'2 and 195 pounds.  Reviews are that he is a combo guard and can play all 3 backcourt positions.  Welcome to the Re-load! 

Where is Vlad?  My FAU insider tells me that May 3rd is graduation and maybe they are waiting for that to be complete before he commits. 

Is the roster complete now?  I would think so unless there is an admission issue.  Maybe room for one more 2024 commit. 

• Michigan Football is trending for 2025 Ohio RB Marquise David 

• Reggie Bush got his Heisman back. 

• Iowa QB Deacon Hill is in the transfer portal.  Michigan should recruit him as an offensive lineman. 

• Michigan OL target Avery Gach will make his decision on May 3rd.   All predictions on 24/7 are to the good guys! 

Michigan Tuesday: Commit-a-Palooza

Sherrone Moore has been the Michigan head coach full time since February.  He has yet to land a new recruit as a National Champion.  That changed on Monday when 2025 IL 4 star DE Nate Marshall committed to the Wolverines. 

Nate is 6'4 and 265 pounds and rated as the #1 SDE by Rivals.   He is in the top 100 for every service and the 24/7 composite has him as the #35 player in the country.  He is very close to a 5 star and could see a bump in the summer or during his senior year.  His offer list included all the regulars: Alabama, Miami, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, ND, OSU, Oregon, Texas, USC, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. 

Welcome Nate and a great way for this staff to get their first commit. 

Is there anyone hotter than Dusty right now?

In a 72 hour span:

- Justin Pippen (4-star HS prospect) - Rubin Jones (North Texas transfer) - Danny Wolf (Yale transfer) - Tre Donaldson (Auburn transfer) - Roddy Gayle Jr. (Ohio State transfer) 6'4 guard - Sam Walters (Alabama transfer) 6'10 shooter

Rod and Sam jumped on board on Monday. Dusty is a non-stop worker and a great hire so far. He has rebuilt this roster and still isn't done. Love the hustle! Rod averaged over 13 points a game and Sam was ranked as the 7th best shooter in the country last season.

• Transfer portal WR Kyle Ford is expected to head back to USC.

• Pippen signed his NLI and is official

• The only offer we know of in the portal for Michigan Football is Kent State DT CJ West, who is visiting Wisconsin and plans to visit Ann Arbor, LSU, Rutgers, and Florida State.