Thursday, December 5, 2024

Michigan Thursday: NSD Recap

First off I want to thank the readers of this blog.  Every year on NSD you come in strong and you did again yesterday.  Thank you so much for the support! 


There is a ton to get to including my thoughts on Kirk Campbell, Cade in the portal, a transfer QB, etc.   First thing is a quick recap of NSD. 

Michigan had a very successful day on NSD.  They landed four 5-Star's (to at least 1 or more services) in:
  • Bryce Underwood QB 
  • Andrew Babalola OT
  • Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng LB
  • Nate Marshall DE 
It wasn't that long ago, I said that Michigan had to grab 4-stars because they weren't in the NIL market for 5-stars.  Things changed quickly. 

Michigan still has some work to do before Friday.  Highly ranked TE Andrew Olesh will decide his final school and sign on Friday.  Oregon is a big threat here.  Not sure the story on 4-star DB Jayden Sanders but he did not sign either.  Update: Jayden has signed

Remember when Michigan was in the 50's in ranked class?  Here is where it stands today:

Rivals: #7 
24/7:  #7
On3: #6

I will take that ranking every year!  

On to Kirk Campbell.   It's hard to know where the failure or success lies when the head coach is also an offensive expert.  Clearly, Sherrone wasn't going to fire himself but he needs to take a majority of the blame for Michigan's offensive offense this season.  Harbaugh ran his offense and the OC was along for the ride.  

With that said, Kirk had to go.  The planning and lack of execution in this offense has to fall on somebody and Kirk was the guy.  I could make a case for Wink as well but he just shut out the Buckeyes in the 2nd half and just landed NOB. 

The rumored candidates I have some strong opinions on:

-Dan Mullen - No, thank you.  I'm not interested in a retread head coach for this role.  We need a young OC with some new ideas.  Yes, he could help Sherrone be a head football coach, but I prefer Biff in that role.  

-Byron Leftwich - This one seems way out of left field.  Brady would have to give the thumbs up here, not 100% sold but could be convinced. 

-Brian Griese - I like this idea.  He could bring that Shanahan offense with him.  Also would be great for developing Bryce and other young Michigan QB's. 

-Joe Craddock - I know little about Joe but he is Tulane's OC.  He is 39 and has some good experience.  This is the type of hire I like.  A hungry young guy with fresh new ideas and concepts.  Again, don't know a ton about him but I didn't know much about Jesse Minter either, when Jim hired him.  That hire should be the best practice. 

Now to Cade.  That guy made a terrible short term decision to go to Iowa and be a part of some terrible offenses.  If he stayed in A2, he would have a National Championship ring and could've been Michigan's starter this year.  Good luck Cade on finding a new school and a 7th year.

Michigan does need a transfer QB next season and this time they will be able to evaluate and consider its best options.  Miller Moss seems to have the most Michigan smoke around him at this point.  That is fine, he is clearly talented but turns the ball over.  If we can fix the picks, then he is a great choice.  I'm sure there will be other options and Michigan needs to kick the tires of many QB's.

9 comments:

Goblu said...

Not feeling confident about Olesh. But great class. Now coaches got to coach. I read Moore reached out to the LSU OC - don’t know the truth. My son is at Tulane, so seen their offense. Balanced and tough, so I’d be ok there.

Ron said...

Hate to lose Olesh, and the corner Sanders.. corner is a position of need

Brady2017 said...

Hard pass on Brian Griese. Love Brian, but he has zero O.C. experience, same as Kirk Campbell.

Meh on Joe Craddock. I Just looked at Tulane's schedule- Rice, Alabama Birmingham, North Texas, Charlotte, and University of Louisiana. As Shania Twain would say, that don't impress me much. Tulane did play Oklahoma and scored 13 pts. Sound familiar? We don't need an O.C. that likes to run, we already have that. We need a modern offense AND a power run game. Michigan is a pay increase from Tulane. Just because he is gettable doesn't make him good.

Leftwich- No Michigan ties, but the best O.C. of the bunch.

The LSU O.C., whatever his name is. Prob available, worth a call.

High Sierra Howard said...

I think I read somewhere that Sanders was supposed to sign today.

ScottyDoggs said...

When are recruiting rankings going to include "the portal along with the traditional "national signing day" to show who has the best class. Texas A & M SPENT 20 million a few years ago and was a bust. Ohio State spent 20 million and was beaten by a hobbled Michigan team, showing the money spent does not always equate with victory.

Chowman said...

I'm with Bob, out on Dan Mullen. I like someone younger that might connect with recruits better. I'm a bit torn on the Brian Griese, really don't want a first time OC. Leftwich, why would he want to leave an NFL level OC position? To go to college and deal with recruiting? I get Brady's concern, about Tulane's opponents, but its also Tulane. You ain't talking SEC level school! Yeah Craddock will face stiffer competition, but in theory should have better level talent to coach. In the end, this is up to Sherrone and he better not eff it up or it could set the program back even further.

Chowman said...

I don't wish any bad juju toward anyone, but Cade effed himself. He always came off to me as a guy that thought he was better than he really was. He was good, he wasn't great, and he acted like he was elite. At least his attitude. Nobody likes to come off the field, but there was a palpable animosity between him and JJ. I saw a similar demeaner when he was benched and his back up was moving the team.

Ron said...

Jayden Sanders has signed excellent 👍

szanreno said...

Rumblings Warde is set to sign for five more years...