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| Blake Bars (#67) |
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 275 lbs.
High school: Nashville (TN) Montgomery Bell
Jersey number: N/A
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Last year: Bars was in high school.
Final TTB Rating: 62
In my opinion, Bars is the most likely freshman to redshirt. Michigan doesn't have much depth on the offensive line, but there are guys who are more highly touted and physically more ready to play. There was some chatter at one point that Bars might play center due to a lack of depth at the position, but offensive line coach Darrell Funk stated on national signing day that he didn't think any of the incoming freshman linemen would have the ability to play center.
Unfortunately for Bars, he arrives at Michigan with some highly touted guys competing at his position, and the class of 2013 also looks to be pretty solid on the offensive line. Competition is going to be stiff, and I'm not sure Bars will be able to get or stay ahead of the other guys. Regardless, when you've got a 4-star recruit with no serious and apparent shortcomings, that bodes well for your team's performance.
Prediction: Redshirt
Strikes me as a bit low. While I agree he's probably going to red-shirt this year, there's only 5 non-freshman scholarship players on the entire OL. Bryant and Miller haven't done anything yet and Barnum has been very injury prone.
ReplyDeleteI realize Kalis and Magnuson are higher rated and you've not thought highly of Bars all along, but rankings cease to be relevant once college begins. Its hard to say who will be ready and we know that at least one freshman will probably be asked to contribute - Bars is the only one of these guys with experience on the interior line.
In 2012, they're probably more likely to use college-ready Kalis or a walk-on than Bars, but in 2013, the competition will be wide-open. My definition of stiff competition isn't true freshman, no matter how well they rank recruiting-wise. In 2013, the only returning interior linemen project to be Bryant and Miller. Bars will have ample opportunity to play and may even start.
Anyway, I think he's far more likely to see playing time this year than some of the 5th string LBs, Gant, Clark, etc. I'd even put him ahead of Ben Braden, because I think they'd rather move Barnum or Mealer outside to OT and put a newb in at OG.
The only difference between Bars and the 5th string linebackers is that sometimes those linebackers can be used on special teams coverage. They don't typically burn a freshman offensive lineman's redshirt to block on extra points. However, there will probably be a freshman or two this year who will simply run down the field on kickoff or punt coverage (like Delonte Hollowell did).
DeleteBars played tackle in high school. I'm not sure what you mean when you say that he's the only one of these guys with experience on the interior. Perhaps you're getting him confused with Caleb Stacey, who decommitted for Cincinnati.
Barnum won't move to OT. No chance. If he's not playing center, it's because he's hurt. They've got several options at OT, such as Mealer, Omameh, or a freshman like Kalis or Braden. Bars is the smallest of the incoming linemen (bulk-wise), and largely for that reason, I think he's due for a redshirt.
That's true about special teams, and I myself have repeatedly argued that OL typically red-shirt, and shouldn't be viewed the same way as freshman at other position. However, given the lack of OL recruiting over the 09-11 classes, and the depth on the way, I think freshman OL are more likely to play than in years past. Makes some sense to separate these classes out a bit. And, on-field experience will be helpful for development for 2013 when a lot of these guys will HAVE to play. Also, while OL may not be used in coverage, they may be used to block on kicks.
DeleteMy mistake on saying Bars had OG experience. He's just the only one expressly ticketed for the interior.
To reiterate, I think he'll red-shirt too - I expect Kalis to be the only OL that doesn't, maybe Magnuson if he is physically ready. But this is a weird season depth-wise. Michigan got very lucky with injuries last year. I'm not counting on that happening again. Center is an especially tenuous situation. If Barnum is hurt and Miller isn't ready, there is going to be some figure-this-out as we go happening. I think the coaches may have to use some of these guys and I wouldn't have much confidence in guessing which freshman is more ready than another, regardless of their size on signing day.
I'll say this regarding size:
DeleteI have rarely, if ever, been surprised at how big a recruit is one he hits campus. However, I have often by surprised by how SMALL recruits are when they get to campus. If Bars is listed at 275, then I'm guessing they were overestimating by 15 lbs. or so back then, so he's now probably 275-285 at the max. And if he's 285 lbs., he's not going to see the field for these coaches.
I won't deny that this comment comes from a fellow Nashvillian with suspected bias, however I think you will be pleasantly surprised with this guy. As I am sure you already know, he has deep Michigan pedigree and passed on many opportunities (I'm almost certain) to play early for many very good SEC teams had he not had the dream to be blue. Gotta say, not much love here. Reason why he had that 4th star, just sayin'. Might add I'm originally from Detroit, been Blue 50 yrs.
ReplyDeleteIt's not about "love." History and the law of averages suggest that at least one of these OL guys will ride the bench or leave Michigan before their career is finished. Whether it's Bars or someone else, one of these guys will fail to live up to his rankings. And if they all pan out, I guess I'll be eating crow in 5 years
DeleteExactly right. Chances are, 1 or 2 of these guys won't pan out. That's why Bars is more likely to contribute than you indicate above. Someones going to flunk out, get hurt, get in trouble, or just flat-out bust. Kalis and others may have more accolades but that has little no relationship to their likelihood of not contributing.
DeleteI don't know what to tell you, Lankownia. Someone's got to be #87 on the countdown.
DeleteHaha. True enough! I just think you got the wrong guy. No biggie.
DeleteFunk seems pretty sharp about OL recruits, so I'm guessing Bars will be in the mix after a redshirt.
ReplyDeleteIf you're only basing that on Funk, there are a bunch of other '12 and '13 guys he likes too. And only 5 starting spots.
DeleteBut most of the '12 guys are taller and/or project to tackle, and the '13 guys will be true freshman coming in when they're needed. Bars is going to have a great opportunity - no proven players (right now) block his path to starting in '13, and it appears that Miller and Bryant are still going to be backups this year, so he won't have too much ahead of him, even if there's a number of guys behind or beside him.
DeleteFunk said that Bars is going to start out playing tackle. While he could very well move to guard, he's blocked at OT by Lewan/Schofield. And it's all well and good if you project him to beat out the other guys in his class, but I don't.
DeleteI had not heard that. That would seem odd since he's also saying that about Kalis and Braden, and I had assumed the same was true for Magnuson, given his height.
DeleteI don't project Bars to beat out those other guys necessarily. I'm not projecting it one way or the other - I just think he's headed for OG, where there isn't much competition.
DeleteI came here to whine
ReplyDeleteI think Lank is Mrs. Bars.
ReplyDeleteNo, actually...I am Mrs. Bars - and I can't wait to meet you, Thunder. :) I am sure you'll be at all the UM games, in nose bleed seats, making inaccurate assumptions, as usual!
DeleteSally Bars
Hi, Mrs. Bars. Thanks for reading!
DeleteFirst (and last) time for everything! Have a great summer, Sally Bars
ReplyDeleteThey always say that, but they always come back for more. At least that's what I tell myself...
Delete