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| Jack Miller (image via GBMWolverine) |
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 263 lbs.
High school: Toledo (OH) St. John's
Position: Center
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #60
Last year: I ranked Miller #89 and said he would redshirt. He redshirted.
Last season it was pretty obvious that Miller was going to redshirt. Part of the reason Rich Rodriguez offered him a scholarship was because he was a small-ish, fairly quick center. And at 263 lbs. it's practically impossible to play in the Big Ten. Luckily, starter David Molk was able to avoid the injury bug for most of the year, except for one series at the beginning of the Sugar Bowl when Rocko Khoury stepped in. Miller wasn't needed, supposedly bulked up throughout the year, and will hopefully arrive in the fall at 280 lbs. or more.
Since backup center Khoury departed with one year of eligibility remaining and Molk graduated, experience at the center position is non-existent. Nobody on the current roster has snapped the ball in a college game. But instead of plugging in Miller, the coaches have moved left guard Ricky Barnum over to the center spot. Barnum played center in high school and has snapped the ball in practices throughout his college career, so he has a fair amount of experience for a guy who's never played the position in college . . . but Barnum has also been prone to injury throughout his career, making it quite possible that a backup center will be needed during the season. Michigan has several options to back up Barnum, including Miller, walk-on Joey Burzynski (who played some center last season before working in at left guard this spring), and fifth year senior Elliott Mealler (who has snapped the ball sporadically in practices the past few seasons and will also be competing at left guard). Miller may or may not be the first guy in, but Michigan fans should all be hoping that Barnum stays healthy for the first time in his career.
Prediction: Backup center
This position worries me more than any other spot on the roster. Barnum should do alright, but he's been an injury magnet. I have very little faith in Miller as his backup and heir. Last year he was beaten out by Khoury, who the coaches supposedly weren't keen on having back this year (not sure I buy that, but whatever). You can argue they wanted to preserve Miller's red-shirt but I don't buy that either - if he was the best guy to step in for Molk they would have used him. Now, with Molk out of the way, Barnum slides in (leaving a big void at LG). Looking at the circumstantial evidence, I don't see a guy the coaches want playing. Plus, Miller's always going to be undersized. I don't like where this is headed next year. I almost hope Kalis ends up here even though he's big for the position.
ReplyDeleteThe only time Molk was hurt was in the Sugar Bowl. It wouldn't be worth burning a kid's redshirt just to play a few snaps in the Sugar Bowl. The fact that a true freshman, 263-pounder didn't beat out a fourth-year, 287-pounder does not concern me. At all.
DeleteMiller was 263 as a freshman, but he's 6'4". He has a plenty large frame to add weight.
While I can agree that his red-shirt wouldn't be worth burning for a Sugar Bowl, there was never any indication or rumors that Miller was pushing Khoury. Normally, I wouldn't at all be concerned about a freshman being beaten out by a 4th year lineman. But in this case, if the rumors are to be believed, it's a 4th year lineman the coaches didn't even care to have back.
DeleteIn my mind, Miller is very similar size to Molk. It helps that he was recruited by Rodriguez and described by everyone as 'smallish'. At 6'4 he is a couple inches taller, so maybe you're right that he can add enough weight to not be 'undersized' like I had said.
Finally, the fact that they're choosing to move Barnum over and probably/maybe start a walk-on or freshman at LG in his place, all instead of just starting Miller at OC, doesn't bode well.
Why would there be any indication that Miller was pushing Khoury? Miller was 263 lbs. and a true freshman. That's really all you need to know. After one college off-season, he's probably somewhere in the 270s. Every other Michigan offensive lineman is 292 or heavier, with the exception of walk-ons.
DeleteYou're one of the people who thinks/agrees that we should wait before judging a recruit/recruiting class. I don't know why you're passing judgment on Miller before he even starts his redshirt freshman season.
Fair point. However, I'm not really judging Miller as much as worrying about the position. If Pace (or someone else) had panned out there would have been a viable alternative between Molk and Miller wouldn't be expected to step up - but Pace is gone. So, Miller is a guy who is expected to start next season. Yet, he hasn't played yet, hasn't gotten any insider praise, doesn't have much of a recruiting profile, and is physically unready. Even if you assume he bulks up to a viable size - he's still an unproven quantity.
DeletePlan B is a true freshman or a walk-on. If OC isn't the shakiest position on the roster, I don't know what is.
I get what you're saying - don't judge the true freshman, especially an OL, and double especially an OL who isn't physically ready. Don't disagree with that, but given the circumstances I think the spotlight on him is warranted.
I don't mean to imply that I think he'll be a bad or a good player in the long run. What I'm saying is that I doubt he is ready to start as sophomore based on everything we know right now. I really hope he develops and looks good as a backup this year and my concerns end up being pointless.
Let me ask you this: If Miller is NOT the first backup in at C in 2012 - will you be concerned? Or does he still get a judgment free pass until next year?
DeleteThat depends on who the #2 center is in 2012. If it's Elliott Mealer, then no, I probably won't be concerned. Mealer is either the #5 or #6 lineman on the team, so if he can play center, that would seem to make sense. Or if it's someone else (Bryant, Kalis, perhaps Burzynski) and he plays well, then that probably won't concern me, either. When it comes to linemen, I don't really start to get concerned until at least their third year, maybe even their fourth...especially for kids who come in at that size.
DeleteAlso, centers don't typically have big-time recruiting profiles. He was a 3-star type of kid with offers from MSU, Stanford, WVU, Illinois, and Pitt. That's not a bad group of offers, although it's not great. Iowa takes guys like this and turns them into studs, so I guess we'll see...
DeleteNot that it's necessary to reinforce Magnus's point, but after reading your comments Lanko I'm just a little heated. HE WAS 263 POUNDS!!! That wasn't a knock on talent, that is purely size. Before you make yourself look dumb on this blog, watch tape of a player. Miller's high school film shows an absolutely nasty run blocker.
ReplyDeleteI agree on Miller's HS tape - I thought he looked agile, aggressive, and well-coordinated. He looked pretty competent at DT too. Anyway, I think he has the basic tools to be a competent center. Hopefully, he is able to put on good weight.
DeleteMore concerned about center for the 2013 season. I heard the coaches were really pushing hard to get one at the end of the last recruiting cycle. Would have been nice to have a RS-Fr to compete with Miller after Barnum leaves.
Pass. I don't watch much HS tape, certainly not of OL. I'm not qualified to judge. I don't know about the level of competition involved and I don't know what OL techniques translate to the next level. Plus these guys are going to add 30-50 pounds after high school. If you give me tape of a skill position player and tell me it's high level Texas High School ball I might be able to form some judgement. But a high school center... there's no point. I'm sure Christian Pace, Quinton Washington, and Dann Oneil all looked like fine players in high school, but they aren't helping Michigan's OL right now.
DeleteWhat I do feel comfortable doing, after following college football for a while now, is mixing what I see in games with info from coaches, insiders, and analysts and coming up with some reasonable expectations for individual players and positions.
Miller may be a fine player eventually but there's a high level of risk involved and he's being counted on in 2013.
SO basically you are saying that you listen to the opinions of others and than use them as your own. At least you've changed your tune from your first comment for this post and have now relented that Miller can become a fine player. Point Made.
DeleteNever said he couldn't. I'm not going to pretend I can gauge OLmen based on HS footage - unless you're a coach or former college OLmen, I suggest you avoid the same, Anon.
DeleteI thought Jack played exceptionally well during the Spring Game. Very aggressive and quick on his feet. He looks exactly like a young Molk. He'll do well if called for this season. He is what everyone's been saying and is a prototypical spread center who can get to the next level with ease while Denard, Fitz and DG get theirs. Luckily we can afford to let him add a bit more bulk. If not I feel he can still get the job done.
ReplyDelete