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| Csont'e York, Thomas Rawls, and Frank Clark (left to right) - image via MDN Visuals |
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 194 lbs.
High school: Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park Academy
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #81
Last year: I ranked York #89 and said he would redshirt. He played in one game as a backup receiver.
York came in last year as a somewhat unpolished receiver, and I was not the only one hoping he would redshirt. The coaches threw him in near the end of the blowout of Central Michigan only to put him back on the bench for the rest of the year. There's almost always at least one player who inexplicably burns his redshirt for a play or three, and York was the 2013 version.
York got a little more run in the spring game, and he looked decent. York isn't particularly speed, but he has pretty good size and has shown some good body control at various times. The top three receivers are usually the only ones that matter a great deal, and Amara Darboh's return from injury would make it seem that York will be no higher than fourth or fifth. I think York has higher upside than the likes of Jeremy Jackson, and I believe he can come in and make some chain-moving catches once in a while.
Prediction: Backup wide receiver; 3 catches, 33 yards
I've been skeptical of York all along and I'm a little surprised to see him leap from 89 to 62 based on what we've heard so far about him. But with WR playing time so open, this is a fair ranking for any able-bodied scholarship WR.
ReplyDeleteYork has some talent to work with. He is big and looks like a natural athlete with good hands. His biggest weaknesses in HS IMO were questionable coaching and laziness. If he commits himself, he can be a significant contributor.
DeleteYou would *think* that all redshirt burnin' is carefully calculated, wouldn't you? (I would, perhaps naively...) After all, there probably only a handful of younger guys on the fence for that. How likely is it that York's RS was accidentally burned? I wonder.
ReplyDeleteI think this past season is a particularly strange one regarding redshirts. York burnt his in the CMU blow out; odds are everyone (coach staff included) probably expected a lot more blow out garbage time minutes to be available in future games than were actually available. Had UM taken care of business against opponents like UConn and Akron, for instance, players like York would have gotten more playing time and their burnt redshirts wouldn't look nearly so wasteful.
DeleteBut every season there are players who seem to burn their RS for seemingly no benefit. It probably just comes down to "this kid looks like he might be able to contribute something, so we'll throw him out there early..." but then only contributes on special teams, if that. It's the coaches taking a reasonable chance based on how some of the younger players look in practice. Sometimes you get a freshman contributor, sometimes you don't.
I don't think it's unusual. I also don't think it's a big waste. I highly doubt we will miss York during his not-to-be 5th year season.
DeleteBurning a red-shirt keeps players more engaged and accelerates their development, even if they don't make a major on-field contribution.
I don't have any insider information, but I just feel that Hoke's red-shirt policy is that unless u are significantly underweight (or being an OL), he would let the player himself decide. And most freshmen I guess would prefer to play right now, instead of waiting for a year, as they are freshmen, without considering their own future career. I think that's why a number of unpredicted/unnecessary red-shirts were burnt. Remember, Hoke is not playing video game, he doesn't know what will happen in 4-5 years later.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. It does seem like it's not Hoke's decision alone, but also the player's. Some guys (e.g., RJS) make it very clear they have no intention of red-shirting. Lawrence Marshall is an example for this incoming class. If you listen to his comments, it doesn't sound like Hoke is letting the player know but vice versa. Realistically, it's probably a joint decision that Hoke pushes more with some guys than others.
DeleteSome guys aren't wired to think long-term and be patient and Michigan can't afford to pass up on talented people who fit that personality type. So they come and they play and really, not as much is lost as people seem to think.
Playing as a freshman has actually becoming a big part of the recruiting pitch universally. One of the first questions out of a recruits mouth during the wooing process is whether he will play as a freshman. And coaches are forced to blow hot air at them about how the kid is the next Charles Woodson and how he is good enough to play right away.
DeleteA coach can always tell a kid that he will play if he earns it. That line worked forever, but i don't think recruits are accepting it anymore. Kids have changed and they are forcing the issue now.