Chicago (IL) Loyola defensive tackle Brooks Bahr committed to Michigan on Tuesday afternoon. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Northwestern, and Wisconsin, among others.
Bahr is listed at 6'6" and 270 lbs.
RATINGS
ESPN: Unranked
On3: 3-star, 88 grade, #52 DL
Rivals: 3-star, 5.7 grade, #39 SDE
247 Sports: 3-star, 87 grade, #74 DL
Hit the jump for more on Bahr's recruitment.
Bahr was offered by new defensive line coach Mike Elston shortly after Elston was hired, though Elston's former employer Notre Dame had not offered. Michigan tends to have a lot of pull in the Chicago area due to its proximity and the Big Ten imprint - and the fact that the University of Illinois usually sucks at football - so the Wolverines' offer was a big one. Bahr visited last fall and once this off-season, and with a planned visiting upcoming this weekend, it was time to make his choice public.
Bahr is a tall, long interior defensive lineman. He almost looks like an offensive tackle with his length, and one of his strengths is the ability to envelope opposing ball carriers. He can cover a lot of territory with his wingspan, and he also can disengage from blockers using that same reach advantage. Right now he looks pretty thin for his frame, so he's likely going to add a lot of weight as he continues to mature and work in the weight room.
On the negative side, there are some question marks when it comes to his play on the field. The first thing to note is that he is not quick off the ball. He's one of the last guys to start moving after the snap. And it's not just his reaction time, but his inability to gain ground and get that second step down that have me concerned. He needs to be more explosive off the ball and seems tentative and reticent to really let loose and play aggressively. There are times where he just hops on ball carriers' backs instead of hitting with force, and that's probably because he tends to play a little high.
Overall, Bahr has a good frame and some decent straight-line speed, but the football instincts and aggression aren't where they need to be. He has dabbled in lacrosse in the past, so he may have a good deal of improvement in his future as he focuses on football. He reminds me a little bit of former Michigan defensive tackle Matt Godin, a tall and relatively svelte guy for his position. Though Rivals lists Bahr as a strongside end, I think he will end up inside before his career is over.
Michigan now has six commitments in the class of 2023. Bahr is the first defensive lineman to join the class. He would also be the first Michigan player to come from Chicago (IL) Loyola.
TTB Rating: 71
He is slender. Very true. Hutch was too light when he came in too. Ben Herbert can build monsters though.
ReplyDeleteHe shows definite promise in how he plays.
BTW, I think he's going to make the pros.
DeleteWe live in a time when offers are thrown out early, and in great numbers. This kid's offer lost however, is unimpressive. Granted, the Harbaugh staff has a reputation for unearthing gems, but Bahr is in Chicago, not some unknown league in the Northeast
ReplyDeleteLet's hope his senior year shows great strides
Kind of reminds me of Pat Massey.
ReplyDeleteHe's big and strong and can run. He has the ability to keep you out of his chest with those long strong arms.
While he's definitely not quick in his film, it looks a little like he's being coached to set his position, find the ball and then run to it.
I think it'll take a year or two, maybe three, but it sure looks like he can play at 300 lbs. plus and provide us with a guy that you're not gonna be running through at minimum and at best a guy who's gonna be shoving guys into your backfield.
Since he demonstrates absolutely no inclination for making a move, probably since all he really needs at the high school level is pure power ... which he has in spades ... a swim move at least, or some other d-line techniques should up his game dramatically.
I think this is a nice pickup, particularly in light of the kind of defense that we are now playing. Or at least my understanding of it.
And - after 2019-20 - this will be a great welcome
ReplyDelete" ... and provide us with a guy that you're not gonna be running through at minimum and at best a guy who's gonna be shoving guys into your backfield"
Still, we need help, now. Gotta land guys who can contribute significant snaps as soon as their Sophomore year
Looks kinda like Hutch in the photo but the interior DL projection makes sense to me. Typically guys this tall are playing DE or OL but we have some success stories at DT too. Looking through the Michigan lense, Welshof, Godin, and Massey are all tall interior DL that have been solid players and useful contributors.
ReplyDeleteNone have been greats though, in part because they are probably too tall to get leverage relative to prototypical interior players while not being quick enough to be an impact rushers.
A few other players that came to my mind. Alan Branch was 6'6 and excellent but he came out of high school at well over 300 pounds. Best case scenario might be Chris Wormley 6'5, though he mostly played at SDE in college. Worst case might be Tom Strobel 6'6.
A player like this can help but I would hope there are some more prototypical sized DTs included in the class as well. Sounds like expectations should be moderate, especially given the star ranking.