Second-year tight end Louis Hansen announced that he is entering the transfer portal. Hansen played in one game in 2021 and in two games during the 2022 season.
Hansen was a 4-star, the #11 tight end, and #257 in the 247 Composite during the 2021 recruiting cycle, with offers from Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, and Penn State, among others. The Needham (MA) St. Sebastian's product committed to Michigan in April 2020 during the beginning of the COVID outbreak and was a vocal recruiter in the class, so it's a bit surprising in retrospect to see him not stick around.
Here's what I said about him when he committed (LINK):
"Overall, Hansen is a fine prospect. Is he a difference maker at the next level? I don’t believe so. Could he come in to Michigan and maintain the status quo? Sure. He could be Sean McKeon with a little better ball skills."
However, Hansen has also played very little in two seasons, despite having good size and athleticism. He was buried on the depth chart this season even when Erick All and Luke Schoonmaker were hurt; and freshman Colston Loveland and walk-on Max Bredeson both passed him up for playing time. His size (6'5", 245 lbs.) and athleticism do not appear to be the limiting factor, but he never got much practice buzz; I can only assume there were some habits that were just not in line with what the coaching staff sought.
Hansen is the first member of the 2021 recruiting class to depart, though there will surely be others, including this off-season. Jim Harbaugh spoke proudly in the pre-season about keeping that 2021 class together despite concerns about his job and the stability of the program. The class was never going to stay intact forever, but at least all those players lasted two seasons.
This hurts depth, but something Harbaugh has proven is that he can make TEs ... maybe we'll get a transfer, but we'll probably move guys around who can block, but are also on the athletic side
ReplyDeleteI recently asked the question about mis-matches between preliminary evaluations and eventual on-field performances ... 'surprises to the upside or downside' is how I phrased it. Colston Loveland may be one that has surprised to the upside. Your preliminary review rated him a 65, and you said his film showed nothing particularly compelling. But he's broken out as a key player at TE.
ReplyDeleteIf you were to write an off-season mailbag article on recruits who have surprised, this would be one. And what would be most interesting is an analysis of what you see NOW vs. what you saw on the HS film ... what's new, or changed, or improved.
I'm fascinated by all the things that go into success on the field. Natural ability is a big part, but not the only part. Strength and conditioning is another (some players may not commit to what's required); film study and understanding the game; practice activities on their own time; and the all-important 'attitude' X-factor.
So to summarize: a write-up on 'what I see NOW and why that makes a difference on the field' would be fascinating.
I'd add Rod Moore, who worried me when I noticed him out there in Happy Valley last year
DeleteI get the upside/downside surprises, but S&C is a huge consideration as well
So the S&C element could be broken down a couple of ways:
Delete(1) Player needed specific S&C but could not achieve desired results
(2) Player needed specific S&C but would not commit to work needed
For (1), that could be the case where a defensive lineman needed to bulk up to a certain weight, but for whatever reason their frame simply couldn't accomplish it. I suspect the more likely thing is (2). Blake Corum, I understand, is supremely committed to S&C, and went above and beyond, which explains part of 2022 performance. Mazi Smith also, particularly as it related to where and what his weight manifested.
Thunder could only speculate on some of that, of course. Unless he has contacts within the Michigan S&C program, he wouldn't know some of the details.
Regarding Colston Loveland, since he's a true freshman, the S&C element of this would be, I would imagine, secondary -- he hasn't had time enough to really benefit. So his breakout this year is either (a) he took to coaching and worked on specific technique to improve his game; or (b) there was natural ability there that was not exercised in HS; or (c) others things or combinations of above.
Yeah this guy was a twig before he worked hard this offseason. I mean this is just embarrassing:
Deletehttps://twitter.com/blake_corum/status/1412594647604641792?s=20&t=TGsW5zbHius3aLXKfU1KSg
I'm not doubting Ben Hebert or the S&C program. It's critical and Harbaugh supposedly tried to nominate him for a Broyles.
DeleteI think he's a big part of the program taking a step forward and deserves what awards, recognition, and pay benefits he will get.
We even have MSU fans crying about conspiracy theories about "what happens at halftime" in the locker room. lol
I'd like to know who called Corum a twig. That's the kind of foolishness I wanted to avoid this season
Delete