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Monday, July 16, 2012

2012 Season Countdown: #45 Kyle Kalis

Kyle Kalis
Name: Kyle Kalis
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 304 lbs.
High school: Lakewood (OH) St. Edward's
Position: Offensive tackle/guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #67
Last year: Kalis was in high school. No stats are available.

Final TTB Rating: 95

Kalis was one of the more intriguing prospects in the whole class of 2012.  He originally committed to childhood favorite Ohio State in September of 2010 during the fall of his junior year.  But in July of 2011, he had grown disgruntled with the direction of OSU's program and committed to the Buckeyes' arch rival.  He was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he played offensive guard instead of his normal tackle position.

Most observers (including me) believe Kalis is the most college ready of the four freshman offensive linemen.  He already has the size of a college lineman, and his play suggests that he's pretty close in the strength department, too.  As the son of a former NFL offensive lineman (Todd Kalis) and a disciple of LeCharles Bentley, he has pretty good technique, too.  The starting left guard position is unresolved with fifth year senior Elliott Mealer and redshirt sophomore walk-on Joey Burzynski battling it out, but there's also an opportunity for a freshman like Kalis to work his way into the lineup.  The coaches stated that Kalis would begin working at right tackle, but Michael Schofield played tackle, too, and he started most of the season at left guard.  Regardless of who wins the starting position at the beginning of the season, it's a near certainty that one or more freshmen will see the field this fall.  And as we learned from the Desmond Morgan situation last season, the coaches won't hesitate to toss in a true freshman if they feel he's the best guy.

Prediction: Backup offensive lineman

17 comments:

  1. Do you see Kalis as a Guard through his Michigan career?? And for some odd reason, I see Kalis and Kugler similar. Are they both Guard(s)?? Whose nastier (too early to tell?)

    Last question (sorry man), how's Chris Bryant?? I'm trying to keep tabs on him but difficult. Weight down?? Expected playing time? Position?

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    1. I think Kalis will be a guard in the long run, although he might play some tackle, too. Kugler is a center. I think Kalis is a little nastier, but both are good players.

      Bryant has lost some weight (he's not 341 anymore), but he's not exactly svelte. He's probably going to be the backup at right guard.

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    2. In the big Wolverine Magazine (pre-season), Funk did not give the impression that Bryant will be ready to compete in 2012 for a starting spot. He said something along the lines about Bryant starting to cut weight, but being on a slower development path. Usually, they have more encouraging things to say about back-ups. Considering the glaring weakness at LG, it's not a good sign that he is not in the mix.

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    3. He's only a redshirt freshman. I'm not really concerned at this point.

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    4. Not that you should be concerned, but it's just a sign that Kalis will be passing up Bryant pretty quickly on the depth chart.

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  2. Thunder, quick change, I think you mean July 2011.

    Question: Do you think Kalis starts this year? If so, will it be at left guard or right tackle? I think if he is to start, it is at left guard. I think Schofield is our best option at the tackle spot opposite of Lewan and Kalis fits better at guard.

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    Replies
    1. Fixed. Thanks.

      No, I don't think Kalis will start this year. If I did, he wouldn't be all the way down here at #45. Right tackle is out of the question for him to start, I think, unless Schofield gets hurt. It's either left guard or nothing as far as starting positions go.

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  3. I would imagine his best shot at playing time is backup Right Tackle, but I would also imagine Kalis or super sized Chris Bryant would have a better shot at starting success than the 6'1" Burzynski.

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  4. Just wondering Magnus, does Burzynski have a real chance at starting?

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    Replies
    1. I don't think he will, but he does have a real chance.

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  5. Safe to say Kalis and Manguson (Spell?) will be True Freshman?

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  6. Replies
    1. Redshirts aren't conferred until the end of the season. Regardless of whether or not they see the field, all class of 2012 recruits will be true freshmen this fall.

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  7. Did not know. Knowing is half the battle...

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    Replies
    1. Confusion may be coming from the fact that a true freshman can redshirt their first year, but only second year players can be considered "redshirt freshman." Make sense?

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