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| Nashville (TN) Montgomery Bell offensive tackle Alex Bars (image via 247 Sports) |
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 290 lbs.
High school: Nashville (TN) Montgomery Bell
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: 2014
Notes: Holds offers from Arkansas, California, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Mississippi, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, South Carolina, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, and Virginia . . . ESPN 4-star, 83 grade, #7 OT, #55 overall . . . Rivals 4-star, #6 OT, #55 overall . . . Scout 4-star, #24 OT . . . 247 Sports 4-star, 91 grade, #14 OT, #183 overall . . . Father Joe played linebacker at Notre Dame . . . Brother Brad plays defensive end for Penn State . . . Brother Blake plays offensive guard for Michigan
Strengths: Very good height and length . . . Shows excellent pad level when run blocking . . . Comes off ball low and hard . . . Fast enough and agile enough to latch onto second-level players . . . Maintains wide base at second level . . . Rolls hips well through blocks . . . Does a good job with hand placement to get under defender's pads . . . Shows active feet in pass blocking . . . Plays to the whistle . . . Shows a willingness to help out teammates and make second effort blocks to keep quarterback clean
Weaknesses: Needs to work on pass blocking . . . Kick set is virtually non-existent, partly because of the offense Montgomery Bell runs . . . Speed rushers can give him trouble because he can't get out of his stance fast enough . . . Sometimes forced to cross over feet to catch up to outside rush . . . Lacks a little bit of nastiness
Projection: Left tackle. Bars has the feet to play left tackle, but he could play either guard or tackle position. He already has good size, so that aspect shouldn't be a problem. The technique of pass protection is going to be the biggest issue for him, in my opinion. His athleticism will help him pick that up, so it all depends on how quickly he can make the mental adjustments and get the reps to be a quality pass blocker. If that gets sorted out, he could be a BCS all-conference type of player.
Reminds me of: Ben Braden
Likelihood of committing to Michigan: With family history at Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State, there are a lot of connections. The latest talk has it as a neck-and-neck race between the Wolverines and Fighting Irish, with Penn State and Tennessee lagging a little behind.
Highlights on Hudl.
Ben Braden?
ReplyDeleteI may be remembering incorrectly, but I thought you put penciled Ben Braden in at right tackle? I thought he might remind you of Magnuson before Braden.
To me Bars looks like a good left tackle prospect, similar to Magnuson. Both seem a little light. I'm hoping Magnuson can put on the needed weight, because I expect big things from him.
I did pencil Braden in at right tackle, but the build/movement remind me of Braden, though Bars is smaller. Also, Magnuson was a better pass blocker than run blocker, whereas Bars is the opposite.
DeleteReminds me of: Blake Bars
DeleteI can't put a finger on just why though.
Perhaps this is a nitpick point, but when you select someone who a HS player reminds you of, Thunder, it might be more helpful to select someone who we have seen play in college or the pro's. the only thing I have seen Ben Braden do is give high fives on the side line and five minutes of B-roll as a prep.
DeleteWhat's with the gigantic, old-school shoulder pads? They look big in the picture, anyway. I'm reminded of the late '80s Michigan highlights where Jamie Morris is only about twice as big as his pads.
ReplyDeleteMagnus, do you like him better than Magnuson, or a better question may be does he have a higher ceiling than Magnuson? I know that the latter had a lot of hype but apparently as of yet he hasn't progressed to a point where he can contribute.
ReplyDeleteMagnuson is a strong pass blocker, which fits left tackle best. It's hard to judge his improvement because it's not like he's going to take time from either Lewan or Schofield as a redshirt freshman.
DeleteOnce Lewan and Schofield graduate, I am guessing that Magnuson and Braden are the most likely to take over as tackles.
DeleteOf course Magnus likes Magnuson better than bars; he's the son of Magnus
DeleteA long time ago there was a strong man named Magnus Magnusson... he was built like a guard though...
DeleteI heard several people, including a UM rivals guy say Magnuson doesn't have the mean streak the coaches want and is getting beat by walk on DEs. That is why you hear nothing about him.
DeleteYou have a rating for him?
ReplyDeleteI only rate players who commit to Michigan.
DeleteRandom question, but since you project Bars as an LT, does Notre Dame have any noticeable Left Tackles that are in the NFL?
ReplyDeleteI know that this may account for little in terms of Bars' decision, but to see Jake Long go #1 and Lewan being a potential lottery pick, does knowing Michigan is a "LT Factory" help Michigan at all? I just can't think of any recent draft where a ND LT or OL player went high in the draft - please correct me if I'm wrong.
I do not believe Notre Dame has any notable left tackles in the NFL.
DeleteIf pass blocking is even a slight issue, isn't left tackle the last place that you would want the guy?
ReplyDeletePass blocking is something that can be learned if you're a good enough athlete. It just means it might take him a little longer to get there.
DeleteIt would be fun to have two brothers starting on the same OL.
ReplyDeleteThe younger Bars has an amazing offer list.
If Bars did commit to Michigan (sounds like a 30% chance) do you think the offer to Doles is still available?
30% chance? It's between ND and U of M... and we were considered to be a slight lean unless you talk to certain domers, then they are a slight lead. And you put it at.. 30%? This is why everyone hates you, Lanknows: the bullshit. I imagine you are the worst person to talk to about sports at the office.
Delete-JC
@JC
Delete"The latest talk has it as a neck-and-neck race between the Wolverines and Fighting Irish, with Penn State and Tennessee lagging a little behind."
I took that at face value. Split 4 by 100, adjust up for UM. Call it 35 if that makes you happier. Not that I care about that.
You can take all the anonymous-internet-shots you want at me, but you haven't made a single intelligent point in well...ever. If you don't want to talk to me "at the office" I'm sure I wouldn't mind. Why don't we extend that approach to this here blog?