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| Graham Glasgow |
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 303 lbs.
High school: Aurora (IL) Marmion
Position: Center
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #61
Last year: I ranked Glasgow #80 and said he would be a bench player. He played in five games as a backup guard.
Glasgow came into college as a pretty well regarded walk-on player, but he didn't have any scholarship offers. He did work his way onto the field last season, but he wasn't a factor in critical situations. I can't say that I noticed him out there much, but when he was in the game, I was not impressed. Then again, Michigan's offensive line as a whole was not very good last year.
This year Glasgow has been mentioned repeatedly as a competitor for the center position, despite being 6'6", which is tall for a center. Fellow redshirt sophomore Jack Miller looks like the front-runner for the job, but options are limited behind him. Miller, Glasgow, and Joey Burzynski are the top three options at center, and incoming freshman Pat Kugler could be an emergency fill-in. I expect that Glasgow will play at some point this fall, but hopefully it's because Michigan is beating the pants off someone.
Prediction: Backup center
If Miller is hurt or ineffective, how realistic is it to have a 6'6 OC? Is that common?
ReplyDeleteIt's not common, but it's not unheard of. I imagine it will be easier for Michigan (in this offense) to have a 6'6" center than a team that mostly zone blocks (like Rodriguez's Michigan), because this offense doesn't require as much quickness and leverage.
DeleteI expect Miller to start, but if he doesn't I really wonder who the best fit at center would be between Glasgow, Burzynski or even Kugler. Glasgow is a logical option but it seems like the height issue works against him. I've also seen him get mentioned as pushing Braden for a starting guard position. Kugler is listed at 6'5 some places, though he's probably 6'4 in reality.
DeleteWe're just talking about an inch or two, but our OLmen seem to fall within a fairly narrow range of 6'6+ for OT, and 6'4-6'7 for OG, and the OC's tend to be shorter.
I'm just shrugging on the backups at this point, really hoping these projected starters can actually play.
Center is my biggest concern on the team (SAM and FS are 2nd and 3rd). Just not confident that our upperclassmen at the spot are solid. Hope Miller proves to be solid. Given decent depth, Glasgow would not be in the conversation if there were decent depth. He is the Joey Burzynski of spring 2013.
Delete@Anon
DeleteI'm not worried about SAM - at the very least Gordon is a competent player who will not be a liability. He's not the same playmaker as Ryan, but Mattison can use him differently too (more blitzes/coverage and less read/react). The other LBs and WDE should be better, so the SAM's job should be a little easier as well. Beyer too, is at least serviceable and should be useful as a run-defender if nothing else. Both guys are quality college football players if not Michigan starter-worthy.
FS - It may take a few more weeks (ND game worries me) but Wilson should be very good by the end of the year. Most true freshman who can play that position without being a disaster end up being very good players. Wilson surpassed Furman, Robinson and others to enter the playing rotation almost right away. All the signs here are positive. And if he really struggles you can move Gordon back and put another player at SS. We'll be alright.
Center/Miller is a totally different situation - an entirely unproven starter whose backups are walk-ons. To me, he's the equivalent of starting Josh Furman except if Furman couldn't beat out mediocre competition last season.
Ethan Pocics older brother was a 6'7" center at Illinois, I believe, and VTs center we faced in the Sugar Bowl was their tallest lineman, but that's still a pretty rare thing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting placement. This is a good spot for Glasgow because he could be relied on, but I think Taco will have plenty more snaps at the end of the season. This has to be a tough section of the countdown comparing necessities vs. luxury contributors.
ReplyDeleteFWIW, one of UMich's all-time greats (Steve Everitt) was, I believe, 6'5".
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