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| Ondre Pipkins |
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 317 lbs.
High school: Kansas City (MO) Park Hill
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #56
Last year: I ranked Pipkins #28 and said he would be the starting nose tackle with 20 tackles and 1 sack. He was a backup nose tackle and made 9 tackles.
This is maybe the biggest drop in the short history of my season countdowns, but here Pipkins falls 38 spots since last year. He tore his ACL in October of 2013, and while he was not expected to recover from his ACL tear quite as quickly as smaller guys (Jake Ryan, Jake Butt, Russell Bellomy, etc.), I thought he should be somewhat effective toward the end of the year. Instead, he played in just six games and made 9 tackles. Meanwhile, players like Ryan Glasgow, Bryan Mone, and Maurice Hurst, Jr. got more playing time.
Pipkins's time at Michigan will soon come to an end, and chances are slim that he lives up to the 5-star status he had coming out of Missouri as a high schooler. He still has the size to be a nose tackle, but the burst appears to be lacking and he probably can't be much more than an eater of space. On top of that, all three of the aforementioned players return. Glasgow was effective, Mone showed more flashes than Pipkins ever really has, and Hurst earned some spring practice buzz to go along with his solid redshirt freshman season. The nose tackle position seems to be in good hands, but those good hands do not seem to belong to Pipkins.
Prediction: Backup nose tackle
UPDATE: Now that the news has broken about Pipkins's transfer, I can "officially" say that I have expected his departure for the past couple months. Regardless, until it was announced by him or by the university, I was going to place him in the countdown where I saw him fitting in. Since he sits here at #66, you can see that I do not view this as a big loss.
In your analysis, TTB, how much does the ACL injury contribute to Pipkins' lack of overall productivity? What do think are the other factors? Like many others, I'm sure, I thought the guy had a lot of promise.
ReplyDeleteI was not very impressed with what I saw out of Pipkins during the first 1.5 years of his career before he tore his ACL. Granted, that's early to judge, but I never really saw the flashes of living up to his 5-star status (to some evaluators) coming out of high school. Even I gave him a TTB Rating of 90, but I don't think he was really on the way to reaching that level of play, either. He seemed like a solid player but not a great deal more.
DeleteI think Pipkins has struggled with his weight/conditioning a little bit. But that's pretty normal for big guys like him - they don't typically get big by having small appetites.
I also don't think his explosiveness really matched up with the college game. Sometimes guys look explosive in high school and it doesn't translate, and I think that's a part of what has happened here.
" I gave him a TTB Rating of 90, but I don't think he was really on the way to reaching that level of play, either. He seemed like a solid player but not a great deal more."
DeleteI don't get it - why would you rate him differently than what you think? Isn't the point of TTB ranking to give your independent opinion?
It was my opinion coming out of high school. After he played college ball for 1.5 years before getting injured, I did not have the same impression.
DeleteGot it. Wording was confusing me.
DeleteOff topic, but was interested in your opinion on WL Central DE Adetokunbo Ogundeji. He has received some impressive offers lately, including Notre Dame. Local product. Thanks Magnus
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any film on him since sophomore year. I talked about him in my 2016 recruiting preview but I don't have much of an opinion right now.
DeleteQuestion and I want it to be perceived as fair because I respect and enjoy this site.
ReplyDeleteWhy should someone (myself) take your ratings or the star rankings that seriously when a guy gets a grade of 90 vs. someone with a grade of 70?
Pipkins is the perfect example of how evaluation is difficult. I am not stating that you aren't good at evaluation. It's difficult and I clearly can't distinguish among many players although some players have obvious talent.
You should take them seriously only if you are supremely interested in internet talk, cooler talk, etc. about sports. These rankings are a way for diehard sports fans to compare players. One number can't really encapsulate a player's entire career. It's the same reason you might think a 1st round draft pick is better than a 3rd. Does it really matter on the field? No, because the 3rd round guy might kick the 1st rounder's ass.
DeleteHave you done a study looking at how your predictions have panned out?
ReplyDeleteI have not. I can tell you this, though - if I give you a high ranking, you are almost required to have a serious injury. Pipkins, Fox, and Bryant all got high grades, Derrick Green and Jabrill Peppers have both missed significant chunks, etc. It's like the Sports Illustrated curse.
DeleteWow, he makes Hoke look small. Darned shame he hasn't lived up to his hype/potential.
ReplyDeletePretty sure he is a medical now
ReplyDeleteThe thing Hoke was superb at was getting his players to have ACL injuries, he was hands down the best in the country. The second thing Hoke excelled at was getting nothing out of top recruits. This poor kid should have gone to Nebraska or Mo and would likely now be a first round pick.
ReplyDeleteHIs practices were physical, they made guys tough. And hurt.
DeleteHopefully harbaugh can instill some pride and motivation.. Finish strong! Go blue!
ReplyDeletePipkins career was a bigtime disappointment. So it goes sometimes. Glad they have other options.
ReplyDelete