Redshirt freshman center Zach Carpenter announced on Twitter that he is entering the transfer portal.
Carpenter redshirted in 2019 and was expected by some (including me) to be the starter in 2020, but an injury led to him being a backup to Andrew Vastardis for the first several games of the year. After Vastardis got hurt, Carpenter started the final two games of the regular season against Rutgers and Penn State. I thought he performed fairly well and was more stout and athletic than Vastardis, though he did miss some stunts in pass protection that looked like standard mistakes for a young center.
Michigan is in a bit of a precarious position going into 2021. Vastardis is a fifth year senior who could presumably return in 2021, since the 2020 season is essentially null and void. Otherwise, Michigan might be reliant on Nolan Rumler (who has mostly practiced at guard), freshman Reece Atteberry, and class of 2021 commits Raheem Anderson II and Greg Crippen.
This is one of the stranger transfers over the years, right up there with tight end Devin Asiasi. Carpenter waited until the end of his second year, while Asiasi only spent one year in Ann Arbor, but both played quite a bit and were on the verge of starting the next season.
Then poof, they were gone.
Carpenter is the second class of 2019 signee to depart, joining linebacker Charles Thomas. Here's a link to the scholarship count (LINK).
I think it's safe to assume this is part of the Harbaugh attrition problem. We still have up to two games left, and he's a starter. But, he'd rather quit
ReplyDeleteGotta keep Vastardis, though I believe I've seen he's wrapping up his Master's right now, and hope Atterberry is ready
*Rumler is gone too, or so say the rumors
It's odd considering how many offensive linemen Ed Warinner has gotten into the pros. Will Carpenter find some coach better than him?.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's a Warriner attrition problem?
ReplyDeleteCarpenter was a starter. Kegan or Rumler might be attrition some day.
DeleteThat's the point. We have guys leaving who would start here, for reasons for it are unclear to outsiders. Warriner is getting a pass from fans and pundits while everyone else gets heat. The OL room clearly has problems too.
DeleteI don't think I agree.
DeleteWhen you said attrition I thought you meant players that wanted to be coached by Ed Warinner, that could start at most schools but are 2nd string here, because there's other players that came here to be coached by Ed Warriner, and would leave because of it.
You know that Warriner, like Brown and Harbaugh, will be in high demand if he is not at Michigan. Less obvious with some of the other staff. Zordich has the coaching chops but might be better suited to the NFL where recruiting isn't such a big factor.
Delete-Lank
I Am wishing Jirbaugh will contact Kevin Sumlin to he OC!!!
ReplyDeleteJirbaugh was a typo.
DeleteJim Harbaugh
ReplyDeletedid he lose the "MFing" middle name? Maybe modified to -er these days...
Delete-Lank
It's funny that we think we know who a good coaching hire could be. Sumlin, Malzahn, Taggert, Frost all looked like gold a couple years back. And I know the Les Miles contingent is quiet now but we heard you 6 years ago.
ReplyDelete-Lank
You think Kevin Sumlin is not a great offensive coach?
DeleteNO, not at all
DeleteIt's a message board. Opinions matter
ReplyDelete