Former Stanford center Drake Nugent committed to Michigan as a grad transfer. As a class of 2019 signee out of Littleton (CO) Highland Ranch, he has two years of eligibility remaining. In the 2019 cycle, he was a 3-star, the #15 center, and #1141 overall.
Nugent is listed at 6'1" and 300 lbs. and has started the past 24 games at center for the Cardinal. He was named a captain in 2022 and is a two-time Honorable Mention All-Pac 12 honoree.
Nugent redshirted in 2019, does not lose a year of eligibility for 2020, and has been a starter since 2021. According to PFF (LINK), he has only allowed 2 quarterback hits in 993 dropbacks over the past two seasons.
Nugent is a little bit undersized at the aforementioned 6'1", but he is tough and stout on the interior. I watched some cuts of a couple of games, and the biggest thing I came away with is that he's unlikely to get pushed around very much. He may struggle at times with mammoth nose tackles, but those are few and far between. But if he's supposed to block back and wash a nose tackle/defensive tackle away, then he gets the job done. He also has the quickness and leverage to reach block, get out and move, and stay underneath defenders.
Michigan is losing center Olu Oluwatimi to the NFL after winning the Rimington and Outland trophies as the nation's best center and interior lineman, respectively. So they need a replacement at that position, and it could be Nugent; however, there's also rising redshirt sophomore Greg Crippen waiting in the wings, who redshirted in 2021 because of Oluwatimi's presence. Crippen is taller and longer and could potentially play guard if he's good enough to win a position, but Nugent is limited to center due to his size. It will be interesting to see how that battle plays out going into the future.
Michigan has landed several prospects in the transfer portal so far this cycle, including offensive guard LaDarius Henderson (LINK), linebacker Ernest Hausmann (LINK), and fellow Stanford Cardinal offensive tackle Myles Hinton (LINK).
Just a massive get for our program. I am thrilled. Olu elevated the OL and the offense to a higher level and Nugent can keep the momentum going. I know hopes for Crippen are high but Nugent is already where Crippen would hope to be - an all conference performer and Rimington finalist.
ReplyDeleteThe height issue is probably a good thing for us as it may encourage Nugent to stick around for 2 seasons in contrast with somebody like Henderson or Olu looking at Michigan as a quick stepping stone to the NFL.
I could maybe make a case for some 5-star HS recruits that could be more impactful than this (QBs especially) but none would make an immediate contribution the way Nugent likely will (and Olu did).
Go Blue!
I hadn't even realized Grad transfer doesn't mean one & done ... wow, getting these three can be huge (pun intended)
DeleteNugent will certainly get an opportunity to play against a mammoth nose tackle this spring ... all spring. Questions surrounding that issue should be answered quickly
ReplyDeleteRoanman
Great point
DeleteWhere did you find cuts of Drake Nugent? And ... have you found any for LaDarius Henderson? All I could find was a random play here and there.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking I might have to change my thinking, and start worrying about who might get ticked and leave.
Roanman
DeleteI went on YouTube and looked at full games from Stanford and ASU. There are shortened (every play type) versions that are about 20-30 minutes long and I just watch that team's offense.
DeleteExcellent, thanks
ReplyDelete"quickness and leverage ... "
ReplyDeleteWho would he remind you of, Vastardis maybe?
I think he's better than Vastardis. I dunno... He's not as quick as David Molk, but I think that would be my best comparison from the past 20 years or so.
DeleteHoly cow, that would be amazing
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