Ponte Vedra Beach (FL) Ponte Vedra center Jake Guarnera committed to Michigan on Friday. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Florida, Miami, Ole Miss, and Penn State, among others.
I wrote up a full scouting report on Guarnera Friday before his commitment, so feel free to check that out (LINK).
I had been working on an "If I Had My Druthers" post regarding finishing out the offensive line class, but there's only so much time in a day, so I ran out of real estate for getting that posted. I still may complete the post now that Guarnera is in the fold, but . . . he was not particularly high on that list. The amazing thing is that it's not even that he's a bad prospect, but he was low on the list because so many high-quality linemen are interested in Michigan.
Guarnera will have to transition from playing left tackle in high school to playing center (or guard) in college, and it's always difficult to gauge how those moves will go. For example, Reece Atteberry was another tackle who was slated for center, but he does not seem to have gained much traction there and now plays exclusively at guard.
Michigan now has five offensive linemen in the class and will probably try to land a sixth, if not a seventh. Guarnera is the best bet to play center. He is the third lowest ranked commit in the class, ahead of only German native Manuel Beigel and little known Zach Ludwig.
Guarnera would be the first player from Ponte Vedra High to play for Michigan.
I like this kid a lot. To begin with he looks a legitimate 280 ... ish, maybe the 290 he's advertised at. Then, he gets wide, moves his feet ok, not great maybe, but he isn't coming here to play LT. He makes good decisions about getting off doubles and getting to the next level. When he gets there he finds the guy that needs blocking and then gets him blocked. Finally, he's playing a national schedule against big, strong, future power five defensive linemen ... practicing against that sort also.
ReplyDeleteIf he can make the calls we got another future center. If not, he looks like a guard. although our guards are getting big nowadays ... really big.
Roanman
Yeah...I'm not sure he fits at guard for Michigan. Keegan and Zinter are huge, and so were some of the previous guys. I don't know if Guarnera has that kind of body type to carry that weight. Maybe he could be a stopgap guy, but it seems like center or bust.
DeleteI'm not sure why I decided that Guarnara goes to IMG, but ... no. So scratch the part about playing a national schedule. I looked at his film again to make certain that I wasn't hallucinating the size and talent of the guys he was playing against. And whatdoyaknow? Wrong kid.
DeleteThe moral here being, senility is a bitch, just say no.
So, The real Jake Guarnara is a big, nasty mauler who indeed does look to be somewhere between 280 and 290 lbs at probably 17 years of age. His feet are better than ok for such a big kid, as he easily gets out and pulls. His footwork is a little iffy in that he does it a little different every time, which will be a problem at Michigan as a timing issue. But he's light on his feet and gets way out in front in plenty of time to hit somebody. He makes consistently good decisions about who to block and when to disengage and go get the next guy.
I do think they can get this kid to 312 or so, maybe a little bigger, but again, Michigan guards are huge people.
I'd like that other kid too. Whoever he is. He can play.
Roanman
I don't think we need 7, or even 5. With the portal we need a few ea year to develop, but can rely on another 1 or 2 to fill gaps. Take the guy with credibility backed by film over 1 or 2 hopeful projects out of High School
ReplyDeletePortal goes out, as well as in.
DeleteI like both Max Anderson and Brandon Baker. Anderson looks like a kid that can get big enough to play guard at Michigan, and Baker has the quickest feet for a big offensive lineman than I've seen in a long time, maybe ever.
I'd be delighted to take them both.
Roanman
Agree with Roanman. Portal for a top-of-the-food-chain program like Michigan should always be sending more guys out then it is bringing in. I don't think there's any real change to the recruiting approach vs a few years ago except maybe you are more willing to take risks on higher ceiling/lower floor players if you know Portal is available if it doesn't work out.
DeleteIf there's any truth to roster being expanded by virtue of non-scholarship NIL-funded vets then 7 guys is better than 5 and you don't have to worry about it coming at the expense of CB, WR, or whatever else.
Michigan's success so far has come with homegrown, developed talent and an occasional portal guy mixed in (like Oluwatimi). With offensive line - where chemistry and communication are so important - I wouldn't want to change the philosophy much. Don't fix it if it ain't broke.
DeleteI think Michigan should be recruiting plenty of offensive linemen, letting them duke it out, and then letting the also-rans head to the portal. Yes, you can pick up guys in the portal, which they have, but the core of the line consists of guys who have been around for 3-5 years.
Well they took 3 transfers in this class so I think it's already changed. May not do that again for a while but the portal is going to be a factor imo
DeleteDid you just agree with opposing views?
DeleteTalking to me JE? Maybe you think so?
DeleteYes, I meant you ... but it's in a nice way
DeleteI don't see anything opposing here just different perspectives. For HS recruiting -- keep doing what you're doing. For portal - it's a new world and a new normal. If Michigan can keep up the success of the last couple season and bring in proven players to further the bench that's a good thing. Even if more guys are moving in and out than in the past.
DeleteTo your original post JE - I think just the opposite about proven guys vs projects. You can afford to take risks on HS kids, knowing the portal can be used if it doesn't work out.
I finally sat and watched Zach Ludwig last night. He's a very nice high school athlete, plays QB and Mike, but I couldn't figure out why he's a take here and decided that he doesn't make it to the end of the process. But then ... in the middle of his film ... he's long snapping punts.
ReplyDeleteSo, I dunno.
Roanman
I think it was Seth at MGoBlog who said he was going to be a fullback at Michigan. And I have no idea why a fullback at Michigan needs a scholarship, considering you can get guys like Max Bredeson or other backup tight ends to do it. I have also seen theories that he will be a long snapper. Is he worthy of a long snapping scholarship? I have no idea.
DeleteI agree that FB doesn't need a scholarship but it all depends on how you use them. It did seem like guys like Hill and Mason brought something to the short yardage rushing game. Given some of the short-yardage miscues we've seen I wouldn't mind seeing a power hybrid back return to the roster.
Delete