Kids that deserve a lot more credit, IMO:
1. Delano Hill. Best safety we’ve had here in recent memory. Rare combination of tremendous run defender and also pretty damn good in coverage. Was overshadowed on a defense that featured future first round picks and a bunch of stars overall. Would LOVE to have him in this defense, great fit for what coach Mac wants to do (based off of Baltimore’s scheme). He was an awesome player that was sort of a throw in recruit under hoke and has turned into an NFL vet.
2. Runyan Jr. That 2018/2019 line had a bunch of “stars,” and basically everybody is playing in the nfl which is awesome. But remember runyan was a low 3 star that many thought got a courtesy offer of sorts. His measurables to be a tackle SUCKED. And guess what? He was great. Now the kid started games for the Green Bay packers in a season they were a play or two from a super bowl appearance. Pretty amazing.
3. Patterson. Don’t really understand the hate for this kid at all. Led win streaks of 10 and 8 games, best statistical seasons we’ve had at the position in forever, and did this while dealing with 3 different OCs in 4 years. Came from Oxford and immediately blended in with the team. Never heard a word about anybody having an issue with him aside from Black, whom was pretty clearly not the best judge of character. Kid was outstanding against MSU twice, PSU twice, beat everybody he “should’ve” and was a damn good QB. No, he wasn’t the #1 pick his recruiting ranking suggested, but he was very good. Had he been a 3 star we’d have LOVED him as “elite development.”
4. Deveon Smith. I know the kid was slow but WOW watching old games I’ve never seen a UM running back fight harder for extra yards. Early in his career he ran behind horrific lines with a broken QB, and still made something out of absolutely nothing more often than not. Just an absolute warrior out there and I wish his 40 times was .2 faster so he had a run in the league.
5. Matt Godin. Like Hill, a kid surrounded by probably the deepest, most star studded D line in Michigan history, didn’t get near the attention he deserved. Just a rock solid player, great against the run, endless motor, and surprisingly good pass rusher. Another example of Hoke & Co identifying a lightly recruited DL (outside top 500 composite) that WAY outplayed his ranking.
1. Delano Hill. Best safety we’ve had here in recent memory. Rare combination of tremendous run defender and also pretty damn good in coverage. Was overshadowed on a defense that featured future first round picks and a bunch of stars overall. Would LOVE to have him in this defense, great fit for what coach Mac wants to do (based off of Baltimore’s scheme). He was an awesome player that was sort of a throw in recruit under hoke and has turned into an NFL vet.
2. Runyan Jr. That 2018/2019 line had a bunch of “stars,” and basically everybody is playing in the nfl which is awesome. But remember runyan was a low 3 star that many thought got a courtesy offer of sorts. His measurables to be a tackle SUCKED. And guess what? He was great. Now the kid started games for the Green Bay packers in a season they were a play or two from a super bowl appearance. Pretty amazing.
3. Patterson. Don’t really understand the hate for this kid at all. Led win streaks of 10 and 8 games, best statistical seasons we’ve had at the position in forever, and did this while dealing with 3 different OCs in 4 years. Came from Oxford and immediately blended in with the team. Never heard a word about anybody having an issue with him aside from Black, whom was pretty clearly not the best judge of character. Kid was outstanding against MSU twice, PSU twice, beat everybody he “should’ve” and was a damn good QB. No, he wasn’t the #1 pick his recruiting ranking suggested, but he was very good. Had he been a 3 star we’d have LOVED him as “elite development.”
4. Deveon Smith. I know the kid was slow but WOW watching old games I’ve never seen a UM running back fight harder for extra yards. Early in his career he ran behind horrific lines with a broken QB, and still made something out of absolutely nothing more often than not. Just an absolute warrior out there and I wish his 40 times was .2 faster so he had a run in the league.
5. Matt Godin. Like Hill, a kid surrounded by probably the deepest, most star studded D line in Michigan history, didn’t get near the attention he deserved. Just a rock solid player, great against the run, endless motor, and surprisingly good pass rusher. Another example of Hoke & Co identifying a lightly recruited DL (outside top 500 composite) that WAY outplayed his ranking.
