UM Recruiting going HUGE!!!

[IntuitiveGriz]

There are a couple of trends that can be seen in the new coaching staffs recruiting habits...

1st- a lot of WR and No TE

But the second one is they are getting BIG and offering Huge linemen to face the likes on North Dakota State.

O-line 2015 Class
Cody Meyer Fr. 6'3" 265
Colin McGillivray 6'7" 278
Joe Paolina 6'7" 290
Dallas Hart 6'5" 320
Angel Villanueva 6'5" 330

2016 Verbals
OL - Thayne Jackson 6'6" 270
OL- Dylan Eickmeyer 6'4" 270
OL - Ashton Torres 6'5" 300

Possible O-Line 2016 verbal
OL- Brandon Scott 6'7" 330

Transfer/Possible/Verbal D-Line 2016 verbal
DL - Myles McKee-Osibodu 6'3" 270 (Verbal)
DE- Esai Longoria 6'3" 270 (Verbal)
DT - Brandt Davidson 6'2" 285 (Transfer- on campus)
DL- Pedro Sibiea (Trans-Louisville) 6'3" 300 (Visiting)
DT - DeVonta (DJ) Davidson 6'5" 310 (Offer)

Don't forget OL Jackson McCullough, 6'5" 275, from sunny San Diego. He grey-shirted in 2015 and will be a part of this 2016 class,

https://twitter.com/umgrizzlies_fb/status/563010042014990336

 

[THE HERD]

Bobby consistently had some really big o-lines, not many behemoths though in the 330 range. I think some of the guys we're recruiting this year and last are bigger on average coming out of high school, but maybe more athletic. The fact is, we'll have a new corp of some pretty highly decorated lineman on the roster come fall. Luckily, we have a bunch of seniors coming into their own to ease us into the Stitt era. I believe it will be a good transition. But in two years and beyond we have the potential to put the best o-lines on the field that we've maybe ever seen here.

And Inspector, NDSU's o-line is the direction we're headed, but they aren't the biggest line in football, certainly not even in college.

Haeg 6'6" 310
Johnson 6'4" 329
Kuhnert 6'4" 300
Kelly 6'6"300
Lechler 6'7" 300
That was our line this year...good size, but yeah certainly not even the biggest in college football. We also had Plankers at 6'7" 321 who played a lot of snaps, as well as a few other guys that rotated in. Haeg is playing in the Senior Bowl this weekend.

Rock solid offensive lines are how you win playoff games....and them are sum horses.

You are correct sir! In my opinion our O-lines the last five years are the single biggest reason that we have won five straight. They allowed us to play the way we want to...grind out long drives and eat clock..four yards and a cloud of dust if you will. That in turn makes our D that much better, since they are not on the field forever. Granted we have had some stellar Defensive teams, but the O-line play just makes it all better. Good Luck on finding some Big Uglies for the Griz and we will see you in Fargo next December!

 

[GrizGrad2010]

Payton,

Any chance you could contrast our starting O-Line size (height and weight) the last few years? You've already got 2015 and 2016 completed above, obviously. Do you have access to that sort of information?

It'd be even more accurate to compare their "recruiting weight" coming out of high school (maybe in some old recruiting threads?) and be able to really see if our theories are correct.

I'm curious to see the changing trends in the size of these kids were going after in the trenches!

 

[reinell30]

I believe our O-Line size began to shrink after the 2012 season. Last year under Mick, we had the smallest O-line in overall size/weight then we have had since 2000 I believe.

 

[jcu27]

I believe Pflu started the smaller o line trend. They fit in his offense. Mick should of been recruiting big boys but he's kind of senile.

 

[NLGrizFan]

I believe Pflu started the smaller o line trend. They fit in his offense. Mick should of been recruiting big boys but he's kind of senile.

That's my thought as well. Since he was a ground and pound guy, why was he going after 250lb O lineman?

 

[jcu27]

I believe Pflu started the smaller o line trend. They fit in his offense. Mick should of been recruiting big boys but he's kind of senile.

That's my thought as well. Since he was a ground and pound guy, why was he going after 250lb O lineman?

He probably kept forgetting that he was head coach and pflu wasnt there anymore. So he kept recruiting for Pflus offense. :lol:








I am joking... But what's the other explanation lol

 

[Alaska Griz]

I believe Pflu started the smaller o line trend. They fit in his offense. Mick should of been recruiting big boys but he's kind of senile.

I could be wrong, but I think Pflu recruited Kistler and Poehls, two of the larger o-lineman in Griz history. Delaney had some head scratchers, like Rokich at 240 lbs out of high school. Don't think he ever got significantly bigger. Might be 265 now as a rs junior? Robert Luke is the only Delaney guy over 300 lbs.

 

[PlayerRep]

Who recruited, i.e. which coaches, recruited the o-lineman who signed last year at this time?

 

[Alaska Griz]

Who recruited, i.e. which coaches, recruited the o-lineman who signed last year at this time?

If I remember correctly, we lost Neale to UNLV. Stitt in turn added Hart, Paolina, and Jackson McCullough, who weren't on the board when he got here. So...a combination of both, but mostly Stitt. Seems like he looked at the roster and realized we needed more lineman. Maybe Delaney would have signed that many, but his past record of signing o-lineman shows otherwise.

 

[BadlandsGrizFan]

I believe Pflu started the smaller o line trend. They fit in his offense. Mick should of been recruiting big boys but he's kind of senile.

That's my thought as well. Since he was a ground and pound guy, why was he going after 250lb O lineman?

Undersized lineman are best at choosing to kick after won coin tosses!

 

[zirge]

now that we are now getting what we want in o-line size and quality, coaching these big fellers to block for the Stitt's offense and preparing them for their weekly opponents is now on the table. no more if this, or that, not his fault did not recruit the talent needed etc, etc.
if NDSU showed us anything, it was that coaching matters building a successful program.
looking forward to seeing the improvement in this area next year having the right recruits and coaches to implement our GRIZ tradition once again.

 

[Ursus1]

With number of Oline verbals....makes me wonder if Stitt will "release" a few on roster now after having them a year and seeing something in them that won't cut it....(not Redshirts, but some holdover from Delaney).

 

[griz4life]

I believe Pflu started the smaller o line trend. They fit in his offense. Mick should of been recruiting big boys but he's kind of senile.

That's my thought as well. Since he was a ground and pound guy, why was he going after 250lb O lineman?

Pflu recruited Poehls, Oiland, Kalekani, Liccardi, all big dudes straight out of high school. He also recruited those transfer twins who were big, but not best of class.

The smaller recruits trend started with Gragg, who started recruiting lighter guys after Pflu left. Tall and light, just like Gragg was when he was recruited by the Griz. Gragg didn't weigh 240 when he was a freshman. He was a beanpole.

 

[FutureGrizDad]

Good Morning Griz Nation!

Just 8 days until National Signing Day. Dylan is working hard in the gym 5 days a week and is excited for the opportunity to compete on the OL. Weight now up to 293. Speed and footwork significantly improving as opening day gets closer. Bonds with incoming class continue to develop through constant contact with one another. I truly believe this will be a special class. Can't wait for the season to begin!

 

[mtgrizrule]

Good Morning Griz Nation!

Just 8 days until National Signing Day. Dylan is working hard in the gym 5 days a week and is excited for the opportunity to compete on the OL. Weight now up to 293. Speed and footwork significantly improving as opening day gets closer. Bonds with incoming class continue to develop through constant contact with one another. I truly believe this will be a special class. Can't wait for the season to begin!

I can only speak for myself, but I love these updates!!! :thumb:

 

[GoldStandardGriz]

Good Morning Griz Nation!

Just 8 days until National Signing Day. Dylan is working hard in the gym 5 days a week and is excited for the opportunity to compete on the OL. Weight now up to 293. Speed and footwork significantly improving as opening day gets closer. Bonds with incoming class continue to develop through constant contact with one another. I truly believe this will be a special class. Can't wait for the season to begin!

^This^ brought a smile to my face. Good morning!

 

[HookedonGriz]

Good Morning Griz Nation!

Just 8 days until National Signing Day. Dylan is working hard in the gym 5 days a week and is excited for the opportunity to compete on the OL. Weight now up to 293. Speed and footwork significantly improving as opening day gets closer. Bonds with incoming class continue to develop through constant contact with one another. I truly believe this will be a special class. Can't wait for the season to begin!

Great update and thanks! I agree, this class is going to do things. Please chime in often and so glad your kid wants to be a Griz!

 

[AZDoc]

Good Morning Griz Nation!

Just 8 days until National Signing Day. Dylan is working hard in the gym 5 days a week and is excited for the opportunity to compete on the OL. Weight now up to 293. Speed and footwork significantly improving as opening day gets closer. Bonds with incoming class continue to develop through constant contact with one another. I truly believe this will be a special class. Can't wait for the season to begin!

^This^ brought a smile to my face. Good morning!

Me too. It's funny we keep talking about the 2 other big boys because of the star factor, but I think Dylan Eickmeyer and his measly 2 stars is going to be a stud.

 

[AZGrizFan]

Good Morning Griz Nation!

Just 8 days until National Signing Day. Dylan is working hard in the gym 5 days a week and is excited for the opportunity to compete on the OL. Weight now up to 293. Speed and footwork significantly improving as opening day gets closer. Bonds with incoming class continue to develop through constant contact with one another. I truly believe this will be a special class. Can't wait for the season to begin!

^This^ brought a smile to my face. Good morning!

Me too. It's funny we keep talking about the 2 other big boys because of the star factor, but I think Dylan Eickmeyer and his measly 2 stars is going to be a stud.

He's been the guy nobody has talked about. Early commit. Quiet....just out there working his ass off to get better... :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: