Search

National recruiting analyst: Michigan’s 2020 class fits ‘speed in space’ offense - MLive.com

National recruiting analyst: Michigan’s 2020 class fits ‘speed in space’ offense - MLive.com

ANN ARBOR -- When Josh Gattis took over as Michigan’s offensive coordinator in January, he didn’t waste any time implementing a new “speed in space” offense designed to create more explosive, big plays.

Although the Wolverines got off to a slow start offensively, Gattis' vision began to take shape late in the year, with the team averaging 37.6 points in its last five games.

The scheme change is also reflected in Michigan's 2020 recruiting class, according to ESPN national recruiting director Tom Luginbill.

The Wolverines have 25 commitments in their 2020 class, and most are expected to sign during the early signing period from Wednesday-Friday.

“They seemed to have gone a little bit smaller in terms of their offensive personnel to help them be more explosive within the passing game of their offense,” Luginbill said on an early signing day preview teleconference Monday. “I think they were trying to implement a scheme where maybe they didn’t necessarily have that type of player to maximize what they scheme is capable of being.”

Michigan's receiving corps was expected to be a strength heading into the season, led by a group of former four- and five-star prospects Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins and Tarik Black. Although the 6-foot-4 Collins and 6-foot-2 Peoples-Jones combined for 66 catches and 1,085 yards this season, they aren't the prototypical quick, elusive receivers for a speed in space offense.

Luginbill said four-star receiver commits A.J. Henning (Lincoln-Way East, Illinois) and Roman Wilson (St. Louis, Hawaii) are an ideal fit for Gattis' system.

The 5-foot-11 Henning is the team’s highest-ranked recruit and the No. 17 receiver in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite. He was named Illinois’ Gatorade Player of the Year after scoring 28 touchdowns, including one in his team’s Class 8A state championship victory.

The speedy 6-foot Wilson is the 61st-ranked receiver in the 2020 class. He had more than 1,400 total yards this season to help lead his team to an undefeated record and state championship.

Four-star safety RJ Moten from New Jersey also could be an option at receiver.

"One of the things that stood out to me about this class, and I do think it is important, there are some skilled athletes in this class that fit more of the quote-unquote speed in space of what they are trying to be on offense," Luginbill said. "You can say, 'Well, they have really good receivers on offense.' Yeah, but all their receivers, whether it is Tarik Black, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins, all of those guys are big, physical 50-50 ball pass-catchers. "They don't have a lot of jitter-bug type guys that can take the ball on a 5-yard slant and can turn it into an 80-yard touchdown. With guys like AJ Henning, RJ Moten, who can actually play on either side of the ball, you've got the players."

Michigan's class is currently ranked 11th nationally and No. 2 in the Big Ten, according to the 247Sports Composite. However, it does not have a five-star commit for just the second time in the past five years.

Nevertheless, Luginbill still believes this is a deep, talented class.

"To me, Braiden McGregor (four-star defensive end), A.J. Henning, Blake Corum (four-star running back), Andre Seldon (four-star cornerback), Jaylen Harrell (four-star defensive end), those guys are in the upper tier," Luginbill said. "They are all top-10, top-five, top-15 players at their respective positions nationally.

"There are not as many five stars as people thinks there are. If there were, there would 25 true freshmen dominating college football every fall, and there is not...

"I think the caliber of player Michigan brought in in this class is strong enough to compete against its competitors."

Luginbill also said Michigan should benefit from getting most of the class signed during the early period.

“This is a class that is, by the end of Friday night, going to be, if things go as planned, going to be done, which the coaches are going to love because then they can focus on junior day and the 2021 class and really get a five- to six-week head start outside of bowl season and moving forward,” Luginbill said.

MORE: Michigan football gets commitment from 2022 in-state defensive lineman

Michigan recruit plans rare feat with double dose of football and wrestling for Wolverines

Michigan QB target C.J. Stroud ‘very accurate,’ coach says

Michigan recruiting: Who will sign during early period?

Michigan views Citrus Bowl, Alabama as chance to ‘rewrite’ season



2019-12-17 12:30:00Z
https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2019/12/national-recruiting-analyst-michigans-2020-class-fits-speed-in-space-offense.html

Bagikan Berita Ini

Related Posts :

0 Response to "National recruiting analyst: Michigan’s 2020 class fits ‘speed in space’ offense - MLive.com"

Post a Comment

Powered by Blogger.