Tag: Kyle Kalis

247 Sports’ Top 100

Michigan commit Kyle Kalis is the #40 player in the nation.

247 Sports re-ranked their top 100 recently, and there are some changes to note (find previous rankings here):

– Michigan commit CB Terry Richardson dropped from #31 out of the top 100.

– Michigan commit (and former Ohio State commit) moved up from #52 to #40.

– Michigan commit LB James Ross dropped from #84 to #100.

– Michigan commit OT Erik Magnuson jumped from #85 to #63.

– Michigan commit DT Ondre Pipkins jumped from #149 to #88.

The new ratings of Michigan offerees:

5-stars
1. Arik Armstead – OT – California (USC)
2. Dorial Green-Beckham – WR – Missouri
3. Eddie Goldman – DT – Washington, DC
5. Andrus Peat – OT – Arizona
7. Kyle Murphy – OT – California
8. John Theus – OT – Florida (Georgia)
9. Keith Marshall – RB – North Carolina
10. Stefon Diggs – WR – Maryland
12. Gunner Kiel – QB – Indiana (Indiana)
14. D.J. Humphries – OT – North Carolina (Florida)
15. Mario Edwards – DE – Texas (Florida State)
16. Noah Spence – DE – Pennsylvania
18. Yuri Wright – CB – New Jersey
20. Devin Fuller – QB – New Jersey
22. Darius Hamilton – DE – New Jersey
23. Jarron Jones – DT – New York

4-stars
24. Nelson Agholor – S – Florida
26. Jordan Jenkins – DE – Georgia
28. Ellis McCarthy – DT – California
30. Dan Voltz – OT – Illinois (Wisconsin)
32. Geno Smith – CB – Georgia
34. Eli Harold – DE – Virginia (Virginia)
39. Joshua Garnett – OG – Washington
40. Kyle Kalis – OG – Ohio (Michigan)
45. Javonte Magee – DE – Texas
46. Tee Shepard – CB – California (Notre Dame)
49. Ifeadi Odenigbo – DE – Ohio
54. Dillon Lee – LB – Georgia (Alabama)
56. Chris Wormley – DE – Ohio (Michigan)
58. Kwon Alexander – LB – Alabama
59. Armani Reeves – CB – Massachusetts
60. Jordan Diamond – OT – Illinois
63. Erik Magnuson – OT – California (Michigan)
64. Jonathan Taylor – DT – Georgia (Georgia)
66. Ronald Darby – CB – Maryland (Notre Dame)
70. Zach Kline – QB – California (Cal)
72. Brock Stadnik – OT – North Carolina (South Carolina)
73. Sheldon Day – DT – Indiana (Notre Dame)
74. Durron Neal – WR – Missouri (Oklahoma)
77. Jabari Ruffin – LB – California (USC)
78. Elijah Shumate – S – New Jersey
80. Connor Brewer – QB – Arizona (Texas)
81. Dominique Wheeler – WR – Texas (Texas Tech)
87. Aaron Burbridge – WR – Michigan (Michigan State)
88. Ondre Pipkins – DT – Missouri (Michigan)
89. Cyrus Jones – CB – Maryland
90. Jordan Simmons – OG – California
92. LaDarrell McNeill – S – Texas
93. Tommy Schutt – DT – Illinois (Penn State)
96. Drew Harris – RB – Pennsylvania
98. Zeke Pike – QB – Kentucky (Auburn)
99. Bryce Treggs – WR – California
100. James Ross – LB – Michigan (Michigan)

Kyle Kalis, Wolverine

Lakewood, OH offensive lineman Kyle Kalis (#67) committed to Michigan

Offensive lineman Kyle Kalis, from Lakewood, OH, committed to Michigan on Sunday.  He chose the Wolverines over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, LSU, Miami, Michigan State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.  He had previously been committed to Ohio State.

Kalis is a 6’5″, 302-pounder who would be Michigan’s most touted recruit since 2009, when the Wolverines reeled in defensive tackle William Campbell.  Kalis’ recruiting ratings from around the internet:

ESPN: 4-star, #20 OT, #140 overall
Rivals: 4-star, #4 OT, #18 overall
Scout: 5-star, #6 OT, #21 overall
24/7 Sports: 4-star, #8 OT, #52 overall

I can’t help but find those recruiting rankings a little bit funny for several reasons.  First and foremost, I’ve been saying for weeks that Kalis looks like an offensive guard more than a tackle.  Furthermore, every scouting report you can find on Kalis says he lacks the body type of an offensive tackle.  Furtherfurthermore, ESPN has some dudes ranked as offensive tackles ahead of Kalis who are a) not nearly as good and b) not going to play OT in college, either.  You know what they say: if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it must be an iguana.

Why does he look like a guard?

• He’s 6’5″.  The last time Michigan had a 6’5″ starting tackle was Steve Schilling, who was a poor fit so he moved to guard for his final two seasons.  Before that it was Rueben Riley, who was clearly only playing tackle in 2006 because Alex Mitchell was an all-time fatty.  So the last legitimate 6’5″ offensive tackle (i.e. one who wasn’t playing awkwardly out of position) was Adam Stenavich in 2005, who was an All-Big Ten player. 
• Look at him.  Kalis has the build of a guard.  Offensive tackles these days are long and lean, with the lower bodies of tight ends and the upper bodies of Greek gods who binged on carbs for the past week.  Guards look like Bob-ombs.
• Skills.  Kalis has the footwork and upper body strength to be a great in-line drive blocker, and he has the ability to stay low and root out defensive tackles.  Additionally, he has the speed and quick feet to trap and pull, which will be important for Michigan’s guards in the coming years.