After the day one and day two results (LINK), Michigan got one more player drafted on day three.
Zach Gentry – TE – Pittsburgh Steelers: Round 5, #141 overall
Gentry had subpar performances at both the Combine and pro day, but I guess it’s important to remember that he got invited to the Combine for a reason. At 6’8″ and 260 lbs. with some impressive plays over the past two seasons, he has some things going for him. I projected that he wouldn’t go higher than the 7th round due to a 4.92 forty (at the Combine) and a poor showing on the bench press, the Steelers found him worthy of drafting, perhaps to help replace Jesse James (who signed with the Lions). I like Gentry and I think he could hang around the NFL for a decent career.
Hit the jump for more.
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS
Juwann Bushell-Beatty – OT – Washington Redskins
Karan Higdon – RB – Houston Texans
Tyree Kinnel – S – San Francisco 49ers
Lawrence Marshall – DT – Chicago Bears
Bryan Mone – DT – Seattle Seahawks
Grant Perry – WR – unsigned
Wilton Speight – QB – San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Watson – CB – Jacksonville Jaguars
Undrafted free agents are unlikely to actually make the team they sign with in the aftermath of the draft, so I won’t bother talking much about whether these guys fit on their respective rosters. Talent-wise, the most likely player to stick in the NFL is Karan Higdon, who was invited to the Combine and ran a 4.49, but had surgery that may hamper him a little bit.
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One thing Gentry will have going for him, in addition to pure size, is a stellar, even by NFL standards S&C program. Garret Gimont … maybe Giemont, is a cut above.
The Steelers have always been really serious about their weight room and have for many years been among the most physically ready teams in the NFL.
Gentry is young and could easily get into the low 270s while improving his quickness.
They also have a Juggs Machine, he should decide that they bought it for him.
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I laughed at your great Juggs Machine comment. When he was recruited to UM I caught some grief from the FB knowledgeable when I said he would be a TE eventually.
His combine results were disappointing and I did want him to come back, but as a pro project I will look forward to his eventual production. I think he can get there with his size as a receiver, but I doubt he ever becomes much of a blocking TE.
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It was really odd to see Karan Higdon sitting on a couch at Chase Winovich’s house when he was getting the call from the Patriots. It just looked odd. He wasn’t his usual sparkling self. Karan Higdon said last year is he had hit 1000 yards he would have entered the draft. Don’t know what to think would have happened if he entered last year.
Link to video:
https://twitter.com/UMichFootball/status/1121972937525997568/video/1
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LOL, wait, Khaleke Hudson. DOH!!
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Gentry is a MAJOR project. The only way he really makes it is to become a great blocker which I just don’t see. I think Gentry is like a lot of guys who get drafted because scouts love his size and see potential development.
Sort of like Gary getting drafted so high. Scouts/teams love size and combine numbers. See Brady.
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I am skeptical of Gentry in the NFL because of his lack of production in college but he does have the position-change as a pretty solid excuse. Still seems like a low-upside gamble given the athleticism and hands issues. I suppose every guy in Round 5 comes with some questions. I will be cheering for him.
Kind of assumed Higdon would get drafted late but he was always a guy I called a B+ college back and those guys are dime a dozen. Long line of them at Michigan even though at the moment things look a bit thin in options. Maybe Charbonnet can break the spell. Anyway, I hope Higdon can hopefully catch a break somewhere and earn a nice living for himself.
If I was betting on UDFAs to end up playing in the NFL I’d guess Higdon, Mone, JBB and Speight as the most likely to beat the odds. They’ll probably have to get a bit lucky with injuries etc.
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