Rashan Gary (image via The Wolverine)
Jim Harbaugh tweeted out the results of Michigan’s spring combine. I won’t list all of the results (though I’m embedding the tweet below), but here are a few notable achievements and takeaways:
- Freshman WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is the fastest guy on the team with a 4.41 forty
- Peoples-Jones also has the best vertical at 39″
- Chris Evans swept the RB drills and ran a 4.62 forty
- Zach Gentry is back at TE and ran a 4.7 forty
- Jon Runyan, Jr. almost swept the OL category, with one lone loss to Cesar Ruiz in the pro shuttle
- Lavert Hill and David Long tied with a 4.52 forty
- Rashan Gary led the defensive line with a 4.57 forty, so he’s just 0.05 seconds slower than Michigan’s two presumed starting corners
Proud to announce top position performers of 2017 Michigan Football Spring Combine. Offense led by Chris Evans, defense led by Rashan Gary! pic.twitter.com/hAQKJo07Lc
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) March 16, 2017
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What do you make of the Jon Runyan results? That suggests a level of athleticism that’s *more* than just strength or speed. Dare we hope? Or might this be a case where someone tests well but struggles in live competition?
And the Zach Gentry thing … that’s pretty good speed for a 6’8″ dude. As a TE he’s got to do other things, but can that speed be effectively tapped if, say, he’s got good hands but can’t block?
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I like Runyan. He’s someone I’ve been talking about since I watched spring practice last year:
“I thought Kugler and Runyan looked the most ready to play of the second unit. Runyan is a bit of a surprise after being lightly recruited and, well, being light coming out of high school. But he’s listed at 6’4″, 304 lbs. now, moves very well, and held up inside at the point of attack. When it was time for sprints, Runyan was the fastest offensive lineman.”
https://touch-the-banner.com/ford-field-open-practice-offense-injuries-walk-ons/
Steve Lorenz also mentioned Runyan the other day as someone his source/sources singled out as a player not to overlook.
I think blocking is necessary for Jim Harbaugh, but there are ways to mitigate that issue if they don’t necessarily try to use him at the point of attack or in a 3-point stance. He’s probably a guy that they need to flex out, put in the slot, or put in motion from an H-back position. I think he can be used to stretch the field vertically, as well as horizontally, even just to clear things out for other receivers.
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Rashan Gary with that kind of speed? He should be the starting tight or split end or running back or something. That is some amazing number for someone with his size. He is going to be a nightmare for opposing offenses.
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Who is Rashan Gary?
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It should be noted that Poggi won the powerball as a FB so do we know who had the best powerball of the RBs? I would assume it was not Evans.
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