Interior offensive lineman Stephen Spanellis announced after the Citrus Bowl that he would be transferring. He just finished his fourth year at Michigan, so he will have just one year remaining.
Hit the jump for more.
Spanellis was committed to Virginia at one time before flipping to the Wolverines. He attended Baltimore (MD) Gilman, where he was coached by Biff Poggi, a one-time Michigan staffer (Poggi is at now at Baltimore St. Frances). I gave Spanellis a TTB Rating of 63 when he committed (LINK). Though ranked by some as a tackle, I projected him at offensive guard. He played in 35 games throughout his career at guard and center, as well as on special teams.
What’s next for Spanellis? Most guys seem to return closer to home if they transfer. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go to Virginia or perhaps end up at Maryland.
Spanellis’s departure should not affect Michigan in a huge way for 2020. A career backup so far, he could have taken over for Cesar Ruiz (if Ruiz leaves early for the NFL) or at one of the guard positions. The coaches seem to like rising fifth year senior Andrew Vastardis, who played backup center this season while Spanellis stepped in at guard. There are also several promising recruits from the 2019 class, along with upperclassmen Chuck Filiaga and Joel Honigford.
Here’s a look at Michigan’s 2020 scholarship count (LINK).
On a final note, we’ll always have this moment:
Stephen Spanellis eats a stack of pancakes while riding a donkey.
— Due# (@JDue51) October 27, 2019
Let this be the lasting impression Irish fans have to live with until the year 2033!
To hell with Notre Dame pic.twitter.com/Rg0bS53DaI
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Best of luck to the young man. And thanks for that ND block!
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Kudos on a solid career at Michigan. While it would have been nice to keep him it’s probably a good sign for the 2020 OL that he doesn’t see a big enough role for himself at Michigan. Or so I can hope…
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Heard anything on DPJ or Nico?
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SS must have know Ruiz was out the door, or that it was very likely. And still though his chances for playing time were better elsewhere. Maybe that’s good.
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