Tag: Graham Glasgow

2015 Season Countdown: #4 Graham Glasgow

Graham Glasgow

Name: Graham Glasgow
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 303 lbs.
High school: Aurora (IL) Marmion Academy
Position: Center
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #61
Last year: I ranked Glasgow #3 and said he would be the starting right guard to begin the season. He started eleven games at left guard.

Entering last season, the offensive line was in quite a bit of flux. Glasgow was coming off a 2013 season in which he had started nine games at center, replacing a benched Jack Miller. Kyle Kalis was coming off of a back injury. Erik Magnuson, Kyle Bosch, and others were vying for playing time on the interior. To add to the confusion, Glasgow had to serve a one-game suspension to begin the year for an alcohol-related offense. Miller was inserted back into the lineup at center and held the job for the entire year, Glasgow played left guard after his suspension, and the combination of Erik Magnuson and Kyle Kalis held down the right guard spot. Glasgow was expected to Michigan’s best and most consistent lineman, and that turned out to be the case whenever he wasn’t suspended.

He got into more trouble this off-season. Jim Harbaugh implemented some sort of undisclosed discipline, but he wanted a clean slate and said that Glasgow had paid his penance. Presumably, no suspension is forthcoming, so I expect Glasgow to play center now that Jack Miller has departed. The only other reasonably viable option is Patrick Kugler, who was seen on crutches at Michigan’s open-to-students-only practice. When Glasgow played center in 2013, his first several games were marred by bad center/quarterback exchanges, but he got them fixed after the first four games or so and hopefully will not continue to have issues. He is large for a center at 6’6″, but he bends pretty well and does a good job of maintaining leverage on defensive tackles. Based on his talent and the fact that offensive linemen seem to garner respect for playing a lot over their careers, Glasgow could be in line for some all-conference accolades at the end of the season.

Prediction: Starting center; Second Team All-Big Ten

18 Wolverines Who Might Get Drafted in 2016

Jourdan Lewis

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Michigan recently had three players drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft – two seniors and a true junior, the latter of which was talented but never really hit his ceiling while in college. Over the past few days, I have seen some gnashing of teeth amongst Michigan fans about whether or not anyone will be drafted in 2016. It’s a somewhat valid concern because Michigan does not appear to have many superstars, and nobody leaps out as a likely first or second round pick for next year. However, there are numerous guys who could find their names called next spring. Here is a rundown of the players who could potentially get a phone calling bearing good news during next year’s draft. Some of them are young players who might make the choice – wise or not – to leave after their junior or redshirt sophomore seasons.


SENIORS
Joe Bolden, LB (Sr.): The 6’3″, 232 lb. senior became a part-time starter in 2013 and a full-time starter last year when he finished second on the team with 102 tackles; he also had 4 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. He will be counted on once again to be a leader on the defense, alongside fellow inside linebacker Desmond Morgan. Bolden has never been the most athletic linebacker, but he is known as a smart, high-character guy who usually gets to the right spot. If Jake Ryan is the standard for a 4th rounder, then Bolden might be a late-round selection.

Blake Countess (RS Sr.): Countess has had an up-and-down career for the Wolverines. After showing promise as a freshman, he tore his ACL in 2012. Then he had 6 interceptions in 2013, followed by zero – and basically losing his job – as a redshirt junior in 2014, when he did have 24 tackles and 3 pass breakups. If the odd year trend continues, he’s poised for a big year here in 2015. The 5’10”, 185 lb. Countess will be battling Jourdan Lewis and Wayne Lyons for playing time, but Countess has a shot to get drafted pretty high if he performs like he did two years ago.

Graham Glasgow, OL (RS Sr.): The 6’6″, 303 lb. Glasgow comes with some off-the-field issues having to do with alcohol, but he has been Michigan’s most consistent lineman over the past two seasons. He has the ability to play center, guard, or tackle, although his best fit is probably the guard position. He could probably carry some additional weight if necessary. If Michigan finds success on the ground, much of the credit will probably go to Glasgow, who will probably be the starting center this year now that Jack Miller has departed.

Hit the jump for some more seniors and some underclassmen who could be tempted to make a jump to the NFL.



Wayne Lyons, CB (RS Sr.): Lyons is transferring to Michigan from Stanford, where he had 30 tackles, 3 pass breakups, and 1 fumble forced as a redshirt junior last season. Two years ago he notched 69 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions. Lyons is a solid tackler who isn’t necessarily a sticky cover guy, but he’s another high-character kid who could possibly develop into a second- or third-day pick.

Desmond Morgan, LB (RS Sr.): Morgan would have been pursuing an NFL career this spring if not for an early-season shoulder injury that allowed him to get a medical redshirt for 2014. In a little over three seasons – including 31 starts at weakside or middle linebacker – he has made 229 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 1 interception. The 6’1″, 236 lb. Morgan looks overmatched at times when playing in space, but he’s a bit of an old-school linebacker who excels against the run and can take on blockers without giving much ground.

Mario Ojemudia, DE (Sr.): The 6’3″, 252 lb. Ojemudia is coming off of his most impressive season and has steadily improved his production (32 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks last year). For the first time in his career, he is the front-runner to start at defensive end/outside linebacker. He is another guy who has shown flashes of pass-rushing ability and playmaking ability, but he hasn’t been extremely effective. When Frank Clark was kicked off the team late in 2014, Ojemudia stepped into a starting role to make 8 tackles and .5 tackles for loss over two games. His lack of size somewhat limits his options for playing in the pros, where he would probably have to transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4.

Ondre Pipkins, DT (Sr.): I include the 6’3″, 317 lb. Pipkins almost exclusively due to his size. Some fans still have high expectations for him, thinking that a torn ACL suffered during his sophomore season is the thing preventing him from reaching his potential. That may be a factor, because it takes longer for big guys to recover from those types of injuries. However, Pipkins has just 23 tackles and 1 tackle for loss through three seasons. If he were to launch himself into a draftable player, it would essentially come out of nowhere.

James Ross III, LB (Sr.): Ross came into college with a great deal of potential, but he has been lost in the shuffle a little bit. He’s similar in stature (6’1″, 232 lbs.) to former Washington Husky Shaq Thompson (6’0″, 228 lbs.), who was drafted in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft. Thompson is more athletic, but it underscores that NFL teams are moving away from prototypical 6’3″, 245 lb. linebackers and more toward guys who are a little smaller, more agile, etc. I have an inkling that when the league is full of 6’1″, 225 lb. linebackers who would have been safeties 20 years ago, the NFL is going to return to rolling out Jamal Andersons and Jerome Bettises at running back to truck the little linebackers. But in the meantime, the spread climate makes this a good era for someone like Ross. He should be a starter this year and he’s very physical for his size, so he has a chance.

Jake Rudock, QB (RS Sr.): Rudock has an MGoBlue profile already and everything (LINK). The 6’3″, 208 lb. quarterback basically lost his starting job at Iowa, but Michigan was in desperate need of a quarterback and worked out a transfer. As the Hawkeyes’ starter last season, he was 213/345 for 2,436 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. If his career had been over last season, he would not have been selected in the NFL draft, as only seven total quarterbacks were taken. However, Iowa’s playbook was mostly about managing the game, and while Michigan won’t air it out, Jim Harbaugh has had a way of making quarterbacks successful at his past stops. A standout season for the Wolverines could put Rudock into the draft discussion, although he probably lacks the tools to be a high pick.

Jarrod Wilson, S (Sr.): The 6’2″, 210 lb. Wilson has been pretty quiet during his career. His freshman season was rough, but it was followed by a promising sophomore year (50 tackles, 2 interceptions). Then injuries and ineffectiveness burdened him last year, when he looked like just another guy in his first season as a full-time starter (50 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, 2 pass breakups). Wilson has grown into an in-the-box safety who’s most comfortable supporting the run, sniffing out screens, and being physical with tight ends and slot receivers. NFL teams will like his size, but he may not make enough big plays to make a name for himself.

UNDERCLASSMEN
Jake Butt, TE (Jr.): Coming off of a torn ACL suffered in spring of 2014, Butt was not extremely productive last season (21 catches, 211 yards, 2 touchdowns). Part of that can be contributed to a flailing offense and subpar quarterback play. Either way, he is 6’6″, 248 lbs. with pretty good speed and good hands. Butt is not an elite athlete, but Jim Harbaugh is a bit of a tight end whisperer. If the starting quarterback can find his rhythm, Butt is likely to be the biggest beneficiary of the receiving corps. A good season could launch him into thinking of a jump to the NFL.

Derrick Green, RB (Jr.): Running back is a position that seems to have a lot of turnover. There is no guarantee that Green will be the starter in 2015, but he came into college with a lot of hype and an eye pointed toward getting to the NFL. If the offense and offensive line come together – and if Green wins the starting gig – then he could be looking to leave. Running backs take a lot of wear and tear, so making money while you can before injuries take a toll is not a bad plan. Green had 82 carries for 471 yards (5.7 yards/carry) and 3 touchdowns last season.


Willie Henry, DT (RS Jr.): Henry is 6’2″, 311 lbs. and has shown at various times that he can manhandle offensive linemen. After making some wow plays in 2013, he was expected to break out in 2014 but never really played well consistently; there were rumors that he had an Alex Boone moment and thought he had reached the top of the moutain. He made 20 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 1 interception against Utah that he returned for a touchdown last year. He has some competition at tackle, but he should get plenty of chances to show his stuff.

Ty Isaac, RB (RS So.): Much like Green, Isaac entered college (in his case, USC) with a lot of hype and NFL hopes. He had 40 carries for 236 yards and 2 touchdowns as a true freshman before sitting out last season while transferring. Isaac has a complete game – running, catching, and blocking – but it’s still not clear whether he will be the starter this year or not. Listed at 6’3″ and 240 lbs., he’s probably the biggest tailback Michigan has seen. If he wins the job and produces, he could be moving on for the same reasons as Green might.

Kyle Kalis, OG (RS Jr.): Kalis is essentially a returning two-year starter, and while he has not played up to his recruiting hype, he has the body to be an NFL offensive guard. The coaching at Michigan has been questionable for the past few years, but even so, Kalis has seemed not to fully understand his responsibilities. He has a mean streak and an NFL body, so if things click mentally for him this season, the scouts could come calling.

Jourdan Lewis, CB (Jr.): Lewis, who is listed at 5’10” and 176 lbs., might not be the biggest corner around (and 5’10” is probably a bit of an exaggeration), but he has the best man coverage skills on the team and can hang with just about any receiver. Even when he gets beaten, it’s done in a tight window. He’s also liable to get flagged for pass interference fairly often because he likes to be very hands-on with his coverage. Last season he had 39 tackles and 2 interceptions, and teams started picking on Lewis’s defensive backfield mates instead. Good cornerbacks are at a premium in today’s game, so if he continues to develop, he’s probably the closest to making the NFL jump based solely on his abilities.

DeVeon Smith, RB (Jr.): Smith (5’11”, 228 lbs.) was rumored to have some attitude issues with the previous coaching staff. He ended up leading the team in carries, yardage, and touchdowns (108 carries, 519 yards, 6 touchdowns) but most of that came after early-season starter Derrick Green was injured. Smith was the most impressive running back in the spring game, although Green, Isaac, and Drake Johnson were limited or sidelined by injuries. Michigan has the potential for a very crowded backfield, and one way to escape the jostling for position is to go get paid to jostle in the NFL.

Chris Wormley, DT (RS Jr.): The 6’4″, 300 lb. defensive lineman has always been pegged as a potential star, but his motor has been questioned at times (including by yours truly). He has flashed ability in his first couple years on the field after tearing his ACL as a freshman. This past season he notched 21 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. Michigan supposedly has big plans for him, and the new coaching staff may have lit a fire under his butt. Quick enough to play end in a 3-4 and big enough to play inside in a 4-3, he has the versatility and explosiveness to pique the interest of NFL scouts.

2014 Season Countdown: #3 Graham Glasgow

Graham Glasgow (image via Michigan Daily)

Name: Graham Glasgow
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 311 lbs.
High school: Aurora (IL) Marmion Academy
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #61
Last year: I ranked Glasgow #45 and said he would be a backup center. He started thirteen games at both guard and center.

Going into the 2013 season, nobody really knew what to expect from Glasgow. He was a highly regarded walk-on – for whatever that’s worth – but he really struggled to pull in his early spring game appearances, which caused me to question his ability to play that position for a team that wanted to “power” the ball down the field. He began the year as a left guard, and despite some difficulties, he eventually became a solid player. Along with Taylor Lewan, the left side was the strongest side of the line. When center Jack Miller had problems holding the point of attack, the coaches bumped Glasgow to center, benched Miller, and played musical chairs with the left guard position. The move was frustrating to watch, because Glasgow botched at least one exchange per week for his first four games at center; prior centers Elliott Mealer and Miller had zero memorable exchange issues during 2012 or the first few games of 2013. However, Glasgow ironed out his problems by the last third of the season and turned into a solid player.

Observers and coaches seem to agree that Glasgow is Michigan’s best lineman going into 2014. He has experience at center and guard, and he also has the ability to play tackle. When I saw him play in high school, I thought he looked like a natural right tackle. Unfortunately, due to a DUI incident this offseason, he will be watching this Saturday’s game against Appalachian State. He does not appear on the depth chart, so it’s not clear where the coaches see him fitting once he returns from suspension. The possibilities are numerous with his ability to play several positions, but he will almost certainly be a starter from week two onward. Michigan has a true freshman left tackle, a once-benched redshirt junior center, a questionable trio of guys fighting for right guard, and a first-time starter at right tackle; realistically, any of those players could be sidelined in favor of Glasgow, but my guess is that he will play right guard, at least until Kyle Kalis returns to full strength after having back issues for much of August.

Prediction: Starting right guard but will play multiple positions

Graham Glasgow did something bad

Why does Graham Glasgow look so paranoid? (image via Michigan Daily)

Redshirt junior offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, who started all 13 games in 2013, failed to meet “team expectations” and has been suspended for spring football and the season opener against Appalachian State. This is unfortunate for Glasgow himself, but also for the team, since he appeared to be the one sure starter on an offensive line in flux. During the spring up until this point, Glasgow had been playing center, guard, and tackle, and he would almost certainly have started at either center or guard in the fall.

The other options at center are these:

• Redshirt freshman Patrick Kugler: The 6’5″, 295 lb. son of a former NFL offensive line coach (and current college head coach), Kugler was born and bred to be a lineman. Unfortunately, he’s young and coming off shoulder surgery. 
• Redshirt junior Jack Miller: At 6’4″ and 297 lbs., Miller technically has the size to be an effective center, but he got blown off the ball too often last year when he began the year as Michigan’s starting center. He was sent to the bench by Glasgow, never to return, even when Glasgow had serious issues snapping the ball in his first few weeks. Miller has also been playing some left guard this spring.
• Redshirt senior Joe Burzynski: The 6’1″, 288 lb. Burzynski is a little undersized and has never played regularly at the college level after walking on to the program a few years ago. He has mostly been a backup guard and got a brief chance to play significant time last year before tearing his ACL against Indiana. He has still not returned to full practices and may not be a full go until August.
• Redshirt sophomore Blake Bars: The 6’5″, 290 lb. Bars has been practicing at tackle quite a bit this spring with the depth so poor at that position, but he has been a guard for most of his time on campus. He has snapped the ball a little bit during his time in Ann Arbor, but this would be sort of an emergency move.
• Sophomore Kyle Bosch: In what would be another desperation move, Bosch came to Michigan prepared to play some center if necessary. The 6’5″, 301 lb. Bosch has not practiced at center at all (as far as I know) and is likely to start or at least push for a starting job at guard.

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl Preview: Offensive Line

Kansas State center B.J. Finney is the Big 12 conference’s top player at his position.

MICHIGAN
Starters: Fifth year senior left tackle Taylor Lewan (6’8″, 315 lbs.) has been an All-American and First Team All-Big Ten in 2012 and 2013, and he’s projected as a first round pick in next year’s NFL Draft. Redshirt freshman Erik Magnuson (6’6″, 295 lbs.) has played left guard, right guard, and right tackle this year, but none of them particularly well. He has decent feet but struggles at the point of attack. Redshirt sophomore Graham Glasgow (6’6″, 303 lbs.) was the starting left guard early in the year, took over the center position against Minnesota, and will likely start his thirteenth game of the season on Saturday night. Glasgow had several bad snaps in his first weeks as the center, but the snapping issues have largely been eliminated in the last couple games. Redshirt freshman Kyle Kalis (6’5″, 302 lbs.) lost his job after his early-season performance, but now he’s back at right guard. He lacks the foot speed to be effective on zone stretches, and the offense evolved at the end of the year toward more of an inside zone running system to accommodate the likes of Kalis. Fifth year senior right tackle Michael Schofield (6’7″, 304 lbs.) is a three-year starter and was named Honorable Mention all-conference this year, and some draft projections have him going as high as in the second round this coming April.
Backups: True freshman Kyle Bosch (6’5″, 302 lbs.) started three games late in the year after redshirt junior Joe Burzynski tore his ACL. Bosch showed some promise but looked overwhelmed and eventually gave his job back to Kalis, who had been benched in favor of Magnuson. Redshirt sophomore Jack Miller started the first four games of the season at center and has not been heard from since getting benched for Glasgow. Redshirt sophomore Chris Bryant (6’4″, 316 lbs.) made two starts at at left guard before getting benched in the middle of the Penn State game.


KANSAS STATE
Starters: Fifth year senior Cornelius Lucas (6’9″, 328 lbs.) was a First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2012, but this year he was just Honorable Mention. Redshirt sophomore Cody Whitehair (6’4″, 309 lbs.) was Second Team All-Big 12 this season. Redshirt junior B.J. Finney (6’4″, 303 lbs.) was named the best center in the conference. Redshirt sophomore Boston Stiverson (6’4″, 312 lbs.) started a couple games as a redshirt freshman and is the team’s top backup lineman this year, and he’s been filling in for an injured Keenan Taylor at right guard. Senior Tavon Rooks (6’5″, 280 lbs.) has been the starting right tackle for the past two seasons, earning Honorable Mention all-conference in both his years on campus.
Key backup: Fifth year senior Keenan Taylor (6’4″, 290 lbs.) is questionable for the bowl game due to a knee injury, but he started all 13 games last year at right guard. Stiverson has been starting in his stead for the past few weeks, but Taylor should be in there if healthy.

THE TAKEAWAY
Michigan is tied for 111th in the country with 35 sacks allowed, and they’re #101 with 131 yards/game given up on the ground. The paltry 3.25 yards/carry average ranks them 114th. Kansas State is #54 nationally with 180 yards/game on the ground, and they’re #51 with 4.53 yards/carry. They’ve also allowed 24 sacks, which is tied for #62 in the country. So while Kansas State is a wee bit above average, they’re still a long ways ahead of Michigan in many ways. The Wildcats also have a few guys with all-conference accolades, while Michigan’s Taylor Lewan has been pretty lonely when it comes to postseason accolades.

ADVANTAGE: Kansas State