Michigan received its tenth commitment of the Class of 2011 Wednesday, getting a pledge from Tampa offensive lineman Tony Posada. Posada is a 6’5″, 315 lb. offensive tackle from Plant High School, which is also the home of James Wilder, Jr., a highly touted running back (Michigan has offered Wilder, but the interest seems unrequited). He chose the Wolverines over offers from Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, South Florida, and Texas Tech, among others. Posada is unranked by Rivals and a 3-star to both Scout and ESPN.
I haven’t seen much of Posada, other than the few glimpses in the video below. He has no highlight videos anywhere on the internet that I have found, so I’m basing all of my opinions on that slice of video and what I’ve gathered from articles and pictures.
Although he’s ranked as an offensive tackle by all three recruiting services, I think Posada’s future is at offensive guard. I’m a rebel like that. One reason is that Posada is 6’5″ (or 6’6″, depending on whom you believe). If you subtract an inch because usually those recruiting sites lie, that means he’s actually 6’4″ or 6’5″. Looking at the heights and body types of Michigan’s current tackles and tackle recruits, they’re all taller and leaner. Taylor Lewan is 6’8″; Perry Dorrestein, Michael Schofield, and recruit Jake Fisher are 6’7″; the shortest of the bunch is Mark Huyge at 6’6″. If Posada is indeed 315 lbs., he’s already heavier than all but Dorrestein (321 lbs.), but his body type suggests a future at guard.
One of the things I have been most impressed with about Michigan has been the development of the offensive line. Guys who couldn’t cut it were quickly run out of the program (Kurt Wermers, Dann O’Neill), and the remaining members of the offensive line seem to be coming along nicely. So while Posada lacks an extremely impressive offer list, I’m beginning to trust more and more the offensive line offers that Rodriguez and offensive line coach Greg Frey extend.
As for the rest of the 2011 class, there are eight remaining spots with the departure of Justin Turner. Michigan will likely take at least one more offensive lineman, possibly two. I expect at least one wide receiver, one running back, one tight end, one defensive tackle, one linebacker, one cornerback, and one safety. It should be a matter of filling out the team right now, not necessarily taking as many stars as possible. With all of the scholarships devoted to running backs and defensive backs, Michigan is running short on scholarship linebackers and tight ends, in particular.
You need to login in order to vote
Your projected commit list doesn't include a DE. Are you thinking that Zettel will end up as an offensive lineman (at least nominally), that he'll commit elsewhere, that the team will drop one of the above spots to fit him into the class, or that one of the lower-rated kids might get the "wink, nod, and boot in the ass" to make room?
You need to login in order to vote
Interesting comment about Posada to OG. The coaching staff doesn't seem shy about moving players from tackle to guard (or vice versa). Omameh (6-4) was considered an OT and was moved. Barnum (6-3) was an OG and then got moved to OT (at least part-time). Huyge has moved around, Schilling moved inside, etc. Bottom line – OL positions don't matter much for recruiting (besides the Molk/Pace types who are too small to be anywhere but center).
I'll trust the coaches on OL recruiting when the team exhibits a reliable running attack and the ability to protect the QB. This is the first year where the talent and depth make that a seem feasible.
You need to login in order to vote
do u have a DT in mind who u think is a possible commit? m. johnson/jernigan? and i still dont think that a TE will commit to michigan this year.
-horn
You need to login in order to vote
@ Blue in South Bend
I was counting Zettel as an offensive lineman, even though he could play DE. I don't think we need a DE this year, really, especially if Zettel's one of the commitments; he could play wherever he's needed most.
You need to login in order to vote
@ Lankownia
We can postulate all we want on OL positions, but the bottom line is that all the players who have played significant minutes at OT have been 6'6" or taller. Barnum played some OT, but he's mainly an OG. Schilling has moved from OT to OG . . . but he's only 6'5", and they replaced him with taller guys at OT.
I'm sure that rule of tall tackles won't be 100% true forever and ever, but it seems to be a general trend over the past 2+ seasons.
You need to login in order to vote
@ horn
I don't have a DT in mind. Johnson and Jernigan are probably headed elsewhere. It will probably be a DT who's not on our radar yet.
I definitely think Michigan will grab a TE this year, even if it's a TE/WR combo like Ben McCord or Frank Davis.
You need to login in order to vote
i dont know about johnson but jernigan is probably/definitely a UF commit.
-horn
You need to login in order to vote
Thunder,
Your point about height and OT is well taken. Its a logical point and a view I haven't seen expressed elsewhere. I expect Posada to end up at OT. I was just adding that the coaches aren't shy about moving people.
You need to login in order to vote
meant to say I expect Posada to end up at OG, as you suggest
You need to login in order to vote
you havent seen the view on OT's height expressed elsewhere? OTs need longer arms to stave off quick DEs, therefore taller guys should play OT. simple logic. basically every coach from HS to the NFL has the same idea.
-horn
You need to login in order to vote
@ horn
Were you talking to me? I've obviously seen that logic elsewhere. It's just that I'm using that logic and applying it to these recruits. A lot of people have been projecting Posada at offensive tackle, but it seems that these coaches have a 6'6" cutoff for tackles.
You need to login in order to vote
This is the only place I've seen Posada slotted for OG is what I meant.
You need to login in order to vote
no i wasnt magnus
and that makes more sense lankownia. i thought u meant that you havent seen that logic elsewhere in general, not specific to posada's case. my bad
-horn
You need to login in order to vote