Mailbag Question:

Eroc,

Thanks for everything you guys are doing. What is your opinion regarding possible 5th year Seniors who have viable options either way regarding NFL or coming back for some more next year? I suppose this is all an eligibility question so who has those options for 2009?

Also who do you see not returning because of their own reasons or coaches pushing them to not return?

Go Blue!

Jay

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Thanks for the question.

It is too early to know for sure what possible fifth year seniors returning. What is left of the 2005 recruiting class? Is there a possibility that guys like Andre Criswell, Carson Butler, Laterryal Savoy, and possibly Kevin Grady will not be asked back?

2005 kids that will not be back because they have used up all their eligibility are Austin Panter (JC), Brandon Harrison, and Terrance Taylor.

That leaves Zoltan Mesko, Mark Ortmann, Cory Zirbel (recovering from injury), Tim McAvoy, and David Moosman from that recruiting class as guys who can come back next year.

Tim McAvoy is a big question mark. His return might depend on how many scholarships Michigan has, and how well the younger players are doing at the end of the season.

It will be very interesting to see what happens with Kevin Grady because he could go to a Grand Valley to play his last year. I think it comes down to whether he wants to play more or just be on a team.

Now for players that might look at the NFL: Before the season there was speculation about Brandon Graham. Greg Matthews is also a possibility to leave early.

Michigan needs Brandon Graham back. He would be almost impossible to replace at this time. Of the players who could leave early, their play doesn't appear to us to be the type that would lead them to be high enough draft picks to leave, and they should come back.

The list of players who have eligibility, cannot yet declare for the NFL draft, and who may or may not be asked back is too long to speculate about right now...Sorry!

written by CoachBt and ErocWolverine