Ondre Pipkins

[Ed-S: BumP!]

Yes, I have an addiction.  Yes, it's March.  Some choose to build tiny wooden ships in bottles, I intricately break down defensive lineman technique from spring practice videos frame by frame.

Here's the set-up, Pipkins vs. early enrollee Kyle Bosch and a running back who I don't even bother identifying because Pipkins plays this so well that it doesn't matter what the running back does.  Besides, his job is to just pick a side and hit it hard.  

Here, Pipkins has a pretty good stance, wide base, on the balls of his feet, athletic posture and good knee bend.  Low for a big man - that small human he shed this offseason seems to have helped with that some.  

Right after the snap, Pipkins has fired of his left foot and is already bringing his hands, preparing to make contact with Bosch.  At first glance he appears to come out a little high, but as we'll see, his hands, strength and quick feet help him overcome that.  The ideal first step (my understanding) is to be quick, low to the ground, forceful and almost a jab - generate force but reset to be able to drive off again.  

As he makes contact with Bosch, Pipkins has already driven off his right foot as well, generating more power and force into Bosch.  His hands have shot inside very quickly and, as we'll see, will allow him to control Bosch.  

Here, Pipkins has reset both feet and will again drive through them to push Bosch back.  They're pretty much at the line of scrimmage - Bosch has not fired off the ball nor has he moved his feet, except laterally.  I think he should be drive blocking here, but I could be mistaken.  Maybe his job is just to seal off Pipkins.  Regardless, the young buck won't win this battle.  Bosch has his hands in pretty poor position, as Pipkins has him basically by the collar and Bosch would need to hold to really have his left hand be any use to him at this point.  

This time as Pipkins generates more power into Bosch with his legs, he clearly has leverage.  Just compare the angles of their bodies to the ground - Pipkins is firing out and up, Bosch is sitting back down onto his heels.  His feet are again driving for power, and as we'll see in a second, he's about to explode upward with his feet and hips, while also extending his arms and pressing Bosch away from him.  

He's pushing off the ground hard enough that both feet are (minorly) airborn.  His hands are extended, they're even with his eyes.  Ideally they will end up above his eyes when he extends, but this a strong punch he delivers.  Keep in mind this has all happened in a few split seconds as we are just now seeing the ballcarrier enter the frame.

Here, Pipkins has his left arm free with his right fully controlling Bosch, further pushing him back on his heels.  The running back has already decided to go left, so that's where Pipkins will meet him with great haste.  

Contact is made with the ballcarrier at about the line of scrimmage, as Bosch is finally leaving his heels.  He's also managed to grab a little cloth with his lefth and, proving that Pipkins hands were far better on this occasion.  I'll give him credit for trying to finish the block and driving through Pipkins, but it's already over.  

Tackle made - 1 yard gain.  

Here's the video of the whole thing, starts at about 2:28.

If you start a second before you can see how much taller Devin is than Gallon which is both awesome and depressing at the same time.  Let me know if you see any mistakes or glaring oversights or crap I just made up.

DT Ondre Pipkins, Michigan: Veteran defensive tackle Will Campbell, a former five-star recruit who hasn't lived up to the hype to this point, slimmed down and worked hard this offseason so he can prove why he was rated so high coming out of high school. At the same time, Campbell also has taken Pipkins under his wing. His goal? Help the 340-pound freshman avoid the pitfalls that hindered Campbell. This is all fine and good, as long as Campbell also encourages Pipkins to continue honing his Brady Hoke impression. With a little practice, Pipkins-as-Hoke could rival former Alabama receiver Rob Ezell's Nick Saban impression.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/andy_staples/08/09/2012-impact-freshmen/index.html#ixzz236hojTlH

Let's hope Staples is right because Michigan is going to need Ondre to be a legitimate rotation player this season.  GO BLUE!

Recent interview w/ the Class of 2012 5-Star DT.

http://fergodsakes.blogspot.com/2012/04/fgs-interview-you-gon-love-ondre...

MaizeNBlueJ did a video for each of the Michigan recruits/targets:

http://mgovideo.com/2012-us-army-all-american-bowl/

Tweeted out by Sam Webb.  Pretty self-explanatory:

http://michigan.scout.com/2/1146189.html#.TwdAH237JyI.twitter

Thursday Recruitin' was getting a little lengthy, but I wanted to get this information somewhere for people who are interested in watching Michigan recruits in this weekend's All-American games.

Under Armour All-American Game
Tonight, 8 pm, ESPN
Full Rosters

Michigan commits and targets (with jersey numbers):

Black ("Highlight") Team:
#1 CB Terry Richardson
#27 LB Joe Bolden

White ("Blur") Team:
#78 OL Josh Garnett

Army All-American Game
Saturday, 1 pm, NBC
Full Rosters

Michigan commits and targets (with jersey numbers):

East Team:
#12 CB Yuri Wright
#66 OL Kyle Dodson
#67 OL Kyle Kalis

West Team:
#6 LB James Ross
#10 LB Royce Jenkins-Stone
#53 DT Ondre Pipkins
#77 OL Erik Magnuson