27 tickets

27 Tickets To Team 134: Signing Day Edition Comment Count

Brian

What is this? Folks who cover the USMNT drop lists like this projecting the 23 guys who end up on the next World Cup team. I have appropriated it. Regarding the number of tickets: 22 starters on offense and defense + 2 kickers + nickelback + FLEX TE  + fullback.

This is the Signing Day Update. Certain recruits are added, NFL departures (or returns) are accounted for, and bowl performances are taken into account. Next update is after spring practice, which should see more significant movement.

PACK YOUR BAGS

ncf_u_lewan01jr_3001_thumb8 1. T Taylor Lewan, Sr* [Last time: NR]

Jake Long wannabe took second-to-last step to full clone by forgoing sure first-round status in this year's draft to return for senior year. Upside: shut off Clowney in bowl game, gives Michigan second returning starter, was All-American last year. Downside: has reportedly sold his twosie.

bilde[1]2. OLB Jake Ryan, Jr* [Last time: 1]

The Barbarian is Michigan's best defensive player and a lock for preseason first-team All Big Ten. Can change direction in a flash; consistently shocks opponents with his explosive acceleration.

hi-res-154849918_display_image[1]3. T Michael Schofield, Sr* [Last time: 2]

Schofield came into his own midway through last year. Getting some NFL draft buzz now; shut down a talented SoCar bookend in the bowl. Could move to guard if necessary; ideally remains outside.

Brendan-Gibbons_photo_medium[1]4. K Brendan Gibbons, Sr* [Last time: 4]

Groza semifinalist and hair enthusiast has turned his career around after early struggles. Hit 52-yarder last year en route to record accuracy for Michigan kicker. Likes brunettes and Keystone Light.

funchess[1]5. FLEX Devin Funchess, So [Last time: 5]

Should break out for real after a year to bulk up and work on his routes. Frequently targeted a year ago without effect, will need some outside threats to develop to truly annihilate defenses.

snoop-pearson[1]6. WR Jeremy Gallon, Sr* [Last time: 6]

Former Rodriguez slot-dot is Michigan's leading receiver and should be again. Still a somewhat awkward fit as an outside receiver; a threat on end-arounds and screens. Punt return job may be up for grabs.

bilde[1]7. QB Devin Gardner, Jr.* [Last time: 12]

Late-season rankings slide of Shane Morris and solid bowl performance move Gardner from very likely to be Michigan's starter to a holy lock. No true freshman is supplanting him.

Thomas Gordon abs[1] 8. S Thomas Gordon, Jr* [Last time: 7]

Safety attached to notorious six-pack has been a steady performer and a major contributor to Michigan's extreme lack of big plays allowed in the Mattison era.

quinton_display_image[1]9. NT Quinton Washington, Sr* [Last time: 8]

Season surprise emerged into upper-echelon Big Ten nose tackle out of nowhere. Has the physical ability to be an NFL player. Requires your head, sorry, nothing personal.

raymon-taylor-pick-thumb-646x429-122643[1]10. CB Raymon Taylor, Jr [Last time: 9]

Filled in admirably for Countess. Avery won't pass him, and it's doubtful any freshman will. Still needs to tighten up his zone coverage but has excellent size and athleticism for the position. Likely to move to boundary corner.

UNLESS SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENS

Kyle_Kalis_Action-thumb-590x499-83764[1]11. G Kyle Kalis, Fr* [Last time: 10]

Most college-ready OL out of the Midwest in years probably could have—probably should have—started last year. If he does not ascend to starting job will have been beaten out by a classmate, freshman, or walk-on. Not happening; cue Imperial March.

bilde[1]12. SLOT Drew Dileo, Sr [Last time: 14]

Sticky-fingered Louisiana gnome proved his mettle in 2012. If a pass is physically reachable by him, will be brought in. Feet will motor afterwards. Lacks top gear.

noodling1[1]13. TE AJ Williams, So [Last time: 15]

Converted OL Michigan's best bet at inline blocking TE sort; needs to work on his technique in a serious way. Could near 300 pounds after an offseason in the weight room. Fears no fish.

Courtney Avery Ohio State v Michigan dnILuUOocpnl[1]14. NICKEL Courtney Avery, Sr. [Last time: 16]

Pressed into service as a started his freshman year before settling into perpetual third-best-corner-on-rosterdom. Will see half of the defensive snaps, covering slots and the like.

hi-res-6696076_crop_650[1]15. ILB Desmond Morgan, Jr [Last time: 3]

Major drop from last time out; was overranked to begin with since Bolden is pushing from behind. Excellent frosh play in bowl game puts job under a bit more threat. Realistically it'll be hard to move out of the MLB spot.

Jack Miller[1]16. C Jack Miller, So* [Last time: 12]

Kugler buzz sees Miller slide a bit as his competition will come in far readier than most to start from day one. Still seems unlikely a guy with a labrum injury can find the strength as a freshman to displace him.

FAIRLY SAFE BET

x2_e56dbd9[1]17. CB Blake Countess, So* [Last time: 17]

With Courtney Avery seemingly comfortable in the slot, Countess is likely to reclaim the field corner job he locked down midway through his freshman season… as long as he isn't hampered by lingering effects of his injury.

Ld4vH[1]18. S Jarrod Wilson, So [Last time: 18]

Early enrollee groomed as the Kovacs heir apparent as soon as he arrived, playing in certain nickel and dime packages as a freshman. Has not appeared on The Price Is Right, that's 'shopped, rookie. Marvin Robinson may challenge.

bilde[2]19. ILB James Ross, So [Last time: 19]

The only thing keeping Ross so low is classmate Joe Bolden; the two freshmen split snaps with veterans and played well. Ross seemed more instinctive and gets the nod here; had a great day against Northwestern and just needs 20 pounds to be a quality option.

IN A BATTLE

DerrickGreenUMhatTimesDispatch_origi[1] 20. RB Derrick Green, Fr [Last time: NR]

Yep: making the switch here, as Fitzgerald Toussaint now has to deal with not only DeVeon Smith but a 220 pound slab of muscle coming in with as much hype as it is possible to garner. Tailback is an immediate-impact spot.

brennen-beyer-minnesota[1]21. WDE Brennen Beyer, Jr. [Last time: 22]

Beyer has nosed ahead of Frank Clark and Mario Ojemudia since he's a better run defender. Recruiting sites liked him best, too. Likely to split time with the other two contenders here even if given the green light as a starter.

bilde[2]22. G Chris Bryant, So* [Last time: 23]

Mountain-sized guard missed 2012 with a broken leg; will return for spring practice. Has to fend off freshmen and walk-ons, mostly. The non-Kalis guard spot will see a lot of intrigue.

hi-res-6590476_display_image[1]23. SDE Keith Heitzman, So* [Last time: 24]

Started to rack up meaningful snaps late in the year; will have to fend off challenges from Tom Strobel and possibly Chris Wormley and Jibreel Black, if he's not at three-tech. Injury-enforced retirement of Nate Brink means he's at least going to reprise his role this year.

black-osu_thumb[1]24. DT Jibreel Black, Sr. [Last time: 25]

Nominally in line to replace Will Campbell at starting three-tech but will be pushed hard by trio of redshirt freshmen, and may move out to SDE. May not have the size to start at his current position.

freetownsfinest-thumb-300x224-101756[1]25. WR Amarah Darboh, So. [Last time: 26]

Someone large and leapy will have to pick up where Gardner and Roundtree(?) left off. Darboh did nothing as a freshman but seems likely to move in front of Jeremy Jackson and others to claim the other spot outside.

JoeKerridge1_thumb7 26. FB Joe Kerridge, So* [Last Time: NR]

Stephen Hopkins' departure makes Kerridge the leader at fullback when face-smashing is called for; the additions of Khalid Hill and Wyatt Shallman may move Kerridge to the bench for periods of time when Borges wants pass-catchers at the spot. Houma?

968_parkermattwile_t3522_thumb827. P Matt Wile, Jr [Last Time: NR]

Bowl suspension has Will Hagerup on thin ice, thin enough that it seems 50/50 he returns, at best. If Hagerup is out the door, Michigan won't miss much of a beat with Wile, who averaged 48 yards a kick in the bowl game. Picture may be slightly old.

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PUSHING FROM BEHIND

QB Shane Morris—hopefully he redshirts.
RB Fitzgerald Toussaint—worst. year. ever.
RB DeVeon Smith—most likely to fit what coaches want at RB spot
RB Dennis Norfleet—MOVE HIM BACK MOVE HIM BACK 
OL Erik Magnuson—third option at tackle.
OL Ben Braden—rumor is they may give him a shot at guard with Lewan back.
C Blake Bars—if Miller is just too too small.
C Patrick Kugler—the chosen center, but labrum injury hampers.
WR Jehu Chesson—should be ready to go after redshirt in search of bulk.
DE Tom Strobel—oversized end coming off redshirt, should be quality run defender.
NT Ondre Pipkins—get thee to the technique hut, son.
DE/DT Chris Wormley—has the size, has the hype, has the ACL recovery process.
WDE Frank Clark—rotated with Beyer last year.
WDE Mario Ojemudia—seemingly the best bet for an impact pass rusher at the spot.
MLB Joe Bolden—needs weight, but coming off meaningful freshman PT.
SLB Cam Gordon—spots Ryan.
CB Terry Richardson—weight weight weight weight weight
CB Jourdan Lewis—will a Cass corner ever meet the hype?
S Marvin Robinson—not sure if he'll ever be reliable enough to play.
S Josh Furman—ditto

Comments

turtleboy

February 7th, 2013 at 2:13 PM ^

Jabreel Black will definitely start, but where depends on the best option next to him. I'll take Sophomore Pipkins over RS Sophomore Heitzman to compete for a starting job, and Black's better suited as an End, regardless.

Joined: 04/22/2011

MGoPoints: 35130

Blue boy johnson

February 7th, 2013 at 2:16 PM ^

Regarding AJ Williams: I heard Hoke say during the season; AJ would be best served by losing weight, so I don't think he will be approaching 300 lbs anytime soon, unless he wants to sit on the bench.

Joined: 03/15/2009

MGoPoints: 6632

michgoblue

February 7th, 2013 at 3:02 PM ^

Norfleet is not moving back.

Why, you may ask?  We just brought in not only the #1RB in the country, but also a a second RB who was the #1 RB in Ohio.  Both of these guys fit exactly what our staff wants to do with the offense.  Also, there is a good chance that Fitz will return.

What leads you to believe that Norfleet can possibly crack the rotation?  Last year, we has absolutely zero production from the RB spot, and he STILL couldn't get carries, so you think that he is going to pass Green, Smith and Fitz? 

This is not a post trashing Norfleet.  He is a very fast kid.  But speed alone does not translate to RB success.  If it were that easy, every sprinter would be making NFL $$.  Norfleet is seriously undersized, which could be a problem when he has to block.  Also, from his returns (which I have been generally happy with), he does appear to lack vision to make the right cut.  That, of course, could be a youth thing.

So, all of that said, why are you so eager to see Norfleet return to RB and sit behind numerous others on the bench?

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: 32166

Noleverine

February 7th, 2013 at 3:15 PM ^

Well, we still need to fill the role Vincent Smith had as a 3rd down back. It would either be Nofleet or Hayes. I can't speak towards either of their blocking ability (guaranteed to be a step down from "pound-for-pound the toughest blocker on the team,") but I'm not convinced it's impossible for him to claim that role.

Joined: 10/06/2010

MGoPoints: 3828

michgoblue

February 7th, 2013 at 4:32 PM ^

I think that you may be a bit confused as to what a 3rd down back is. 

First off, many teams do not use a 3rd down back - if their regular every down RB has the requisite skill set, teams tend to roll with that one back. 

Second, just b/c V. Smith was a tiny guy, that does not mean that every 3rd down back has to be tiny.  As I have always understood it, a 3rd down back is one who is a good blocker, and who can catch passes / screens dump-offs, etc.  Why does that limit our options to Norfleet or Hayes?  Why not Green. Smith, Shallman or Fitz? 

 

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: 32166

Noleverine

February 7th, 2013 at 4:58 PM ^

When I said "3rd down back," I meant is as a general term for more of a change-of-pace type back. With a back like that, the most important aspects are blocking and elusiveness after the catch in instances of dump-offs. While one of our starters may be able to fill that role, I think it's beneficial to have a back that excels at catching balls out of the backfield and make defenders miss, especially since we're moving towards more of an interior-running, brute force style offense.

Joined: 10/06/2010

MGoPoints: 3828

michgoblue

February 7th, 2013 at 6:05 PM ^

I figured that's how you meant 3rd down back - I use the two somewhat interchangeably, as well. 

And I do like the idea of having an elusive RB for certain situations, but I am not sure why people assume that just because Norfleet is fast he is elusive?  I like the kid, and think that he has potential to be a good return man (especially if he improves his vision and decisions-making), but I just don't see him playing a role in our offense going forward.

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: 32166

michgoblue

February 7th, 2013 at 2:53 PM ^

Looking at that list, it is really impressive how quickly Hoke and company have managed to re-stock our depth and restore our talent levels. 

Gone are the days of being forced to start undersized, under-talented players.  Gone are the days where the back-up at any given position was a walk-on or air. 

This is the most talented and balanced (aside from WR) our roster has been in 5 years.

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: 32166

Bombadil

February 8th, 2013 at 10:16 AM ^

I meant to say that although they've struggle somewhat in conference play, I'm most excited about the continued development and utilization as "x-factors" by both coaches. I'd say these two are my favorites among each freshman class.

Joined: 01/22/2011

MGoPoints: 8362

michgoblue

February 7th, 2013 at 4:34 PM ^

I mentioned this in a post above, buy aside from being tiny, why do you believe that Hayes would be a good 3rd down back?  Is he a good blocker?  Does he have good hands?  Because those are the key criteria for a 3rd down back.  Being tiny is not.

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: 32166

UMaD

February 7th, 2013 at 4:52 PM ^

Overrated:  Kalis, Miller, Heitzman, Gibbons, Funchess, Darboh

Underrated:  Black, Countess, Burzynski, Gallon, Williams, Wile

In my opinion there's a little too much extending of recruiting preconceptions/theories here wrt to guys like Funchess and Kalis.

  • For supposedly being "college ready", Kalis wasn't.  Time to let that idea go.  The starters ahead of him weren't very good and the coaches comments did not support the idea that he was capable of playing last year.  In August/September he didn't push the walk-on laden depth chart and even after Bryant was hurt he reminded an afterthought behind guys like Burzynski.  He might not even be the best prepared linement in his CLASS.  I agree that he is likely to start but he's in a battle with his classmates, quality walk-ons, and a couple veterans for the three open spots.
  • It would not be strange if Miller didn't start at center.  The coaches have not indicated any faith in the guy.  Last year we had a last minute switch at OC and this year we could see something similar.  He does have plenty of opportunity, but he'll have to fend of competitors.  Burzynski was ahead of him last year and could be again this year.
  • Black over Heitzman.  There's great positional flexibility here - if a freshman is going to force their way into the starting lineup it'll likely be ahead of Heitzman.  Black's already proved he can be a productive impact player and should be second after Washington for liklihood of starting along the DL.  Like Schofield - he'll start somewhere.
  • Countess has some recovery questions him but is still too low on this list.  He's likely to be healthy and start. The alternative would be "strange"
  • I would dispute FLEX TE being on here in the first place, but this year Funchess should have plenty of competition from guys like Butt and Hill.  If he doesn't learn to be an effective blocker his role will remain marginal. Last year he was essentially a slow WR but teams figured that out after a few weeks.
  • Funchess listed ahead of Gallon is inexplicable.  Gallon has no real competition and is a proven performer.  Funchess should be behind Williams.  He'll play less (again) and is a bigger question mark developmentally.  Michigan doesn't have another blocker like Williams, but they can replace Funchess with another pass-catcher.
  • Wile should be here over Gibbons.  He is the most versatile kicker and will handle kickoffs at a minimum.  Gibbons will probably start but Wile could possibly pass him.
     

 

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 4960

STW P. Brabbs

February 7th, 2013 at 9:09 PM ^

I think it's possible that the coaches are just pretty adamant about redshirting offensive linemen, but maybe we're as little star struck by Kalis. Totally agree with regard to Gallon, though - apparently no one will give him credit for his ability as a downfield threat until he grows four inches.

Joined: 08/27/2008

MGoPoints: 3867