Justin Meram didn't just score
Friday(!) Recruitin': Overview Edition, Defense
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Picking up where we left off on Wednesday.
Defensive Tackle
| Position | Incoming (c/o 2015) |
Freshmen (c/o 2014) |
Sophomores (c/o 2013) |
Juniors (c/o 2012) |
Seniors (c/o 2011) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DT (7 - 2) |
T. Talbott |
W. Campbell | M. Martin | R. Sagesse G. Banks* |
Departures: reliable backups Renaldo Sagesse and Greg Banks shuffle off.
Numbers: Presuming the Ryan Van Bergen move is real and permanent, Michigan will have just four defensive tackles on the roster in 2011, and three of those seem ticketed for the three-tech spot.
2011 Needs: Nose tackle is the second-most critical position in the class behind offensive line. Michigan needs two nose tackles and could use another three-tech, or a tweener that could play either spot.
Most likely additions: OH DT Kevin Williams has a different story about who he grew up a fan of for every site but Michigan's gotten him on campus a couple times already and will be on his short list.
Defensive End
Brennen Beyer(7), a teammate, and a guy who is about to limp gingerly to the sideline
| Position | Incoming (c/o 2015) |
Freshmen (c/o 2014) |
Sophomores (c/o 2013) |
Juniors (c/o 2012) |
Seniors (c/o 2011) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE (9 - 1) | A. LaLota* J Paskorz K. Wilkins J. Black |
C. Roh |
S. Watson* |
A. Patterson |
Departures: Adam Patterson leaves after the year. There aren't any NFL threats.
Numbers: If we don't count Heininger, Michigan will have eight defensive ends going into next year, with one or two still maintaining freshman eligibility.
2011 Needs: They'll probably pick up one or two but grabbing Jibreel Black towards the end of the recruiting cycle means they could potentially do without and be just fine.
Most likely additions: Instate DE/TE Brennen Beyer has a Michigan offer and is very high on the Wolverines. He's going to check out a few other schools but the general vibe is that he should be a Michigan commit by the middle of summer. He seems like a solid four star, a potential top 250 guy.
Linebacker
| Position | Incoming (c/o 2015) |
Freshmen (c/o 2014) |
Sophomores (c/o 2013) |
Juniors (c/o 2012) |
Seniors (c/o 2011) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LB (11 - 2) |
I. Bell* |
K. Demens* |
JB Fitzgerald K. Leach# |
O. Ezeh* J. Mouton* |
Departures: ILB starters Obi Ezeh and Jonas Mouton graduate.
Numbers: Just fine at spinner, where Mike Jones, Brandin Hawthorne, and Josh Furman are all in their first or second years with the program. On the inside, Michigan has Bell, Ryan, Kinard, and Rogers as kids but only JB Fitzgerald and Kenny Demens in the upper classes.
2011 Needs: A blue chip linebacker would be very welcome. The last inside linebacker with any hype is Fitzgerald, who will be a senior by the time this class steps on campus. They'll probably take only two in a small class but they should swing for the fences as they do so.
Most likely additions: NC LB Kris Frost (attempting to rip some kid's head off at right) has an offer and has publicly stated a Michigan lead multiple times. He's from Butler HS, the school that produced Jamar Adams, and seems like a solid four star sort, or better. Michigan is also after a couple of touted Ohioans, Trey DePriest and Antonio Poole, but those guys are a ways from having solid lists.
| Position | Incoming (c/o 2015) |
Freshmen (c/o 2014) |
Sophomores (c/o 2013) |
Juniors (c/o 2012) |
Seniors (c/o 2011) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CB (8 + 0) |
D. Hollowell |
J. Turner* |
JT Floyd* | T. Woolfolk J. Rogers |
Departures: Starter Troy Woolfolk graduates and little-used James Rogers will presumably follow him out the door. Rogers could hypothetically pick up a redshirt, but with a small class on the docket the chances Michigan extends a fifth year to a guy who doesn't play are minimal.
Commits: Michigan has a couple guys already signed up. It's unclear where Cass Tech's Delonte Hollowell and Fremont Ross's Greg Brown will end up in the rankings just yet, but the shaky consensus is they will be on the 3/4 star borderline.
Numbers: Michigan has eight guys who will have at least two years of eligibility remaining when the 2011 class hits. Michigan may end up shifting one of their bigger (Turner or Christian) or slower (Floyd) corners to safety, though. One more is a possibility.
2011 Needs: Blue chip or bust at this point.
Most likely additions: No one at the moment.
Safety
| Position | Incoming (c/o 2015) |
Freshmen (c/o 2014) |
Sophomores (c/o 2013) |
Juniors (c/o 2012) |
Seniors (c/o 2011) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S (6 + 0) |
T. Gordon* |
J. Kovacs# V. Emilien |
M. Williams* |
Departures: None unless Woolfolk ends up here.
Numbers: Four (Kovacs, Robinson, Gordon, Johnson) at box safety, all of them underclassmen. Mike Williams might also have a permanent home in the box. If he doesn't, three at deep safety plus the potential move of a cornerback.
2011 Needs: Michigan can take a pass at box safety. They might want a deep safety since their three guys are low rated, played very poorly, or couldn't see the field despite the guy in front of him playing very poorly, but my bet is one of the three touted corners ends up here in fall, possibly even in spring.
Most likely additions: no one seems particularly likely at the moment. OH S Ron Tanner briefly said Michigan led but that changed once he got an Ohio State offer. (He's from Columbus.)
Specialists
| Position | Incoming (c/o 2015) |
Freshmen (c/o 2014) |
Sophomores (c/o 2013) |
Juniors (c/o 2012) |
Seniors (c/o 2011) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P/K (3 - 1) | B. Gibbons* C. Hagerup |
B. Wright* |
Both specialists will be freshmen. Michigan will not be in the market for more.
Add It Up
One man's guess at the final numbers:
- DT: 2
- DE: 1
- LB: 2
- CB: 2
- S: 0
- K: 0
That's seven. Michigan has 14 openings right now and a normal amount of attrition should see them have 18 or so by signing day. If there's more than that—no thank you—I'd think they pick up another safety and another linebacker.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:32 PM | 
Cam Gordon?
Cam Gordon?
March 5th, 2010 at 2:23 PM |
he
he
was still listed with the offence. I thought his switch was official though...
http://mgoblog.com/content/wednesday-recruitin-overview-edition-offense
March 5th, 2010 at 1:32 PM |
Seems strange that they will
Seems strange that they will
Seems strange that they will be looking for more offense than defense with all the "ugh wide receivers" sentiment that punctuated last years class.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:46 PM |
Trey DePriest....
Trey DePriest....
Is a MUST GET IMHO since it seems as though we are our of the running for LT.
March 5th, 2010 at 6:04 PM |
Agreed, but there are some
Agreed, but there are some
Agreed, but there are some decent non-elite LBs out there who Michigan will target after their first round of offers.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:50 PM |
is beyer being recruited as a
is beyer being recruited as a
is beyer being recruited as a LB or DE?
March 5th, 2010 at 4:01 PM |
He's being recruited as the
He's being recruited as the
He's being recruited as the DE/OLB hybrid (Quick).
March 5th, 2010 at 2:12 PM |
UM 2011 NFL draft class
UM 2011 NFL draft class
I've posted about this before somewhere. Is anyone else expecting a miserable 2011 NFL draft for UM? Based on the list of departures for the offense and defense, here are the only possible candidates:
* Schilling
* Webb
* Mouton
* Ezeh
* Woolfolk
Based on their current trajectories, none of them look like 1st-day draftees. Anyone care to speculate on whether they'll be drafted and, if so, where (i.e., which round)?
"..."
March 5th, 2010 at 2:25 PM |
This isn't a very original
This isn't a very original
This isn't a very original thought, but this could be a great thing if RR is still around in 2011 - a year without very much quality (NFL) turning over bodes so so well for 2011.
Excellence is Good
March 5th, 2010 at 2:27 PM |
Only 2
Only 2
Of those guys have the potential to go the first day IMO and they are Schilling and Ezeh. Only if Ezeh has a MONSTER season will he be considered.
Schilling on the other hand will go day one IMO. He's very quick on his feet for his size and I believe he'll be one of the top 3 guards in next years draft. Baas went at the top of the 2nd a few years back and I think Schilling has more potential. Also, remember what Graham said at the Senior Bowl? He said next year, watch out for Stephen Schilling....
Hail To The Victors!
March 5th, 2010 at 2:42 PM |
I'm kind of irrationally
I'm kind of irrationally
I'm kind of irrationally hoping this is Schilling's year.
Schilling year 1: Mono then Vernon Gholston rocking him.
Schilling year 2: Tackle after Zirbel got injured. Tackle isn't his natural position.
Schilling year 3: First year playing guard at Michigan. Passable but not quite solid consistently.
Schilling year 4: ?
I feel Woolfolk can be drafted if he stays at corner. It appeared to me, and I might be wrong, that other teams threw at DWarren more than at Woolfolk towards the end of last year. Now, that might be because DWarren was covering the better receiver and thus the more preferred target, but I don't think that's the case since the CBs played boundary and field rather than matchups.
The team is heavily reliant on Emilien locking down the deep safety position so Woolfolk can stick at corner.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:00 PM |
Schilling was already a
Schilling was already a
Schilling was already a tackle, regardless of Zirbel's status. It depends on what you mean by "natural position" but Schilling was a tackle coming out of high school and played there his first few years of college ball.
This is just my opinion, but I don't foresee them giving Emilien - basically a redshirt freshman - perhaps the most important position on the defense and shifting Woolfolk to corner. It just doesn't make sense. In fact, I'd say the team is heavily reliant on finding another corner (or two) so Woolfolk can lock down the deep safety position.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:41 PM |
Agree about Vlad
Agree about Vlad
The fact that his redshirt was burned in mop-up duty against Delaware St. tells me that the coaches don't have high expectations for him.
March 5th, 2010 at 10:26 PM |
Redshirt
Redshirt
He could redshirt this year now that we have some depth in the DB.
Alex: Backup QB is the best position in sports. In fact I get drunk all the time, I don't have to show up to class, and it's just like being a real QB but without all the pain.
March 6th, 2010 at 12:29 AM |
http://rivals.yahoo.com/michi
http://rivals.yahoo.com/michi
http://rivals.yahoo.com/michigan/football/recruiting/player-Stephen-Schi...
Says he's a guard. Not a tackle coming out of high school.
Yes, he was already a at Michigan. HOWEVER, if you have Zirbel and Ortmann at tackle, and McAvoy at guard, it's pretty obvious Schilling ends up at guard in this scenario.
This is just my opinion, but I don't foresee them giving Emilien - basically a redshirt freshman - perhaps the most important position on the defense and shifting Woolfolk to corner.
So moving Woolfolk this year was just for shits and giggles? Playing Leach/Williams at deep safety would be any different from redshirt Emilien?
March 6th, 2010 at 2:13 AM |
Rivals is assuming he will play guard in College I think...
Rivals is assuming he will play guard in College I think...
Schilling played every down at Tackle (offensive and defensive.) Look at the video in the Rivals link. My brother in law coaches in Washington against Bellvue every year. We go up for games and Schilling was dominant.
Here's another link from the Tacoma paper citing him as one of the best Washington OL ever... http://tiny.cc/ZXimc . There is room for him to pick it up this year IMO. Drive has never been an issue. He is a coaches dream.
Woolfolk will be deep safety (again IMO.) He was moved for need at CB. I think that has been addressed. It will be good to have his speed backing up whoever wins the other corner opposite Turner.
"When it got down to the nitty gritty, we pounded it in there the old fashioned way, and...um...I like that." Bo 11/11/89 #3 Michigan 24 - #8 Illinois 10
March 6th, 2010 at 9:27 AM |
I mean, you could look at
I mean, you could look at
I mean, you could look at what Rivals projects Schilling to play...or you could look at the actual film and see that he played offensive tackle in high school.
Denard Robinson was listed as an "Athlete." Brandon Graham was listed as a "Linebacker." Robinson played quarterback, and Graham turned into a defensive end. You can't always go by what it lists on Rivals.
Also, no, moving Woolfolk to CB wasn't just for shits and giggles. It was clearly because the coaches would rather have Jordan Kovacs/Mike Williams on the field at safety than Teric Jones/JT Floyd at corner.
March 6th, 2010 at 1:24 PM |
Ezeh was a rb.
Ezeh was a rb.
Ezeh was a rb.
"what the hell is wrong with u?" "me? Nothing! you on the other hand, have a bullet inside of you!"
March 7th, 2010 at 12:01 AM |
Uh...Baas won a Rimington...
Uh...Baas won a Rimington...
I'm thinking Schilling will be 3rd or 4th round at most unless he deals some serious pain this year. I don't see him on watch lists for the Outland or Lombardi, but I'm all all in for him. If Bryan Bulaga gets on the watch list I don't see how it could be too tough for Schilling.
"When it got down to the nitty gritty, we pounded it in there the old fashioned way, and...um...I like that." Bo 11/11/89 #3 Michigan 24 - #8 Illinois 10
March 5th, 2010 at 2:37 PM |
isn't
isn't
Woolfolk definitely the best player on that list? i suppose he's slighter than Morgan Trent, but he's probably not slower, right? same with Jamar Adams.
for Schilling, I'm thinking Adam Kraus is a solid comparison. Kraus showed up much better in UFR, didn't get drafted and couldn't stick once he got signed.
for Mouton, Burgess? and you could definitely argue that Prescott understood the game better.
i really don't see how Ezeh could get drafted if Burgess was a 6th rounder.
...the Canadians make up for it with their emotion and classic ice-dancing skill.
March 5th, 2010 at 2:43 PM |
I think that he could be a good pro
I think that he could be a good pro
But his speed/overall athleticism will limit his draft position.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand"
March 5th, 2010 at 2:46 PM |
To me, Woolfolk's press
To me, Woolfolk's press
To me, Woolfolk's press ability and speed make him a terrific nickelback in the league if Morgan Trent can excel at that position.
Mouton has been moved around 3 positions (SS -> OLB -> ILB) and had 3 defensive coordinators and god knows how many position coaches. Don't forget he was pretty solid as an OLB late last year, then hurt his shoulder and had to learn a whole new position from Jay Hopson.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:03 PM |
Mouton was a linebacker
Mouton was a linebacker
Mouton was a linebacker basically from the time he set foot on campus. And his position at ILB isn't that much different than when he was a WILL in English's/Shafer's defenses.
March 6th, 2010 at 12:30 AM |
"Mouton was a linebacker
"Mouton was a linebacker
"Mouton was a linebacker basically from the time he set foot on campus"
Yet, still was a position switch, which was my point. And his position was clearly different enough that he went from solid to pure fucking suck.
March 7th, 2010 at 3:00 AM |
it's not clear
it's not clear
that the position switch has anything to do with his suck. in fact, i really doubt that someone who can't play linebacker could play safety. or vice versa. you either understand the game or you don't and you either have the athleticism or you don't. whatever size you play at doesn't change those fundamental factors. if we ask mike martin to drop weight and play end, the amount of speed he gains will be proportional to his weight lost and he'll maintain his intelligence. nothing about the quality of his defense changes, just his spot on the field.
...the Canadians make up for it with their emotion and classic ice-dancing skill.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:06 PM |
I think Woolfolk is the best
I think Woolfolk is the best
I think Woolfolk is the best of the bunch. It would be nice to see him get some interceptions, because a lack of "ball skills" will probably hurt him going into the draft next year. But there's something to be said for his speed and versatility.
I definitely think Schilling will get drafted in the later rounds.
If Mouton and Ezeh have seasons like they did in 2009, they'll be free agents along with Webb.
March 5th, 2010 at 2:42 PM |
Brian, Based solely on the
Brian, Based solely on the
Brian,
Based solely on numbers and presumed talent, are you willing to offer a (ridiculously)early W/L prediction for 2010?
March 5th, 2010 at 3:27 PM |
Who is C. Hagerup?
Who is C. Hagerup?
ChampionOfTheUniverse Hagerup?
I'm a cucumber. | Twitter
March 5th, 2010 at 4:30 PM |
Chill Hagerup.
Chill Hagerup.
Chill Hagerup.
March 5th, 2010 at 5:52 PM |
Defense
Defense
The guys I think we have to get are Kevin Williams, Trey DePreist and Kris Frost.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:54 PM |
It would be great
It would be great
to get Frost along with either De Priest or Poole. Sounds like we have a solid 4 star NT who wants to attend UM.
What could really help out with the 2011 class will be more wins! Here's hoping that RR can pull out a few more close b10 games this year, allowing the team to win 9 games! That could really help us to get more LB and DL studs!!!
Brian thanks for the 2011 defensive needs and recruiting recap!
expect the best
March 5th, 2010 at 11:09 PM |
Kent Turene I would want
Kent Turene I would want
Turene from Demar's high school (boyd anderson) that I heard is a great linebacker and loves to play with Demar also meaning he has much interest in Michigan too. First option though is the Priest!
March 6th, 2010 at 3:21 AM |
nose tackle for UM is...
nose tackle for UM is...
nose tackle for UM is a 0 tech or a 1 tech? or do u mean a 2 tech and "nose" tackle is just a fancy name for a regular DT? or like a 2 tech(eye)? not gonna pretend that i know ur defense perfectly but it never seemed like u guys utilized a 0 tech, outside of goal line of course. just curious.
Hook 'em Horns
March 6th, 2010 at 7:33 PM |
K Bryan Wright....
K Bryan Wright....
will not be coming back for a 5th year. There's another schollie
March 7th, 2010 at 1:12 PM |
Where did you hear this?
Where did you hear this?
Where did you hear this?
March 7th, 2010 at 7:46 PM |
Bryan is from my hometown (Salem, OH)
Bryan is from my hometown (Salem, OH)
and I'm a family friend. His mom told me right after Xmas that Bryan wasn't returning. Bryan even had a talk with Lloyd Carr before making his decision. I was kind of surprised and thought he'd stick around and start Grad school.
He's had nagging lower back injuries since 2007 and has struggled with accuracy problems since he arrived. His parents even paid for a kicking coach out of their own pocket (Jay Feely's dad) to help him improve. He really improved before last season, but just never cracked the lineup as the FG kicker.
March 8th, 2010 at 4:25 PM |
interesting
interesting
Thanks for the response.
Isn't he switching to defense? I did not see him listed.