2017 discussion: Defense
, Next years DL could still be very good and that is a great starting point. We absolutely need Hurst to stay and we need some depth to develop, and if that occurs the DL could be dominant once again.
The back seven has a few more questions, specifically in the secondary. I feel we will be ok at LB with McCray, Bush, Uche, Furbush ect. The secondary will have talent but will be unproven. I hope that we can keep getting Long and Hill some playing time, and Watson can improve next year as the nickel. The wild card may be Jeremy Clark. If we can get a 6th year for him, that provides much needed experience, although I'm not sure how likely it is for him to receive it. Kinnell will start at one safety position and I think he will be fine. The question is who starts with him. Hudson is an obvious choice, but I wonder if he would be better suited for the SAM that Peppers currently occupies. Metellus could be a great find and is an intriguing player.
Another consideration is that this will be the second year in Don Browns system, where teams have traditionally made big improvements. I don't think anyone expects to be better on D but perhaps the experience in his system will make up for some of the youth on the field. It's the bye week, what are some early thoughts on next years D?
October 11th, 2016 at 8:41 AM ^
I've loved the intensity Metellus brings when he has seen snaps this year. Wouldn't be surprised if the starting safeties are Kinnel and Metellus with Hudson playing SAM. I still really wish Brian Cole could have gotten his act together, because I believe he could have had the potential to be a terrific safety.
A D line of Hurst-Mone-Winovich-Gary is not bad at all. It's just nowhere near as deep as it is this year.
October 11th, 2016 at 8:51 AM ^
Metellus has great potential, but the question is whether he knows enough about the game to be (as Brian says) a "boring" safety. The hitting ability is good to have, but it's far more important for a safety to take the right angles and keep stuff in front of him. Metellus is kind of like Dymonte Thomas used to be, and remember that Thomas took 3-ish years to figure the position out (and since he did, he's been very good).
October 11th, 2016 at 9:37 AM ^
I don't remember Thomas lighting people up as a freshman.
October 11th, 2016 at 1:46 PM ^
When Thomas was a freshman, we were never blowing teams out enough to get him PT, like Metellus has gotten. But he showed his athletic potential blocking that punt.
October 11th, 2016 at 3:28 PM ^
When he blocked that punt in the first game against Central Mich I believe, I thought he was going to be a stud from the get go
October 11th, 2016 at 8:54 AM ^
I thought Metellus would get some PT this year in preperation for next season, and lo, it has come to pass. (Haa - easy bet when the entire freshmen class is playing!) I think the starting spot next to Kinnel will be Metellus or Hudson, based on how good another SAM prospect can play. Sort of like the OL this year - the best two of Cole, Kugler, Newsome were going to play. Positions were dependant on who the best were.
In the case of safeties next season, I see that battle between Metellus, Hudson, SAM-prospect to be named later - the best two will start. Competition is a wonderful thing!
October 11th, 2016 at 1:16 PM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 9:18 AM ^
Did you see Cole's hit this weekend (playing at EMCC now)? Shades of Daydrion Taylor v. PSU. Cole looks like a real star in the making at the position.
October 11th, 2016 at 9:42 AM ^
He's going to get a lot of SEC offers this year. Kind of interested to see if he is one of the feature players on this season of Last Chance U. Can't see why he wouldn't be, since he was a former top 100 player.
Both Cole and to a lesser extent, Mitchell had a lot of raw potential and I always thought safety was best suited for them (maybe we can still grab Brad Hawkins and work him at safety)
October 11th, 2016 at 11:15 AM ^
Are they making another Last Chance U? I'd love to see him on there. But I agree, definitely expect him at a top-half SEC school next fall, maybe an Ole Miss or Arkansas.
October 11th, 2016 at 10:15 AM ^
Cole is a punk... did you see where he ended up? I for one, don't wish he did what you wanted...for it could have completely changed the recruit group we got, namely Hudson... good riddance...
October 11th, 2016 at 10:53 AM ^
Hurst-Mone-Winovich-Gary is still probably a top 3 D-line at Michigan from the last 10 years. We're just hilariously spoiled by rolling 8 or 9 deep with starter quality guys right now
October 11th, 2016 at 8:39 AM ^
We have no clue what 2017 will be like until Signing Day. It is pretty clear that the 30(!) players that we sign will be playing. Do we need to obsess over the offensive line when we may have 4 or 5 Top 100 types coming in? Should we be crying about the lack of playmaking receivers when we might get 4(!) Top 100-ish? Etc.
October 11th, 2016 at 8:45 AM ^
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October 11th, 2016 at 9:15 AM ^
I've been a fan since about Bo's first year. The last decade has been an anomaly and source of enormous frustration. I'm just enjoying the "Now". I will undoubtedly read through this whole thread despite my comment. Once you start getting Top-5 recruiting classes and good coaching, however, the game changes when it comes to guessing what the team will look like next year.
So, Enjoy!
October 11th, 2016 at 9:28 AM ^
We do have the long off season to discuss this endlessly, lets enjoy the moment.
Carpe Diem.
October 11th, 2016 at 9:11 AM ^
if the 2017 thread annoys you then you probably want to stay away from the 2018 and 2019 threads forthcoming
October 11th, 2016 at 9:30 AM ^
the 2017 defense? Can I haz that thread?
I'm in the camp to sit back and enjoy this year. Think about the upcoming games, check out some recruits, rewatch previous games, etc. I clicked here to see if it was "as good" as yesterday's Name the Defense thread.
October 11th, 2016 at 10:20 AM ^
Freshman will play and figure into the depth chart, but only a handful are going to really contribute (if we're lucky). Even Gary is a back-up this year. Yes, due to really good depth in front of him, but still, it's clear the coaches will play freshman but usually trust older guys more if available.
Of this year's fantastic class, only really Asiasi, Evans, Gary, McDoom and Bredeson are figuring in during non-garbage time. Only Asiasi is the #1 option at their position.
October 11th, 2016 at 9:01 AM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 9:07 AM ^
Paea, Hudson, Malone-Hatcher, Vilain to the D-Line depth
St. Juste and hopefully Ambry Thomas to CB depth
October 11th, 2016 at 11:07 AM ^
That's a lot of unproven players in the secondary though. Sure, some of them will step up, but it's hard to see them all work out perfectly well.
That DL looks OK, but nowhere near as good as this year. Granted, this year's DL will likely end up in the best ever discussion.
October 11th, 2016 at 11:51 PM ^
plus the loss of Jabrill will make a huge impact on the opposing teams' ability to attack the overhang defender without fearing Jabrill blowing up the play with his athleticism.
October 11th, 2016 at 9:04 AM ^
DL
Hurst, Mone, Gary, Marshall, Winovich
youngsters adding to it
Dwumfour, Onwenu, Paea, Hudson, Malone-Hatcher, Vilain, Ron Johnson, Kemp
plus any other recruits - I think we'll be ok - just need to develop the depth
develoing LB depth will be important
we have some good young safeties
CB is the area I am most concerned about - we will have talent but it will be young and raw
October 11th, 2016 at 9:08 AM ^
is OL and developing CB's
October 11th, 2016 at 9:14 AM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 9:39 AM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 10:00 AM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 10:56 AM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 11:22 AM ^
B1G already said 4 games is eligable for medical redshirt. There were a few players across the league who were lost for the year in their 4th game so it was asked. The B1G title game counts as a game whether you play in it or not and there is some rounding involved. Bottom line is he can get the medical based on games played.
October 11th, 2016 at 11:47 AM ^
If Ed Davis can get a 6th year while he was practice squad player of the week multiple times (and clearly not that injured) I'm optimistic for Clark's chances.
October 11th, 2016 at 11:29 AM ^
It's the percentage of games (which he's under) plus some documented proof of injury that first year. That'll be the sticking point; can they prove he was injured that first year. My sense is that Davis got his 6th year because they submitted proof he had a back (?) injury; I'm not sure about Clark.
October 11th, 2016 at 9:18 AM ^
Hurst is going to the NFL after the year is over. If you've watched his play and listened to his quotes in the offseason he already has his mind made up. You need to stop penciling him into any projected lineups.
Depth on next years line will be a problem. Enjoy every second of devastation in 2016.
October 11th, 2016 at 9:29 AM ^
He has been brillant again this year, and will be off the draft board by the third round.
October 11th, 2016 at 10:10 AM ^
October 11th, 2016 at 11:08 AM ^
What did he say?
October 11th, 2016 at 9:21 AM ^
I was gonna make a thread about it, but thought I'd gauge interest here first...
October 11th, 2016 at 9:30 AM ^
It seems like a foregone conclusion, but is Peppers definitely going pro next year? I dont think he's specifically said it but I think the feeling from everyone is hes gone. I remember from a 2015 article he said he wasn't leaving without a degree and wasnt sure if that was still true. Does anyone have any insight on this besides speculation?
"Mom instilled education in me at a very early age," he said. "And the way I look at is that if I'm going to come to a great university such as Michigan, why not get the degree? You'd be a fool not to get the degree. How quick I get the degree is still up in the air, but I'm definitely not leaving without it.
http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110615aaa.html
October 11th, 2016 at 9:36 AM ^
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October 11th, 2016 at 9:39 AM ^
I appreciate your researched optimism.
October 11th, 2016 at 1:08 PM ^
I also asked this because I remember the Lewan situation (although not exactly a good character witness to help). Everyone thought he was gone for sure but stayed for his senior year.
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2013/01/michigans_taylor_lewan_forgos.html
That's a lot of money to turn down and one injury can derail everything (ie Marucs Lattimore), so if I'm Peppers I'd go pro. However college was awesome and my advice is everyone should stay as long as they can.
October 11th, 2016 at 9:42 AM ^
I would not be surprised if he has his degree by Spring.
Just sucks his Freshman year was taken away by the low blocking App State butthole.
October 11th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^
Good call on the possibility of him finishing up his degree by the spring.
October 11th, 2016 at 11:30 AM ^
He can always come back in the offseason and take winter semester classes to finish up his degree. But if he's getting first round projections, and he currently is, he needs to go. Considering he does have an injury history (sat out a whole year for it), he should strike while the iron is hot and lock down that seven figure salary that will help set he and his family up for life.
Of course, I'd selfishly love for him to stay 1-2 more years, but I won't blame him for one second if he leaves.
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October 11th, 2016 at 12:00 PM ^
I'm 50/50 on him leaving. I think he sees the environment Harbaugh has created and is smart enough to know that he has a special thing here. The NFL will treat him as an asset and he will not be able to play O/D/sepcial teams. No more Wildcat QB, RB, etc. The kid is having a blast right now and I'm not sure he wouldn't want one more year. Of course, if we win a NC.....he probably gone.
October 11th, 2016 at 11:53 PM ^
him. They don't scout Juniors unless they have words that they're going to declare for the draft. Jabrill is a 1st round pick lock unless medical testing fails him at combine.
October 11th, 2016 at 10:11 AM ^
I think you should count on Metellus and Hudson to be a big contributors. We will be just fine on defense. And there has to be a decent chance that Peppers takes out an insurance policy, and stays, albeit small, like 25%.
Sorry to digress here, but its the offense, is the concern... the OL, which loses three starters and possibly all five..... guys like Ulizio look tiny, and Cole may leave. Newsome injury really is devastating. The new OL haul I think will be epic, but they will be true freshmen. WR spot is gonna be a big problem, unless Harris physically matures.
October 11th, 2016 at 10:26 AM ^
WR, not so much
we will be fine there
Perry will be back, and McDoom and Crawrford will have played some as well
and this incoming WR class will probably be better suited to contribute that the 2016 one