Berkley Edwards (Class of 2013 RB, brother of Braylon)
TomVH tweeted that Berkely Edwards the APB from Chelsea ran a hand timed 4.39 40 at the MaxExposure thing at the Silverdome.
I took a look at his highlight reel and came away really impressed. Though his listed size (5'9, 185) is not ideal, he shows great change of direction moves, and seems to slip through holes in a very Vincent Smith-esqe way.
The biggest thing I noticed in his highlights however was his speed. This kid can fly.
I hope we find some space in our class for this kid, especially with our soon to be need at runningback.
EDIT: Josh Helmholdt tweeted:
December 17th, 2011 at 4:27 PM ^
Would be a great third down back or slot receiver in three-wide sets. Isaac and Edwards in 2013 sounds like a great RB haul after missing out on Dunn in 2012
December 17th, 2011 at 4:43 PM ^
either but he may have been turned off by not getting an offer when he came up to visit. I don't know what he was expecting he didn't bring any film with him
December 17th, 2011 at 4:35 PM ^
I was impressed by his yards after contact and acceleration. That kid can really hit a hole.
Legacy factor is also nice.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:40 PM ^
Stan was 6' 0", 210 lbs. Braylon's 6'3", 210 lbs. Anyone think its possible Berkley's not done growing yet?
December 17th, 2011 at 6:56 PM ^
Good points ... we'll see. If he's listed at 5'9" he's probably just shy of 5'8". Height inflation and all that ...
I wonder how tall his mom is? Also, I wonder whether Stan and Braylon had their growth spurts on the late side.
December 17th, 2011 at 4:59 PM ^
really got good this year. Made huge improvements in his ability to find a hole and hit it hard. I'm already looking forward to seeing him on the field next fall.
(He pulled away for a touchdown on that run.)
December 17th, 2011 at 4:59 PM ^
Speed to pull away from DBs, able to break tackles, good vision...yes please.
Being an Edwards is just icing on the cake.
December 17th, 2011 at 5:01 PM ^
As soon as I saw Tom VH's tweet I knew this would become a post
December 17th, 2011 at 7:44 PM ^
As soon as he commits I predict a Hello post
December 17th, 2011 at 5:06 PM ^
But would he be a lock to come to Michigan if offered? Obviously has ties to Michigan, but Braylon is a bit of a diva, I could see him pushing Berkely to explore his options. Any insight here?
December 17th, 2011 at 5:10 PM ^
As posted above he came to the Nebraska and Ohio St games so I assume he's a fan. Plus, it has to be cool to follow in your dad's and brother's footsteps?
December 18th, 2011 at 2:20 PM ^
Braylon might be a bit of a diva, but at least he's a Michigan diva. Despite how he may acted the past few years, he still loves Michigan. I can't see him pushing his brother to explore any other options besides Michigan, especially now that we've got Hoke, who I'm sure Braylon loves
December 18th, 2011 at 3:07 PM ^
will have ALOT more imput than Braylon...just sayin!
December 17th, 2011 at 5:13 PM ^
Seems like he could make a nice little mountain goat for us...
December 17th, 2011 at 5:28 PM ^
I wouldn't be surprised to see him show up as a 5'10, 195 lb freshman. That's a big mountain goat.
December 17th, 2011 at 7:47 PM ^
MANBALL
December 17th, 2011 at 6:17 PM ^
Someone on WolverineNation asked TomVH if we were targeting Edwards and he pretty much just said we'll see.
December 17th, 2011 at 6:41 PM ^
So did they speed up this film just a little or a shit-ton? The ref looks like he's running sub 4.5 on a few of these plays.
December 17th, 2011 at 7:18 PM ^
I've said for awhile now that I think we need to focus on Issac and Edwards at RB and then Morris and a QB/WR combo in the form of Antonio Bass.
I really hope we fill those needs. Edwards can do some big things as an all purpose back, 10 carries, a couple screens, split him out to the slot. Issac with 20-25 carries. Obviously Morris tossing the ball all over Michigan Stadium and then an Antonio Bass type player as insurance at QB (since you're not going to get another high profile kid with Morris on board)...and an athlete you can use in the read-option game, wildcat, and at WR. See Florida and Trey Burton as well.
December 17th, 2011 at 9:22 PM ^
Bass, really? Out of all the Michigan great receivers you come up with a under achieving player, I'm sorry I'll take avant, Edward, or manningham any day.
December 17th, 2011 at 10:20 PM ^
I have from impeccable sources (think of where the name 'the Fort' came from), that Antonio Bass was the best football player Ann Arbor had ever seen, Charles Woodson included.
Antonio was the biggest 'what if' in the recent history of Michigan football. Freak injury after a knee dislocation ruined a promising career, hope he is doing well with his degree.
December 17th, 2011 at 10:18 PM ^
Are you serious? The only reason he under achieved was a career ending injury. The coaches were extremely high on the kid.
December 18th, 2011 at 8:46 AM ^
I doubt I will read a more ignorant statement on MGoBlog until 2012 rolls around.
December 18th, 2011 at 3:04 PM ^
Wonder what games you were watching?
December 18th, 2011 at 11:39 PM ^
Everything inside me says "don't respond to that dumb ass comment." It was clearly misinformed.
But, my girlfriend just had the Kardashians on so I have some frustration to let out, and well that ridiculous statement provides the perfect opportunity.
#1 - What the F*** are you talking about? Avant, Edwards (you spelled his name wrong), and Manningham weren't QB/WR combos. The point was to have someone who can be a backup QB, but give good playing time at WR and running a wildcat. We've had Denard and we'll have Devin...parts of that offense should stay even if it's not the main focus.
#2 - Bass suffered a career ending injury, how DARE you make a comment like that. He was having a GREAT season and getting better every game until he had that freak injury.
#3 - I'm wasting my time, I'm pressing "save" and I'm going to forget I read that ignorance. If one day this week someone randomly comes up to you and punches you in the face...simply blame it on karma and continue on with life.
December 17th, 2011 at 7:25 PM ^
The best part about that Trent Richardson article was the rip on Vernon Gohlston, toms older brother.
December 17th, 2011 at 11:15 PM ^
...but Vernon is Tom's older cousin.
December 17th, 2011 at 7:39 PM ^
I liked his acceleration, but what I liked most from the video is the fact that the 5'9'' kid ran hard, didn't always bounce outside and seemed to always want to move forward. On many of the inside runs he did a good job of staying behind his pads and getting everything he could out of the hole that was there. Very little start, stop, bounce and outrun everyone to the sidelines.
December 17th, 2011 at 8:59 PM ^
He's no Chuck Testa.
December 18th, 2011 at 1:34 AM ^
NOOOPe!!!!!!!! Haha great
December 18th, 2011 at 1:02 AM ^
i hope we offer this kid. he can be our chris johnsin. or he can be a change of pace back .