Hoke says Barnum to Center
I like the two-headed center monster in the third choice. 6 OL should really help Denard run the single wing.
Joining Black at tackle will be Will Campbell, a highly touted recruit from Detroit who is entering his senior season. He will be one of the camp's most scrutinized players.
"Will Campbell, we think, has made a lot of improvements in his conditioning and all those things, but he’s got to be more productive at the point of attack," Hoke said.
It isn't a great sign that Will Campbell still hasn't improved to the point of being named the starter. He was really hurt by no red shirt, no coaching, and the double position switch. For Big Will, it is now or never.
I'm not sure the coaches are going to ever "name" him the starter...he just has the personality where he has to be pushed.
So even if he starts every game this year, I don't think our coaches will ever come out and be like "it's his job, he's the man, he's the starter."
Nobody is being named a starter. Have you ever heard a coach say during spring ball "Blanky McDoublepants is our new starter at tackle"? I've never heard a new starter announced during spring ball.
I thought Blanky McDoublepants was a corner, not a tackle. But maybe I was misinformed.
You're thinking of Blanky McSinglepants.
Ah ok, it was the Blanky that got me. Kind of remind me of the Talbott brothers, one is a corner, one was a tackle.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:04 AM ^
"Pants" is just about as common (McSinglepants, McDoublepants, Tacopants) on this team as "Robinson" (Denard, Jerald, Terrence, GERG) was.
...I was saying EVER. I'm not sure Campbell will EVER be named the starter by the coaches even after starting games.
And yes. Denard, Martin, Kovacs and Van Bergen...were all starters during spring ball. Guys like Koger, Molk and Demens were right there as well.
You're misunderstanding the point.
Yes, there are returning starters who are considered to be starters. But Denard wasn't named a starter in spring ball until he had won the job the previous season. He and Forcier had an open competition in spring 2010, and neither was declared the starter. Robinson won the job and in spring 2011 was declared the starter. And so on.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:13 AM ^
I understand what you're saying...
However, my point was that I think due to motivation issues and other factors I'm not sure Campbell will EVER be named the starter even if/when he truly is.
I wouldn't be shocked to see him an the "OR" next to him name for the majority of the season next year even if he starts all 12 games.
Urban Meyer* said in his recent press conference that he'll have his 2 deep determined by the end of Spring Ball. I'm not sure if you equate "determine" with "announce" but I'm guessing it's synonymous.
*Meyer also has no problem calling out some of his players at press conferences, so consider the source.
For instance:
"So, I wasn't a Bri'onte fan, and then something interesting happened. I went and visited his family and they are incredible people. I mean, off-the-charts. One of the best home visits I've ever been in. And we left there thinking "He's a product of a great family"; and we're excited to have him. He really did a nice job (during winter conditioning)."
and
"Academically (Fragel's) been on point. He was very lazy in the classroom, and often times lazy-in-the-classroom correlates into lazy-on-the-football-field.
and
(QB Kenny Guiton) was a guy that I was not a big fan of when I first got here and he's had a nice offseason."
March 14th, 2012 at 10:00 AM ^
Meyer's a dick.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:17 AM ^
Mack Brown also openly states he announces his 2-deep at the end of spring ball. He says "spring is for the returning players, fall is for the freshman."
I've also heard him talking about if you don't make the 2-deep at Texas after the spring game, the freshman come in and get the first crack at making it in the fall over returning players who worked in the summer to try again. He said something like "they had their chance, we promise an opportunity to play early at Texas and it wouldn't be fair to those freshman to come in and be behind guys who already had a chance. The freshman get first crack, and if they aren't ready, then we go back to the guys who didn't make the lineup in the spring."
I don't really understand this policy. What does it mean to give the freshmen the first shot in the fall? Isn't everyone playing on the same field? I prefer Hoke's policy of "the best players play". Simple and to the point. The situation you described seems like a shady attempt to not piss off the freshmen after promising early playing time.
The general rule of thumb for some coaches is: If all else is equal, play the young guy. If you have a redshirt junior and a true freshman who are neck-and-neck as far as talent goes, then you might as well play the true freshman, who still has a few years to get better.
That's not every coach's opinion. Some coaches like to reward players who stick around and work hard, so they'll give the nod to the upperclassman. But Mack Brown's way is one way to go about it, I guess.
Interesting.. I never even considered that option. I've always been on the side of rewarding the upperclassmen. I'm probably a little too sentimental to be a football coach though.
Reading between the lines on the Brionte part, I'd say Meyer is saying "I didn't really want Bri'onte, but I sure as shit wasn't gonna let Hoke get him and run manball all over our ass for the next 4 years."
Why would he choose a recruit solely because of his family if he didn't like the recruit as a player in his system. Nonsense.
Prediction: None of these guys will make a significant contribution.
Counter-prediction: Dunn will play a ton.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:42 AM ^
As others have stated below... yes, many coaches will declare starters in the spring.
The argument is that you spend August getting reps for your starters, instead of wasting time splitting reps between multiple candidates. I can see both sides of this, but Mack Brown and Urban Meyer are both experienced coaches and would have good reasons for following this philosophy.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:22 AM ^
Yes, the two deep is often determined by the end of spring ball (or at least the majority of it is). But not BEFORE spring ball. That's my point. Spring practice hasn't even started yet, so there aren't going to be any new starters announced on March 14 when practice doesn't start until March 17. I've never seen a coach announce a brand new starter prior to spring practice beginning.
let those who've graduated to Gold Stars be in the 2-deep, or will some of the Red Stars get that as well? Surely he won't let the Blue Boys be favored??
“Blue stands for child, which means ill-equipped, defiant, disinterested,” Meyer said. “So if you’re in blue, we don’t think very highly of you, and we make that very clear. And every freshman who comes into the program is blue, for example.
Amazing how the local media are gushing over every last detail of his nutty operation. Must be the offseason.
“You can get off the field with Gatorade if you win. If not, you drink out of a water hose and do some running, and that includes the coaches.”
You lose to Michigan...
March 14th, 2012 at 11:03 AM ^
You are technically correct. It won't be until just before the season that starters and the depth chart are clearly established. Nothing is in stone.
However, in some ways, you are splitting hairs. If you read the article, precedence is given to some of the guys, the presumed starters or current leaders. Meinke says:
Jibreel Black will begin the spring at tackle.
I would presume that means Jibreel is the front runner, i.e., the starter, unless Campbell or someone else does better. The point is, Hoke says that Campbell still isn't where he needs to be, where he clearly has won the position.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:21 AM ^
That's not what it means. It means Black will be playing the tackle position at the beginning of spring. If they see a need to move him elsewhere (SDE, WDE, etc.), they will move him. It doesn't mean he will be the starter or is #1 on the depth chart at defensive tackle.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:37 PM ^
That's why you're a coach and I am not. Of course, that makes sense. Duh. Some of us are slow at this.
I don't think much as officially changed since the end of the season since there have been no official practices. So, yeah....Will Campbell is still an enigma wrapped in a riddle inside a mystery.
Forgive my ignorance, but does Big Will play 1 tech or 3 tech? I thought he was usually in there at NT last year ... but isn't he a slightly better physical fit for 3 tech? His height (and inability to play low) is more of a hinderance at NT, right? If he plays 3 tech then we can rotate him and Black at that position, and hope and pray Pee Wee is our savior at NT ... ?
He would seem to be a better fit at 3-tech, yes. He backed up both positions last season, and by the end of the year, he was playing more 1 than 3.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:03 AM ^
Magnus, what is your prediction/preference for the shape of the DL next year? I'm one of the few Ondre voters on your site's current poll, but I think that is more 'wishful thinking' than a legitimate evaluation of the roster. Are Washington/Ash buried forever and ever?
March 14th, 2012 at 11:31 AM ^
My preference would be...
SDE: Roh
NT: Washington
DT: Campbell
WDE: Clark
I think Pipkins is a good player, but I just worry about a defensive tackle's technique and conditioning as a true freshman. I think he'd be better coming off the bench this year.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:36 AM ^
Which is why I don't have Pipkins starting below. I think he can come in and use the skills he has and make an impact similar to Campbell last year.
As for Black, I think your starting lineup is the best because it allows Black to fill in and be the #2 guy at 3 different positions. I see Black and the roaming backup DL, and Mealer as the roaming backup OL.
March 14th, 2012 at 12:05 PM ^
I just wonder if the staff really wants to play two of the big guys (BWC, Washington, Ash, Pipkins) at the same time. Between the guys who played last year (RVB and Heininger) and the plan to move Black inside, I get the feeling that at both the 3 and the 5 they want a pair of big DE, tweeners than a prototypical 300 pounder (flanked by two similar edge rushers at WDE and SLB).
Either way, we've got plenty of options, but if I had to guess I would think Black/Roh would both be starters at those spots with a heavy rotation at NT and maybe a little mixing and matching for run downs and short yardage.
In pretty much all situations I think I'd agree with you. And maybe still in this one. But isn't one of the problems Campbell has had is technique and play recognition? Granted, it's asking an incredible amount of a true freshman to start at tackle, but Pipkins' competition certainly hasn't demonstrated technique far beyond his own.
Yes, that is part of Campbell's issue. I'm more concerned about the true freshman's strength/conditioning, though.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:03 AM ^
I know, I know...it's waaaay to early. How could I possibly know? How could I possibly predict redshirts for kids who are in high school? "Oh wonderful, guess we don't need spring, summer and fall to figure out the depth chart!" ...and so on, and so forth.
But it's a message board. It's for fun. For the occasional prediction or daydream. So for those getting all huffy...breathe, I'm a fan focused on this year just like you. This is purely information (or speculation) to build on for the future.
With that said...my '12-'13 Depth Chart!
QB
1. Denard Robinson (Sr.)
2. Devin Gardner (RS So.)
3. Russell Bellomy (RS Fr.)
RB
1. Fitzgerald Toussaint (RS Jr.)
2. Vincent Smith (Sr.)
3. Thomas Rawls (So.)
4a. Stephan Hopkins (Jr.)
4b. Justice Hayes (RS Fr.)
6. Dennis Norfleet (Fr.)
rs: Drake Johnson (Fr.)
FB
1a. Stephen Hopkins (Jr.)
1b. Joey Kerridge (RS Fr.)
rs: Sione Houma (Fr.)
WR1
1. Jeremy Jackson (Jr.)
2. Jehu Chesson (Fr.)
WR2
1. Roy Roundtree (RS Sr.)
2a. Jerald Robinson (RS So.)
2b. Amara Darboh (Fr.)
Slot
1. Jeremy Gallon (RS Jr.)
2. Drew Dileo (Jr.)
3. Terrence Robinson (RS Sr.)
TE
1. Brandon Moore (RS Sr.)
2a. Ricardo Miller (RS So.)
2b. Devin Funchess (Fr.)
4. A.J. Williams (Fr.)
5. Jordan Paskorz (RS So.)
LT
1. Taylor Lewan (RS Jr.)
2. Erik Gunderson (RS Jr.)
rs: Erik Magnuson (Fr.)
LG
1a. Chris Bryant (RS Fr.)
1b. Elliott Mealer (RS Sr.)
3. Kyle Kalis (Fr.)
rs: Blake Bars (Fr.)
C
1. Ricky Barnum (RS Sr.)
2. Rocko Khoury (RS Sr.)
3. Jack Miller (RS Fr.)
RG
1. Patrick Omameh (RS Sr.)
2a. Elliott Mealer (RS Sr.)
2b. Chris Bryant (RS Fr.)
4. Kyle Kalis (Fr.)
rs: Blake Bars (Fr.)
RT
1. Michael Schofield (RS Jr.)
2. Elliott Mealer (RS Sr.)
3. Erik Gunderson (RS Jr.)
rs: Ben Braden (Fr.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WDE
1. Frank Clark (So.)
2a. Brennen Beyer (So.)
2b. Craig Roh (Sr.)
4. Jake Ryan (RS So.)
rs: Mario Ojemudia (Fr.)
NG
1. Will Campbell (Sr.)
2. Richard Ash (RS So.)
3. Ondre Pipkins (Fr.)
DT
1a. Quinton Washington (RS Jr.)
1b. Jibreel Black (Jr.)
3. Ondre Pipkins (Fr.)
4. Kenny Wilkins (RS So.)
rs: Matt Godin (Fr.)
rs: Willie Henry (Fr.)
SDE
1. Craig Roh (Sr.)
2a. Jibreel Black (Jr.)
2b. Nathan Brink (RS Jr.)
4a. Keith Heitzman (RS Fr.)
4b. Chris Rock (RS Fr.)
rs: Chris Wormley (Fr.)
rs: Tom Strobel (Fr.)
WLB
1. Desmond Morgan (So.)
2. Brandin Hawthorne (Sr.)
3a. Antonio Poole (RS Fr.)
3b. James Ross (Fr.)
MLB
1. Kenny Demens (RS Sr.)
2a. Joe Bolden (Fr.)
2b. Mike Jones (RS Jr.)
rs: Kaleb Ringer (Fr.)
SLB
1. Jake Ryan (RS So.)
2. Cam Gordon (RS Jr.)
3. Mike Jones (RS Jr.)
rs: Royce Jenkins-Stone (Fr.)
WCB
1. Blake Countess (So.)
2. Delonte Hollowell (So.)
3. Terrence Talbott (Jr.)
rs: Terry Richardson (Fr.)
SCB
1. JT Floyd (RS Sr.)
2. Courtney Avery (Jr.)
3. Raymon Taylor (So.)
FS
1. Thomas Gordon (RS Jr.)
2a. Tamani Carter (RS Fr.)
2b. Jarrod Wilson (Fr.)
rs: Jeremy Clark (Fr.)
SS
1. Jordan Kovacs (RS Sr.)
2. Marvin Robinson (Jr.)
3. Josh Furman (RS So.)
rs: Allen Gant (Fr.)
FB & Slot - Notice these positions are in italics. I realize you can't have 12 players on the field at once. This is my way of recognizing that. (Personally, I believe Shotgun, 3 WR, 2 RB will be our primary set along with the Pro Set formation.)
March 14th, 2012 at 11:24 AM ^
When I look at that DLine, I see a lot of situational or "specialty" players. It's definitely not the most well rounded line.
With that said, I think we can sub guys in and out (like the NY Giants) and maximize everyone's strengths. I look at the guys we have and the situations and combinations are pretty endless. However, the majority of them require Campbell, Washington and either Pipkins or Ash to be quality B1G tackles.
Sidenote: And I know it's Stephen Hopkins not "Stephan"...I always forget to go back and change it and by the time I do, someone has replied and the edit option is gone. I'll try to remember next time.
March 19th, 2012 at 11:19 PM ^
When I look at that DLine, I see a lot of situational or "specialty" players. It's definitely not the most well rounded line.
With that said, I think we can sub guys in and out (like the NY Giants) and maximize everyone's strengths. I look at the guys we have and the situations and combinations are pretty endless. However, the majority of them require Campbell, Washington and either Pipkins or Ash to be quality B1G tackles.
Sidenote: And I know it's Stephen Hopkins not "Stephan"...I always forget to go back and change it and by the time I do, someone has replied and the edit option is gone. I'll try to remember next time.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:29 AM ^
Robinson ends up starting over Jackson at WR and Black ends up starting over Q. And of course, WLB will be an interesting battle, but one that I can't really call at this point.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:45 AM ^
What do you know about Jerald Robinson that leads you to believe he'll be starting next year? I'm sincerely hoping there are some insider practice reports about his potential that I'm unaware of.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:05 AM ^
I think the two freshman WRs will be contributing by the time the B1G Season rolls around...however, I just can't predict that on something like that before they even get to college. We know about Kalis, we know about Pipkins...I think it's easier to assume they'll play early.
But you're right...a lot of this is just a "shot in the dark." We don't know how much guys progressed and will progress, that's why spring practice is so fun. I can't wait to hear the reports!
Hopefully this blog has MANY eyes on each practice and we can get some really good info.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:44 AM ^
Goddammit, Daryl Stonum.
First thing that grabbed me there is that we are pretty much threadbare in terms of playmaking WRs and TEs. Roundtree's a nice complementary player, and Gallon can do some real damage in the slot. But we basically look like the Chicago Bears Lite - without the deep speed of Hester and Knox. Jeremy Jackson first on the depth chart? This is a scary proposition.
Unless Denard and Fitz can put together consistently great performances, I think our offense is really going to struggle. And that's even if we don't have any injuries on the offensive line. Let's hope Manball is in high gear by the time September comes around, because we're going to need all the grinding yards on the ground we can get.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:57 AM ^
this is pretty much the first thing i thought as well. I see another run-heavy offensive year at the moment. Where are the mario manninghams of the world? Jeron Stokes, why did you have to transfer?
Touissaint, here's your chance to go for 1,500 yards rushing.
Jerald Robinson...i'm excited that that he'll get some playing time. He seems to be one of the most mysterious talents on the team, doesn't he?
March 14th, 2012 at 11:08 AM ^
Add him and it's really not so bad.
With that said, I think WR/TE have the most POTENTIAL of any unit(s) on the team. I truly think we're going to have at least 2 guys have breakout years. It could be Jackson, maybe Robinson, maybe the true freshman.
Think about Hemingway 1 year ago, we all thought he was solid, but no one predicted he'd make as many big plays as he did.
I think Roundtree will be a good #2. Dileo and Gallon are VERY good in the slot.
So for the #1 spot, I really think we can find a solid big target when you have Jackson, Robinson, Darboh, Chesson, etc....I'm hoping for 2 guys, but I think at least we'll get one.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:51 AM ^
I'm pretty sure Josh Furman is still at FS, and has a realistic shot at getting some playing time. He is the most athletic player on our defense, he just has to learn how to play the position. I'm also anxious to see what Antonio Poole can do at WLB.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:00 AM ^
I know Mike Rothstein over at WolverineNation has a hard-on for Furman because of his athleticism...but he's not going to play over those two guys.
He was lost last year and looked stiff when he was playing. No denying his speed, and he'll come around, he's still young. But Kovacs and Gordon are two smart safeties that will have everyone in position. We need that now that we're losing the leaders up front.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:59 AM ^
Furman was a RS freshman who played RB and rush DE in high school. Not saying he's going to beat out one or two quality returning starters, but he'll probably be a lot better over the next three years than we've seen so far.
I hope he gets better, but I haven't seen much evidence that he's going to contribute at safety. There's a reason coaches turn safeties into linebackers and not the other way around.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:55 AM ^
I would agree with most of this except that AJ Williams will be in the #2 TE by the first game IMO. Fun to think about regardless and I see a lot of competion in the future for PT.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:13 AM ^
If you want to know the truth...I think both Funchess and Williams will be the top 2 TE's by the time we start the B1G season.
I'm not going to share my feelings on Moore because this blog tends neg anyone who doesn't think the sun shines out of every players ass.
I have no thoughts on Miller because I don't know if I've ever seen him take a meaningful snap.
Paskorz is interesting...I think he can make a Watson type contribution. Which is solid.
With that said, I think Williams is the blocking TE from Day 2. Funchess is the pass catching TE that we split out wide.