MGoOpinion: Which Freshman is Going to have the biggest impact?

Submitted by Hail-Storm on

So now that we've entered the dead zone of Michigan football I thought we'd do a little speculate a little on who will have the most impact this fall as a true freshman.

Personally I think that running back and corner back are the easiest positions to due well at as a freshman since, many times, they are asked to rely more on their god given talents, than to rely on reading offenses or defenses, so I'm starting there.

With that assumption, that leaves me with 6 recruits Blake Countess, Tamani Carter, Greg Brown, and Delonte Hollowell at DB and Thomas Rawls and Justice Hayes at RB.

Out of the DB's Blake Countess appears (based on recruting sites) to be the best athlete and talent so I am putting him as my number 1 DB to make an impact.

Between the two running backs, Hayes has the better recruiting hype, but Rawls has the size on his side. I am going to go with Hayes on this one, as I am hoping that his speed will complement Denards well, and we have some other bruising backs that might keep Rawls on the sideline for next year.

So now I have it down to Blake and Justice as my two potential breakout freshmen. For me, I'm going to go with Hayes. I obviously like a healthy T-wolf at the 1, but also really liked Avery at the two last year, epecially towards the end.  If these players come back strong (and Floyd recovers as well), I think this allows time for Blake to adjust, and move into the lineup possibly later in the year. With RB, although I like Shaw, Hopkins and Smith, as well as possibly Cox and Tousaint, none have separated themselves from less than ideal production pack of last year. This means that an open competition leaves room for a freshman to come in and shine.

Anyway, would like to hear others thoughts. It's nice to be talking about which Freshman could make an impact instead of how many do we have to smart. Go Blue!

yahwrite

May 5th, 2011 at 11:14 AM ^

Playing freshman is not bad if they are good. Not saying or predicting Countess equlas him, but Charles Woodson played a lot, and well, as a freshman.

To answer the OP I think it'll be Rawls.

edit - after reading below I'm changing to Wile.

justingoblue

May 5th, 2011 at 12:15 PM ^

The whole point is that it's fine to have freshman playing if they're actually better. Woodson is a good example; who could possibly be better than him? M was better off with Woodson playing than the upperclassman he displaced. If Rawls or Hayes comes in and is clearly better than the other RB's, we're better off with one of them playing.

It's only bad to play freshman when it's your only choice.

Speed Kills

May 5th, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^

I don't think it's a bad sign when you break it down. He's an Army All-American with tons of big offers and great mechanics. I don't think he'll start, but I expect him to add much needed quality to our secondary and be a big part of the rotation. Rawls is the the sexier pick and the one that would make me happiest. Hope they all make a positive impact. 

thisisme08

May 5th, 2011 at 11:24 AM ^

Just saying but Cullen Christiansen was also a AA and look at how he turned out...that bastard Angry Michigan DB Hating God struck him down before he even got to campus and turned him into a slow footed sloth (never fast to begin w/ mind you).

I do agree with the assessment though, DB like RB is a position where you can come in and contribute right away especially since he would most likely be on the weakside anyways. 

Speed Kills

May 5th, 2011 at 11:28 AM ^

I see your point, but IMO Cullen Christian's AA selection was a bit of a stretch. His size and balls skills set him apart, but he was always known for having stiff hips and not really that great at zone coverage (which is why he didn't progress at FS either).

 

AlbMichFan

May 5th, 2011 at 10:44 AM ^

If anyone has a chance to contribute this year is Blake Countess. Very talented and we need more corners, especially if JT and/or Troy are not 100 %.

Hyphen

May 5th, 2011 at 10:58 AM ^

I'm also going to have to second (4th?) this. Clearly, we left a lot of points out on the field last season because of our kicking game. This not only changed how our offense had to play, but may have influenced the outcome of some of the games we lost (not that any specific missed kicks come to my mind here).

snowcrash

May 5th, 2011 at 11:36 AM ^

I'd say Wile first and most likely Countess second. Countess is the only non-kicker who I wouldn't be surprised to see starting. One or two other DBs or LBs might squeeze in there, but maybe this will be the year that we don't burn any redshirts just to play people on special teams or in garbage time.

Laser Wolf

May 5th, 2011 at 10:45 AM ^

I think Countess can step right in and make an impact. While he lacks size, he has the smarts and technique to pick up the scheme quickly. I feel like he's going to be a Mattison favorite right off the bat.

As a wild card, I'm going to say Matt Wile. At least that's what the desperately hopeful side of me is saying.

ryebreadboy

May 5th, 2011 at 10:45 AM ^

I'd just like to point out that you selected Blake and Justice as your two impact freshmen and then stated you were going with Rawls.  I don't know if this was intentional on your part or not.

I'm thinking Rawls, because he is the best running back to ever play at Michigan; Fred Jackson told me so.  Just kidding, but I really do think it will be Rawls.  I think he went somewhat under the radar in terms of his recruiting, and he could have a really big year due to the absence of any stud RB on our roster (though Cox showed flashes of being good in the spring game).  He has good size on his side, and I think that'll be a nice contrast to Denard's shiftiness.

bmdubs

May 5th, 2011 at 10:47 AM ^

it'd be nice to see chris barnett do some damage on the offensive side of the ball - he's already got the size to be on the line right away so if he's talented enough he's my pick

Philbert

May 5th, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^

I like rawls or blake. If barnett gets any action, he might be one to watch. My pick though will go with kellen jones. loved his highlight film

GoBlueInNYC

May 5th, 2011 at 10:52 AM ^

How great would it be if there were no impact freshman? By that I mean, with 20 returning starters (including Woolfolk), it would be nice to have a season that doesn't involve relying on a true freshman to do anything of importance on the field.

That said, as MaizeAndBlueWahoo pointed out above, Wile is far and away the most important immediate-impact freshman. 

Hail-Storm

May 5th, 2011 at 11:04 AM ^

that we are  relying on any of these freshman (well maybe Wiles).  If Countess, Hayes, or Rawls breaks onto the scene, I think it'd be because they are really good. If they see the field I see it as a good thing, which isn't what we experienced for the last couple years.

justingoblue

May 5th, 2011 at 11:42 AM ^

Exactly; if you have a freshman come in and beat out Denard, that's a good thing. Having a freshman starting because the entire two-deep at their position is comprised of freshman, that's a bad thing.

Not that there's a QB anywhere that can beat out Denard as a freshman.

rmartin

May 5th, 2011 at 10:54 AM ^

I believe G Brown has drawn the most praise and will make an impact at corner. T Rawls will be the next great back at Michigan. Also M Wile could come in and save or kicking game. 

The Baughz

May 5th, 2011 at 11:49 AM ^

I think Justice can and will make an impact in the return game. I think Blake will definitely get on the field and make an impact. Also, with Rawls' size and speed, its going to be a nice battle in the summer for the starting RB spot. But it has to be Wile. All he has to do is show he can kick a 20 yard fg and the job is his.

michgoblue

May 5th, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^

One of things that I am somewhat excited about this year is that we will NOT be relying upon any true freshmen to come in and make an impact - we have decent to good talent returning at almost every position.

It will be nice to be able to allow our true freshman to have a red-shirt year.  These past few years, the roster forced us to play players much earlier than what would have been ideal.  Even at RB, where the production has not been great, we do not need Justice (aka Justin) Hayes or Rawls to step in.  The thumper back role will be filled by Hopkins and possibly Cox, and the speed role will be filled by Shaw and maybe Smith or Fitz.  There is no need to rush these guys along.  On DB, Avery and T-Wolf should lock down the position, with Floyd and some of the other kids who now have a solid year under their belt being adequate as back-up.  If Avery or T-Wolf go down with an injury, perhaps Countess will be forced to play, but I doubt it.

 

Marc 71

May 5th, 2011 at 7:28 PM ^

Well thought out.  But I question the readiness of T-Wolf and Floyd after these major injuries.  How much of their "stuff" will they lose?  Avery is probably ready to step in and start but will Countess and Brown be ready if needed?

Hail-Storm

May 5th, 2011 at 11:22 AM ^

Linebackers require size to take on run gaps and blockers as well as an ability to recognize what the play development is, which seems a lot to ask of a true freshman. I'd be more worried about the play of this position group if I see a freshman playing than the ones I mentioned above.

Bodogblog

May 5th, 2011 at 12:13 PM ^

But SDSU is a bit early - I'd say mid-season.  This is based on nothing other than his highlight film (and likely biased by his family's love of M), but if we need a fly-to-the-ball hitter at WLB, Jones looks to be it.  Didn't seem like the coaches were enamored with many of our LBs during spring.

Magnus

May 5th, 2011 at 11:08 AM ^

I wouldn't be surprised if Matt Wile stepped in and took the PK job. 

But out of the position players, my guess would be that we'll have a lot of contributors on special teams, but not much in the way of full-time offensive or defensive duty.  I'm inclined to say Countess is the most ready, but he's also got a bunch of guys with starting experience ahead of him.

I think this year is going to be largely freshman-free.