Names to Know this Fall?

Submitted by Beavis on

Looks like the following guys are getting some PT with the 1's and 2's this week (names you might not expect):

-  DL: Nathan Brink, Will Heininger

- LB: Brandin Hawthorne

- DB: Josh Furman, Terrance Talbott

Other interesting position battles:

- Jibreel Black with the 1's, Craig Roh with the 2's

- Marvin Robinson with the 3's

- Courtney Avery with the 1's, JT Floyd (still not 100%) with the 2's

- BWC and Q both with the 2's

- Fitz and Shaw splitting time as the primary RB

What do you think?  DL is most intriguing to me.  If Brink keeps it up, he could start this fall.  Please note the small sample size.  Heard good things about Denard as well. 

maizedandconfused

August 16th, 2011 at 7:03 PM ^

THought it sounded on twitter like they were having mixed squad scrimmages.

Brink checks in at like 260.. no chance he starts.. rotation and 3rd down maybe but not an every down player. Not saying he deosnt have talent or drive, but he will get eaten alive by B10 offensive lines.

Beavis

August 16th, 2011 at 7:07 PM ^

Like I said - small sample size, take it FWIW.

Brink was at end when there were four down lineman, as well.  Also have you seen RVB? I mean, literally - look at the Fan Day pictures.  There are rumors out there that we are intentially understating the weights of players that gained during the offseason.  I forget what he is listed at, but he looks to be 290ish in those photos.  He is bigger than MM.

maizedandconfused

August 16th, 2011 at 7:13 PM ^

and whatnot and I dont know a ton about Brinks and havent seen him in person, but even if they undershot on purpose by 20 lbs hes still a bit of a light weight at the SDE... 

I guess if Brink is at the SDE then RVB bumbs inside to the 3 and MM to nose?

I dont really know waht I think about that, but I do know that I want MM to be in as many 1 on 1s as possible.

icefins26

August 16th, 2011 at 7:10 PM ^

I saw this too but keep in mind that the media is there for 30 minutes max and they started with a 5-2 and then switched to a 4-3 briefly. I'd take this with some salt.

Mr. Yost

August 16th, 2011 at 7:10 PM ^

Sorry, coaches move players around at the beginning of fall camp for a bunch of reasons.

#1 To give players rest or get them experience

#2 Motivation

#3 To go up against specific comp (for example, if you're running #1 O vs. #2 D...but you want to get BWC reps against the starting OL...he's now playing #2 D).

#4 To mix and match and find the right combo or position for each player (for example, player X maybe have a backup OLB spot sewed up. So maybe try him at MLB to see how he does, knowing if it's a fail, he's your backup OLB)

#5 ...the main reason...it's still the BEGINNING OF FALL CAMP.

 

10 days out...that's when IMO we should start looking into what the actual depth chart is going to be. Until then, it's just fun to speculate.

 

Magnum P.I.

August 16th, 2011 at 7:13 PM ^

Where is this information coming from? I'm not doubting, just genuinely interested in where people are finding information about practice goings-on. Is it the Rivals "Inside the Fort" stuff?

yoopergoblue

August 16th, 2011 at 7:21 PM ^

Starting to think that the mixing up of the lineups is being done to stimulate competition and being used to motivate.  If guys such as Brink, Hawthorne, and Heininger are taking some reps with the 1's it is a really good thing because it shows that we have some depth being developed.  

rockydude

August 16th, 2011 at 7:25 PM ^

I guess some new names I am looking at include: Greg Brown, Jake Ryan, and both RBs, Rawls and Justice.

I could easily see Brown and Ryan getting some play time.

Also, though I think that if Coach Jackson already has his 3rd down back, it would be Vincent Smith, Justice could get in there a bit, as Jackson seems impressed by him.

Rawls still has a couple of weeks to make his case, and he really fits the new offense well, at least the way I am picturing it. I can't rule him out.

I guess the most obvious name is Wile, but that kind of goes unsaid. Well, that and that Hoke has said plenty by addressing the point that he would not mind using him for ALL kicking duties if it happens that way.

 

The practice matchups are interesting, but I think that often it is necessary to fidget with the lineups in order to get the most competitive practice.

bdsisme

August 16th, 2011 at 7:34 PM ^

Beavis, I usually am not your biggest fan (or a fan at all, as I think that you can be a little boorish).  However, I these update threads are quite useful, and I thank you for that!

WolvinLA2

August 16th, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^

If this is legit, it's a bummer to hear about MRob wth the 3's.  However, if Furman has taken his spot, then, I guess that's good.  Furman has more eligibility anyway. 

Heininger will get reps, no doubt.  Brink has gotten a lot of press, but I think he'll be next year's Heininger since he needs some more bulk and he's young.  Good to hear those guys are mixing it up though.

Also - FITZ TOUSSAINT!  How long have I been waiting for this?   I really want big things from that guy.

maizedandconfused

August 16th, 2011 at 7:51 PM ^

I think MRob is potentially one of those guys who will all of a sudden have the light switch go on.. hopefully. That being said Furman is a good athlete as well, and while I like Kovacs I want me some speed back there. 

Cmon Fitz. Please. Stay Healthy. You remind me of Mikey Hart every time I see you touch the football.

Blazefire

August 16th, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^

But like most years, "Watch out for this walk on/freshman/former bench rider tearing it up in practice" probably won't translate very much to the field. We shall see. I hope Will Campbell can pick it up, not so much for the team, but dude had pro potential... I'd hate to see it bomb.

yanksfan22413

August 16th, 2011 at 8:46 PM ^

If we want our 4 best defensive lineman on the field, it's got to be MM, Roh, RVB and Black. If RVB can play the 3-tech spot and Roh or Black can hold their own at the SDE, that would be a pretty scary front line.

Magnum P.I.

August 16th, 2011 at 9:27 PM ^

That is not "very undersized." It's almost the exact weights of Ohio State's D-Line last season (Larimore, 310; Heyward, 288; Simon 270; Williams, 260), and significantly bigger than Iowa's or Wisconsin's. There's not a D-Line in the Big Ten that much bigger than that.