February 11th, 2010 at 12:16 PM ^
My money is on Brandin Hawthorne.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:29 PM ^
Is a bit of a tweener. His best attribute is pass rushing, as I believe he played with his hand on the ground in high school. His size obviously limits that in college, but if UM implements more zone blitzes this year, I think Hawthorne would be a great candidate for this position.
I think MRob, Jones, and even Mouton are guys to watch for at SAM.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:42 PM ^
"I believe he played with his hand on the ground in high school."
No, he didn't. He was an outside linebacker in a 50 defense.
They're not going to move Mouton away from ILB. There's no one behind him.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:47 PM ^
was a LB in HS and he can hit. MRob was recruited as a safety and will start out as one.
February 11th, 2010 at 4:13 PM ^
I remember reading that Hawthorne was a defensive end in HS and here is a Scout profile stating the same.
http://michigan.scout.com/a.z?s=162&p=8&c=1&nid=3674463
"A standup defensive end for his Pahokee team, Hawthorne's game is based on recognition and closing speed. He lives in the offensive backfield,"
M and probably everyone else recruited Hawthorne for LB but it appears he played at least some DE in HS.
February 11th, 2010 at 4:25 PM ^
It's a question of terminology. Pahokee ran a 50 defense. Some people consider the "ends" as outside linebackers. Some consider them defensive ends. Either way, he was in a two-point stance and rushed the quarterback most of the time.
February 11th, 2010 at 9:26 PM ^
he was a rush end, essentially. He played more like the "quick"--not a Sam/Safety. That's a big transition.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:18 PM ^
Backed up by Mike Jones.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
Mike Jones! sorry, couldn't help myself....
February 11th, 2010 at 1:11 PM ^
hoes didn't want me, now I'm hot hoes all on me."
-Mike Jones
February 11th, 2010 at 12:26 PM ^
Oh, you mean deathbacker?
February 11th, 2010 at 12:30 PM ^
was the name of the DE/OLB position in the 3-4/4-3 craziness...
Death Roh, Deathbacker
I THOUGHT WE WENT OVER THIS!!!
February 11th, 2010 at 12:41 PM ^
Schembackler!
February 11th, 2010 at 2:00 PM ^
How about XB= Deathbacker to avoid the confusion, or KIL
February 11th, 2010 at 12:30 PM ^
Apologies.
Apologies....all round
February 11th, 2010 at 12:46 PM ^
Whoever wins out between Hawthorne, Jones, and Isiah Bell should be our starter
February 11th, 2010 at 12:50 PM ^
I really thought Bell was being put at ILB a la Mouton. Maybe I'm wrong, but during game warm ups last year it seemed like that was the group he was working with.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:03 PM ^
Bell is an ILB.
Rivals says Jones is a SAM, but several posters say he's an ILB.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:11 PM ^
What is the word with Bell anyhow? I, like many here, thought he was more of an OLB type with his ability to cover downfield.
I am by no means discounting your information - I've always been really excited about Bell and am curious what prompted his move inside. Has be bulked up considerably?
February 11th, 2010 at 2:40 PM ^
There's a lack of bodies at ILB, and he's always had the frame to bulk up. I did like Bell as a traditional safety type, but I think Robinson is looking for somebody with a little more speed and athleticism to play that SAM spot. I've heard he's up to 225-230 already, but that's just through word of mouth.
February 11th, 2010 at 6:05 PM ^
Wow. The thought of a 225-230lb Isaiah Bell scares me. Does this development explain the lack of ILB recruiting? Perhaps the coaches feel more comfortable with the talent than us observers?
February 11th, 2010 at 6:10 PM ^
I don't really think so. We still went after a bunch of ILBs, and we even tried to get in on Michael Taylor late in the process. I think the coaches wanted some inside linebackers, but it just didn't pan out. Between the three traditional linebacker spots (WILL, MIKE, SAM), there are only six guys on the roster past this year (Fitzgerald, Demens, Jones, Hawthorne, Furman, Bell); maybe seven if Jake Ryan plays MIKE.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:58 PM ^
He will be like his old man Jack, a killer at that position.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:02 PM ^
Jake Ryan is irrelevant when talking about the SAM spot.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:13 PM ^
How have they progressed in practices and workouts? Anyone... anyone???
February 11th, 2010 at 1:17 PM ^
Jones - 6"2, 205
Hawthorne - 6"0, 198
February 11th, 2010 at 1:42 PM ^
I know that's what they weighed, respectively, going into the season. Hopefully they've put on some more size by now.
February 11th, 2010 at 1:43 PM ^
I'd bet that they're both bigger than that.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:51 PM ^
yeah i doubt that they still only weigh 200 as LBs after a full year
February 11th, 2010 at 3:24 PM ^
Can't wait to see the spring roster. Particularly interested in the DL and Forcier.
Magnus or anybody close to the situation, to what degree are the spring roster height/weight numbers accurate and, if not, do they tend to be listed as heavier or lighter than reality?
February 11th, 2010 at 4:00 PM ^
I think the spring roster is/will be pretty accurate. Last year Anthony Lalota was listed as being 260 by the recruiting sites. On the spring roster, he was listed as 240 lbs., and he didn't have the type of frame to just lose 20 lbs. because of Barwis. He was pretty lean and strong coming out of high school. If anything, they probably lean SLIGHTLY on the heavy side, maybe by a couple pounds.