Redshirt Freshmen
One of the topics that always seems to go missing every year among the discussions of returning starters, and incoming true freshmen is which RS freshman (class of 2011 recruit) will make the biggest contribution to the team this year? IMO, they are just as unknown as the true freshmen, but have as much experience is the system an many of the Sophs.
So, who wants to put together a rundown of the RS freshmen for the 2012 season?
August 23rd, 2012 at 3:48 PM ^
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:11 PM ^
doesn't ring a bell. First name?
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:23 PM ^
I could have just read ALL the thread titles.
I am stupid. The sky is blue.
Good day to all of you.
August 23rd, 2012 at 3:53 PM ^
http://mgoblog.com/content/michigan-depth-chart-class-0
This is pretty useful.
I'm gonna say Heitzman if he proves that he can be a solid roation guy. Hayes might see some time on return duties.
The other RS freshman are Antonio Poole, Chris Bryant, Jack Miller and Russell Bellomy.
August 23rd, 2012 at 3:54 PM ^
Probably Heitzman or Jack Miller, depending on injuries.
August 23rd, 2012 at 3:54 PM ^
My guess as to the one to look out for - Keith Heitzman. I really liked him as a recruit, but thought he needed to get bigger. He was 235 then, and is 270 now. I think he'll be a good player for us, and if it weren't for Roh, he could have a Jake Ryan type RS frosh year.
August 23rd, 2012 at 3:55 PM ^
I think Hayes can find his way onto the field in different situations
August 23rd, 2012 at 3:57 PM ^
Justice Hayes is the big one. He'll contribute this year.
I was also looking forward to the emergence of Antonio Poole this year (I always fall for the athletic tweener linebackers), but it seems that will have to wait.
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:00 PM ^
The only problem is that Poole suffered a pectoral tear this summer.
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:10 PM ^
I hope Hayes finds a way of getting on the field, but he seems to be more of a change-of-pace back, and V. Smith has got that role this year. I think Hayes is primed to take that spot after Smith graduates, but I don't see Hayes getting a bunch of touches this year outside of some garbage time.
August 23rd, 2012 at 5:49 PM ^
I agree that carries will be sparse, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him give us a few highlights as a reciever out of the backfield or the slot. Despite being the nominal change-of-pace back, Smith only has 36 career receptions in 33 games. I see Hayes getting some chances out there. I believe the coaches were also auditioning him at punt and kickoff returner last year, so he might get a look there again at some point.
All told, you're right that it's likely still a weak line: 20-25 caries and 15-20 receptions, probably. But I guess my point is that I fully expect to see him become a reliable role-player this year rather than just a substitute. By the end of the season, I think he'll be getting touches because the coaches want him to get those touches, not because the other guy needed a breather. If that's the case, I'd consider it a successful year for him regardless of the final numbers.
August 23rd, 2012 at 3:58 PM ^
August 23rd, 2012 at 3:59 PM ^
Here they are:
| 5 | Justice Hayes | RB | 5-10 | 183 | RS FR | Flint, Mich. (Grand Blanc Community) |
| 8 | Russell Bellomy | QB | 6-3 | 202 | RS FR | Arlington, Texas (Martin) |
| 13 | Alex Swieca | QB | 6-1 | 206 | RS FR | New York, N.Y. (The Frisch School) |
| 27 | Jonathan Keizer | WR | 6-5 | 211 | RS FR | Portage, MI (Portage Northern) |
| 36 | Joe Kerridge | FB | 6-0 | 244 | RS FR | Traverse City, Mich. (St. Francis) |
| 40 | Antonio Poole | LB | 6-2 | 224 | RS FR | Cincinnati, Ohio (Winton Woods) |
| 58 | Chris Bryant | OL | 6-4 | 318 | RS FR | Chicago, Ill. (Simeon) |
| 60 | Jack Miller | OL | 6-4 | 288 | RS FR | Perrysburg, Ohio (St. John's Jesuit) |
| 61 | Graham Glasgow | OL | 6-6 | 305 | RS FR | Aurora, Ill. (Marmion Academy) |
| 91 | David Mitropoulos-Rundus | TE | 6-2 | 244 | RS FR | Ann Arbor, Mich. (Pioneer HS) |
| 92 | Keith Heitzman | DE | 6-3 | 270 | RS FR | Hilliard, Ohio (Hilliard Davidson) |
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:05 PM ^
Jonathan Keizer with the 6'5"! Not bad, we could get him in for something, right? Borges loves those guys.
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:23 PM ^
Possibly at offensive line, the way things are going.
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^
Justice Hayes.
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:12 PM ^
was graham glasgow the big weightlifting guy?
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:16 PM ^
Yeah. I think he previously accepted a preferred walk-on spot at OSU, but switched to play for the good guys.
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:28 PM ^
I think you're thinking of Gary Yerden - however, the internet doesn't provide much help in determining where he is now. This thread doesn't help too much either.
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:43 PM ^
Gary Yerden owns an electrical business in Kalamazoo.
EDIT: I doubt it's the same Gary Yerden, but if it is, he won't need any help to carry around transformers, power stations and the like.
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:39 PM ^
From an old TOMVH post
Another walk on OL that seems to be holding his own is Gary Yerden from from Parchment, Michigan. Others have pointed out on the board that Yerden was formerly a weight lifter and broke the dead lift record in high school.
August 23rd, 2012 at 5:08 PM ^
No. That was Gary Yerden. I didn't, and don't, think he's on the team, but when I googled him, he popped up as a sophomore on this years team. Strange
Gary Yerden 71
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Class: Sophomore |
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Hometown: Kalamazoo, Mich. |
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High School: Parchment |
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Height / Weight: 6-5 / 333 |
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Position: OL |
August 23rd, 2012 at 7:08 PM ^
Thought I read somewhere earlier this year that he wasn't on the team anymore.
Edit: Here is a link from last year about him:
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:15 PM ^
Based on his recruiting profile and what the coaches are saying, I'm looking for Justice Hayes to contribute this year. If he doesn't start, I expect him to be part of the rotation and contribute on special teams.
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:16 PM ^
The two that most likely could have made an impact are now done for the year. I will go with Justice.
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:27 PM ^
With the injury to Wormley, Heitzman is definitely in the DL rotation...Hayes is getting more reps, but I think that is because they can't give them to Fitz (off the field) and they don't want to get Rawls hurt/banged up. In the end, I think it helps Hayes and he does see the field as well.
August 23rd, 2012 at 7:22 PM ^
Heitzman has been the primary backup to Roh during fall camp. I expect to see him in there to give Roh a breather.
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:35 PM ^
Heitzman seems like the type of player that could have a good career at UM as a role player, just from what I've read about him.
If Hayes and be effective both as a RB and as a slot WR, then I think he'll play a lot. A guy like that gives Borges a lot of possibilities.
August 23rd, 2012 at 5:40 PM ^
Justice Hayes was the #2 ranked 'spread offense' back coming out of high school I agree with the others who believe the reps he is getting are due to his skill set. I agree with Heitzman as well. We seem to have some nice variety of size, speed and skill in the offensive backfield.
August 23rd, 2012 at 6:43 PM ^
Just because the '11 redshirts have had a full year to acclimate to the program and it means they survived a years worth of the inevitable attrition that occurs with any class.
I don't know who will play the biggest role, but the most important RS Freshman is Miller. He is supposed to be the starting center next year. And, as the only non-freshman scholarship linemen, it would be nice if he was the first man off the bench if/when an injury occurs. Doesn't sound like that's the case right now.
August 23rd, 2012 at 7:29 PM ^
The thing is, I believe Miller's only job is being the primary C backup. Word is he progressing real nicely but could use one more year to be fully physically ready for the job.
August 24th, 2012 at 9:25 AM ^
Justice Hayes. We're brining in some quality guys at RB but I'm starting to look at him as the next Toussaint. Rawls obviously is ahead of him now but Hayes is still adding bulk. We really might have found something here.