MI Expat NY

February 1st, 2011 at 6:25 PM ^

I would think that from a sheer numbers standpoint, there's a good chance he'll contribute.  Losing Banks, Patterson and Sagesee leaves some holes on the line.  Some combination of Black, Ash, Talbott, Washington and Campbell(?) are going to have to make contributions next to Roh, Van Bergen and Martin.  

719Yoop

February 1st, 2011 at 6:14 PM ^

Extremely unlikely but I am really excited to see how DJ Williamson turns out with all his speed and a 6'1" frame even though we are stacked at WR so he probably won't see the field again. I want another Super Mario!

WolvinLA2

February 1st, 2011 at 6:16 PM ^

This isn't the first I've heard good things about Jake Ryan. He could be a real asset for the next four years.

Another guy I could see contribute as a RS frosh is Kenny Wilkins. He's a super athletic 270lb DE. Don't be surprised if he sees some snaps.

OMG Shirtless

February 1st, 2011 at 6:52 PM ^

A 2011 preview

Eight true freshmen played for the Michigan football team’s defense this past season. Asked which one gained the most ground during recent practices, Van Bergen revealed a surprise. It wasn’t one of the true freshmen that played. Michigan’s defensive standout in December practices was true freshman Jake Ryan. “If you watch him, he makes every tackle when he’s out there,” Van Bergen said. “He’s going to be a special linebacker for us.”

http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/uncertainty-around-rich-rodr…

UMaD

February 1st, 2011 at 6:21 PM ^

OLB: Jake Ryan seems like a decent candidate since there is probably an open starting LB position alongside Gordon and Demens.  He'll have a lot of competition though.

DL:  Ash or Wilkins could breakthrough with an open spot on the DL beside Martin, RVB and Roh.

Candidates are limited since so many of last year's freshman ended up playing.

Beavis

February 1st, 2011 at 7:07 PM ^

Look, im all for Wilkins and think he was underappreciated this time last year, but barring injury he's not starting. You will have Roh and RVB to thank for that.

Out of everything on the D, the line is easiest to predict.

Martin, Roh and RVB all start.

One of Ash, BWC, and Q start at the other DT spot.

Wilkins and Black see regular rotation at DE, with Black getting more snaps.

One of Hoke's guys sees work as a true frosh, the rest redshirt.

UMaD

February 1st, 2011 at 8:00 PM ^

But I wouldn't be so sure about it.

Many (including Brian Cook) have said that RVB is a DT in a 4-3 scheme (as rumored).  In that case you'd be looking for a second DE, not a DT.

Black obviously played last year, so he'd be a favorite to start at DE, but Wilkins could also beat him out in their 2nd year on campus.  Black could be Roh's backup, or he could bulk up and move to DT...who knows.  He isn't locked in as a starter with this coaching staff that seemingly wants to focus on stopping the run (not Black's strength.)

I find the idea of BWC starting laughable personally. He looked awful in game action and switched to offense on the worst Michigan D in decades.  Yeah, I know, potential, stars, coaching, yada, yada... Until he shows some competancy in a game I'd be shocked to see him emerge as a starter.

Beavis

February 1st, 2011 at 8:20 PM ^

Look man its great that some people believe RVB could be a DT for us. They are probably the same people that thought Watt could play DT at Wiscy.

With Hoke coming back, and Mattison being there, they are going to look for beef along our dline for big ten play. That means keeping RVB outside, or taking him off the field for Wilkins or Black. While I wouldn't consider the latter to be impossible, I wouldnt ever consider RVB for a DT on this team.

Beavis

February 1st, 2011 at 7:16 PM ^

It will be interesting to see what our linebacking corp and defensive backfield look like next season.

In an ideal world.....

LBs:

Demens you can pencil in as a starter.

Either Ryan or Furman prove to be ready to start. Cam G, FitzD, Mike Jones, or Herron prove able to start at the other spot, narrowly beating out Ryan or Furman. MRob is a safety.

DBs:

Woolfolk you can pencil in as a starter at CB.

Kovacs narrowly edges Carvin for SS spot. Carvin backs him up.

MRob crushes Vinopal in practices, and earns a starting spot. Vinopal backs him up.

Other CB spot is won by Avery, with Floyd as nickel and Countess as dime.

Somewhere Cullen is useful.

Did this off the top of my head, and from my phone, so apologies for any errors.

UMaD

February 1st, 2011 at 8:06 PM ^

Kovacs is a backup.  Johnson/Robinson start at Safety but get a push from Cullen Christian (position switch). 

Gordon and Jones prove to by 3-down OLBs who are fast enough to cover but can also stuff the run.

Ash and Campbell emerge as solid rotation at NT, allowing Martin to slide to DT and RVB to DE.

CCBlue

February 1st, 2011 at 7:36 PM ^

Glad to hear that about Jake Ryan, I had not previously seen anything about him impressing in bowl practices, let alone during the regular season.

I'm betting on Richard Ash and Josh Furman to be the other top impact RS players for next year.  I could see quite a few contributing.

Monocle Smile

February 1st, 2011 at 10:44 PM ^

simply because he's a freaky athlete who could be extremely special if his football skills develop.

I like that Ryan, a lower-rated player of his class, gets props from his fellow players and Rivals. To me, that signifies good work ethic.

I know some of you will disagree, but I see Black, RVB, Martin, Roh (in that order across the line) as our starting D-line. This will not be well received by the MANBALL fans who think Campbell should start on the line regardless of his pad level, but RVB has developed into at least a solid, experienced player and isn't exactly small himself.

If Black still isn't big enough to be a full-time strongside defensive end, then RVB will probably shift outside (Black will be in on passing downs) and Washington will come in as DT.

Zone Left

February 1st, 2011 at 11:06 PM ^

I don't think Van Bergen is going to be big enough to play inside, especially next to a guy like Martin.  Hopefully between Campbell, Washington, and Ash someone emerges as a solid space eater inside.  Black is a real question mark.  If he continues to develop and can play against the run, Michigan could have a solid D-line next season.  That would just leave linebackers and secondary as terrifying projects, which would be nice.

Russ48239

February 2nd, 2011 at 1:04 PM ^

Jake Ryan and Josh Furman are two guys I'm really excited about for next year. I expect both to be impact players at LB. Ryan as the possible strong side starter, Furman probably as a nickel if Gordon stays at LB.