Shrine game practice reports of Michigan players

https://walterfootball.com/eastwest2017practice1.php

 Ivie used a spin move to get some penetration against Michigan's Erick Magnuson, but Magnuson recovered to stop Ivie from getting to the quarterback marker. Still, Ivie took away the ability for a quarterback to step up in the pocket on that rush 

While Kalis had that ugly play against Brown, he's had a solid couple of days. He is a well-rounded interior blocker who fights hard at the point of attack. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection, but Kalis (6-5, 305) has the talent to develop into a starting competitor at guard as a mid-round pick. 

Michigan running back De'Veon Smith ran well on Tuesday, but he did have a fumble during the 11-on-11 running scrimmage.

One of the best players at the East-West Shrine this week has been Michigan running back De'Veon, Smith and he had a tremendous practice on Wednesday. In the linebacker vs. running back passing game one-on-ones Smith smocked Villanova linebacker Austin Calitro on a couple of reps. The last being an out route as he set up Calitro running straight at him, catching the linebacker flat-footed, and then beating him to the flat to get wide open. 

Smith was superb in the team scrimmage. He ran an excellent wheel route to beat two defenders down the sideline for a potential long gain, but an inaccurate pass led to an incompletion. Smith followed that up by doing a great job in pass protection, as his right tackle was beaten quickly off the snap. Smith saw the end coming and threw his body into the chest to slow up the lineman and give his quarterback time to throw the ball. Both his route and the blocking earned Smith some a lot of praise from the coaching staff. In the team scrimmage, he also broke off a few chunk runs, weaving his way through defenders with quickness, balance, and vision. 

Scouting sources told WalterFootball.com that Smith could be the best offensive prospect on the East team, and he has had a tremendous week to help his draft stock. If there is an injury or an opening for the Senior Bowl, don't be surprised if Smith gets called up. 

Michigan safety Dymonte Thomas had a quality pass breakup coming over the top to slap a pass away. 

• Louisville defensive tackle DeAngelo Brown (6-0, 310) had some nice bull rushes in the one-on-ones. He has a real burst off the snap and he was even more impressive in the 11-on-11 team scrimmage. On one play, Brown was like bowling ball going through the offensive line to get a tackle for a loss on a zone run to the right. A few plays later, he bull-rushed through Michigan's Kyle Kalis to get what could have been a sack in an actual game. Brown is undersized, but he has burst to him with a strong lower body and natural pad level. 

• Florida State wide receiver Kermit Whitfield had a mixed day on Tuesday. On the plus side, his speed was giving defensive backs real problems. He burned Michigan safety Dymonte Thomas on a corner post route for a long touchdown and other defenders struggled to run with the fast Whitfield. However, North Carolina State Jack Tocho (6-0, 200) easily slapped away a 50-50 pass over the undersized Whitfield (5-8, 178). Whitfield also had a drop after getting open across the middle of the field. Whitfield is a speed mismatch, but he will have to compete to be a gadget player, given his size. 

• Mississippi State linebacker Richie Brown has played well in both practices. He is a tough run defender and also is respectable in zone coverage. Brown stayed around the ball in the team scrimmage to get an interception after Michigan safety Lano Hill made a nice play to deflect the pass into the air. Early in his career, Brown could start out as a backup linebacker and special teams contributor. In time, he could challenge to compete for a starting position. 

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