Sources: Ryan is being recruited as a rush linebacker (aka - Roh), Kinard as a WLB (aka - Mouton)

Submitted by 2001 on
per rivals: http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1041811 Ryan's head coach: "Michigan wants him as an outside linebacker that can rush the passer or get into coverage in the zones, maybe take the back out of the backfield." http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1041790 Kinard: "They are going to work be in at the WILL 'backer."
MGoBoard

mejunglechop

January 19th, 2010 at 10:42 PM ^

With Roh only a rising sophomore, Paskorz, Wilkins and Rogers all committed, and our dire need at the mike, this is odd indeed. Also, didn't we reject a commitment earlier in the year because we were supposedly full at deathbacker? Edit: Related question: where is Furman supposedly going to play? It seems like we've taken a lot of guys who don't obviously project to a single position.

Joined: 07/09/2008

MGoPoints: 6618

Magnum P.I.

January 19th, 2010 at 10:58 PM ^

Yeah, I get an immediate sense of frustration when I hear guys projected at Deathbacker when our MLB core was so weak last year. (I'm excited about Isaiah Bell, though, at MLB). I wouldn't be surprised to see Wilkins play DE sooner rather than later. He's quick, already big (Rivals has him at 244), and talk is that he has a "big frame," meaning he may be able to bulk up and play in Graham's spot. Roh was only 230 coming in, so Wilkins can hopefully move over and play the DE with a year of training. Another thought I had was whether or not the coaches tell kids they like them at hybrid positions as something of a recruiting tactic. It might be more flattering and less a fear of commitment to a single position for a recruit to be told he could "stand up or put his hand in the dirt."

Joined: 07/16/2009

MGoPoints: 30656

Chadillac Grillz

January 20th, 2010 at 1:33 AM ^

I don't think that is the weakest position on the team. There are alot of position groups that could take that title before MIKE LB. Ezeh is the starter... Ryan, Bell and Demens (RS) FR. could all play there eventually and have 3-5 years of extra eligibility as well as Fitz who is only a sophomore. 2011 we will get a couple of MLBs, and probably at least one will be a blue-chip. I think getting bigger up front and replenishing the secondary were top priorities in the 10' class, and we took care of the DBs for the most part. We need more William Campbell sized guys IMO. You build a team from the inside out, especially on defense. My two cents.

Joined: 01/04/2010

MGoPoints: 2740

Maize and Blue…

January 20th, 2010 at 10:39 AM ^

Really? Please tell me who the last MLB we signed was? Ezeh was a RB. Rivals just list them all as LBs, but Scout breaks them down to OLB and MLB and the only MLB recruit listed is Austin Panter a JUCO transfer (2007) and I don't think he was able to beat out Obi. Who can remember the last true MLB we recruited that actually started at the Mike?

Joined: 03/15/2009

MGoPoints: 6750

goblueritzy92

January 19th, 2010 at 11:04 PM ^

Furman is supposed to come in at Stevie Brown's position, am I correct? Was hoping Ryan could come in at Mike but I guess the coaches don't see him as one. He's always available if there was a switch needed. Also, isn't Isaiah Bell also at Stevie's position. I guess some Mike's are needed for next years class. Also does anybody think Mouton could get passed on the depth chart? By who?

Joined: 01/26/2009

MGoPoints: 4933

WolvinLA2

January 19th, 2010 at 11:19 PM ^

Isaiah Bell is certainly not a SAM, he is at least a WILL and I've heard possibly a MIKE. Furman seems to be starting out at the SAM but I think he'll end up a WILL at some point, based on his height and the depth at that spot. Maybe the reason not many guys are going to the MIKE is because they think JB will take over for Ezeh and that Demens and Bell are solid backups after that. I also was hoping for Ryan at the MIKE, it seems as though we have a lot of recruits headed for the deathbacker spot.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

Jon Benke

January 19th, 2010 at 11:26 PM ^

I think it's too early to label much of our incoming class, and that the coaches are more than likely repeating what the UM coaching staff mentioned as a starting point, and/or a simple estimation of where they see them playing. It's too hard to tell, with the guys on defense, until they come in and we see how they all progress.

Joined: 01/04/2010

MGoPoints: 1453