We have more DB's!

Submitted by HAILtotheVICTOR33 on February 20th, 2024 at 10:01 AM

In the wake of the Keon Sabb news I got this little dandy of a video in my feed this morning, which feature some of the DB's on the roster working out:

It's a 15 min video, so here's a bit of a TL;DW:

  • DB's featured: Will Johnson, Jacob Oden, Keon Sabb (shows up near end of workout), Myles Pollard, and DJ Waller
  • The guy coaching them is Kason Dickerson, from what I can tell, he's the DB Coach/Defense Coordinator at Cass Tech, but you all who know more about Michigan HS football let me know if I'm right there

A summary on the players in the video not name Keon Sabb that you probably already know:

  • Will Johnson is HIM
    • Everything he does shows he has the entire package. He has the size, speed, fluidity, and technique to be the first DB taken in the draft next year, no doubt about.
  • DJ Waller is a FREAK
    • He's HUGE: In a pretty tall group of DB's (all 6'+), he was by a significant amount the biggest. He's got the frame of a DE, but doesn't move like one.
    • He's an ATHLETE: A young man as big as he is shouldn't be move a quickly, and as fluidly in and out of his break as he does, over and over again he gets complimented by the coach, because, I'm sure, he was shocked be how well he moved through the drills.
    • He's almost there: It still looks like he can refine his technique and coordinate his ball skills a bit better, but overall I was really impressed.
  • Jacob Oden is a Technically Sound Freshman
    • If you've read the scouting report on him, he's a smooth, technically sound, player, and that played out in the video. But physically still a Freshman as he's still trying to get that college ready physique on him, so it will be interesting to see where the S&C staff will have him by the fall. 
  • Myles Pollard has the tools but still needs some work
    • He's got the speed and hips, but still seems to need some work technique wise, but hey it's only one workout.

On the Sabb note, he looks like a pro, so c'est la vie, but I was reminded that we do have other options on the roster that we just haven't seen much of, and besides the usual suspects (Zeke Berry, Jaden McBurrows, Jyaire Hill), there can be some surprise here and I'm looking forward to see how they me develop. And if, it hasn't been made clear yet, consider me an early adopter into the DJ Waller fan club!

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jdemille9

February 20th, 2024 at 10:22 AM ^

Kids develop at different rates and from what I can gather from here and other boards, Hill's main issue is he's tiny (needs to pack on muscle badly). That said, I am always hesitant to be excited about kids who are just athletic freaks (see: Amorion Walker). Either way, it seems likely that we will find a CB2 and NB out of the available talent on the roster. 

We've also been really spoiled with CB's during Harbaugh's tenure (even if he didn't recruit all of them) - Jourdan Lewis, Lavert Hill, Ambry Thomas, DJ Turner, Will Johnson, etc. It feels like we've always had at least one elite CB with another one on the roster ready to step up the following year. 

Count me in the DJ Waller fan club after this video too. 

Joined: 01/29/2011

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Wallaby Court

February 20th, 2024 at 10:10 AM ^

I don't like this post. It is the middle of the offseason. I should be reading shitposts, snowflakes, and concern trolling, not finding excellent content that provides a concise summary without stealing everything from the original creator. OP, I'm disappointed.

Joined: 11/08/2008

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gte896u

February 20th, 2024 at 10:20 AM ^

Jacob Oden looking like an early candidate to lead the team in "thats why he plays defense" remarks from commentary.

 

Didnt watch the whole thing closely but it seemed like he was fighting the ball a bit.

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JonnyHintz

February 20th, 2024 at 4:10 PM ^

I don’t know if I’d say easily. 2 losses is going to put you in a pretty large bubble conversation. You’re essentially always going to have a G5 champ make it ranked outside the top 12. And you’ll have years where the Big 12 and/or ACC champ are in that range or outside as well.
 

We had five P5 teams finish with two losses this year, and two of them would be left out in the new format after you take conference realignment into consideration. Ole Miss and Oklahoma would miss the cut with PSU getting the final spot. 

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Bo Harbaugh

February 20th, 2024 at 11:55 AM ^

Quite remarkable that with mostly high 3* to mid 4* recruits, UM developed the roster to the point that BAMA  is going after our 3rd safety.  I understand Caleb Downs transferred, but still says something when your apparently 3rd best safety is seemingly NFL ready and BAMA starter worthy.  The depth here is very impressive - but of course, just hoping the what Herbert and staff did the past 3 years can continue.

UM did a great job of talent + character identification.  Recruiting players ranked composite 200-400 that meet the measurables and attitude you want at given positions can indeed work with large numbers, an extra year of development, and a focus on scheme and fundamentals.

Don't get me wrong, the JJ's, Will Johnsons, Donovan Edwards, Corums and other high 4 star and 5 star players are absolutely needed and game changers to win Championships.  But the development of the next tier guys as well as building the best aggregate O-line and D-line the past 3 years has been remarkable. 

Sabb hurts, as he was a 4 star, UM developed, and looks to be ready to perform at a 5 star level, but respect the decision. Needs reps on tape, Bama is still Bama and has a spot - probably even got a decent NIL deal to boot. 

Rod Moore and Michael Barrett are the ultimate example of this staff optimizing incoming talent and prepping them for careers in the NFL.

1) Moore - OSU just paid 5? mm to Caleb Downs (an exceptional talent) when they could have just recruited Moore out of their own back yard.  2 of the best 5 returning safeties in CFB. Then again, does Moore become ROD MOORE! at OSU - probably not.  Downs being a Saban developed talent put less pressure on "born on 3rd" to actually, you know, coach and develop. 

2) Michael Barrett  - HS QB, staff took an all-in player and built him for his highest ceiling position. Now he's looking at a mid round grade as a solid NFL LB.

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bighouseinmate

February 20th, 2024 at 1:09 PM ^

Michigan definitely has a pool of DBs to draw from and create a very good defensive backfield, even with the loss of Sabb. My prediction is that at least two of them will be AA level (Moore and Johnson) with another as all-b1g level and the nickel and cb2 positions either all-b1g level or close to it. 
 

The biggest ? On defense will be at the LB level. Barrett WILL be missed, as will Colson’s speed. There are players who have flashed but can they step up their games enough to be the solid players needed in order for Michigan to be top-five again.

Joined: 12/19/2008

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RobSk

February 20th, 2024 at 1:21 PM ^

Jacob Oden looks really solid early, and then is running into the "OH! Getting in college shape is just a different ballgame" wall. :)

DJ Waller is a corner? How on earth has someone not tried to get him going after the quarterback or something.. He's just enormous, and somehow moves as well as the other guys. 

Awesome video!

Joined: 03/01/2010

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RobSk

February 20th, 2024 at 1:36 PM ^

Not sure I've ever had as visceral a notion of what it means to "flip your hips", as watching these guys go through these exercises. They are all good at it - some it looks fast, but like work. Will Johnson makes it look like he could run a 4.4 while changing back and forth every 5 steps. :) It's like he doesn't lose speed, balance or vision AT ALL.

          Rob

Joined: 03/01/2010

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NJblue2

February 20th, 2024 at 1:42 PM ^

Zeke was one of my favorite recruits in his class. I really hope he just arrives this year and he's a future 1st round pick like I thought he would be.

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