Which member(s) of Team 135 will have a breakout year?

Submitted by trueblue262 on

I think we can all agree that there will be atleast 1 player who has his "coming out party" at a game or 2 this fall at the big house. Besides the obvious choice of everybody (Peppers), who would you say is in line to really turn some heads this year?

My choice happens to be on the OL with David Dawson. I think he's going to be a popular name by the end of the season.

jethro34

July 8th, 2014 at 10:52 AM ^

I sincerely hope it's someone (or more than one) on the offensive line, but I would also love to see Pipkins, Green, and a WR all have breakout seasons. Truth is many will need to in order for the team to get to 9+ wins.

YaterSalad

July 8th, 2014 at 10:59 AM ^

I think, given our home slate, that we can achieve 9 wins without any huge step-ups . . . I think that is the floor assuming that the o-line just goes from terrible to serviceable.  With some massive jumps at a few key positions I think we can go even further - 10 or 11 wins.  I think we need a WR to improve - Chesson, Darboh, Canteen, etc - so the passing game becomes more of a threat than just Funch.  And, on defense, I think we need a safety - don't care if Countess drops back there, Thomas, or Peppers.  We just need someone to read the play and cover deep over the top (no big plays unlike last year when Stribling and Lewis were getting chewed up over the top on deep routes).  

maize-blue

July 8th, 2014 at 10:55 AM ^

Defense: I think someone is really going to come into their own in the Safety positions. (Hill, Thomas, Wilson)

Offense: A receiver other than Funchess. My guesses would be Darboh, Chesson or Canteen. I think Bunting plays this year and may play a bigger role than most think.

The Baughz

July 8th, 2014 at 10:55 AM ^

I guess I will pick everyone's spring candidate...Mr Freddy Canteen. Im hoping it's Derrick Green and at least one OL. Defensively, I like the Bolden pick. I want to say Dymonte Thomas but I have not heard a word about him in quite some time. I think a realistic answer would be Frank Clark. I do not think he has had his "breakout season" yet. 

dkush

July 8th, 2014 at 10:56 AM ^

Deveon is a faster Derrick Green, it'll show this year.

Gedeon is sick and proved that in the Ohio game last year.

Strib saw a ton of playing time last year and should really push for playing time.

Hail-Storm

July 8th, 2014 at 3:25 PM ^

you are sorry at all.

And Defense, I would like to see Taco and Thomas break out as they have a lot of talent, size, and speed and could be great if they match that with tecnique and football smarts.

On offense, I do think Smith will do well, but this will be based on improvements on the line more than his developement. I would take a moderate cohesive OL over  couple All Big players coupled with no chemistry.

Not sure if Butt can be considered a possible break out based on last years performance, but he will be very good and I think Bunting will be in this year as well. Look for a Funchess, Butt, Bunting, Darboh goal line package at some point.

BRBLUE

July 8th, 2014 at 10:57 AM ^

I'm gonna go with WR Freddy Canteen on offense. I think his speed will catch alot of defenses off guard and the fact that he's a freshman, I don't think alot of teams will be focusing on him. On defense, I'll go with  DB Jourdan Lewis. He had a pretty solid spring game and has experience from last season.  

MGoLogan

July 8th, 2014 at 10:58 AM ^

I'll go one on offense and one on defense.  On offense, I think Erik Magnuson will be an All-Big Ten OT by the end of the season.  Not saying he will be first team, but he will prove himself to be one of the top six OT's in the conference.  On defense, I think Jarrod Wilson is going to have a big year.  He has the size/speed combination to be special, and I think (hope) he puts it all together this year. 

UMgradMSUdad

July 8th, 2014 at 11:18 AM ^

What's really cool is that there are so many young, talented guys on the team that there will undoubtedly be players with breakout seasons, and they might just be guys none of us fans even expect.

Mgoscottie

July 8th, 2014 at 11:28 AM ^

may not "break out" so to speak, but I think he carries the team in a key victory and plays better than anyone we've seen at Michigan in a long time.

redhousewolverine

July 8th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^

Everybody. But seriously, probably Henry, Lewis, Wilson, Magnuson, and Glasgow. Any of Ross, RJS, or Bolden could too. It will be interesting to see how Pipkins, Darboh, and Butt come back from injury. With the 2012 recruiting class finally becoming upperclassmen, we could see a lot. Going to be interesting.

MGoStrength

July 8th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^

Since it's not fair to say freshman (Peppers & Canteen I'm looking at you), and guys like Clark, Ryan, Gardner, Funchess, etc. are already pretty well established, I'd go with Wilson, Lewis, Ross, and Henry.  I think all of those guys are talented and not have done a ton yet, but should be in a position to make a lot of plays this year.  I'd love to say Pipkins, Darboh, or Green, but injuries and the o-line inconsistencies will limit those.  But, I think Wilson, Ross, and Henry all have great years.

Monocle Smile

July 8th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^

For some reason, this blog gives him a lot of heat. He lead Michigan in tackles for most of last year and his job in the Under didn't lend itself to a bunch of highlight-reel plays. Maybe you just mean he'll make more big plays as a SAM in the Over.

MGoStrength

July 8th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^

He hasn't really gotten a lot of attention.  He didn't make any of the all-conference lists last year.  Granted, guys like Bullough, Denicos Allen, Shazier, Borland, and the Iowa LBs all being gone should help his chances.  But, so far I'd say he doesn't really have any national buzz.  I think he gets that this year by continuing to rack up tackles, but also making some more big plays, sacks, hits, etc.

alum96

July 8th, 2014 at 5:43 PM ^

I believe he was benched to start 1 game last year as well.  As for leading tacklers someone has to lead on the team - I believe Raymon Taylor was #2? (dont quote me) but it was a corner I believe which is bad.

I think Ross would benefit from a traditional UM defense line that kept him clean.  He would be free to roam and attack.  The defensive lines he has had to play behind have been lacking.

redhousewolverine

July 8th, 2014 at 11:46 AM ^

He also struggled a lot in pass coverage, particularly covering TE's. I cannot remember where I was reading it, but someone in the Michigan blogosphere was writing about how offenses learned to take advantage of Ross' aggressiveness. Building on his experience from last season, hopefully he can make fewer mistakes, make a few more big plays, and continue making the necessary and boring plays that he does.

aplatypus

July 8th, 2014 at 11:33 AM ^

I think he stays ahead of Peppers for the primary nickel spot or gets some major playing time at safety.

On offense we just have to hope the offensive line breaks out to 'average' as a group and that side of the ball will be just fine. 

Space Coyote

July 8th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^

But I'm pretty high on Magnuson. Think he fits the bill for an OT, has the skill set. I think he'll be rusty to start the season due to his injury (otherwise he'd be surprising people out of the gate), but by the end of the year he'll round out into a player people are really excited about in 2015 and will be good enough to warrent some serious praise for his play.

On defense, I think Bolden has started to hit his stride, and the OLB position in the Over scheme allows him to be more aggressive. I don't think you're going to see him reading, waiting, and reacting as much this year, and I think his size at the position combined with his burst will surprise a lot of people.

MGoStrength

July 8th, 2014 at 7:04 PM ^

I know Mattison has mentioned him a number of times during the spring, but I haven't seen anything from him in the games.  He is a guy that I thought would be really good as a recruit and I think Gedeon has already passed him.  He always seems to be chasing the play, taking bad angles, and avoiding contact.  I'd love to see better reactions, getting off blocks better, and being more physical when he makes contact.  IMO Gedeon does all those things better than Bolden already and he's bigger.