William Campbell vs T-taylor or b-graham
I cant wait for this kid to play in the fall. Prob most dominating DT we seen at michigan in long time. Hes big as hell. Being 6'5, 315lbs or w/e. T-taylor was only 6 feet 315lbs(before dropping 20-30lbs this yr). B-graham outta hs was only 6'2, 250 and mike martins prob around there too. Sorry im just throwing facts out there but damn.... wait til barwis gets ahold of campbell this spring and makes him shred some pounds while getting alot stronger(and quicker).
Martin/campbell/graham.. wow
January 3rd, 2009 at 6:59 PM ^
Campbell is gonna do some things this year that infuriate us. He's a freshman. Dude'll probably jump offsides at the worst possible time. Then he'll blow through a double team like it wasn't there and plant an emu tree in the turf.
January 3rd, 2009 at 7:13 PM ^
... but the odds that he actually attains that level are pretty slim. i also don't see him being as dominant out of the gate like MM was last year. MM had technique, was a work out machine, and was a wrestler. i know it won't happen, but i'd almost like to see the otter RS... except that they need the depth at the very least.
January 4th, 2009 at 3:28 AM ^
seems like campbell might benefit next year similar to how mike did this year. if the oline has to keep track of several beasts it will leave open windows for campbell. brandon will be a tank. and i figure ryan and mike will both be improved enough that will can create some havoc.
this was probably addressed then but what if we do shift to the 3-3-5 this year? will mike and will split time?
January 3rd, 2009 at 7:17 PM ^
"Prob most dominating DT we seen at michigan in long time"
Did you watch any games in 2006? Specifically Alan Branch? The odds of Campbell reaching that level are not high.
January 3rd, 2009 at 7:31 PM ^
Natural talent coupled with 4 years of Barwis could be awesome. It is amazing what Branch did with a Nautilus workout, though.
January 3rd, 2009 at 7:54 PM ^
Why is it not likely? Obviously Branch was a beast, but from what I've read, experts are projecting Campbell to have a very, very high ceiling. I don't see why it's so unlikely that Campbell could potentially be as good as Branch.
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:50 PM ^
I didn't say it was impossible, but I said it was unlikely. Branch was absurdly good in 2006, probably one of the best seasons a DT has had in the last decade and expecting Campbell to exceed or even reach that level is being way too optimistic.
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:52 PM ^
2010 is a new decade :)
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:58 PM ^
or predict all star level play, particularly from a true freshman.
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:02 PM ^
I'll settle for Wahoo's scenario (Post #1).
January 3rd, 2009 at 7:53 PM ^
Branch was amazing. He had one of the best seasons in 2006 for a DT at Michigan ever! You are guaranteeing that from Will? I think that is insane. I will say Will has the most hype out of any DT to ever come to UM. This recruit got insane with the papers.
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:12 PM ^
But this thing on ESPN questions whether Big Will is actually going to end up on defense. All M Fans/people within the program (myself included) want him at DT, but is that for sure? The blurb might be insiders only, not sure...
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/recruiting/tracker/school?schoolId=130&p…
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:17 PM ^
I'll just temper my expectations at this point and assume he'll play both lines and be the first Freshman Ironman Lineman to win the Heisman.
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:19 PM ^
at QB too.
January 3rd, 2009 at 9:22 PM ^
Everything I've heard from "insiders" suggests that Campbell is expected to play DT at Michigan. Those insiders are correct more often than ESPN, so I'm going to trust them.
Also, our depth is much weaker on defense than it is on offense. We have our entire offensive line returning next year, plus a full cadre of redshirt freshmen. If Campbell works hard, he could start from Day 1 on defense. He wouldn't play on offense for at least a year, in my opinion.
January 4th, 2009 at 10:18 AM ^
espn grades the otter at a 79...whats with that? it might be b/c they project him at OT
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:04 PM ^
I swear the guy interviewing Big Will said "you play offense, defense, and even kick...what are you going to play in college", to which he responded "hopefully all of them". Maybe I totally misheard him in my excitement, but did he really say that he kicks? Or is it involved in kick coverage? Anyone else hear this?
January 4th, 2009 at 3:32 AM ^
he said he wants to do all of them in college (O, D, kick, kikc return) but seriously, he's just going to play D more than likely. he did all that stuff in high school probably because its high school and the best athletes do all sorts of stuff at that level. for instance, i think brandon smith, justin feagin, and jeremy gallon were all QBs in high school but none of them will probably ever attempt a forward pass at michigan(with the exceptions of trick plays i guess)
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:07 PM ^
I hope Big Will is awesome and it was just an exhibition, but I was kinda startled at how bad he looked..he stood up and had no burst on d and he was embarrassing on the 3 snaps I saw him on offense...hopefully he was out of shape from all the partying the last few weeks or we may have got a dud.
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:27 PM ^
big will hasnt even stepped foot on campus and ur saying he cant do what alan branch yet?
why are u comparing someone who had a great career at mich to someoe who hasnt even played yet? Big will cud be a bust, or he cud b the best DT we seen ever.
January 4th, 2009 at 3:20 AM ^
Saying someone can't do something means something totally different than saying someone is unlikely to do something. IMO, outside of Woodson in 1997, Branch's 2006 was the best season a defensive player had under Carr by a large margin. It is not likely that Campbell ever produces a season like that. It is definitely possible, but the post I responded to used the word probably, and that is way too optimistic.
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:30 PM ^
I have to admit I agree with the insider totally after watching today's game. Will just stands up and waits from someone to rush at him. He doesn't attack with quickness or intensity. I think he could end up being the next Steve Hutchinson at OG or Alan Branch at DT. I think RR will know what to do with him once he sets foot on campus, and now we can celebrate that we have the opportunity for that to happen.
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:46 PM ^
He brings a lot more to the table than Terrance Taylor. I just hope that he is more consistent than TT. In four years he could be really good, and I would love to see him as our large FB in goal line situations.
January 4th, 2009 at 9:20 AM ^
turning into half the FR DT mike martin was this past year, i'll eat brian's hat. mmm mnummy nummy otter hat.