February 18th, 2019 at 4:39 PM ^
Which guys do you have the highest hopes for this spring?
February 18th, 2019 at 4:44 PM ^
Turner, Gray, Mayfield, Hutchinson, Jeter, and McGrone need to step up. Need 3-4 Fr to play (Charbonnet (EE), Hill, Smith (EE), and Rumler). Maybe 1 more.
February 18th, 2019 at 4:50 PM ^
Any specific reason you say Rumler? Is there a departure we don't know about, or are you just hoping from an o-line depth standpoint?
February 18th, 2019 at 6:33 PM ^
My thought also we have all the starters from the bowl game back plus Mayfield who probably will start and move a starter from last year to second string. Not sure we need a freshman OL playing next year
February 19th, 2019 at 8:53 AM ^
You may remember Ben Bredeson? You know, the LG, a 4-year starter, senior on last year's OL? Well, apparently, you didn't remember...
February 19th, 2019 at 6:58 AM ^
O Line depth is non existent.
February 18th, 2019 at 5:57 PM ^
I think Hayes will be better than Mayfield.
February 19th, 2019 at 6:59 AM ^
Why? He’s been a TE most of his career including last year.
February 18th, 2019 at 6:01 PM ^
Hopefully Rumler has a Mayfield type season. Gets some PT, yet keeps his redshirt
February 19th, 2019 at 12:14 PM ^
I shouldn't do this, putting my hopes into a freshman, but I think Charbonnet looks fantastic. For high school running back tape, I love to see players make moves through traffic. Shows off vision, balance, cuts, everything you need to be a great back. Obviously he has great speed too.
I hated Green's high school tape, because most of his tapes were a big guy beating high schoolers to the corner. Charbonnet's highlights look like he's hitting the A and B gap a lot, and then making adjustments in the hole to avoid direct hits. I'm really hoping this translates over and he becomes on of those top backs Michigan was cranking out in the 90s. (or big Mike Hart, I'd take that as well, don't want to be picky).
February 18th, 2019 at 4:45 PM ^
Defense: Luiji Vilain. If he can get healthy that adds a huge asset to our thin D-Line which lacks a bonafide pass rusher.
On offense: Christian Turner. Charbonnet looks promising, but we need another guy to be able to carry the load a bit and I think Turner is the guy.
Would like to see one of the backups at CB shine a bit.
February 18th, 2019 at 4:50 PM ^
Hopefully Turner puts on some poundage without losing his quicks.
February 18th, 2019 at 4:53 PM ^
I always like seeing the backup qbs. Looking forward to Dylan and Joe battling it out over the next two years
Interested to see VanSumeran, Muhammad, Schoonmaker, and Haskins at skill positions
On defense I'd like to get a look at St Juste, the Green Brothers, Gray, McGrone, Anthony, and Jeter.
February 18th, 2019 at 4:54 PM ^
BVS is on defense.
February 18th, 2019 at 5:17 PM ^
WHO ARE WE BLOODYING UP FOR FULLBACK IN TWO YEARS??
or are we ditching that position entirely due to Gattis offense? I know it's a good decision but it still makes me sad.
February 18th, 2019 at 6:55 PM ^
BVS has been on defense almost all of last year. The fullback was essentially dead last year, except in the most obvious situations. Gattis will not use one often I assure you of that. Don’t be surprised to see Mason play a different position next year. He will not ride the bench all game.
February 18th, 2019 at 7:59 PM ^
Is BVS playing as a LB or could he be bulking up and learning how to play DE? He could be a pretty good force at WDE.
February 18th, 2019 at 9:32 PM ^
I expect to see him compete for the SAM backer, He is an athletic freak. He is not ever going to be big enough to play end IMO
February 19th, 2019 at 10:40 AM ^
He's the same size as Chase Winovich, who was also a psychopath of blood crushing proportions that played tight end and fullback before finding a home at Defensive End. Not saying he'll be a star defensive end, but he's listed at 6'3, 256, which can be a decent enough size at end provided he's got the strength and balance.
February 18th, 2019 at 8:01 PM ^
If Ben VanSumeren is exclusively on defense and the fullback position is being de-emphasized, then would it make sense for the coaches to find a position for Ben Mason on defense also, especially if Luigi Vilain hasn't been able to fully recover from his injuries? Would it be too late to let try to have Ben Mason get extensive work in as an edge rusher or a middle linebacker during this off-season?
February 18th, 2019 at 9:34 PM ^
Bench is not fast enough to play middle linebacker in Don Browns system, I think 3 tech would suit the teams needs best. Coach H will get him on the field
February 18th, 2019 at 11:05 PM ^
He’d have to pack on 30 lbs in a year to be plausible. That’s a tall order.
February 19th, 2019 at 9:51 AM ^
This is a fallacy, in general. In defending today's offenses having a 400 pound run-stuffing DT is of less value than having a quicker relentless defender who can shoot the gaps and create havoc in the backfield. Mason already carries 260 very well. He may not be a 3rd and short DT but here he could move to MLB. On the offensive side he could still be the 3rd and short FB.
The interesting thing in this thread is that, on the one hand, there is all this hand-wringing about depth issues yet all kinds of possibilities are being offered/acknowledged. Only 11 guys can be on the field at the same time...there are excellent options everywhere...some very good players are going to have to wait their turn!
Coaches coaching well and making the correct personnel decisions is going to be very critical this year...not that it isn't every year. But if they figure this thing out they may well realize that ESPN #5 pre-season ranking-and beyond. Regardless, it is going to be an interesting year.
February 19th, 2019 at 10:19 AM ^
He may not be a 3rd and short DT but here he could move to MLB.
you're suggesting a 260lb LBer in 2019?
February 19th, 2019 at 12:33 PM ^
No. I'm suggesting a 275 pound MLB for 3rd and short/goal-line defense :)
February 19th, 2019 at 12:39 PM ^
I don't want Ben Mason playing 3-tech in 2019 at 260 lbs. If we were playing football in 1982, I'd give it a shot.
February 19th, 2019 at 9:42 PM ^
Would this be due to more of a spread playbook being implemented? If it’s that’s too much to tell i understand - figured asking wouldn’t hurt
February 18th, 2019 at 5:07 PM ^
QB post spring will be interesting.
February 18th, 2019 at 5:36 PM ^
I had this conversation the other day. It would be easy for Harbaugh to name Shea the starter and be done with it, but to my eye, this seems like the closest 1-2 QB competition Harbaugh's had since he's been here. Do you think Dylan has a good chance to overtake Shea?
February 18th, 2019 at 5:37 PM ^
Yes.
I'm not umbig11, but i pretend to be an insider also.
February 18th, 2019 at 6:12 PM ^
No, the battle for QB3 will be interesting.
February 18th, 2019 at 6:36 PM ^
Yes Shea will start Dylan is clear cut number 2 and #3 will be a battle between Joe and Cade
February 18th, 2019 at 8:49 PM ^
Is Peters graduating in the spring? Is he still expected to transfer?
February 19th, 2019 at 2:21 AM ^
If Peters plays well this spring and wins the number 3 spot, I could see him staying. If Joe passes him, my bet will be that Peters will be a grad transfer for the 2019 season.
February 18th, 2019 at 5:16 PM ^
Well, hopefully we get better weather this year.
*looks at calendar*
Oh, you said April.....never mind....
February 19th, 2019 at 8:33 AM ^
It really is annoying that spring is officially one month away, yet the nice spring weather I love won't really be around for another two months at best.
February 18th, 2019 at 5:38 PM ^
I thought Harbaugh said on the podcast that the game and fan fest would take place on the 6th of April? Can't wait to see the SpeedinSpace we have been hearing about. Think we will see a little of it... Go Blue!!!!
****Sorry just saw the update of the game on the 13th....practice will take place on the 6th
February 18th, 2019 at 6:42 PM ^
February 18th, 2019 at 7:16 PM ^
Not on campus yet - won’t be playing in the spring game
February 19th, 2019 at 10:01 AM ^
Charbonnet is though!!!
February 20th, 2019 at 11:57 PM ^
Charbonnet had a minor surgery. Knee has given him trouble in H.S. too. He will be somewhat limited during spring practice.
February 18th, 2019 at 7:22 PM ^
That two hours can make a big difference in temperature that time of year in Michigan. Hopefully this doesn't make for a tougher fan experience.
February 18th, 2019 at 7:29 PM ^
Agreed. Difficult time of year with the weather. Some kind of open practice and FanFest will take place Apr 6.
February 18th, 2019 at 8:07 PM ^
Hmmm??? With how shitty Michigan weather is, most likely it will be cancelled, again....
February 18th, 2019 at 8:53 PM ^
Seriously? 3 PM was perfect for weather & travel to & from West MI. Bummer. We’ll prob still go but crap... 3 PM would have been much better.
February 19th, 2019 at 6:54 AM ^
Blech. Of course they move it later for tv that few people will even be watching.
February 19th, 2019 at 9:19 AM ^
I wish they could do the 5K run on the same day , could save a 4 hour drive
February 19th, 2019 at 9:59 AM ^
Our plan is to drive in from Kansas for the festivities...with fourth grade super-fan, who has never been in the Big House, in tow. We have a family event in Northern Indiana on Sunday...the 3PM time would suit us better...we can make 5PM work :)