We're Going to Be Good.
Don't tell anyone but we're going to have a 3-deep next year. I admit that a lot of this is conjecture, especially on defense, which yeah I have no idea what kind of scheme we'll be running, but no matter how you slice it, we're going to have good options at just about every position. Note: I expect some of the positions (like Nose Tackle and Offensive Guard) will add a bit of depth through recruiting. Notice how there's actual defensive depth now that Rich Rod's recruits are starting to become Sophmores and Juniors? Weird.
Also note: no freshmen, redshirt or otherwise, in this projected starting lineup and only 3 in the two-deep.
| Position | Ones | Year | Twos | Year | Threes | Year |
| DE | Ryan Van Bergan | Sr# | Jibreel Black | So | Jordan Paskorz | Fr# |
| NT | Quinton Washington | So# | Richard Ash | Fr# | ||
| DT/DE | Mike Martin | Sr | Terry Talbot | Fr# | Chris Rock | Fr |
| DE/LB | Craig Roh | Jr | JB Fitzgerald | Sr | Ken Wilkins | Fr# |
| MLB | Kenny Demens | JR# | Isaiah Bell | So# | Kellen Jones | Fr# |
| WLB | Brandon Herron | Sr# | Mike Jones | So# | Jake Ryan | Fr# |
| Spur/LTS* | Cam Gordon | So# | Thomas Gordon | So# | Antonio Kinard | Fr |
| Bandit/STS** | Jordan Kovacs | Jr | Marvin Robinson | So | Brandon Hawthorn | Jr# |
| FS | Ray Vinopal | So | Carvin Johnson | So | Josh Furman | Fr# |
| CB | Troy Woolfolk | Sr# | Courtney Avery | So | Cullen Christian | So |
| CB | JT Floyd | Jr# | Terrence Talbott | So | Dallas Crawford | Fr |
| QB | Denard Robinson | Jr | Tate Forcier | Jr | Devin Gardner | Fr# |
| RB | Vincent Smith | Jr | Mike Shaw | Sr | Dee Hart | Fr |
| WR | Darryl Stonum | Sr | Jeron Stokes | Jr | Ricardo Miller | Fr# |
| WR | Jr. Hemmingway | Sr# | Jeremy Jackson | So | Shawn Conway | Fr |
| Slot | Roy Roundtree | Jr# | Martavious Odoms | Sr | Kelvin Grady | Sr# |
| TE | Kevin Koger | Sr | Brandon Moore | Jr# | ||
| LT | Taylor Lewan | So# | Mike Schofield | So# | Jake Fisher | Fr |
| LG | Ricky Barnum | Jr# | Will Campbell | Jr | ||
| C | David Molk | Sr# | Rocky Khoury | Jr# | Christian Pace | So# |
| RG | Patrick Omameh | Jr# | Elliot Mealer | Jr# | ||
| RT | Mark Huyge | Sr# | Tony Posada | Fr |
*Linebacker type substance
**Safety type substance
#Redshirt
November 30th, 2010 at 7:46 PM ^
...the worst coverage Free Safety I can recall watching in my time at Michigan is not necessarily that much of an improvement. To me, Vinopal was unremarkable in coverage, was either too tiny to effectively tackle or couldn't (him not being able to tackle would conceivably be correctable, so his size is the worse option here), and his presence on Michigan when he wouldn't even be on the team hurts the team's overall image (which would hurt recruiting, I can hear it now, "You want to be opposite this scrub? What type of defense do you think they're going to field next year with that?").
November 30th, 2010 at 7:51 PM ^
I don't do this often, but you're a prick.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:52 PM ^
Unremarkable in coverage? His coverage was borderline good. Which is way more than you could ask of a Fr FS. The bottom line is, he should have been able to redshirt this year. If this year's taught me one thing, it's that he's got a much higher upside than I had anticipated. Honestly, the whole D had problems tackling. He'll get it worked on, and he'll improve in coverage (not that he really has a problem there). As far as recruiting goes, your assertion has little to no impact on recruits. Honestly. Of all things recruits look at, criticizing freshmen free safeties is not one of them.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:54 PM ^
He definitely did not take on Mikel Leshoure on a crucial 3rd &1 against Illinois. Nope. Never happened. Illinois got that first down because Vinopal got cruuuuuuushed and Illinois milked the clock and won that ballgame.
Man, that still hurts.
November 30th, 2010 at 10:11 PM ^
I was thinking the exact same thing. That may have been the single best defensive play of the year. He gave up 40 pounds or so and still stopped Leshoure cold. I am not predicting Vinopal will ever be All Big 10 but I do love the guys grit.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:05 PM ^
Go fuck yourself with a spork for calling players on Michigan scrubs. Especially freshman, who we have no idea how good they will be, that should have red-shirted but due to necessity went out every game/practice and gave it their all.
I know Dark Blue's bag of diseased cocks is hiding around here somewhere........
November 30th, 2010 at 11:08 PM ^
you can borrow it anytime you need it.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:14 PM ^
less than an hour.
I think I just got a forum taste of my own medicine (in this case I'm the girl in the clip, except I damned well deserved it).
November 30th, 2010 at 10:52 PM ^
November 30th, 2010 at 8:03 PM ^
He's been arguably our most fundamentally sound tackler playing in a high schooler's body, and has impressed me with his (relative) speed and solid instincts. He has unlocked the mystery of tackling that so many Michigan DBs have struggled with this year: use your arms. If nothing else, he has certainly justified his scholarship. No reason why he can't be a Wisconsin/Iowa-type overachiever at safety as an upperclassman.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:19 PM ^
I don't know about Vinopal's tackling. He's the guy who got trucked during the (almost 98 yard) long run against OSU. I recall him missing a tackle against Wisconsin as well.
OTOH I think he clearly has the speed to play the spot, though, I recall a player mentioning he's usually in the top finishers during running drills.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:21 PM ^
he uses his arms instead of just trying to truck stick everyone he's got better form. He'll be better once he beefs up that 5-10 frame of his
November 30th, 2010 at 8:29 PM ^
Yeah, probably. A fully year in the S&C program and maybe he won't have that problem.
I recall also he was on his way to chasing down an Illinois player before the turf monster got him. Point being he was putting on a good display of speed. With some added muscle he might turn into quite a good safety.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:22 PM ^
who remembers him being part of the cavaclade of missed tackles in those games. Granted my other comments deserved the abuse/criticism they'vw gotten so it doesn't matter for me, I deserved heat.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^
I would neg you if I could. Not for your opinions - it's great that you are willing to question things about the team instead of expressing blind optimism. Unfortunately few posters here see things that way.
I would, however, neg you for being a nancy and and backtracking on your opinions.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:44 PM ^
questioning, I just went about saying so in a really inept manner. My only issue with the Vinopal comments is that I was really a jerk on the issue in the last critical post.
November 30th, 2010 at 10:36 PM ^
the guy stuffing an Illinois running back in the hole on 3rd and 1 at the end of regulation, ending any chance the Illini had at getting into field goal range. Some good, some bad, typical of a freshman, but one of the few bright spots of this year's defense.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:35 PM ^
that JT Floyd keeps his starting job next year. I think that the young CBs make a good enough jump to make the starting lineup
November 30th, 2010 at 7:39 PM ^
...I'm not sure that there's one ready. I don't think Avery will be ready next year, Christian got housed this year (albeit, the coaches pretty much threw him to the wolves and he got eaten right up), and Crawford (while awesome) will be a freshman.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:42 PM ^
Avery in the last couple of games has been just about as good as JT Floyd, and he really came up big in the Illinois game.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:50 PM ^
...end up going with the slightly more experienced hand. Especially if the 5'9" listing for Avery is correct rather than the 5'10" (to me, 5'10" is pretty much the minimum for high level starter unless you are *really* good at scheming to make up for that...which we haven't been good at scheming around anything else so far so why should I assume).
Now, if Avery takes a larger step forward than Floyd rather than an equal step of progress? Sure, start him if he's better. I just don't know that he will be, especially since Avery has, what, 2 years of playing Defense under his belt (I think he switched his senior year of high school, but he might not have until college, so its hard to judge his high side).
November 30th, 2010 at 7:53 PM ^
and he played QB in high school, mostly. He was recruited to play corner and switched in college. His performance this year indicates a pretty high ceiling, IMO.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:02 PM ^
Yeah I like Avery a great deal actually. Just went with the redshirt Junior over the true Sophmore.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:54 PM ^
He played both ways in high school. Just like Crawford.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:43 PM ^
Avery (as time went on) was a major upgrade in coverage over Floyd
November 30th, 2010 at 8:01 PM ^
November 30th, 2010 at 8:17 PM ^
...though I like Avery a great deal, just to be clear.
Before today I actually received points more than negbanged.
You ever realize that there are some posts you just shouldn't make? That was me in this entire thread. Though the Avery post was just doubt and not dismissal (and I didn't dislike Floyd as much as others here). The Vinopal comments are the ones that got me in hot water.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:49 PM ^
not sure why you're getting negged for this specific post, but I think the point with Vinopal is that ALL freshman are poor at tackling, especially guys in the secondary. They've spent their high school careers just knocking guys to the ground for fun and then they get thrown into Div. I football less than a year later. That's a huge step to ask a guy to make. If anything, Vinopal was a better tackler than most freshman because he's small. He's probably had to wrap guys up his whole life.
But these guys will all improve exponentially over the next couple of years, both physically and on the mental side of the game, which is the exciting part. Even the 5* recruits make freshman mistakes, and in most elite programs, even 5* star recruits don't have to play as freshman.
That being said, Avery Walls is welcome to compete for a spot if he wants.
November 30th, 2010 at 9:27 PM ^
Just saw your avatar and had to say that that was a great album. Totally different from anything else they've ever done and it was very well written. It wasnt my cup of tea perse (meaning I wouldn't normally buy that type of music if I had known) but it was indeed a good album. You dont see that too often from "emo" bands, where they totally leave their sterotype and make a solid album with totally different music. Anyway that being said I think Avery and Vinopal were both solid as freshmen.
November 30th, 2010 at 9:46 PM ^
That's one of my favorite albums and Brand New's one of my favorite bands in general. TDAGARIM is probably my favorite by them, overall. It and Deja Entendu are certainly their most accessible albums.
November 30th, 2010 at 9:50 PM ^
Yeah I have it and it is also my fav by them by far. Every song is well written.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:40 PM ^
of course as other commits announce you will need to revise .... Dee Hart #3 ???
Thanks for not going 3 deep on the coaching staff !!!!!!!!!!! +1 for that !
Go Blue !
November 30th, 2010 at 7:59 PM ^
But I think it's pretty unlikely Hart gets the starting role.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:47 PM ^
I see the positions more like this:
M. Jones at WLB (probably starting), Bell at MLB, Kinnard at WLB, Furman at Spur, Carvin ahead of Vinopal at FS (hopefully Avery #2), J. Robinson second team WR (certainly before Conway and probably ahead of Jackson), Odoms at 1 or 2 WR (that is where he played this year and we still are loaded at slot) Gallon at 2 or 3 slot (or T-Rob), Schofield starting at RT with Huyge as #2 in both tackle slots, Jack Miller as a #3 guard.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:49 PM ^
Avery, like Talbott, is way too small to be a FS
November 30th, 2010 at 8:30 PM ^
Demens was pretty solid as the year went on, he certainly deserved the chance to start next season. I would not feel comfortable with three brand new LBs...
November 30th, 2010 at 8:54 PM ^
You are definitely forgetting about Kenny Demens.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:53 PM ^
Mike Cox and Fitzgerald Toussaint also return, and then there is Justice Hayes to consider.
Either way, Michigan is going to be loaded at running back. I think we should see some more 2 back sets next fall.
We'll see.
On defense Michigan looks more experienced, but weak on the talent side. I think it's a little much to assume Woolfolk will win the starting job after an injury like that. I hope he does, but that was a nasty injury.
November 30th, 2010 at 7:55 PM ^
Hayes is at least going to start at SR. And he'll probably redshirt
November 30th, 2010 at 8:05 PM ^
I think it's a little much to assume Woolfolk will win the starting job after an injury like that.
Really? He dislocated an ankle. Doubt that'd have any influence on his play once he's fully recovered.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:11 PM ^
Well he did have surgery on it .... also hopefully Odoms will not be adversely affected by his surgery/ injury too.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:33 PM ^
That is the key. I recall reading a few personal accounts of people sustaining a similar injury, and the sentiment across the board was that this could be a tricky recovery. However, with Woolfolk actually being half wolf (wink), I think we can give him the benefit of the doubt.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:39 PM ^
You never know with that type of injury. Some guys are never quite the same.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:07 PM ^
I agree we'll be pretty decent next year. My issues with your depth chart would be:
Q Washington at NT. Seems premature to pencil him in as a starter when he has no experience. The problem with a 4-man line for this team is that, even if you move RVB inside, the DT depth is very very thin with Washinton, Ash, Talbott having little to no experience. I don't feel comfortable projecting players who haven't played yet into the rotation as anything other than an occasional backup.
I think you have to stick with the 3-man line unless a ready-to-play DT arrives in the recruiting clas (. DL Rotation: Martin/Washington, Roh/Black, Van Bergen/Ash (or Talbott).
The hybrid LB/DE can hopefully be handled by Herron, Fitzgerald, or perhaps a young player like Wilkins or Paskorz or Beyer.
All the redshirt and true freshman are a wildcard here, but its encouraging to think they won't necessarily have to be relied upon heavily like Gordon, Gordon, Johnson, Avery, Talbott, Vinopal, Black were this season.
Also...don't discount Leach, Heininger, Van Slyke. These guys will be veterans in the system and are more likely to contribute than some of the true freshman (e.g. Kinard, Rock, Crawford)
November 30th, 2010 at 8:16 PM ^
You can still run a 4 man front without Q starting, although I wouldn't say he has no experience, and he'll have all off-season.
SDE: Black-Wilkins
NT: Martin-Q-Ash
DT: RVB-Talbott-freshman?
WDE: Roh-Paskorz or Zettel or Beyer
Some of the back-ups get a little sketchy, but these are the things they'll figure out over the next 8 months.
December 1st, 2010 at 11:05 AM ^
I take it back. As long as there is a freshman who can contribute along the DL, a 4 man front would be OK.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:16 PM ^
I'd be curious to know which of these three will be offered a fifth year.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:37 PM ^
I think that with depth still something of an issue at the DE position, Heininger will get a 5th year.
Wasn't Van Slyke our holder until he got hurt? For some reason I want to remember that as truth. I don't know if that will hold much weight, plus we could become overrun with safeties if a few CB's make the switch, however, a warm body is a warm body.
Not sure on Leach. He may get a chance given that Mouton is leaving, but I really think that spot will be manned by Mike Jones.
November 30th, 2010 at 8:49 PM ^
Here you go... +1 to you sir. Well done!