Where does Mike Onwenu fit best?

Submitted by ldevon1 on

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is so confident freshman lineman Michael Onwenu will factor on both sides of the ball throughout his college and pro careers, he’s willing to put a chocolate milkshake on the line.

Harbaugh, speaking to a small group of reporters Monday night after his weekly radio show, said Onwenu, who had about 35 snaps on offense and defense combined last Saturday against Rutgers, is not yet set on where he will play the majority of the time, because he’s good at both.

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FreddieMercuryHayes

October 11th, 2016 at 8:25 AM ^

I think he'll be needed more at DT after this year. I would love to see him there. But an enormous guy who is agile would really help the power run game when it comes to pulling as a guard. Either way, I think he's going to need to add strength to really be able to slug it out either place.



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Real and Spectacular

October 11th, 2016 at 8:43 AM ^

Yeah this is interesting because he really could be valuable next year on either side of the ball. If somehow Hurst left for the NFL, I wouldn't be surprised to see him starting at DT next year. It also may depend on how other OL develop.

1VaBlue1

October 11th, 2016 at 8:45 AM ^

If The Wall comes, I see Onwenwu becoming a full-time DT with a subset of offensive plays.  Even if Tufele comes and Solomon comes back, Onwenwu will be a DT if The Wall commits.  His position is based on whether they sign on, or not...

LBSS

October 11th, 2016 at 9:23 AM ^

Tangentially, this thread reminded me of how neat it is that our OC is also our OL coach. I feel* like most OCs come from the skill position ranks (coaching or playing or both). Someone recently posted a whole bunch of videos of people telling Spurrier stories, and one of his UF linemen from the 90s told one about how he didn't even know how to draw DL alignments so when he was diagramming plays he would just draw a ton of random X's across from the OL. 

Drevno being a line guy feels like the most Harbaugh fit possible. It's great.

*Emphasis on feel, I've got no real evidence to back that up.

reshp1

October 11th, 2016 at 9:40 AM ^

I think he ends up as a guard. If we ran a 3-4, I would change my answer, but a guy that shoot a gap in a flash like Glasgow and Hurst are better in our system than a planetary DT that can take double teams every play.

He was absolutely mashing faces on OL in garbage time in the run game and surprisingly nimble at pass protection as well. With a little more time in the S&C program to drop some bad weight and develop his explosiveness a bit, he would be an elite road grader. He already has the size (obviously) and strength to do it.  

The Legion

October 11th, 2016 at 10:13 AM ^

I think eventually he will be on the O-line, but I am curious about how he would do as a super fullback in a jumbo goalline formation. Kind of how Alabama used Terrance Cody back in the day. Have him as a lead blocker/tank to create a hole. Would be cool to see.

Kevin13

October 11th, 2016 at 10:14 AM ^

enough OL talent in the 2017 class you will see him become an NT full time. I think that would be a good move when you consider how much DL we will loose after this season.

Night_King

October 11th, 2016 at 10:15 AM ^

Ultimately Harbaugh will plug him in where he helps the team the most. I think DT could be thinner than OG next year, so maybe he'll see more time at NT. If Hurst comes back and we have Mone and Hurst, then maybe Big Mike will compete for a starting guard spot and just be a rotational guy on D for short yardage situations. I'd like to see him replace Kalis at the right guard position next year and watch him fully devour defensive linemen.



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WolvinLA2

October 11th, 2016 at 10:49 AM ^

I like him most at DT as well, and that I think he mainly ends up there based on team need. 

Next year our starting OL will look something like Newsome-Bredeson-Cole-Kugler-JBB wtih guys like Ulizio, Dawson, Runyan and Spanellis filling in, plus all the freshmen and any walk ons like Vastardis.  I don't think Onwenu will start over either of those starting guards, and back up DL get a lot more run than back up OGs.  I'm not psyched about our back up DTs next fall and that's not a position where you can rely on true frosh a whole lot.  Without Glasgow, Mone is our only true NT so I like Onwenu backing him up there.

LSAClassOf2000

October 11th, 2016 at 10:35 AM ^

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BrownJuggernaut

October 11th, 2016 at 10:38 AM ^

Given the potential exodus that may occur on the offensive line after this year, for Michigan, it may be better to fill in on the offensive line. I'm speaking strictly from a depth perspective. We might land a monster OL class, but how many of them will actually be ready to contribute right away? I don't think you can necessarily count on that. From a depth perspective, I'd say OL.

As far as his size and strength, Onwenu could be an awesome space eating weapon that allows guys like Gary to just take on blockers one on one. The greatest takeaway about Onwenu from me is that he's been willingly working on both sides. The guy will be an important player somewhere.

WolvinLA2

October 11th, 2016 at 10:53 AM ^

Wait - exodus on the OL?  We're losing 3 of 5 starters, and now that JBB is a starter, we kind of return 3 starters next year if Newsome is good to go.  

On the DL, OTOH, we lose Wormley, Taco, Glasgow and Godin, which has been our entire starting line up in some games.  That's much more of an exodus.