Your opinions of players who step up starting this spring
Read an article of guys to watch this spring and im interested to hear more opinions.. So, 3 players who you want to see and feel will carve out a spot for themselves this year.
1. Ty Isaac - I am not big on comparing these guys to proven stars but i must here.. Isaac has a Matt Forte build and skill set in my opinion.. Tall, thick, hands that can allow him to split wide, and deceptive speed and power.. I like the talent of our RB group and think all of them can bring production if the OL improves.. Isaac is the one who can do it all though and i have a feeling he will be a huge addition to the offense.
2.Maurice Hurst - Showed some real flashes of the quickness we heard about last year.. This team desperately needs a pass rush and if it can come from the inside of the line that is even better.. Another year of weight room may be the final move in taking a leap from seeing flashes to consistent production from Mo Hurst.
3.Jehuu Chesson - I say this in part to believing the OL improves with the coaching of Drevno.. I felt last season we were hesitant to setup deep routes because the confidence was not there with the OL.. Chesson plays hard and if the offense can click in a Harbaugh way that means the running game is churning and the TEs-HBacks are moving the chains.. That can open up some deep shots and Chesson has the ability to make plays.
Excited to see spring ball and the hope is strong
February 19th, 2015 at 11:16 AM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 9:19 AM ^
...this question is almost impossible because we're not at a point where we can really pick one over another, because we don't have a "next up" when it's really an open contest at every position.
For example, Darboh or Chesson? Who knows or who cares? But one (if not both) of them needs to bring it WAY up and become an elite WR. But wait, if it's Drake Harris or Moe Ways are we going to be sad?
Same at QB, RB, and OL.
TE, DE, DT, LB, CB and S are really the only position groups where you can answer this question the way it's intended. Often you end up with an "either or" situation and that makes this exercise a little more fun. At least for me it does. Sure you have wide open competition at these positions, but no one is expected Allen Gant or Terry Richardson to be in the mix, so what I'm saying is these are the positions with a narrower pool to choose from.
SO...
TE - Tyrone Wheatley Jr. / Ian Bunting (I'm done with AJ Williams)
DE - Taco Charlton (Duh...)
DT - Ondre Pipkins (We need an anchor in the middle, Pipkins has to step up to anchor the NG spot with Mone and leave Glasgow and Henry at the other DT spot --- it's time)
LB - Ben Gedeon (Already mentioned in the thread)
CB - Channing Stribling (Showed flashes as a freshman, need a big corner with some experience to step up in a big way so Countess can float between all 3 CB spots when needed)
S - Dymonte Thomas (Duh...)
...I'd argue you could add SLOT to this list as well with Norfleet and Canteen needing to take considerable jumps.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:18 AM ^
I apologize for cheating here, because my choice wouldn't be a player, but a unit: the offensive line. They showed improvement last year (certainly over the year before), but it would be great if they could collectively take a big step forward this season. Whoever the QB is, he's going to be young and inexperienced - and I'm a firm believer that a young QB's best friend is a good running game. And that all starts with the O-line.
But if I have to choose a player, I'll echo your sentiments on Ty Isaac. The idea of a big, powerful back who can see the hole develop, hit it hard, and make the defender pay for trying to tackle ... yeah, I'll take that.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:19 AM ^
Ben showed great upside the few times we saw him.
we have yet to see Ian but good lord that size is too much to not use. Im sure Harbaugh and the offensive staff will coach this guy up. Ian is my wild card for this year to be the breakout player
February 12th, 2015 at 11:28 AM ^
While it good be a huge asset in the passing game, it can also be a liability when it comes to blocking if his technique isn't solid.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:20 AM ^
Taco Charlton - I think he can be a stud.
Moe Ways - I think that he can be a stud.
Ty Isaac - I think that he can be a stud.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:21 AM ^
My B1G 3...
Jabrill Peppers- I know I know this kids a stud. But if he lives up to the hype and can be a Ed Reed type in the backfield, we go from one of the best defenses to the BEST in the B1G.
Wilton Speight- If he can step up from Feb. 24th on and be serviceable, not great. We go from an 8 win team to a 10 win team. The kid has the tools.
OL- A ton of talent in this group if they gel as a unit and continue to get better it will make whoever wins the QB competitions job a lot easier. Biggest need here!
Go Blue!
February 12th, 2015 at 10:17 AM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 11:07 AM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 9:22 AM ^
Jordan Lewis - I'm really hoping that he takes that next big jump in development with the new defensive staff.
Derrick Green - All the work he's put in the last year has got to finally pay off. I don't think he's ever gonna be the 5* feature back, but I think him and Issac could make a great 1/2 combo.
Desmond Morgan - I think a big year from him is key to success on defense. Getting to sit out most of the year gave him a chance to watch lots of film and learn the game from that standpoint.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:29 AM ^
But I also think he kind of is who he is, in that he already stepped up last year. The difference for Lewis won't be stepping up, it'll be the media (mostly) and coaches realizing that he's a good CB. Teams were already shying away from him last year, just the mass-media didn't pick up on it at all.
February 12th, 2015 at 7:11 PM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 9:25 AM ^
Shane Morris, Andre Pipkins and Peppers. Would love to see 3 all-Americans. It seems forever since we had a "next man up" type of qb. Morris hopefully will do well under Harbaugh. It has been almost as long since we had a killer up front, or a back end stopper. That would be my wish!
February 12th, 2015 at 9:26 AM ^
1. Jake Butt - I think he will be utilized much more heavily in this system, and the scheme will allow him to get the ball in space. The fact that a lot of his routes will be toward the sideline rather than over the middle of the field will mitigate some of the QB concerns with regards to getting him the ball. He was already a good player this past year, but I think he becomes more involved and turns a corner into be regarded as one of the B1G's best.
2. Taco Charlton - He showed quite a bit of flashes last year, but needs to get smarter and more consistent. He has Mattison as a coach now, he's entering his third year, he's getting the vast majority of the reps. I think he starts to turn the corner and is a guy that picks up the slack left by losing Clark (I think Mario is solid, but I think his weight gain caused him to lose some of his burst).
3. Blake Countess - I think he flat out lost confidence last year. Once the ND game hit, his technique went by the wayside, and he just flat out struggled the rest of the year. But I think he's too good of a player as far as footwork and the amount of work he puts in to be held back again this year. I think another year to really get the technique down will help him. When you don't know the technique like the back of your hand, when it isn't second nature, the second you lose confidence you lose technique and you lose the battle. But when you know the technique well, you can always fall back on technique. I think Countess gets to that point, and he becomes a much more consistent player on the outside for Michigan again.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
Which position group do you think will see the greatest relative improvement?
Pure speculation, I know ... but that's what February is for.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:33 AM ^
Most improvement as an entire unit from 2014 to 2015 = OL
Most improvement from remaining players due to scheme from 2014 to 2015 = WR
Improvement because of position switch and growth at a single position = Safety
February 12th, 2015 at 9:27 AM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 9:30 AM ^
1. A tie. Between all of them.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:31 AM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 9:36 AM ^
at that height, so why would his height dictate his position? A 6'8" mobile QB seems like a great thing to have.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:40 AM ^
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February 12th, 2015 at 9:42 AM ^
Pretty much every QB in the NFL is 6'6" it seems. I don't think those 2 extra inches will make any difference for Gentry.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:45 AM ^
Brees is 6'1, Manning and Brady are 6'3-6'4, Wilson is maybe 6 foot, Luck is 6'4. No regular NFL starter is that big.
That said I think Gentry looks pretty smooth for a guy his size...Cardale Jones is massive as well but I wouldn't suggest he play tight end.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:54 AM ^
Flacco is 6'6". Manning, Rivers, Ryan, Big Ben, and Cam are all 6'5". Okay I overstated a little bit. I don't see 6'8" being an issue for an NFL QB. The issue might be that his height leads to some funky mechanics, but I daresay that with Harbaugh, his mechanics should be pretty darn good.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:03 AM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 10:26 AM ^
TEs: Butt, Williams, Hill, Bunting, Wheatley (presumably). I think that's enough provided we don't have a ton of attrition. I know Harbaugh uses his TEs more, but I also wouldn't be surprised to see Shallman and Kerridge lined up there and used as H-backs in addition to normal fullbacks.
I think Gentry will redshirt. I agree that he can play QB, and I doubt Harbaugh just decides to convert him until he fails a chance to prove himself.
February 12th, 2015 at 12:20 PM ^
totally disagrees (about the extra 2 inches).
February 12th, 2015 at 9:52 AM ^
That's an interesting thought. As long as he's reasonably agile, I don't think he's too big for QB, but you're right that he probability has more positional versatility than most pro-style college QBs.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:31 AM ^
freaking Dawson....and Wyatt Shallman, they will both be Harbaugh'd...
Also, the freak Gideon...
February 12th, 2015 at 9:34 AM ^
Ty Isaac seems like the no brainer here. Tons of potential and seems to have the speed our other two top RBs lack. I'm particularly interested in the RB competition this year. Everyone has their eyes on the QB but I'm squarely looking at the RBs. Plenty of talent and with Harbaugh behind the controls, the sky is the limit.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:35 AM ^
Lifts all boats.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:43 AM ^
I think we get big leaps from:
- Jake Butt. He should be the perfect fit for this offense. And he's showed flashes. I think he'll step up this year and be an All Big Ten performer, if not better.
- Joe Bolden. I think this is the year where Brian is finally impressed by him. He seemed to improve a lot last year. If that improvement continues, I think he'll be really good.
- Jack Miller. I think he goes from a guy we're okay with because he's not a negative to a big positive. I don't think he has a David Molk senior year, but probably an All Big Ten guy. He's a 5th year senior, in his 3rd year starting - more or less. He seemed to put it together last year. I think we'll see a nice leap from him, into a top Big Ten center.
I hope that we get big leaps from a WR. Don't care who. But we need someone to step up there in a big way. Besides QB, that is the one position that worries me. I would also love to see a leap from Thomas, as all you have mentioned. It would be great if he could fulfill his potential, and we could have a seconary that included the two supposedly best athletes on defense (him and Peppers).
February 12th, 2015 at 9:43 AM ^
Isaac for sure. I think Malzone will be the top QB heading into summer as well. And then I think Bunting is going to get a lot of PT and looks.
Defense, I think Charlton is going to break out, and Gedeon should solidify at one of the LB spots.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:25 AM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 7:14 PM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 9:43 AM ^
Right now I am having trouble with picking. I hear the "done with A.J. Willams" thing, but I would love to see a couple guys like him just flat out get with the new coaching and be massive.
Williams will never be stretching the field & making one-handed catches in the corner, but I would be thrilled to see him lay out dudes on a regular basis.
I want to see Green run over some guys. Many guys.
One thing I have never heard people mention is what I see in Smith. He doesn't show the power Green has, but I see him having that twitch that gets him into the hole (he sees holes better than Green too.)
I want to see what Isaac can do.
And Drake... get him healthy & bouncing outside.
(It may be obvious I am excited about the running game)
And for the old Techmo Super Bowl fans, I hope that "QB Wolverines" is at least servicable. (Oh how interesting it would be if Garnder had another year of eligablitiy... I really wanted to see him succeed.)
February 12th, 2015 at 10:28 AM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 9:44 AM ^
is that they are great!
February 12th, 2015 at 9:49 AM ^
He is bigger than Miller, and he is a line coach's son. With Harbaugh and Drevno in tow, I think he could bust out this year.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:29 AM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 11:52 AM ^
I'm with you on Kugler. I thought he looked good in the spring game last year, and another year in the weight room and learning the college game won't hurt. I think he will beat out either Miller or Kalis and start somewhere in the fall.
I thought Miller was solid but unspectacular. I thought Kalis was up and down. Now that we have some competition on the OL, Kalis and Miller are going to need to step up this year if they don't want to be left behind.
February 12th, 2015 at 7:17 PM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 9:34 PM ^
Last year, I think Magnuson was the only other OL and maybe Kugler who were options to play. No matter how well Cole played, having to start a true freshman all year says a lot about the number of viable options.
Now that everyone has another year under their belts and all the starters are back, I see a lot more competition to shart. I think Kugler will be hard to keep off the field, Dawson will probably be ready and any of Fox, Bars, Tulley-Tillman and Samuelson could be options as well. I count 12 players that are RS-So or older for 2015 while last year the number was 6.
My take is that this year you'll have to earn a spot on the line where as last year you just needed to show you wouldn't be a liability, and I thought all 5 starters last year did ok.
February 12th, 2015 at 9:54 AM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 9:59 AM ^
First, I think that with Harbaugh and the coaching staff he has put together, everyone will step up. While this is a cliche, it is critical for the TEAM to ALL play better. Mattison and others regularly commented on how the failure of one player to do what needed to be done caused the whole thing to fall apart.
Second, in terms of units, not players, I think that this year, 3 units will improve quite a bit:
- Offensive Line. They will finally put it together. To be fair, I think they would have been pretty good anyway, but Drevno will improve them more.
- Secondary. As much as I liked Manning, I think he wasn't in a position of comfort, and between our new DC & also secondary coaches, along with Peppers' return, this unit is going to improve a lot.
- Special Teams. This is an area that is so often overlooked, and it has not be a strength for some time.
- If I had to add a fourth area, it would be QB play. Obvious, with the new bullets, the experience, the brutal competition, and the watchful eye of JH.
Third, in terms of players, I will go with:
- Peppers: he is going to come back with a vengeance.
- Canteen: with a QB with an arm, time to develop a QB relationship, speed, better OL, I see Canteen improving.
- Gedeon: Has shown potential. Will explode.
- Darkhorse: Gentry.
February 12th, 2015 at 10:01 AM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 10:04 AM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 10:20 AM ^
digging deep on that one - I hope you are right, but he has been totally off the radar
February 12th, 2015 at 11:18 AM ^
February 12th, 2015 at 10:06 AM ^
Hard to predict who will break out because it seems we are going to be seeing far greater demands placed on the players this year. The guys who break out will be those who fully embrace the challenges Harbaugh presents. Not sure how to tell who those guys may be.