What player (that no one is talking about) are you most excited to see?
Simple question and hopefully fun thread to help feed the anticipation for the season now that we are officially just 2 weeks from kickoff.
What player, or players are you most excited to see that very few are talking about in the media or this forum for that matter?
I will start with some of my own:
1. Rod Moore: who came in and played great against PSU and OSU as a true freshmen 3 star prospect, seemed to be mentally all there and physically could stay with some great receivers and could lay out some guys too, even with his smaller size. Could see an All BiG10 kind of season for him if he progresses this year.
2. Luke Schoonmaker: for sure gets a little more attention than Moore, but is certainly still in the overall shadow of Eric All and the rest of the incredible receiving corp…but this guy was making some ridiculous catches at the end of the year and had 2 beautiful TD’s in the Iowa game. He would probably be a #1 receiver target on many of the teams of the last 10 years of Michigan football, but he just happens to be one amongst many with this amazing group. Will be exciting to see how they use him and All on the field along with the wide receivers in space. He and All should be open in the middle all game, every game.
I could see Schoony being a second day NFL draft pick with his natural ability as a pass catcher, kind of how Zach Gentry was.
3. A big sleeper for me is Tavier Dunlap. I know he’s nowhere near the level of Corum or Edwards, but maybe he has rounded himself out to be that short yardage back that Harbaugh loves so much. I know we missed on some transfer portal guys there to fill that spot, but maybe Dunlap is that guy, or maybe I’m just stupid to think so, haha.
4. An unknown fullback who will come up out of nowhere and become everyone’s favorite player instantly.
What guys are you excited to see that no one is really talking about?
August 20th, 2022 at 12:57 AM ^
Michael Barrett. Is there any other answer?
August 20th, 2022 at 1:00 AM ^
Forgive me for I have sinned
August 20th, 2022 at 11:42 AM ^
This joke is still funny, and always will be
August 20th, 2022 at 1:34 AM ^
Maybe I’ve missed it, but I don’t hear people talking about McGregor. I have a gut feeling about that guy…
August 20th, 2022 at 12:04 PM ^
August 20th, 2022 at 1:41 AM ^
I'm really excited about Andrel Anthony. I think he is going to have a break out year and will be scoring a lot of long TDs. He will make all the WR that much better when he stretches the field vertically.
August 20th, 2022 at 9:41 AM ^
The great ones always have a few plays as a freshman where you’re like ‘oh wow kid’. I remember Aidan making a few eyebrow raisers as a freshman. Andrel definitely checked that box
August 20th, 2022 at 2:27 PM ^
That’s how I remember Mario Manningham, had like 18 catches as a freshmen, but you already knew he was destined to Michigan lore.
Ronnie Bell also had some flash plays as a frosh
August 21st, 2022 at 2:13 PM ^
The 2005 TD catch to end penn states undefeated season cemented his place in michigan lore as a freshman.
August 20th, 2022 at 10:09 AM ^
“ANTHONY! Andrel Anthony!! Ninety Three yards like THAT”
August 20th, 2022 at 10:24 AM ^
JJ-to-AA could be a very fun tandem in the near future. I know their TD against Georgia was in mop up time but those two seem like young studs to me.
August 20th, 2022 at 1:43 AM ^
As always, I look forward to seeing the young back-up QBs (this year that would be freshmen Jayden Denegal and Alex Orji) in mop-up time.
Other than that, seeing anybody who is getting their first playing time is always of interest.
August 20th, 2022 at 1:56 PM ^
Based upon the Spring Game, Sophomore walk-on (and leukemia survivor) Davis Warren is already the 3rd String QB. I expect he will get the most snaps after Cade and JJ. Grad Alan Bowman will also get more plays than the incoming Freshman QB's. Orji could get a few snaps in RPO packages.
August 20th, 2022 at 1:46 AM ^
I would have to name Gemon Green, he's had flashes and our number one CB would be DJ Turner followed by Will Johnson, but I think Green has the size and experience to be a solid second cornerback, after him I would say someone else in the secondary or linebacker like Kolesar or Mullings
August 20th, 2022 at 8:58 AM ^
As much as I want to see Will Johnson, multiple "insiders" have said Green has held Johnson off like Cade has held off JJ...and it was by doing one thing. Both guys got BETTER this offseason.
I'll take it. An improved Gemon Green would be HUGE for the secondary. You never want to rely on a true freshman CB.
August 20th, 2022 at 2:32 PM ^
Cade has held off JJ?
That’s not what I’m hearing.
August 20th, 2022 at 5:14 PM ^
To this point, yes he has.
Still two weeks to go and I've said that I don't think it'll be settled until week 3.
August 20th, 2022 at 9:41 AM ^
Green has been heavy on my radar of players I’m very excited about since his first start against Minnesota in 2020. He looks like he’s almost always in great position in man to man…has had some bad luck I think on 50/50 balls, especially against MSU, and I think last year took a while to adjust to zone D, and then got hurt. But physically, I think he might truly be the best corner on the team (obviously have yet to see Will Johnson)
I think Green could have a breakout year if he’s caught up in zone defense packages as he has had some spectacular flashes.
August 20th, 2022 at 1:49 AM ^
Roman Wilson. My hot take for the year is that he will lead the team in receiving yards.
August 20th, 2022 at 11:52 AM ^
I’ll believe that if JJ starts. I’m not sure if Cade can leverage Roman’s speed as well.
August 20th, 2022 at 8:24 PM ^
Agreed. I feel like Roman could be a superstar if he had QBs who could take advantage of his skills & an OC who was committed to attacking.
His speed & SPARQ type numbers are above anyone else Michigan has had since, like - maybe ever? Peppers level at least.
Saban or Day would prioritize getting him the ball. Jus sayin...
August 20th, 2022 at 2:25 AM ^
Tacopants. I hope he has 0 targets.
August 20th, 2022 at 5:14 AM ^
Junior Colson....If he fits the criterea.
I look for him to be a dynamic force moving forward.
August 20th, 2022 at 9:09 AM ^
In the B1G...probably not. He's getting respect around the league and plenty of hype.
But if you think he can be a top guy nationally? Absolutely.
I personally think he could jump up and be in that LB of the year type of conversation. 1st team all B1G, 3rd team All-American type of year.
If that's where you see him, no one in college football is putting him in that type of conversation.
If you asked me...name 3 potential All-American candidates (non-OL).
1. Blake Corum
2. Junior Colson
3. Mazi Smith
August 20th, 2022 at 6:39 AM ^
Two somewhat deep cuts here.
Offense: I think OP’s #4 becomes a minor reality, and Max Bredeson sees some FB snaps this year.
Defense: The board discussed him a bit in the Fall Bits thread, but I see TJ Guy getting an extended look in the first four games and playing himself into the two deep for pass rush packages.
August 20th, 2022 at 9:24 AM ^
I was also going to mention Bredeson. He's the FB for the fans.
I think it'll be tough because putting him on the field means you're taking Schoonmaker, Henning, Wilson or Edwards OFF the field.
But in "and short situations," he's the man.
I also hope he can carry the football. I miss the FB dive.
Houma gashing people for 30 in Harbaugh's first year. Khalid Hill aka the Touchdown Vulture, 7 TDs on 7 yards.
With Gattis gone, hopefully he took the Wildcat with him (although, I kind of wanted to see Edwards in that role after the Iowa pass)...and we replace the Wildcat with the FB dive.
August 20th, 2022 at 7:00 AM ^
My guy this year was to be Damani Dent but he's out.
August 20th, 2022 at 8:20 AM ^
I was with you. Hopefully it isn't too bad and he can still get on the field. The sky is the limit for this kid!
August 20th, 2022 at 8:49 AM ^
Maybe special teams, but Makari Paige has taken a huge step to the point where he could start and bump Rod Moore back to NB. By all accounts, Moten has taken a step.
Quinten Johnson and Caden Kolesar are still in the mix. Dent is probably headed for a redshirt year.
I personally wouldn't expect much from Dent for a couple of years, in part, due to what's in front of him.
Similarly Colston Loveland. Awesome. But he's got Erick All, Luke Schoonmaker, and Matthew Hibner entrenched ahead of him, plus Louis Hansen in the mix. It's not his fault, the hype is probably real, but we're not going to play 6 TEs.
August 20th, 2022 at 2:33 PM ^
No way is Paige starting over Moore.
Zero chance.
August 20th, 2022 at 5:18 PM ^
Read it again. Moore would be playing NB. Which is where he began his career playing last year. I never said he'd be starting over Moore.
Technically Paige will have beat out Sainristil, not Moore.
Miss me with the "zero chance," take a breath and think about what was said.
August 22nd, 2022 at 1:22 PM ^
Bumping Moore to NB isn't starting over him?
You're semantics are off.
August 20th, 2022 at 7:13 AM ^
Demar Dorsey
August 20th, 2022 at 10:17 AM ^
Shavodrick Beaver or Jai Eugene.
August 20th, 2022 at 11:28 AM ^
Kelly Baraka
August 20th, 2022 at 10:00 PM ^
Justin Feagin
August 20th, 2022 at 12:09 PM ^
O let do it!
August 20th, 2022 at 2:31 PM ^
I’m still waiting to see if Boubacar Cissoko and Sam Mcguffie ever live up to the hype (yes I know they actually played in games and the others didn’t)
August 20th, 2022 at 7:12 PM ^
McGuffie had a good true freshman year and a fine career at Rice. Had some NFL opportunities. I feel he had some unrealistic expectations set for him because he was an ‘early adopter’ of YouTube hype.
August 20th, 2022 at 7:20 AM ^
Youssef Khayyat.
might even be excited enough to go learn how to spell his name correctly!
August 20th, 2022 at 7:23 AM ^
Trente Jones. Seemingly locked up the RT spot with ease.
August 20th, 2022 at 11:30 AM ^
Yeah and Karsen played a lot since his freshman year so he had the chops. Beating him out is no small task.
August 20th, 2022 at 7:32 AM ^
Julius. Can’t figure out why this athletic freak isn’t getting any buzz.
August 20th, 2022 at 9:00 AM ^
He’s slimmed down for that edge pass rush role. Could be huge in generating some of what was lost from graduation.
August 20th, 2022 at 9:18 AM ^
Same here. Been waiting for Juice to live up to his potential for years. Is now the time?
August 20th, 2022 at 7:38 AM ^
Kris Jenkins. He flashed last year and seems poised to take a big step this season. I’m very intrigued with the DL in general… a lot of new names but plenty of choices to field another excellent line.
August 20th, 2022 at 11:32 AM ^
Mo Hurst wasn’t Mo Hurst until he was.
August 20th, 2022 at 7:53 AM ^
I want it so badly to be Braiden McGregor. He looks like and has the build of Hutchinson.
If he can play like Hutchinson, Michigan is in for a great season. If memory serves he had a pretty bad injury his senior year and he was a true freshman last year, so hopefully he’s 100% this year.
August 20th, 2022 at 8:50 AM ^
pretty sure this is his 3rd year in the program, 2nd year eligibility? he was a big time recruit and certainly fits the profile, but so far not a lot of buzz. That injury could have been a bigger setback than most. hope he finds his stride.
August 20th, 2022 at 9:20 AM ^
Maybe we get freshman-year-Hutch levels of production out of him this year? A backup DE that is disruptive in the little time he spends on the field but not yet a game-breaker. That would be acceptable to me.