Who's on KR and PR? (no inside info - honest question)

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

I preface this by saying, I've got no info and I would've included this question in the Camp Update thread if it wasn't blown to bits.

There was a lot of intrigue on this in the depth chart thread and I continue to see comments related to our return game.

We all know what Peppers was capable of, but his stability as the PR guy - saving yards was also huge.

Anyway, my hope is the insiders who lurk MGoBlog will provide shed some light on this for us. OR someone will just so happy to post some additional camp notes here on MGoBlog.

I've said this before: RT, the backup LBs, CB, P, KR/PR are my (personal) top camp battles - any info/insight is welcome.

In the meantime, please feel free to use this thread for speculation on who you THINK will win those battles or who you WANT to win those battles.

If nothing else, feel free to comment on what you hate somewittyname.

GO BLUE!

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MGoBourbon

August 20th, 2017 at 12:33 PM ^

If the person on the team with the surest hands is also your best athlete, I think that person (DPJ?) needs to be the PR... If there is someone with hands that are just as sure but with more agility (i.e. quicker twitch), that person (Nate Johnson? McDoom? Oliver Martin? Evans?) may be better for PR.

KR needs sure hands, as well, but this person (or these persons) need to be 100-200m dash fast, not necessarily quick-twitch or 40 yard dash fast. This list is probably long, but I seem to recall Higdon and Evans duking it out for 200 yard sprints (100 yards out-and-back) at some point (winter conditioning? spring ball?). In addition to those guys, it seems like DPJ and Ambry Thomas would be good options for KR; I don't have enough data on Nate Johnson or McDoom to know one way or the other.

Just my $0.02.

Joined: 11/27/2015

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pmark1210

August 20th, 2017 at 1:17 PM ^

but on a serious note.... is it common for rb to return kicks? I've heard Samuels mentioned a lot, but seems like its usually wr, cb, best athlete type player. maybe Samuels fits the best athlete criteria?

Joined: 11/02/2011

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The Fan in Fargo

August 20th, 2017 at 1:56 PM ^

All I have to say is whoever is the fastest or close to the fastest, has a couple good juking moves and doesn't go down by arm tackles on their legs. I've been penting this up for a long time. I've been watching Michigan football for 20 years plus now. All I want to see is someone who understands that if you are running full speed and someone gets an arm on your leg to throw off your projection of your stride, there is a good chance you will trip and you will be down at the end of your pathetic run. Why do I say pathetic? Because it is. Unless you are Dion Sanders, you aren't going to outrun your opponent. Unless you are Bo Jackson, you won't be running through those arm tackles at full stride either. You are a D1 football player and you don't understand this yet and haven't been taught it? Well here you go then young men of Michigan. None of you are Dion and none of you are Bo. I guarantee it. Just do the right thing and break down a little when evading on special teams. Try and power/get separation when the opponent comes flying in(Gain back your center of gravity some and stabalize but keep moving). Use you arms to throw those guys aside and away from your body like Woodson did on his famous punt return. Chances are they cant chance direction at their current speed very easily and you are dictating where everyone is going. Conclusion, you aren't breaking any tackle at a full sprint while running through traffic. You're going down like so many fast and weak players before you. At least put up a fight and make the play worth a damn!

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SteamboatWolverine

August 20th, 2017 at 2:29 PM ^

My guess is the coaching staff will use the player (incl. true freshman and/or starter) who has the best combination of reliable hands, good judgment of the ball in the air and return vs. fair catch decisions. That may not be the player with the most electric return potential. Jabrill just happened to have it all, but that combo is rare.

Joined: 01/23/2017

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Bb011

August 20th, 2017 at 3:49 PM ^

PR really is one of the most underrated positions. Jabrill saved so many damn yards from turning a ball that most PR would just let go and bounce 20 yards past them, into a 20 yard gain. 40 yard turnaround for the offense right there. 

Joined: 09/02/2010

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CR

August 20th, 2017 at 4:39 PM ^

"Inside word," such as it is, is Nate Johnson. However, I think there is a reasonable chance it might be Oliver Martin or, at least, he is #2 if Nate falters. OM's HS tape as a punt returner is impressive. Great hands. Instinctive first cut. Nate may be more elusive but JH won't go long with a PR who is fumbling. Sam Webb said the spring game fumbles/muffs were anomalous, that Nate has been solid and catches ball as a matter of routine. That's the big deal, of course. Catching it.

On KRs I would surmise Chris Evans will be the primary. Just a guess.

 

 

Joined: 10/23/2009

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Michology 101

August 20th, 2017 at 4:42 PM ^

I guess I'll be pulling for Nate Johnson to get one of the return positions if he's gotten the spring game drops corrected. Nate is probably behind a lot of guys on the WR depth chart. Therefore I would like for him to at least be able to get on the field somewhere.

Joined: 06/02/2014

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Michifornia

August 20th, 2017 at 10:59 PM ^

But I do know that whoever is handling punt returns will be getting a LOT more work than whoever is returning kickoffs.  Meeeeechigan DEFENSE will dominate this year!!

GO BLUE!!!

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