recruiting overview
2011 recruiting

Friday(!) Recruitin': Overview Edition, Defense Comment Count

Brian

Picking up where we left off on Wednesday.

Defensive Tackle

Position Incoming
(c/o 2015)		 Freshmen
(c/o 2014)		 Sophomores
(c/o 2013)		 Juniors
(c/o 2012)		 Seniors
(c/o 2011)
DT (7 - 2)

T. Talbott
R. Ash

 W. Campbell M. Martin R. Sagesse
G. Banks*

Departures: reliable backups Renaldo Sagesse and Greg Banks shuffle off.

Numbers: Presuming the Ryan Van Bergen move is real and permanent, Michigan will have just four defensive tackles on the roster in 2011, and three of those seem ticketed for the three-tech spot.

2011 Needs: Nose tackle is the second-most critical position in the class behind offensive line. Michigan needs two nose tackles and could use another three-tech, or a tweener that could play either spot.

Most likely additions: OH DT Kevin Williams has a different story about who he grew up a fan of for every site but Michigan's gotten him on campus a couple times already and will be on his short list.

Defensive End

brennen-beyer

Brennen Beyer(7), a teammate, and a guy who is about to limp gingerly to the sideline

Position Incoming
(c/o 2015)		 Freshmen
(c/o 2014)		 Sophomores
(c/o 2013)		 Juniors
(c/o 2012)		 Seniors
(c/o 2011)
DE (9 - 1)   A. LaLota*
J Paskorz
K. Wilkins
J. Black		 C. Roh

S. Watson*
B. Herron*
R. Van Bergen* 
W. Heininger*#

 A. Patterson

Departures: Adam Patterson leaves after the year. There aren't any NFL threats.

Numbers: If we don't count Heininger, Michigan will have eight defensive ends going into next year, with one or two still maintaining freshman eligibility.

2011 Needs: They'll probably pick up one or two but grabbing Jibreel Black towards the end of the recruiting cycle means they could potentially do without and be just fine.

Most likely additions: Instate DE/TE Brennen Beyer has a Michigan offer and is very high on the Wolverines. He's going to check out a few other schools but the general vibe is that he should be a Michigan commit by the middle of summer. He seems like a solid four star, a potential top 250 guy.

Linebacker

Position Incoming
(c/o 2015)		 Freshmen
(c/o 2014)		 Sophomores
(c/o 2013)		 Juniors
(c/o 2012)		 Seniors
(c/o 2011)
LB (11 - 2)

I. Bell*
B. Hawthorne*
A. Kinard
J. Ryan
D. Rogers
J. Furman

K. Demens* 
M. Jones

 JB Fitzgerald
K. Leach#		 O. Ezeh*
J. Mouton*

kris-frost Departures: ILB starters Obi Ezeh and Jonas Mouton graduate.

Numbers: Just fine at spinner, where Mike Jones, Brandin Hawthorne, and Josh Furman are all in their first or second years with the program. On the inside, Michigan has Bell, Ryan, Kinard, and Rogers as kids but only JB Fitzgerald and Kenny Demens in the upper classes.

2011 Needs: A blue chip linebacker would be very welcome. The last inside linebacker with any hype is Fitzgerald, who will be a senior by the time this class steps on campus. They'll probably take only two in a small class but they should swing for the fences as they do so.

Most likely additions: NC LB Kris Frost (attempting to rip some kid's head off at right) has an offer and has publicly stated a Michigan lead multiple times. He's from Butler HS, the school that produced Jamar Adams, and seems like a solid four star sort, or better. Michigan is also after a couple of touted Ohioans, Trey DePriest and Antonio Poole, but those guys are a ways from having solid lists.

Position Incoming
(c/o 2015)		 Freshmen
(c/o 2014)		 Sophomores
(c/o 2013)		 Juniors
(c/o 2012)		 Seniors
(c/o 2011)
CB (8 + 0)

D. Hollowell
G. Brown

J. Turner*
C. Avery
T. Talbott
C. Christian
D. Dorsey

 JT Floyd*   T. Woolfolk
J. Rogers

Departures: Starter Troy Woolfolk graduates and little-used James Rogers will presumably follow him out the door. Rogers could hypothetically pick up a redshirt, but with a small class on the docket the chances Michigan extends a fifth year to a guy who doesn't play are minimal.

Commits: Michigan has a couple guys already signed up. It's unclear where Cass Tech's Delonte Hollowell and Fremont Ross's Greg Brown will end up in the rankings just yet, but the shaky consensus is they will be on the 3/4 star borderline.

Numbers: Michigan has eight guys who will have at least two years of eligibility remaining when the 2011 class hits. Michigan may end up shifting one of their bigger (Turner or Christian) or slower (Floyd) corners to safety, though. One more is a possibility.

2011 Needs: Blue chip or bust at this point.

Most likely additions: No one at the moment.

Safety

Position Incoming
(c/o 2015)		 Freshmen
(c/o 2014)		 Sophomores
(c/o 2013)		 Juniors
(c/o 2012)		 Seniors
(c/o 2011)
S (6 + 0)  

T. Gordon*
M. Robinson
C. Johnson
R. Vinopal

 J. Kovacs#
V. Emilien		 M. Williams*  

Departures: None unless Woolfolk ends up here.

Numbers: Four (Kovacs, Robinson, Gordon, Johnson) at box safety, all of them underclassmen. Mike Williams might also have a permanent home in the box. If he doesn't, three at deep safety plus the potential move of a cornerback.

2011 Needs: Michigan can take a pass at box safety. They might want a deep safety since their three guys are low rated, played very poorly, or couldn't see the field despite the guy in front of him playing very poorly, but my bet is one of the three touted corners ends up here in fall, possibly even in spring.

Most likely additions: no one seems particularly likely at the moment. OH S Ron Tanner briefly said Michigan led but that changed once he got an Ohio State offer. (He's from Columbus.)

Specialists

Position Incoming
(c/o 2015)		 Freshmen
(c/o 2014)		 Sophomores
(c/o 2013)		 Juniors
(c/o 2012)		 Seniors
(c/o 2011)
P/K (3 - 1)   B. Gibbons*
C. Hagerup		     B. Wright*

Both specialists will be freshmen. Michigan will not be in the market for more.

Add It Up

One man's guess at the final numbers:

  • DT: 2
  • DE: 1
  • LB: 2
  • CB: 2
  • S: 0
  • K: 0

That's seven. Michigan has 14 openings right now and a normal amount of attrition should see them have 18 or so by signing day. If there's more than that—no thank you—I'd think they pick up another safety and another linebacker.

Comments

GNM

March 5th, 2010 at 12:32 PM ^

Seems strange that they will be looking for more offense than defense with all the "ugh wide receivers" sentiment that punctuated last years class.

Joined: 09/15/2008

MGoPoints: 43

blueheron

March 5th, 2010 at 1:12 PM ^

I've posted about this before somewhere. Is anyone else expecting a miserable 2011 NFL draft for UM? Based on the list of departures for the offense and defense, here are the only possible candidates: * Schilling * Webb * Mouton * Ezeh * Woolfolk Based on their current trajectories, none of them look like 1st-day draftees. Anyone care to speculate on whether they'll be drafted and, if so, where (i.e., which round)?

Joined: 03/26/2009

MGoPoints: 31425

WoodleyIsBeast

March 5th, 2010 at 1:27 PM ^

Of those guys have the potential to go the first day IMO and they are Schilling and Ezeh. Only if Ezeh has a MONSTER season will he be considered. Schilling on the other hand will go day one IMO. He's very quick on his feet for his size and I believe he'll be one of the top 3 guards in next years draft. Baas went at the top of the 2nd a few years back and I think Schilling has more potential. Also, remember what Graham said at the Senior Bowl? He said next year, watch out for Stephen Schilling....

Joined: 09/24/2009

MGoPoints: 39940

ShockFX

March 5th, 2010 at 1:42 PM ^

I'm kind of irrationally hoping this is Schilling's year. Schilling year 1: Mono then Vernon Gholston rocking him. Schilling year 2: Tackle after Zirbel got injured. Tackle isn't his natural position. Schilling year 3: First year playing guard at Michigan. Passable but not quite solid consistently. Schilling year 4: ? I feel Woolfolk can be drafted if he stays at corner. It appeared to me, and I might be wrong, that other teams threw at DWarren more than at Woolfolk towards the end of last year. Now, that might be because DWarren was covering the better receiver and thus the more preferred target, but I don't think that's the case since the CBs played boundary and field rather than matchups. The team is heavily reliant on Emilien locking down the deep safety position so Woolfolk can stick at corner.

Joined: 07/16/2008

MGoPoints: 4073

Magnus

March 5th, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^

Schilling was already a tackle, regardless of Zirbel's status. It depends on what you mean by "natural position" but Schilling was a tackle coming out of high school and played there his first few years of college ball. This is just my opinion, but I don't foresee them giving Emilien - basically a redshirt freshman - perhaps the most important position on the defense and shifting Woolfolk to corner. It just doesn't make sense. In fact, I'd say the team is heavily reliant on finding another corner (or two) so Woolfolk can lock down the deep safety position.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166230

ShockFX

March 5th, 2010 at 11:29 PM ^

http://rivals.yahoo.com/michigan/football/recruiting/player-Stephen-Sch… Says he's a guard. Not a tackle coming out of high school. Yes, he was already a at Michigan. HOWEVER, if you have Zirbel and Ortmann at tackle, and McAvoy at guard, it's pretty obvious Schilling ends up at guard in this scenario.
This is just my opinion, but I don't foresee them giving Emilien - basically a redshirt freshman - perhaps the most important position on the defense and shifting Woolfolk to corner.
So moving Woolfolk this year was just for shits and giggles? Playing Leach/Williams at deep safety would be any different from redshirt Emilien?

Joined: 07/16/2008

MGoPoints: 4073

TESOE

March 6th, 2010 at 1:13 AM ^

Schilling played every down at Tackle (offensive and defensive.) Look at the video in the Rivals link. My brother in law coaches in Washington against Bellvue every year. We go up for games and Schilling was dominant. Here's another link from the Tacoma paper citing him as one of the best Washington OL ever... http://tiny.cc/ZXimc . There is room for him to pick it up this year IMO. Drive has never been an issue. He is a coaches dream. Woolfolk will be deep safety (again IMO.) He was moved for need at CB. I think that has been addressed. It will be good to have his speed backing up whoever wins the other corner opposite Turner.

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 8536

Magnus

March 6th, 2010 at 8:27 AM ^

I mean, you could look at what Rivals projects Schilling to play...or you could look at the actual film and see that he played offensive tackle in high school. Denard Robinson was listed as an "Athlete." Brandon Graham was listed as a "Linebacker." Robinson played quarterback, and Graham turned into a defensive end. You can't always go by what it lists on Rivals. Also, no, moving Woolfolk to CB wasn't just for shits and giggles. It was clearly because the coaches would rather have Jordan Kovacs/Mike Williams on the field at safety than Teric Jones/JT Floyd at corner.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166230

TESOE

March 6th, 2010 at 11:01 PM ^

I'm thinking Schilling will be 3rd or 4th round at most unless he deals some serious pain this year. I don't see him on watch lists for the Outland or Lombardi, but I'm all all in for him. If Bryan Bulaga gets on the watch list I don't see how it could be too tough for Schilling.

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 8536

colin

March 5th, 2010 at 1:37 PM ^

Woolfolk definitely the best player on that list? i suppose he's slighter than Morgan Trent, but he's probably not slower, right? same with Jamar Adams. for Schilling, I'm thinking Adam Kraus is a solid comparison. Kraus showed up much better in UFR, didn't get drafted and couldn't stick once he got signed. for Mouton, Burgess? and you could definitely argue that Prescott understood the game better. i really don't see how Ezeh could get drafted if Burgess was a 6th rounder.

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 1472

ShockFX

March 5th, 2010 at 1:46 PM ^

To me, Woolfolk's press ability and speed make him a terrific nickelback in the league if Morgan Trent can excel at that position. Mouton has been moved around 3 positions (SS -> OLB -> ILB) and had 3 defensive coordinators and god knows how many position coaches. Don't forget he was pretty solid as an OLB late last year, then hurt his shoulder and had to learn a whole new position from Jay Hopson.

Joined: 07/16/2008

MGoPoints: 4073

ShockFX

March 5th, 2010 at 11:30 PM ^

"Mouton was a linebacker basically from the time he set foot on campus" Yet, still was a position switch, which was my point. And his position was clearly different enough that he went from solid to pure fucking suck.

Joined: 07/16/2008

MGoPoints: 4073

colin

March 7th, 2010 at 2:00 AM ^

that the position switch has anything to do with his suck. in fact, i really doubt that someone who can't play linebacker could play safety. or vice versa. you either understand the game or you don't and you either have the athleticism or you don't. whatever size you play at doesn't change those fundamental factors. if we ask mike martin to drop weight and play end, the amount of speed he gains will be proportional to his weight lost and he'll maintain his intelligence. nothing about the quality of his defense changes, just his spot on the field.

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 1472

Magnus

March 5th, 2010 at 3:06 PM ^

I think Woolfolk is the best of the bunch. It would be nice to see him get some interceptions, because a lack of "ball skills" will probably hurt him going into the draft next year. But there's something to be said for his speed and versatility. I definitely think Schilling will get drafted in the later rounds. If Mouton and Ezeh have seasons like they did in 2009, they'll be free agents along with Webb.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166230

aaamichfan

March 5th, 2010 at 1:42 PM ^

Brian, Based solely on numbers and presumed talent, are you willing to offer a (ridiculously)early W/L prediction for 2010?

Joined: 10/23/2009

MGoPoints: 14362

uminks

March 5th, 2010 at 8:54 PM ^

to get Frost along with either De Priest or Poole. Sounds like we have a solid 4 star NT who wants to attend UM. What could really help out with the 2011 class will be more wins! Here's hoping that RR can pull out a few more close b10 games this year, allowing the team to win 9 games! That could really help us to get more LB and DL studs!!! Brian thanks for the 2011 defensive needs and recruiting recap!

Joined: 11/10/2009

MGoPoints: 32057

brice5

March 5th, 2010 at 10:09 PM ^

Turene from Demar's high school (boyd anderson) that I heard is a great linebacker and loves to play with Demar also meaning he has much interest in Michigan too. First option though is the Priest!

Joined: 02/26/2010

MGoPoints: 272

burntorange wi…

March 6th, 2010 at 2:21 AM ^

nose tackle for UM is a 0 tech or a 1 tech? or do u mean a 2 tech and "nose" tackle is just a fancy name for a regular DT? or like a 2 tech(eye)? not gonna pretend that i know ur defense perfectly but it never seemed like u guys utilized a 0 tech, outside of goal line of course. just curious.

Joined: 02/20/2010

MGoPoints: 87

YtownBlue

March 7th, 2010 at 6:46 PM ^

and I'm a family friend. His mom told me right after Xmas that Bryan wasn't returning. Bryan even had a talk with Lloyd Carr before making his decision. I was kind of surprised and thought he'd stick around and start Grad school. He's had nagging lower back injuries since 2007 and has struggled with accuracy problems since he arrived. His parents even paid for a kicking coach out of their own pocket (Jay Feely's dad) to help him improve. He really improved before last season, but just never cracked the lineup as the FG kicker.

Joined: 06/16/2009

MGoPoints: 312