Best redshirting freshman?
Okay, since the OT threads and even the last couple non-OT threads have been terrible, here's a question I posed on TTB that I'll ask here: Which redshirting freshman are you most excited about for the future?
Choices are:
- K Andrew David
- QB/TE Zach Gentry
- DE Shelton Johnson
- DE/LB Reuben Jones
- QB Alex Malzone
- OG Jon Runyan, Jr.
- OT Nolan Ulizio
- CB Keith Washington
- TE/OT/DE/whatever Tyrone Wheatley, Jr.
Brian Cole also redshirted, but he's transferring to Kentucky.
DISCUSS. I mean, uh, talk.
February 17th, 2016 at 9:41 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 9:42 AM ^
My pick is Shelton Johnson. He might not be quite there physically by this coming season, but I think he has a shot to be a very athletic rusher off the edge in the future. I also like Zach Gentry, but there's so much good QB talent on the roster or coming in that maybe his future is at TE, which isn't quite as exciting.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:23 AM ^
Why, then, do you like Zach Gentry? He is apparently not going to be good enough to be the quarterback, and you apparently do not like him at tight end.
Do you like the way he holds a clipboard?
February 17th, 2016 at 10:54 AM ^
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February 17th, 2016 at 10:44 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 3:13 PM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 9:45 AM ^
What am I most about for the future? More pictures of koalas doing silly things.
Most excited about? Most terrified about? Most schadenfreude about?
Edit: Thanks Magnus for editing your post and making my reply look more stupid than it was.
February 17th, 2016 at 9:42 AM ^
hmm. Maybe we should do this as this week's obsession.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:14 AM ^
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February 17th, 2016 at 10:18 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 9:43 AM ^
I don't think there is any doubt that Michigan needs it to be Shelton Johnson and Reuben Jones since those are two areas we could use productive bodies after losing Mario, Royce, J. Ross, Desmond, and Bolden.
February 17th, 2016 at 9:44 AM ^
Wheatley. Upside is off the charts. He could be anything from a dominant TE to a dominant OT. But, if he doesn't play this year, never mind any of that.
February 17th, 2016 at 9:47 AM ^
Wheatley's an intriguing player, but not so much as a TE, in my opinion. I was never that impressed with his high school offensive film. I do see the athleticism for him to be a tackle down the road, or I see him as a strongside end type.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:28 AM ^
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February 17th, 2016 at 12:27 PM ^
With his tape you also have to consider that HS football in new york state is about as low level as it gets.
February 17th, 2016 at 1:34 PM ^
I hope you got the chance to tell Isaiah Wilson that on his visit to campus last weekend?
February 17th, 2016 at 10:58 PM ^
Wheatley played in Buffalo and that is not good football. NYC is better but just look at the recruiting rankings for NY year over year. It's surprisingly bad for such a large state
February 17th, 2016 at 9:46 AM ^
needing someone to be able to step up at OT for 2017 so I would like to say Ulizio, but I just have a feeling he will always be a back up. I think Gentry has a lot of talent and could make a difference at either TE or maybe even DE, it will be interesting to see where his career takes him. But, out of this group I think Wheatly probably has the most upside and will probably make some type of impact this upcoming season.
February 17th, 2016 at 9:46 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 4:57 PM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 9:49 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 9:52 AM ^
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February 17th, 2016 at 9:53 AM ^
We have two "starters" returning at cornerback opposite Lewis (Clark and Stribling), plus the potential option of using Jabrill Peppers out there. I don't think Washington will get much of a chance to play this year, except maybe garbage time if they're trying to groom a taller corner for 2017. Long-term, though, he could be an answer.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:00 AM ^
I'm irrationally excited about Washington. I don't think he'll necessarily make a huge impact this year, because we're returning all our CBs, but he's a fantastic athlete. He flew under the radar in recruiting because he transferred schools before his senior year and he played QB in HS, but he seems like a smart dude and a terrific competitor. By the time he plays a major role, he will have had two years of seasoning to pick up the CB position, and I see big things in his future.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:59 AM ^
What do you know that I don't about our linebacker situation, since I think that's a pretty big question mark right now. Here's how I would rank my "confidence" in the defense at this point for next year
CB1
HSP / Nickel LB
DTs
SDE
WDE
CB2
Safeties
LBs
February 17th, 2016 at 12:48 PM ^
I'm not expecting both Hill and Long to redshirt.
February 17th, 2016 at 9:52 AM ^
was Discuss Man?
February 17th, 2016 at 10:16 AM ^
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February 17th, 2016 at 9:54 AM ^
Who I hope ends up being the best is Jones/Johnson. We already have a need for LBs but after next year we'll have a major DLine need as well. If one of those two can step up that would go a long way towards helping those concerns.
February 17th, 2016 at 9:58 AM ^
I don't see much PT for anyone else, not that Wheatley is guaranteed any.
February 17th, 2016 at 9:58 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 9:59 AM ^
See above in comment #3.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:02 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 9:59 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 10:01 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 10:09 AM ^
If he's not playing OT the coaches must really like him at another spot, I'm assuming TE. A guy that big and athletic could be dominant as a left tackle.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:01 AM ^
I will want to see what Keith Washington does. I think he's going to be a terrific player. I think the most impactful will be Jones because of need.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:06 AM ^
Out of need I would have to hope Ulizio or Jones can step up and can contribute at positions of eventual need (OT and LB).
I'd really like to see Washington become a big time contributor. A guy who's his height with his speed could see the field at so many spots. The physical tools are there it's just a matter of putting it all together.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:50 AM ^
Since Magnus took Shelton Johnson, I'll take Rueben Jones. For pretty much the same reasons. I'm excited about the prospect of him being a freak of a LB.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:07 AM ^
I am most excited about Wheatley, I think he is going to end up as a road grading TE, basically an extra o-lineman, and it could lead to a few fat guy touchdowns, which we all enjoy.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:08 AM ^
For the immediate future (this upcoming season) I have to go with Wheatley. He's just too talented to keep off the field. He'll see playing time somewhere, and he'll be effective.
In the long run, I'm most excited about Runyan. Having him become a steady OG would really ease some stress for our 2017 recruiting class.
Time to start winning the trenches!
February 17th, 2016 at 10:10 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 10:10 AM ^
February 17th, 2016 at 10:19 AM ^
Shelton Johnson. I just went back and watched some HS tape on him and I really like his motor. Needs to improve on technique etc but I think he's got the tools to be an effective DE.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to slightly hijack this thread to add that I'm really hoping that Lawrence Marshall (who effectively redshirted last year with the # of meaningful snaps he took) has a breakout season. He doesn't appear to be as fast as Johnson is but he's a mean hitter when he wants to be.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:19 AM ^
I'm concerned that Marshall won't finish out his career at Michigan. He's supposedly been in the doghouse quite a bit, too, and the last person with those rumors floating around was Brian Cole.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:26 AM ^
Yeah, I agree with you, Magnus. I only mention him because of his ability. That's a skillset Michigan could really use. I just hope, if those rumors are true, he can get his act together.He's a talent that could be very productive if the right decisions are made.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:18 AM ^
Lots of sleep types in that group and a lot of total unknowns. To me Wheatley has the most upside but he is also the biggest question mark due to positional fit. I'd love for him to develop into an OT, but I have no idea if he has the ability or body to successfully make that transition. TE seems like the biggest waste of his talent to me, but even if he just becomes a more talented AJ Williams that isn't all bad in this offense.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:19 AM ^
A couple of people have said this, but I can't escape the concusion that Wheatley absolutely must play OT. The roster won't allow otherwise, I don't think.
As for the remaining players, I think it's probably Johnson. Anytime Michigan wins a head-to-head recruiting showdown with FSU, the player at the center of that battle is going to get my vote.
February 17th, 2016 at 10:27 AM ^
I've heard a lot of people say this, and I'm not disagreeing, but I still think Wheatley's best upside comes on the defensive side of the ball. He could be a standout SDE with the kind of athleticism he possesses.