josh jackson

Resources: My charting, UMD game notes, UMD roster, Last Year, CFBstats

Sit down. Have a beverage. Do you like milk? How about apple juice. It has vitamin C in it. I think they add it. I'm getting one for myself. You want one? You should have one.

The film: I struggled to find a good one because Maryland has so many players coming back this week, including their starting quarterback, and recently lost the backup QB. To catch him in a competitive situation I either had to go back to 9/14 vs. Temple, or choose between blowouts of Syracuse (9/7), Rutgers (10/5), or 59-0 at the hands of Penn State on 9/27. I decided then to just make a Frankengame out of PSU, the most Michigan-like opponent, and Syracuse, because I have that film and it's a good idea of what they want to do.

Personnel: My diagram:

PDF version, full-size version (or click on the image)

One of the reasons I watched multiple games is because several important players are back for this game, and the most prominent guy from the last few games is now out. VT transfer/Fred's son QB Josh Jackson is planning to return this week from a gruesome ankle injury (don't watch that). In his absence was QB Tyrrell "Piggy" Pigrome, who left last week's game with his own injury and is probably out for this one. Jackson tried to play a few snaps on the ankle but it wasn't happening. I know what you're thinking here: it's Max Bortenschlager next right? The Bortenschlager is still on the roster, he's now been passed by redshirt freshman QB Tyler DeSue, who is basically the same thing as that tiny Air Force guy they used against us two years ago, or the guy with small hands whom MTSU trotted out this year. DeSue was 4/18 for 88 yards versus Minnesota. Here's his one good pass this year:

Star RB Anthony McFarland (+14/-1, 2 pass protection minuses in my charting plus 107 yards receiving on 16 targets) is going to give it a go with a high ankle sprain. McFarland had four tentative carries last week then packed it in. With good ol' scatback Lorenzo Harrison also out for the season, they may have to roll with RB Javon Leake (+8/-1.5, –0 pass pro), a bull with a jetpack already up to 7 TDs who's averaging 8.2 YPC after clipping above 9.0 last year. Third back Tayon Fleet-Davis is clearly a leftover from Matt Canada's RB/slot position; he has 13 catches on 13 targets for 13 yards per target this season.

[After THE JUMP: guys who were good when not injured, and a little bit of Bortenschlager]

The Best Players In Michigan Visit Michigan

While much of the early recruiting focus from the new staff has been on elite prospects in California, Texas, and SEC country, Jim Harbaugh has also made a concerted effort to lock down his home territory. This week, that continues with some of the top in-state prospects making their way through Ann Arbor.

Four-star Plymouth OT Michael Jordan stopped by for Tuesday's practice, and his father told 247's Steve Wiltfong that he's developing a rapport with the new staff ($):

The Wolverines are strongly in the mix for the No. 3 prospect in the state according to the 247Sports Composite, as are schools like Michigan State, Notre Dame and Ohio State.

“It’s getting more and more comfortable with them,” the elder Jordan said. “He’s still trying to get to know everyone at this point. They’re definitely one of his top choices of schools to go to.”

Four-star Detroit King WR Donnie Corley also visited practice Tuesday and connected with recent staff addition Soup Campbell, per Wiltfong ($):

"Great visit today," Corley's father told 247Sports. "Learned a lot from the staff and the legend (Erik) Campbell."

Asked if the visit helped Michigan in his son's eyes, Corley's father responded, "Yes."

Steve Lorenz reports that four-star Cass Tech OG/DT Michael Onwenu will visit on Saturday ($). Onwenu's been a consistent presence on campus of late to the extent that Michigan has passed Ohio State as the favorite on his Crystal Ball; Onwenu has also mentioned that the Mike Weber situation affected his view of OSU. Three-star Canton OLB Jalen Cochran, who holds an Iowa offer, is also expected to be on campus Saturday.

Three-star Saline dual-threat QB Josh Jackson, son of Fred, was among last weekend's visitors. He told Scout's Allen Trieu that the coaches informed him he's "in the mix" for a potential offer, and they're planning to watch him throw this spring ($). With Harbaugh's preference for taking two quarterbacks per class, Jackson could be one to watch.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]