Can Any of Michigan Freshman Walk On's Contribute Right Away?

There has been a lot of talk lately about the Michigan Wolverine walk on's. Even the Freep did an article that basically said Michigan likes taking walk on's.

I know it's early August and we're a month away from the first game, but the Rich Rod and his preference for walk on's is really old news. We all know RR was a walk on himself and likes to build each one of his programs with walk on's for depth and practice.

What is more interesting to the Michigan fan is which walk on's might contribute to this year's team. Today we will focus on the Class of 2009 Walk on's. I listed them here for your reference.

Let's take a look at who might get a slot at some playing time this year and, more importantly, in the future.

Walk on's are on the team for depth reasons and aren't really supposed to contribute right away, unless there is an injury disaster at any one position. So getting on the field right away will most likely be on special teams, if at all.

Kickers:

Most major programs will maybe give a scholarship to one kicker and one punter. Michigan lost both of it's kickers last year and gave Brendan Gibbons a scholarship in the 2009 class. Michigan has a senior All American Punter, Zoltan Mesko, punting in 2009.

39 Eddie Murray, PK

46 Seth Broekhuizen, PK

93 Kris Pauloski, PK/Punter

All three of the above will get a shot at winning the kickoff specialist or field goal kicker.

Eddie Murray, for local Lions fans, is a great name for a kicker. Here is the background article I did on him. He has only played in six high school games, so I don't expect him to be kicking field goals for Michigan next year, but with his strong leg, he could be a great candidate to win the kickoff duties.

Kris Pauloski is a kicker/punter from Indy. With Zoltan, I don't expect Kris to see much playing time. But there seems to be a back story here. RR and staff didn't offer Mike Sadler an in-state punter who just went to MSU. They are going after the nation's top punter, Will Hagerup, who has a number of scholarship offers across the US.

Many believe Will's decision will come down between Michigan and OSU. So, why didn't Michigan keep Sadler on the line until Hagerup made his decision? I believe they have confidence in Kris Pauloski as Michigan's punter in 2010.

Pauloski averaged 38 yards per punt in high school and also had 31 touch backs on kickoffs. Look for him to compete for the kickoff specialist job as well.

Offensive Lineman:

Most freshman are not physically ready to play on the offensive line right away. Walk on's are no exception, and most likely the reason they are walk on's is that they were not quite big enough to garner scholarship offers. Here is the list:

54 Jareth Glanda, OL

59 Tom Lindley, OL

66 Christian Brandt, OL

67 Adam Barker, OL

69 Erik Gunderson, OL

94 Curt Graman, Long Snapper

With the depth at OL, I don't expect any of these guys to see time in '09. For the future, look for Tom Lindley and Adam Barker to be the two "diamonds in the rough" for Rich Rod and staff. Tom was one of the best offensive lineman in the state of New York and Adam was rated two stars by Rivals and had offers to MAC and some smaller schools.

Offensive Skill Positions:

If you are a walk on, your hill is tough to climb when your position is a high profile offensive one. There has to be a disaster at your position for you to get time (see Nick Sheridan 2008). I know some of your are at your keyboards ready to say, "what about Brian Griese?"

Brian was recruited but committed to the Wolverines when the class was full. He was asked to walk on and was given a scholarship as soon as one became available.

14 Nadar Furrha, QB

32 O'Neil Swanson, RB

42 Al Backey, RB

36 Jonny Childers, FB

27 Jordan Owens, Slot

85 Joe Reynolds, WR

Nadar Furrha is the local Ann Arbor Pioneer QB who turned down a scholarship to Grand Valley and had interest from MAC schools, which he turned down to walk on at Michigan.

If Denard Robinson didn't commit on signing day, I would say he had a nice shot at a backup role, but now he will have to settle for the No. 4 QB on the depth chart.

Childers is the "classic RR walk on full back," but will have to fight for a special teams role in '09.

The rest are a long shot to see the field in the next two years. One mystery is Jordan Owens, who has a number not occupied by an upper classmen, which may be a coincidence, or RR thinks he may contribute right away.

With all the scholarship freshmen qualified, and the deep depth at the slot position, I doubt he will play unless he is related to Jessie Owens. 

Kelvin Grady, Slot WR and Former Michigan Starting Point Guard

Is he a walk on or is he on scholarship?

I'm betting that RR gave him one of the scholarships left open from the transfers or the "not" full 2009 class. Will he pick up football again right away? We know he is in good condition and very fast, and with the loss of Justin Feagin, he may get a shot at some playing time.

It all depends on how he does during the fall, but I do expect to see him get some time at slot and/or on special teams in 2009.

To Net It Out For You

Look for the kickers to make the quickest impact in 2009. The future years look bright for Lindley and Barker, and Grady might be a really good pick up, but we really won't know for sure until Fall Camp starts next Monday.