Michigan Tuesday: Who's MIA For the Wolverines?

It's been a few days since the Michigan State game, and Michigan is in full preparation mode for Iowa on Saturday. There has been plenty of talk of new players at linebacker, running back, cornerback and the defensive line.

We need to remember the Wolverines are 5-1 not 1-5, so wholesale changes are not needed, but I think we all agree that some changes do need to be made.  

RR even said on Monday that Avery, Christian and Talbott would all be redshirting if they had depth in the defensive backfield. They all are playing and redshirting is now out of the question. We don't need to re-cap all the DBs who are no longer on the team or down with injury.

I always get texts or emails that say, "what ever happened to this guy?" or "why isn't Big Will playing more?"  So I will tell you what I know or have heard—I'm not at practice, so some of this is speculation but here it goes.


"Big" Will Campbell, DT

No surprise this guy makes the list. Here is a 5-star guy who hasn't been able to pop into the starting lineup and has been No. 3 on the depth chart. He is still early in his sophomore year but has lost his redshirt ability.  

The knocks on Big Will have been his conditioning and his technique. In high school, he just manhandled kids; at Michigan, you have to learn the correct technique for the position. That is why some recruiting services had projected him on the O-line instead of the D-line in college.

Look for Big Will to get a lot more time this week if Mike Martin can't go. I would like Big Will to be in regular rotation just so he can be a big run stopper. Mostly if and when Michigan goes to a 4-man defensive front.

Je'Ron Stokes, WR

A 4-star Army All-American guy coming out of high school, Stokes is the same as Big Will—a true sophomore without a redshirt year. Je'Ron actually got a lot of playing time when Junior was out with an injury. He just didn't get a lot of looks. With Junior healthy, he might only get spot duty, but I still think this guy has talent and may have a big game still in him this year. He reminds me of Darryl Stonum.

Michael Cox, RB

I have no idea what is going on here. This is a big, athletic running back. The "word" from practice is that he might be the best athlete on the team. Maybe it's a passion or running style issue, but I'm guessing this could be one of those guys who practices poorly and plays well on gameday. If that is the case, I don't think he will get much playing time with true freshman Stephen Hopkins beating him out already.

Kenny Demens, LB

I have given up on Obi Ezeh. I'm sorry I just have. I know he is a fifth-year guy, but watching State's first long run when Obi was chasing the offensive line and Baker ran right through Ezeh's gap/shadow for a 61-yard touchdown, I was done for good. 

He was a running back in high school, and this four-year linebacker experiment has failed. Kenny or JB Fitzgerald might not have his experience, but they can't be any worse. I would rather have a young guy in there making mistakes than a fifth-year guy making the same ones.

Isaiah Bell, LB

Remember this guy? A safety from Ohio that ESPN loved? Well he is now at linebacker at 6'1", 245 lbs, and has outgrown the safety position. He is a guy who was able to redshirt last year and probably falls into the "not quite ready" camp. It would be nice to see him at LB or safety, but let's hope his future is bright at linebacker. (He is not listed on the three-deep.)

Marvin Robinson, SS

A true freshman who seems to be playing special teams. He has also been beat up this year. I know Kovacs is probably one of our best players on defense. He is a smart kid, and plays and makes up for his lack of foot speed with heady play.  I just would like to see Marvin get some spot time, maybe on pass plays. If he is that good of an athlete, we need to find away to get him on the field.

Who Will Replace Odoms Out With a Broken Root at SR? 

I'm betting on Jeremy Gallon over Terrence Robinson. I think TRob is still having some "catching" issues (the entire WR unit had them last weekend), but I think RR has more confidence in Jeremy.