National Signing Day 2011: Michigan Football Recruiting—Top Positional Needs
Defense, defense, defense.
That’s been the pointless cry in Ann Arbor for the last three seasons. Michigan has allowed 28.9 points per game in 2008, 27.5 in 2009 and 33.8 in 2010. Of course, that’s the main reason Rich Rodriguez isn’t returning for a fourth season.
Instead, Michigan brought in defensive-minded head coach Brady Hoke from San Diego State and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison from the Baltimore Ravens.
With nine starters returning on defense, one would normally say the unit is in pretty good shape. That is, unless you’ve watched Michigan in action. Not only did they give up a ridiculous number of points, they also allowed a total of 447.9 yards per game. That’s dead last in the Big Ten and 108th in the nation.
The Wolverines need to improve at every defensive position. Despite his late start on the recruiting trail, Hoke has secured nine commits, for a total of 16.
We’ll look at the needs of each defensive position, along with offensive concerns at fullback, kicker and quarterback.
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
1 of 8Key Losses: None
Key Returnees: Craig Roh, Jibreel Black, Steve Watson, J.B. Fitzgerald, Brandon Herron
Commits: Antonio Poole, Chris Rock, Brennen Beyer
Prospects: Leilon Willingham
The only real production in the group came from junior Craig Roh and senior J.B. Fitzgerald. Roh, who started every game in 2010, was credited with 43 tackles in 2010 but has yet to rush the passer with any regularity. He did get 5.5 tackles for loss, but at 6’5”, 251, he’s big enough to make a larger impression from the outside.
Fitzgerald started two games last season, accounting for 22 tackles. As a senior, he will need to step forward, as this area of the defense is rather thin.
Brennen Beyer and Antonio Poole, two incoming freshmen, should compete for immediate playing time with holdovers Jibreel Black, Steve Watson and Brandon Herron. Also on the roster are Isaiah Bell, Jake Ryan, Jordan Paskorz and Kenny Wilkins. It’s possible Watson, Paskorz or Bell could be moved to the interior.
Interior Lineman
2 of 8
Key Losses: Adam Patterson, Greg Banks, Renaldo Sagesse
Key Returnees: Mike Martin, Ryan Van Bergen
Commits: None
Prospects: Darian Cooper
Another area of the defense that’s very thin. Starters Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen return with 37 tackles apiece.
Along with the departed Jonas Mouton, Martin has been the team's most consistent defensive player. While he was praised for his play at nose guard, many figured he could get to the quarterback more often if he wasn’t occupying the center. He finished the season with 2.5 sacks, hardly a number that would put fear in any offensive line.
Van Bergen, who had a consistent junior season, was credited with four sacks. Other than this pair, the interior line is practically nonexistent.
There’s a good possibility Will Campbell may return to the defensive side of the ball for good. He’s been shuffled between the offensive and defensive lines several times in his three years at Michigan. He hasn’t exactly lived up to his 5-star rating.
Also on the roster are Quinton Washington, Will Heininger, Terry Talbot and Richard Ash. Count on Hoke to find a defensive lineman before National Signing Day.
Inside Linebacker
3 of 8Key Losses: Jonas Mouton, Obi Ezeh
Key Returnees: Kenny Demens, Kevin Leach
Commits: Kellen Jones, Desmond Morgan
Prospects: None
Michigan will certainly miss Jonas Mouton. A second-team All-Big Ten selection, Mouton finished the season with 111 tackles and completed his career with 258. Returning are starter Kenny Demens and seldom used Kevin Leach.
Demens cracked the starting lineup midway through the season and became an instant favorite. He made 12 tackles at Penn State and 13 against Wisconsin.
Leach was credited with 46 tackles in 2009 while starting three games, but his playing time tailed off considerably in 2010. Even though he is a walk-on and a smallish 210 lbs., he may see more action in the fall.
One freshman who’s expected to make an immediate contribution is Kellen Jones. A 6’1”, 210-lb. 4-star recruit from Houston, Jones was a two-time, first-team all-state linebacker at St. Pius X, one of the top parochial schools in Texas.
You also better keep an eye on Desmond Morgan, a real fighter who also played quarterback in high school.
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Safety/Linebacker Hybrid
4 of 8
Key Losses: None
Key Returnees: Cam Gordon, Jordan Kovacs, Ray Vinopal, Marvin Robinson, Carvin Johnson, Thomas Gordon
Commits: None
Prospects: None
Michigan has six experienced players vying for three spots. Jordan Kovacs, Cam Gordon and Ray Vinopal were the starters last season. Some of these players may move over to the outside linebacker position should new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison choose to play either a 4-3 or a 3-4 instead of the 3-3-5.
Kovacs, a junior walk-on, was one of the top defenders in 2010, along with Martin and Mouton. Kovacs finished the season tied for second in the Big Ten in tackles with 133.
Vinopal earned a starting spot at free safety for the final four games.
Floyd Simmons, Josh Furman, Brandin Hawthorne, Zach Johnson, Michael Williams and Jordan Reilly will also battle for playing time.
Cornerback
5 of 8Key Losses: James Rogers
Key Returnees: Troy Woolfolk, J.T. Floyd, Courtney Avery, Cullen Christian, Tony Anderson, Terrence Talbott
Commits: Greg Brown (early enrollee), Blake Countess, Raymon Taylor, Tamani Carter, Delonte Hollowell
Prospects: Stefan McClure
The largest influx of talent will be at the cornerback position.
Troy Woolfolk and J.T. Floyd return from injury-plagued seasons. Woolfolk missed the entire year after suffering a lower-leg break late last summer. Floyd started the first eight games before an ankle injury ended his season prior to the Illinois game.
Both are expected to be back in the fall, hopefully to shore up what became the weakest link of the Michigan defense.
With these two gone, Courtney Avery and senior James Rogers became the starters. Avery was a true freshman, while Rogers previously shuttled between defensive back and wide receiver.
Even with the returnees, depth is a problem. But the team has five commits, and Greg Brown is already on campus, so he’ll be able to participate in spring practice.
Fullback
6 of 8
Key Losses: None
Key Returnees: John McColgan, Stephen Hopkins
Commits: None
Prospects: Trayion Durham, Joey Kerridge
Brady Hoke promises to bring more power to the Michigan offense. However, the only true fullback on the roster has never carried the ball as a Wolverine.
When he saw game action, John McColgan was used exclusively as a blocking back, except when he snuck out of the backfield to score on a two-yard reception against Bowling Green.
Stephen Hopkins could also be used at the position, but he’ll probably get more playing at the superback or tailback slot.
Michigan is looking at a pair of prospects, Trayion Durham of Cincinnati and Joey Kerridge of Traverse City.
Placekicker
7 of 8Key Losses: None
Returnees: Seth Brockhuizen, Brendan Gibbons
Commits: Matt Wile
Prospects: None
To say the least, Michigan's 2010 kicking game was a disappointment. Between the two kickers, the Wolverines connected on four of 14 field goal attempts.
Brockhuizen made three of nine with a long of 37, while Gibbons was one of five with a best of 24.
The two returning kickers should expect stern competition from incoming freshman Matt Wile, who was originally figured to attend San Diego State.
Quarterback
8 of 8Key Losses: Tate Forcier
Key Returnees: Denard Robinson, Devin Gardner, Jack Kennedy
Commits: Russell Bellomy
Prospects: None
Denard Robinson had a pretty good sophomore season. He was sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting and was a Football Writers All-American, the Chicago Tribune Big Ten MVP, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, the Wolverine MVP and the first college quarterback to rush and pass for more than 1,500 yards in a single season.
And there were some who thought Brady Hoke would let Robinson get away.
Hoke plans on designing the Michigan offense around Robinson’s skill set but also promises to add a little power to the offense. We’ll probably see more I-formation, so Robinson will be carrying the ball less.
We may see more of Devin Gardner, hopefully by design and not by necessity. Jack Kennedy, who’s now inherited the third-string slot, will have to improve considerably this spring.
Hoke just received a commitment from quarterback Russell Bellomy, and the timing couldn’t be better. A 6’3”, 180-pounder from Dallas, Bellomy originally committed to Purdue.
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