Michigan Football: The 2-Deep at Every Position
Unless Michigan’s play this spring has been a ruse, the Wolverines are not ready to employ a running-back oriented power attack..
Sure, Head coach Brady Hoke and OC Al Borges would like to limit Denard Robinson’s rushing attempts so the backs can get more carries. They’d also like to see a fullback in action and Robinson leading a more conventional passing attack.
Problem is, Robinson is still not comfortable in the pocket, a feature tailback has yet to emerge, and the penciled-in starting fullback has yet to carry the ball.
There’s no need to panic, however. We’re not precisely sure what the offense will look like this fall. You’ll probably recognize some of last year’s formations, without seeing much, if any, of the read option. Instead, you’ll see more quarterback draws, rollout options, and screen passes.
By midseason, the Wolverines will be ready to play more of “downhill” power game, and hopefully Robinson, in the meantime, can stay out of harms way.
The schedule is actually favorable for this type of transition. Michigan doesn’t open the Big 10 season until October 1, when it hosts Minnesota in week five.
Defensively, Michigan switches to a more traditional 4-3. Junior Will Campbell and RS SO Quinton Washington may add more muscle to the interior line, while Senior Mike Martin gets some playing time along the edge, just to add a little suspense.
At linebacker, redshirt freshman Jake Ryan will add to the already improving pass rush while Kenny Demens will get his chance to shine in the middle.
The real key, however, is the expected return of cornerbacks Troy Woolfolk and J. T. Floyd. Both sat out this spring with lingering ankle injuries.
Jordan Kovacs leads a hopefully improved safety contingent. Carvin Johnson, Marvin Robinson and Thomas Gordon all should be household names before long.
The Center
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The Center
David Molk, 6'2', 288, RS SR
Rocko Khoury, 6'4" 295, RS JR
There's a huge falloff between Molk and the other centers...Molk has the experience, the ability to manage his linemates, and the physical tools to play his position at a high level.
The offense suffered when Molk was out with knee and foot injuries during the 2008 season.
The Guards
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Left Guard
Ricky Barnum, 6’3”, 286 RS JR
Christian Pace, 6’2”, 280, RS FR
Right Guard
Patrick Omameh, 6’4”, 299, RS JR
Elliott Mealer, 6’5”, 313, RS JR
Barnum inherits the left guard spot vacated by Steven Schilling who started every game in 2010. Pace, along with freshman Chris Bryant, will provide the depth..
Patrick Omameh was a fixture at right guard as a sophomore last season. Mealer played occasionally at left guard in 2009, and exclusively on special teams in 2010.
The Offensive Tackles
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Left Tackle
Taylor Lewan, 6’8”, 294, RS SO
Michael Schofield, 6’7”, 293, RS SO
Right Tackle
Mark Huyge, 6’6”, 306, RS SR
Michael Schofield, 6’7”, 293, RS SO
Taylor Lewan has perhaps the largest responsibility on the offensive line: Protecting Denard Robinson's backside. If he can stay focused and eliminate most of the careless penalties, his potential is unlimited.
Huyge started a total of seven games in 2010, four at left tackle and three at right. Schofield and freshman Tony Posada should get plenty of playing time.
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The Receivers
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X - Wide Receiver /Weak Side
Darryl Stonum, 6’2”, 195, SR
Junior Hemingway, 6’1”, 225, RS SR
Y - Tight End
Kevin Koger, 6’4”, 255, SR
Brandon Moore, 6’5”, 250, RS JR
Z - Wide Receiver/Strong Side
Roy Roundtree, 6’0”, 176, RS JR
Martavious Odoms, 5’8”, 175, SR
Experience is the key word. Denard welcomes back a solid core of receivers from 2010. Roundtree caught 72 passes, Stonum 49 and Hemingway 32.
At tight end, Koger caught 14 but expects to be a bigger target in 2011.
The Running Backs
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Tailback
Stephen Hopkins, 6’0”, 227, SO
Michael Cox, 6’0”, 211, RS JR
Fullback
John McColgan, 6’1”, 231, RS SR
Joe Kerridge, 6' 1", 230, FR
There are no superstars in Brady Hoke's stable of running backs. Stephen Hopkins may be the toughest running between the tackles, and Michael Cox might have the quickest burst.
Fullback candidate John McColgan is an imposing blocker but hasn't carried the ball. Fitzgerald Toussaint, Michael Shaw, Vincent Smith will all compete, as will freshmen Thomas Rawls and Justice Hayes.
The Quarterback
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Quarterback
Denard Robinson, 6’0”, 193, JR
Devin Gardner, 6’4”, 210, SO
Denard Robinson rushed for 1702 yards, passed for 2570, was the Big 10 MVP and was named an All-American. Yet his offensive system is being dumped for a new one.
Michigan is moving toward a "down-hill" power attack using some of the West Coast passing tendencies SF 49er coach Bill Walsh made famous.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke promises the offense will feature Robinson's best attributes, so we'll see how quickly the transformation takes place.
The Defensive Tackles
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Nose Tackle
Mike Martin, 6’2”, 299, SR
Quinton Washington, 6’4”, 315, RS SO
Tackle
William Campbell, 6’5”, 333, JR
Richard Ash, 6’3”, 320, RS FR
Mike Martin is looking to earn accolades this season, while William Campbell is just hoping to contribute.
Martin begins his senior season at nose tackle but should also get the opportunity to play a "hybrid" position along the edge, hoping to put more pressure on the quarterback.
Campbell spent most of 2010 on the offensive side of the ball but like others, never fit into Rich Rodriguez' system.
When Martin moves out to the end, Campbell or Quinton Washington will take over at the nose. Either way, the 2011 tackles are certainly more robust than a year ago.
The Defensive Ends
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Defensive End (Weak)
Craig Roh, 6’5”, 251, JR
Jibreel Black, 6’2”, 258, SO
Defensive End (Strong)
Ryan Van Bergen, 6’6”, 283, RS SR
Kenny Wilkins, 6’3”, 262, RS FR
Ryan Van Bergen is expected to have another fine year at Michigan, The senior defensive had 37 tackles and four sacks in 2010.
Craig Roh, on the other hand, is in a dogfight with Jibreel Black for the weakside defensive end slot. Kenny Wilkins, who can play anywhere up front, adds depth.
The Linebackers
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SAM (Strongside Linebacker)
Cam Gordon, 6’3”, 207, RS SO
Jake Ryan, 6’3”, 224, RS FR
WILL (Weakside Linebacker)
Mike Jones, 6’2”, 208, RS SO
Brandin Hawthorne, 6’0”, 203, JR
MIKE (Middle Linebacker)
Kenny Demens, 6’1”, 250, RS JR
Marell Evans, 6’3”, 225, RS SR
Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison expects breakout years for Cam Gordon and Kenny Demens. Gordon made 77 tackles a year ago while Demens was credited with 82.
Mike Jones, on the other hand, missed most of last season with a leg injury, but is still projected to earn a starting role. With 4.5 (40) speed, Jones is one of the quicker defenders on the team.
Jake Ryan has been impressive throughout spring practice, and was one the better players on the field at the spring game. Look for Ryan to get considerable playing time.
Marell Evans could be a pleasant surprise. Evans is back in Ann Arbor after transferring to Hampton prior to the 2010 season.
The Cornerbacks
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Cornerback
Troy Woolfolk, 6’0”, 195, RS SR
Tony Anderson, 5’11”, 192, RS SR
Cornerback
J.T. Floyd, 6’0”, 183, RS JR
Courtney Avery, 5’11”, 167, SO
J.T. Floyd missed the final four games of 2010, and Troy Woolfolk missed the entire season. Both have the ability to cover one-on-one, so the backfield will definitely be in better shape this season.
Floyd has made 83 tackles in his career while Woolfolk has 61 to his credit. Woolfolk is the son of former Michigan running back Butch Woolfolk (1978-81).
The Safeties
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Free Safety
Carvin Johnson, 6’0”, 195, SO
Marvin Robinson, 6’2”, 200, SO
Strong Safety
Jordan Kovacs, 6’0”, 195, RS JR
Thomas Gordon, 5’11”, 205, RS SO
Carvin Johnson excited the spring game crowd with a pair of interceptions. Johnson is expected to be in the starting line when Michigan opens against Western Michigan this fall.
He'll be along side Jordan Kovacs, who's become one the the Big 10's steadiest players. Last year Kovacs recorded 116 tackles, one sack and two interceptions.
Special Teams
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Place Kicker
Matt Wile, 6'2", 210, FR
Brendan Gibbons, 6’1”, 227, RS SO
Punter
Will Hagerup, 6’4”, 210, SO
Matt Wile, 6'2", 210, FR
Kickoffs
Seth Broekhuizen, 6’1”, 195, RS SO
Brendan Gibbons, 6’1”, 227, RS SO
Long Snapper
Tom Pomarico, 6’4”, 236, RS SR
Jereth Glanda, 6’3”, 246, RS SO
Holder
Drew Dileo, 5’10”, 171, SO
Jared Van Slyke, 6’2”, 196, RS SR
Punt Returner
Junior Hemingway, 6’1”, 225, RS SR
Martavious Odoms, 5’8”, 175, SR
Kickoff Returns
Darryl Stonum, 6’2”, 195, SR
Drew Dileo, 5’10”, 171, SO
The only real question on special teams is whether Matt Wile can walk onto campus and perform at a high level.
To this point, none of the other kickers have been impressive, although Brendan Gibbons almost made a 46-yarder at the spring game, hitting the left upright.
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