April 5th, 2014
Ann Arbor, Michigan
One time a year, Maize and Blue are pitted against each other in their very own house. The Biggest house there is for that matter. After a lackluster 2013 run the Wolverines, lead by Brady Hoke are trying to improve their 7-6 record. Moreover, losses at MSU and a 1 point loss to Ohio in the Big House left fans and players hurting even more. In a year where legends were honored (by bestowing their numbers on current players, such as Gardener wearing #98 which is no longer a traditional number for a QB) the tradition couldn’t have been more disrespected. In spite of those losses, the Wolverines Managed to get over 100 thousand people into the Big House for each home game.
2013 QB and projected 2014 starter Devin Gardener (MI) who engineered an average of 32 points per game last year, took the majority of the snaps for the Wolverines today. His first pass from scrimmage would be the first of two interceptions by sophomore Jourdan Lewis (MI), a defensive back and graduate of Cass Tech. Gardener would be serviceable throughout the afternoon an would later connect with freshman Freddy Canteen (MD) on a deep corner route which would prove the be the biggest splash play of the day.
The new offense being installed by first year OC Greg Nussmeier thusfar keeps the backfield busy with lots of motion from backs and tight ends. Whether by design or improvisation it appeared to put the QB’s in more bootleg and rollout situations than some may have predicted. This is not a negative for the projected starter Devin Gardener as he is a natural runner and more comfortable outside the pocket. Every QB in the position preview took some snaps and sophomore gunslinger Shane Morris appeared to be the next best option after Gardener. No one debates that the young man throws a very pretty ball but his tendency to just let it fly at times is probably the biggest knock on the QB at this point in his career.
After losing a fifth-year senior in Fitzgerald Toussaint, the Wolverines are turning to a stable of young backs bolstered by sophomore Blue-Chip prospect Derrick Green (VA) and a redshirt junior scatback in the form of the elusive Justice Hayes (MI). Expected starter Green was ineffective last year as he came into camp out of shape and overweight. Per sources from within the university earlier in the week he is now down from an estimated 245 to a solid 220 which is what Green played at while in high-school as he was named the top-rated running back in his class. Green appeared to have gotten a touch faster but still didn’t pull away from any defenders he encountered and didn’t break any runs worth mention. His pass blocking was suspect as well, giving up what would have been a dangerous hit on the QB midway through the scrimmage. However, dark horse candidate and sophomore De’Veon Smith (OH), showed tenacity to break through the line and enough burst to get to the second level. Whenever he was hit, he would chop his feet and fight for the extra yard on almost every carry he had. Look for Smith to get some carries this fall and Hayes to be the go to back on passing downs.
Losing a combined 67 starts between two seniors is no easy feat to overcome. The Wolverines’ offensive line lost two players in Taylor Lewan and Michael Shoefield, both of which should soon be playing on Sundays once the NFL draft rolls around. Michigan’s offensive line is deep and rich with talent as Coach Brady Hoke put a premium on recruiting lineman that he believed could help this program take the next step. One junior in Graham Glasgow (IL) and four sophomores will anchor the line in 2014. Glasgow started 13 games last season with 9 at center and 4 at left guard. Erik Magnuson (CA) started 7 games at guard and saw action in a total of 12 games last year. Kyle Kalis (OH) made 8 starts at right guard and also appeared in 12 games in 2013. Today the line pass protected well enough but could not generate many gaps for running backs to use. This is hopefully evidence of a vastly improved defensive line.
With the departure of the single-season yardage record holder Jeremy Gallon to the NFL, the Wolverines are in desperate need of a playmaker to emerge from this group. The main candidate is 2013 first-team All-B1G Tight End Devin Funchess (MI). Funchess’ unique skill set has allowed him to make the jump to the wide receiver spot and the Wolverines are expecting his size/speed combo to be a matchup nightmare in the coming season. Outside of Funchess there is not much by way of established players. Throughout the course of spring and summer practices sophomores Jehu Chesson (MO) and Amara Darboh (IO) will fight for playing time with junior Dennis Norfleet (MI) and Da’Mario Jones (MI). However two freshman wideouts in the form of surehanded Freddy Canteen and savvy Grand Rapids product Drake Harris (MI) are making a strong case that their age has no bearing on their ability. Canteen appeared to be the most-targeted outside of Funchess.
Tight End was supposed to be manned by sophomore Jake Butt (OH) but a tear to his ACL in winter conditioning has left him out indefinitely. Butt, was third on the team with 20 catches for 235 yards and two TDs. Junior AJ Williams (OH), Keith Heitzman (OH) and redshirt freshman Khalid Hill (MI) are all expected to see the field in the fall. Heitzman is a converted defensive lineman who was formerly a high school tight end.
The front seven was absolutely stifling this afternoon. 2013 Second team All-B1G defensive end Frank Clark (OH) was active on the edge and recorded at least one sack and a tackle for loss in today’s game. The most notable performance has to be the emergence of sophomore Willie Henry (OH), the huge interior lineman was almost unblockable at points today, getting a sack and a monster tackle for loss that sent the defensive sideline into a frenzy. Brennan Beyer (MI) was serviceable this afternoon and was a 13 game starter last season who should improve upon last years performance. Several other players will by vying for the other interior spot, a big name to watch is the freshman Bryan Mone (UT) who is listed at 6-4 315lbs. The young defensive tackle (still with braces on his teeth) demonstrates unreal physical strength and can be a load if he gets his pad level and motor to match the size. Don’t be shocked if he finds his way into the starting rotation as the nosetackle.
Big news at the linebacker position is that Jake Ryan (OH) is healthy, and will be the man in the middle this year. Formerly an outside linebacker, Ryan is making the move to the mike spot in order to make sure he isn’t just on one side of the ball anymore. Senior Desmond Morgan (MI) and junior Joe Bolden (OH) look to be Ryan’s partners in crime as the season progresses. Look for the Wolverines’ defense to be upgraded at every level. Hoke’s recruiting classes are going to start rearing their very talented heads in the next year or two and the defense this season will be evidence of that.
Most importantly, team interception leader Blake Countess(MD) will be back this season bringing with him his 6 INTs from the previous year and a boatload of experience to help groom the younger players. With a plethora of signings in this year and next years class, this looks to be the most improved group and it is only getting deeper. While the Wolverines lost two starters at safety they do return Countess and 12 game starter Raymon Taylor (MI). Taylor may not be as savvy with his ball skills, but fearless in the run game as he racked up 86 tackles last year. Junior Jarrod Wilson (OH) who started 8 games, tallied up 50 tackles and 2 INTs should be back to starting in his old spot with several sophomores competing for that final safety spot.
All in all the Wolverines offense was lackluster in appearance which may cause some to be nervous. The important thing to remember here is that there is a new coach/scheme on offense so it will take awhile for it to be as polished as some may expect. However, I believe that the defense may have gotten that much better. The front seven is big, fast, aggressive and loaded with talent, provided the back-end holds up the Wolverines could possibly have the best defense in the state.
CertifiedChance 