Posts under: Blog

2019 Season Countdown: #79 Andrew Vastardis

Name: Andrew Vastardis
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 317 lbs.
High school: Ashburn (VA) Stone Bridge
Position: Offensive guard/center
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #68
Last year: I ranked Vastardis #87 and said he would be a backup center (LINK). He played in six games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Vastardis was a well regarded player coming out of high school a few years ago. A three-sport athlete (football, basketball, baseball), he spurned some lower level scholarship offers to make a go of it at Michigan. So far it has turned out fairly well for him. He played in six games in 2018 at center and guard, along with special teams.

I still don’t see a big need for Vastardis going into 2019. Cesar Ruiz is entrenched as the team’s starting center, and Stephen Spanellis is Ruiz’s backup. Jess Speight is also a capable walk-on center, so Vastardis’s value is diminished a little bit, and there are a few solid guard options. Vastardis should be a special teams contributor and will see some snaps on offense.

Prediction: Backup center/guard

Nightly Roundup: June 7, 2019

Cody Alexander talks about Michigan’s “City” coverage (LINK).

Hit the jump for more.

2019 Season Countdown: #80 Phillip Paea

Name: Phillip Paea
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 296 lbs.
High school: Berrien Springs (MI) Berrien Springs
Position: Offensive guard/defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #58
Last year: I ranked Paea #70 (LINK). He played in two games.
TTB Rating: 68

Usually as a college football player, I don’t refer to you as a journeyman. Most college players play for one school or a maximum of two over up to five years.

I will make an exception for journeyman Phillip Paea. Not because he has played for multiple schools, but he leads a nomadic existence. One day he’s camping out with the big uglies that make up the offensive line, and the next day, he’s hanging out with the dogs on defense. Michigan’s coaching staff can’t decide where he fits best or what hole he plugs, so he constantly bounces back and forth between offensive guard and defensive tackle.

I am on the record as saying that he has the most potential on the offensive line, but the defensive tackle position lacks experienced bodies. Where he plays this season is anyone’s guess.

Prediction: Backup hog/dog

Nightly Roundup: June 6, 2019

Bruce Feldman – probably my favorite college football writer – put together a pretty in-depth piece on Josh Gattis (LINK) and has a “state of the program” piece on Michigan (LINK).

Barton Simmons breaks down Michigan freshman running back Zach Charbonnet (LINK).

Hit the jump for more.

2019 Season Countdown: #81 Adam Shibley

Name: Adam Shibley
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 228 lbs.
High school: Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #45
Last year: I ranked Shibley # (LINK). He played in two games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Shibley was a good looking high school prospect who came to the Wolverines as a preferred walk-on. He was a two-time Scout Team Player of the Week in 2018, and he was named Co-Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year, too. Michigan tossed him in on special teams against Nebraska and Florida last year.

This year Shibley is unlikely to play a major role for Michigan, but he has shown that he’s capable of earning his way on the field in small roles. He’s blocked at inside linebacker by several high-profile recruits and more experienced players, but special teams might be his path to more playing time.

Prediction: Backup linebacker, special teamer