Tag: Devin Gil

Michigan vs. Notre Dame Awards

Chase Winovich (image via Yahoo)

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Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Chris Evans. Something must have been going on with Evans (discipline, injury, etc.), because he’s a potential playmaker and only touched the ball 4 times in the season opener against Notre Dame. I heard in the off-season he was working in the slot, and Michigan is short on receivers. But all Evans got was 2 carries for 1 yard and 2 catches for 37 yards. The coaching staff needs to find a way to get him the ball.

Hit the jump for more awards from Saturday night.

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2018 Season Countdown: #27 Devin Gil

Devin Gil (image via Zimbio)

Name: Devin Gil
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 220 lbs.
High school: Pembroke Pines (FL) Flanagan
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #36
Last year: I ranked Gil #73 and said he would be a backup linebacker and special teamer (LINK). He made 5 tackles and recovered a blocked punt.
TTB Rating: 63

Gil redshirted in 2016 and then stepped up into a backup role in 2017. He even got credit for a start against Florida. He played in thirteen games throughout the year, but Michigan spent most of the time with Mike McCray at weakside linebacker, leaving very few snaps for backups.

I have almost zero confidence in this ranking, but Don Brown called Gil a “dude” and insiders are suggesting the WILL linebacker spot is Gil’s to lose. I haven’t really seen anything from him that suggests he should be the next starter at the position, so his presence here at #27 is largely based on hype. The Wolverines have other options at WILL, including Josh Ross and freshman Cameron McGrone. A starter is a starter, I guess, and Gil is the first projected full-time starter to come off the board. The good thing is that if Don Brown thinks he can play, he can probably play. I’ll be interested to see how he looks when the season rolls around.

Prediction: Starting weakside linebacker

Five Things to Watch During Spring Practice

Going into the beginning of spring practice, there are lots of questions about the 2018 team. Some are obvious. Some, maybe not so much. Here are the top five things I’ll be looking for throughout the spring.

1. What will the offense look like?
Michigan’s offense was, to be kind, largely ineffective in 2017. Offensive line coach and run game coordinator Tim Drevno was nudged out the door, and he was replaced by a combination of former Ohio State/Minnesota offensive line coach Ed Warinner and former Florida head coach/Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain. Furthermore, offensive tackle/tight ends coach Greg Frey left for Florida State and was replaced by Central Michigan’s Sherrone Moore. Moore won’t change the look of the offense. Warinner might switch things up a little bit, depending on what types of bodies he wants on the offensive line. McElwain is the key here. He’s not known as an innovator, but will Michigan be in shotgun? Pistol? Will the use of the fullback be dialed back a bit? Will he pack it in with multiple tight end sets, or will he spread it out more?

Hit the jump for four more questions about the spring.

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Who might not return on defense in 2018?

Bryan Mone and Chase Winovich (image via iSportsWeb)

I addressed potential offensive attrition last week (LINK), and here’s the defensive edition. As I mentioned in that previous post, this is about the depth chart and opportunity for playing time; these posts are not about rumors or talent judgments.

DEFENSIVE LINE: First of all, it’s important to note that there are few places in the country where defensive linemen get better coaching than Michigan. If you want to be good and have the ability, Michigan gives you as good of a chance as anyone. It’s not like Alabama or Clemson, where elite recruits simply continue to be elite. It’s a place where walk-ons (Ryan Glasgow) and lowly 3-stars (Frank Clark, Maurice Hurst) can be turned into high draft picks. But if you’re not on their level, you won’t get on the field. In that regard, there are a few guys who are buried on the depth chart. One is defensive end Reuben Jones (RS Jr.), who has been passed by younger guys, and another is Ron Johnson (RS So.), who has bounced between defensive end and defensive tackle. Both are finding it difficult to find the field. Meanwhile, interior players Lawrence Marshall (RS Sr.) and Bryan Mone (RS Sr.) have both been passed by younger guys, most notably Aubrey Solomon, a 2017 signee. Michigan rotates defensive linemen quite a bit, so there’s playing time available for both, but becoming a starter would be a tall order. Most importantly of all, there’s a chance that Chase Winovich (RS Sr.) might enter the NFL Draft.

Hit the jump for a discussion of the linebackers and defensive backs.

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2017 Season Countdown: #73 Devin Gil

L to R: Josh Metellus, Devin Gil, Dredrick Snelson, Devin Bush, Nick Eubanks (image via Twitter)

Name: Devin Gil
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 230 lbs.
High school: Pembroke Pines (FL) Flanagan
Position: Linebacker
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #36
Last year: I ranked Gil #87 and said he would redshirt. He made 6 tackles and 1 tackle for loss.
TTB Rating: 63

I thought Gil, who played a lot of safety in high school, would take a year to redshirt and learn a new position. But Jim Harbaugh and his staff don’t waste any time getting guys on the field. According to MGoBlue, Gil was Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Week three times throughout the season, and 4 of his 6 tackles came on specials.

This spring Gli was behind the starting crew, at least, and rumors coming out of Schembechler Hall suggest that the coaching staff is looking to have a couple freshmen play some snaps at linebacker. I think Gil will continue to be a special teams player and get limited snaps at linebacker.

Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer