2011 Countdown: #51 Jeremy Gallon
This was all too common a sight in 2010 – Jeremy Gallon fumbling the football. |
Name: Jeremy Gallon
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 180 lbs.
High school: Apopka High School in Apopka, FL
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #10
Last year: I ranked Gallon #59 and said he would be a part-time returner. He caught 4 passes for 49 yards and 1 touchdown; returned 10 punts for 43 yards; and returned 27 kickoffs for 589 yards.
Gallon was one of 2010’s most frustrating players, eliciting countless groans from Michigan fans who got tired of muffed punts and fumbled returns back in, oh, 2008. I’m not even exaggerating when I say my high school team has had more sure-handed punt returners in recent years than Michigan’s squads; our varsity’s last muffed punt return was in 2008. Unfortunately, special teams were a consistent problem for Michigan, and Gallon was no exception. The muffs contributed to his paltry 4.3 average on punt returns, although his 21.8 yards per kick return isn’t embarrassing.
Moving into 2011 Gallon’s chances to contribute on the offensive side of the ball are somewhat diminished with the new offense being implemented. Gallon is elusively and pretty powerfully built for being so short, but he doesn’t make for much of a target from the pocket for a 6’0″ quarterback. He’ll have to try to get on the field by shoring up his fumbling problems, and he’ll have to battle with various young players for return duties, including the sure-handed Drew Dileo, who seems like Michigan’s punt returner of the future.
Prediction: Backup wide receiver; backup returner