Khaleke Hudson (#7, image via Zimbio)
This is by no means meant to be an all-encompassing post, so don’t take this as gospel. However, here are some of the rumblings I’ve gathered coming out of spring practice:
Rashan Gary (image via The Wolverine)
Jim Harbaugh tweeted out the results of Michigan’s spring combine. I won’t list all of the results (though I’m embedding the tweet below), but here are a few notable achievements and takeaways:
Proud to announce top position performers of 2017 Michigan Football Spring Combine. Offense led by Chris Evans, defense led by Rashan Gary! pic.twitter.com/hAQKJo07Lc
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) March 16, 2017
Roderick Johnson (image via 247 Sports)
MICHIGAN
Starters:
Football Outsiders has Michigan’s defensive line at #4 in Adjusted Line Yards, and that reinforces the idea that Michigan has one of the top few defensive lines in the country. That’s good because they are huge (three guys who are 6’6″!) and experienced. The top NFL prospect is probably Charlton (37 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks), who has been dominant at times. Next is Wormley (38 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks), who will play strongside end and defensive tackle at times. Glasgow (40 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 4 sacks) has turned from being excellent at holding up to double-teams to now getting penetration throughout his career. Godin (26 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1 sack) plays less than the other three and isn’t as effective, but he’s a solid-level starting player. The unit is #2 in Standard Down Line Yards and #1 in Adjusted Sack Rate. Of course, Michigan has other players who rotate in and play well, but there aren’t many weaknesses among these top four guys.
Key backups: Backups at all four spots are worth mentioning here. Number one overall recruit from 2016 Rashan Gary (6’5″, 287 lbs.) rotates in at strongside end and has 24 tackles, 5 TFLs, and 1 sack on the year. He hasn’t been a terror off the edge as a pass rusher, but he’s very consistent and does his job well. Redshirt junior Maurice Hurst, Jr. (6’2″, 282 lbs.) is a viable NFL prospect and is Michigan’s quickest interior defensive lineman. He’s made 30 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks this season. Redshirt sophomore nose tackle Bryan Mone (6’4″, 310 lbs.) played the best game of his career against Ohio State in the regular season finale and has 9 tackles and 1 TFL. Redshirt sophomore Chase Winovich (6’3″, 245 lbs.) came out of nowhere to turn into an effective pass rusher, and he now has 33 tackles, 8 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks. A couple of these guys can rotate in at a time and Michigan won’t really skip a beat.
Hit the jump for a look at FSU’s offensive line.
Chris Evans
The Big Ten Network announced its All-Freshman team for the 2016 season (LINK), and there are several Michigan players included. Here’s a rundown of those players, along with those Michigan recruited a season or two ago (since it includes redshirt freshmen).
FIRST TEAM
Chris Evans – RB – Michigan
Mike Weber – RB – Ohio State
K.J. Hill – WR – Ohio State
Ben Bredeson – OG – Michigan
Michael Jordan – OG – Ohio State
Rashan Gary – DE – Michigan
Dre’mont Jones – DT – Ohio State
HONORABLE MENTION
Miles Sanders – RB – Penn State
Kekoa Crawford – WR – Michigan
Eddie McDoom – WR – Michigan
Terrance Davis – OG – Maryland
Connor McGovern – OT – Penn State
Josh King – DE – Michigan State
Carter Coughlin – LB – Minnesota
Justin Layne – CB – Michigan State
Jabrill Peppers (image via Fansided)
That went about how I expected. I didn’t think Colorado would jump out to a 14-0 or 21-7 lead early in the game, but I thought their tempo and creativity would be a problem for Michigan initially. Sometimes it takes Michigan a few minutes to get used to the other team’s tempo before they settle in, and that was the case against the Buffaloes. Maybe it’s because they don’t play against tempo in practice, but it takes an adjustment period. I also think some Michigan fans were underestimating Colorado based on their last few years, but they have a lot of experience, some quality receivers, and a pretty good quarterback on offense, along with a couple good corners and a couple solid front-seven players on defense. I predicted a 31-17 win for Michigan, so this was more of a high-scoring affair, but I knew it would be a fight.
Hit the jump for more.