2017 Season Countdown: #2 Rashan Gary

2017 Season Countdown: #2 Rashan Gary


August 30, 2017

Rashan Gary (image via Rivals)

Name: Rashan Gary
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 287 lbs.
High school: Paramus (NJ) Catholic
Position: Defensive end
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #3
Last year: I ranked Gary #23 and said he would be the starting strongside end with 35 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. He made 27 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack.
TTB Rating: 100

Gary was one of the most well known recruits in the 2016 class, especially when considering that he doesn’t throw the ball, run a 4.3 forty, catch touchdown passes, or return kickoffs for touchdowns. He was just a big, lithe defensive lineman whom many thought of as a future first round pick. Prior to the season, word started to filter out of insiders that Michigan planned to start Gary at Anchor (a.k.a. strongside defensive end) with Chris Wormley at defensive tackle. That turned out not to be true, and probably for good reason: Wormley was a 3rd round pick. Still, Gary played well and probably would have been just fine as a starter.

This year there’s a lot riding on Gary. Not only does he have immense talent, but Michigan lost all four defensive line starters. With an even more unproven secondary, the Wolverines need the defensive line to be outstanding, make plays in the backfield, and pressure quarterbacks into quick or bad decisions. Because of that, Gary is a very important player. Michigan can’t afford to take injuries on the defensive line, and the backups are totally unproven. Carlo Kemp has been earning rave practice reviews, and he’s Gary’s primary backup. Beyond him is Ron Johnson and air. If Gary or Kemp were to get injured, there would probably have to be some reshuffling of personnel. Practice observers have been salivating about Gary, and I hope the hype comes true this year, but I’m trying to reserve outlandish excitement until we see him putting things together on game day.

Prediction: Starting Anchor

8 comments

  1. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    Aug 30, 2017 at 12:48 PM

    “I’m trying to reserve outlandish excitement until we see him putting things together on game day.”

    I would say predicting he would start over Wormley or Hurst as a freshman qualifies as outlandish excitement.

  2. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    Aug 30, 2017 at 12:52 PM

    Beyond Kemp and Johnson is not ‘air’ – it is a bunch of highly regarded freshman. These freshman are equivalent to the backups on half the DL.

    SDE has the strongest depth on the DL – it is the least reliant on freshman, has the highest regarded backup, AND another relative veteran who has been praised all over the place for his work ethic (though noticeably not his talent.) It also has the most impressive DL that early enrolled (Jeter).

    The depth at this position is why I had Gary a couple spots lower, even though he’s the most talented player on the team and seems headed for a top 5 NFL draft position.

    • Comments: 182
      Joined: 9/15/2015
      ragingbull
      Aug 30, 2017 at 1:50 PM

      i read jeter has been working at 3T – though he started spring at anchor and could potentially swing back and forth. maybe i heard wrong, maybe the staff just wanted a quick look on the interior, maybe hes still playing both, or likely to ultimately slide back to anchor when depth settles a bit more, etc. but i was under the impression hes been repping at 3T. also read he sustained an injury though not sure how serious.

      and it would make sense to work jeter at 3T given the depth chart (and projected future depth chart). ive envisioned jeter as 3T since watching his tape as 270 lb recruit or whatever. im sure he could be a rock solid anchor / SDE but they need bodies inside and his frame and game should translate fairly well.
      they likely need jeter or irving-bey to develop at 3T while the other reps anchor (more so if they potentially like hudson at OL, paea at NT though i thought he looked more OL as a prospect, etc)…and while im sure mattison could mold irving-bey into a solid 3T, he seems better suited to anchor and jeter to 3T than vice versa

      • Comments: 3844
        Joined: 7/13/2015
        Aug 30, 2017 at 2:03 PM

        Jeter is hurt right now. He’s probably out for at least a few weeks.

      • Comments: 6285
        Joined: 8/11/2015
        Lanknows
        Aug 30, 2017 at 2:33 PM

        OK, that is fine but part of why Jeter is playing 3T is the depth at SDE. The other part is development. I also assume Jeter will end up at 3T once he added weight. But at 270 pounds he’s unlikely to make a contribution there right now.

        When you’re talking about 3rd string the distinction is barely relevant. Also worth repeating that Mattison has said before the SDE and DT are almost the same (as are the two LB spots).

        If Jeter actually had to play meaningful snaps right now I think SDE would be a little more likely than DT.

        • Comments: 1356
          Joined: 8/13/2015
          Roanman
          Aug 30, 2017 at 6:01 PM

          I think, they think that Marshall can play.

          Depth chart is up, Marshall shows up at 285. Dwumfour at 290.

          That might just give them 5 guys for two tackle positions without running Jeter out there at any position. this would suit me just fine. Three true freshmen getting minutes on my D line is just exactly two more than I would prefer.

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      Aug 30, 2017 at 2:05 PM

      Jeter is hurt and has been playing 3-tech.

  3. Comments: 1863
    Joined: 1/19/2016
    je93
    Aug 30, 2017 at 1:42 PM

    Very much looking forward to watching Gary this year and next!

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