2017 Season Countdown: #73 Devin Gil

2017 Season Countdown: #73 Devin Gil


June 14, 2017

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

5 comments

  1. Comments: 4
    ama11
    Jun 14, 2017 at 7:38 AM

    Grammar police:

    “Gil was Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Week three teams throughout the season”

    I think you meant “three times”.

    Love these ranking write-ups. Keep ’em coming!

    • Comments: 6285
      Joined: 8/11/2015
      Lanknows
      Jun 14, 2017 at 12:00 PM

      The syntax is fine so I think “Usage Police” would be more accurate here. That said, some refer to usage as “single word grammar” so I suppose it’s up for debate depending on your definition.

  2. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    Jun 14, 2017 at 11:57 AM

    One of the biggest disappointments of the spring was Gil’s failure to emerge as reliable backup. Last year’s garbage time performance and standout special teams play seemed to portend a bright future for the freshman. So did the consistent praise coming from coaches and insiders (it was consistent, albeit low-level buzz). But it did fade a bit as the season progressed and dead silence in the spring.

    Not sure what’s going on, but it was surprising to see a walk-on and freshman seeming to be ahead of Gil. Hopefully he gets back on track. At the very least he should be useful as a valuable special teamer and one of the few playable backup LBs with game experience.

    Beyond 2017, even if 2 of the 3 freshman LBs pan out, Michigan will be well served if Gil can step up as a veteran backup.

    My only quibble with the ranking is that Wangler is way to close to him.

  3. Comments: 9
    Joined: 4/5/2017
    MgoDude
    Jun 14, 2017 at 12:21 PM

    Thunder, you mentioned rumblings about the coaches giving snaps to freshmen at LB. Would you think this is due to poor showing of our current LB Depth? Or that they believe this batch of FR are just that good?

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      Jun 14, 2017 at 8:59 PM

      I think it’s a combination of both. The backup linebackers are the type that need time (Uche, Mbem-Bosse, Gil, etc.), and the incoming linebackers are pretty well developed from both a physical and mental standpoint. Ross is more technically sound than the guys we got in the 2016 class, even if he’s not quite as athletic as Hudson or Bush.

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