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
You need to login in order to vote
Gil is is another who may start early, but get replaced later. Not necessarily a bad thing, just that one of the 2017 guys really catches on during the season
You need to login in order to vote
Agreed. I am pretty high on the younger linebackers. If he starts game one and is a rotational player game 12, that seems A-O-K.
I don’t remember seeing Gil make a ton of plays last season, but I do remember seeing his name on a jersey and him not being responsible for big plays when I saw him.
With our army of linebackers, I trust the coaches play whoever is best for whichever game they are best.
You need to login in order to vote
Regardless of what happens during the last two/three years of Gil’s career, it’s nice to see a lightly heralded recruit ascend to this level and at least be in the starter conversation. I’m sure some fans were offended that Michigan offered him in the first place.
Optimistically, it may speak well of the staff’s ability to identify talent (perhaps modest in this case) and develop it.
You need to login in order to vote