Name: Luiji Vilain
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 255 lbs.
High school: Alexandria (VA) Episcopal
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #18
Last year: I ranked Vilain #56 and said he would be a backup weakside end (LINK). He did not play.
TTB Rating: 90
In some ways Vilain has been one of the most frustrating signees in the 2017 class – right up there with Tarik Black. Why? Because neither one can stay on the field. Or in Vilain’s case, he can’t get on the field, period. In 2017 he had a couple nagging injuries that kept the Wolverines from burning his redshirt. No big deal. In 2018 he had an injury that kept him off the field. With Chase Winovich, Rashan Gary, Kwity Paye, Josh Uche, no big deal.
If Michigan can’t get something out of Vilain in 2019, it’s potentially a big deal. Uche is a proven pass rusher and Paye has shown flashes, but nobody has shown the ability to put consistent pressure on the quarterback like Winovich did. I don’t expect Vilain to replicate Winovich’s production right off the bat in 2019, but Michigan needs to develop that next elite pass rusher, whether it’s Vilain or someone else. The arrival of Mike Danna from Central Michigan might alleviate some of the pressure on Vilain, but Danna is a one-year rental, while Vilain needs to get experience for 2020 and beyond. Vilain should be a sub-package guy like Paye has been the past two seasons.
Prediction: Backup weakside end
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High hopes for this young man. But yeah, probably not till next year. Can’t imagine not playing since November 2017, then jumping into big-time CFB
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Lofty expectations for Vilain. I hope he emerges, but if he doesn’t we have Paye/Uche/Danna and even a freshman like Ojabo could be used situationaly. Not a key player but an interesting one. Will hopefully be more relevant in 2020.
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See, I think a lot of people are forgetting about Vilain since he’s been hurt for the past two years. Any other third-year player (with field experience) who was the #57 overall prospect would have high expectations.
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Agree. My comment is more about the roster being quite strong at his presumed spot.
If he’s ready to ascend it gives Don Brown a ‘nice problem’ to have.
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