Name: Julius Welschof
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 278 lbs.
High school: Germany somewhere
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #96
Last year: I ranked Welschof #49 and said he would be a backup defensive end (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 78
Michigan was very inexperienced on the defensive line last year once the team got past the top five guys (the starters plus Mike Danna), so that artificially elevated Welschof into the top 50. Now without losing much along the defensive line except tackle Mike Dwumfour, Welschof settles back down to where he should have been in 2019, right here in the 60s.
Welschof is supposedly bigger and stronger this year and looking like an interior defensive lineman. Word is that he could be bound for nose tackle. He does not appear to be in the running to start, but he could work in with the second unit. We have seen very little of him to make much of a judgment, but the buzz around him makes me think we might start to see some flashes of his athleticism and strength this year.
Prediction: Backup defensive tackle
You need to login in order to vote
6’6″ nose tackle who only recently began receiving high level coaching feels like a recipe for disaster, but who knows. Welschof was always a bit of a boom or bust guy, so would be great to see some flashes this year.
You need to login in order to vote
UM2013, I was just about to say the same. I have flashbacks of Big Will Campbell getting lifted and disposed of by 2star Iowa Guards, because of terrible pad level 😖
You need to login in order to vote
Mogul skiing has to be good for pad level, right?
You need to login in order to vote
Welschof was always going to take time.
Practicing at nose worked out well for Brandon Graham.
You need to login in order to vote
Good point – could just be a case of the coaches putting him at nose in practice to underscore the importance of technique. Not a football coach, so will defer to Magnus on that guess.
You need to login in order to vote
Right. It could be a way to develop skill. Hutchinson (6-6) and Wormley (6-5) have both been effective playing inside and out. Graham’s development played out differently but it probably helped him succeed at DE to play some nose after being a LB in high school.
You need to login in order to vote
I can’t believe I’m reading a comparison to Brandon Graham – one of the most impactful defenders to ever wear there winged helmet
*checks username … nevermind
You need to login in order to vote
He’s not comparing players. He’s comparing how they trained/are training.
You need to login in order to vote
But there are a number of approaches, styles and even systems in which a talent like BG would have excelled in. For Julius, it’s almost always been a prayer shot
The two players are not the same, a d neither are the situations
You need to login in order to vote
They are exactly the same. It’s literally the same guy. If you yell BRANDON! from behind I guarantee “Julius” will turn around.
You need to login in order to vote