LB Mike McCray II
Michigan held some open practices in Florida and another at Ford Field last Saturday, but for many, the spring game will be the first opportunity to see the Wolverines in person or at least in action. I posted some notes on the defense earlier this week (LINK), and here are the top five defensive players I’ll be watching at 6:00 p.m. on Friday night:
LB/S Jabrill Peppers
It’s no surprise that Peppers would be first on my list. He might not be Michigan’s best defensive player, but his athletic abilities outstrip those of everyone else on the team. Peppers spent most of his time doing drills at SAM linebacker last Saturday at Ford Field, but when the Wolverines lined up for scrimmage action, he also played safety. The 6’1″, 208-pounder will line up at the line of scrimmage in a 9-technique, over slot receivers, or back deep in coverage. There’s reason to believe he will be a big-time playmaker, so prepare to be impressed when things go live.
Hit the jump for four more players to watch.
LB Mike McCray II
McCray’s shoulder is supposedly healed up, at least enough for him to play football again. The 6’4″, 240 lb. linebacker should be the starting WILL, and he has played well so far this spring. Michigan’s inside linebackers struggled last year, and this will be the first extended look at McCray to see whether he might be an improvement over Desmond Morgan and/or Joe Bolden. I was initially reticent simply because he has missed so much time due to injury, but I think we will enjoy watching him play when he’s healthy.
LB Ben Gedeon
Like McCray at WILL, Gedeon is the new starter at MIKE linebacker. He looked impressive during his freshman and sophomore seasons as a backup, but he faced some of the same struggles as the starters in 2015 and seemed to regress a bit. New defensive coordinator Don Brown likes big, thick inside linebackers, and Gedeon has bulked up to carry 248 lbs. on his 6’3″ frame. He’s a better athlete than either Bolden or Morgan was last season, so hopefully Brown – who doubles as the position coach for the inside linebackers – can harness that athleticism for some improved play in the middle.
CB Channing Stribling
Stribling makes this list because of the considerable hype he has produced this spring. Some practice observers in Florida suggested Stribling looked like the best defensive player on the team, and he has reportedly reeled in numerous interceptions during 7-on-7 and team scrimmages. He didn’t have a stellar practice when I saw the team last Saturday, but that may have simply been a bad day. Either way, teams are going to test the guy who lines up opposite All-American Jourdan Lewis, so the 6’2″, 181 lb. Stribling should have plenty of opportunities to make plays. One thing to remember when watching Michigan’s defensive backs, though: the lack of depth at wide receiver might make Michigan’s corners look more dominant than they are.
DE Chase Winovich
The linebacker-turned-tight end-turned-defensive end has found a home, I think. At 6’3″, 245 lbs., Winovich isn’t the biggest defensive end around, but has been getting a lot of snaps and showed surprisingly good technique last weekend. He still has some things to work on, but the Wolverines are lacking quick-twitch guys on the outside, and Winovich has a chance to provide some speed on the line. I expect him to be a backup this fall, but for now, he should start for one squad. Depending on which tackle(s) he matches up against on Friday night, he might be wreaking a bit of havoc in the backfield.
Who are you looking forward to seeing in action?
You need to login in order to vote
Kinnel, I loved his high school film and thought he was pretty solid coming in as a true freshman last year. I also think he steps into Peppers role when Peppers moves on, hopefully later rather than sooner.
You need to login in order to vote
I agree with being excited about Kinnel. He has some serious speed.
You need to login in order to vote
All the backup DBs really. May not matter much for 2016 given all the veteran starters, but it would be nice to see Kinnel, Washington, and whoever else is up for it to start showing signs that they can contribute in 2017.
I think Kinnel is going to be needed at safety more than LB, but we’ll see.
You need to login in order to vote
The QBs… really want to see them behind a patched OL, and throwing to (drafted) WRs
You need to login in order to vote
I am looking forward to seeing how Coach Brown and the “new” linebackers are going to play. Without a doubt in my mind our linebacker play was the weakness of the defense last year and if it can improve the D should be awesome. For an individual player I am excited to see what Mone brings to an already loaded D-line.
You need to login in order to vote
I’m interested to see Mone, too, but he looked out of shape to me last week. So I’m not sure how much he’ll have in the tank. He should be up to speed by the fall, but I just think taking a few months off due to the injury got him out of football shape.
You need to login in order to vote
One more reason to follow this page. I don’t get the opportunity to see this stuff in person so I can live vicariously through you. Thanks for keeping me updated.
You need to login in order to vote
The Mone hype is building again. I look forward to your reaction.
You need to login in order to vote
I didn’t notice him much in last night’s spring game, but I have to re-watch it. I’m still not buying it just because I haven’t seen it, but I hope it’s true.
You need to login in order to vote
Great comments above. Kinnel sure. QB play absolutely! OL and RBs yep. Schematic changes on defense, agressiveness (recognizing they won’t show much). Isaac, Drake all the DE’s, LBs. Hell I want it all, but please no injuries
You need to login in order to vote
Are you expecting any of the EE’s to shine?
You need to login in order to vote
I’m not expecting it, no. If it’s anything like last year’s spring game, it will mostly be the “starters” for the two drafted teams. That means Peters probably won’t play much, if at all. Mitchell is inconsistent, McKeon probably won’t play much, Walker will probably struggle if he plays, etc. The one EE to watch is probably Devin Bush, because he’ll likely start for one of the teams. “Shine” might be a strong word, but I don’t think he’ll embarrass himself.
You need to login in order to vote
Where has Marshall been? Seems to have completely disappeared since fall camp. Too slow for rush end so he’s behind a bunch of people at SDE? Or just not working out?
Not really a player but I’m excited to get a chance to see the defensive scheme and all the blitzes from Brown.
You need to login in order to vote
Marshall was running with the twos last week. He didn’t do anything noteworthy that I saw.
You need to login in order to vote
Wilton Speight for me. Ruddock didn’t have the “measureables” that Morris and O’Korn had either and i though he turned out fine in the end. Speight already has one comeback win on his resume so let’s see what he can do full time…
You need to login in order to vote
Although i just realized this is a defensive position post…lolol…my bad.
You need to login in order to vote
Good point about CBs having an easy job right now. With 2016 Heisman Winner Chesson and Hayes out with injuries, they’ll be covering walk-ons and freshman.
Hard to keep your eyes off Peppers but we know what we have there. I agree the LB and WDE are the two spots with the most uncertainty. I look forward to hearing if Marshall, Jones, or Kemp do anything. Secondary depth (beyond the starters and Clark/Stribling) is interesting too.
Not too many questions on D. The DL and Secondary are loaded.
You need to login in order to vote
I am looking forward to seeing how the backup receivers manage. If any one of them can get consistent separation against our DBs then I will be thrilled! Also, I want to see the new tight ends get open. I take for granted they will not be great blockers yet, but if our young crop of TEs looks impressive catching the ball then I think we are shaping up to have a pretty diversified offense.
You need to login in order to vote