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2014 Mackey Award watch list

This is what Pharaoh Brown looks like when he can’t make a decision.

The 2014 Mackey Award watch list was released this morning. There are a number of Big Ten and other opponents on the list, plus a few guys that Michigan offered.

Pharaoh Brown – TE – Oregon*
Kyle Carter – TE – Penn State
Jeff Heuerman – TE – Ohio State*
Jesse James – TE – Penn State
Ben Koyack – TE – Notre Dame
Jay Rome – TE – Georgia*
Randall Telfer – TE – USC*

*Offered by Michigan

ESPN 300 for 2016 released

Messiah DeWeaver is Michigan’s top ranked commit for 2016

ESPN released its initial top 300 for the class of 2016. Two current Michigan commits appear on the list, along with a host of offerees. There are no 5-stars to begin their recruiting cycle, so there are only 4-star and 3-star guys listed here. There are also several Michigan natives and guys with Michigan ties on the list, so you may want to click through and look at the complete list.

– Messiah DeWeaver is #115
– Erik Swenson is #256

4-stars:
1. Greg Little – OT – Texas (Texas A&M)
2. Malik Henry – QB – California
4. Jacob Eason – QB – Washington
5. Kareem Walker – RB – New Jersey
6. Nate Craig – ATH – Florida
8. Brandon Jones – S – Texas
17. Rashan Gary – DT – New Jersey
22. Levonta Taylor – CB – Virginia
24. Dwayne Haskins – QB – Maryland
31. Jauan Williams – OT – Washington, D.C.
32. Scott Bracey – WR – Virginia
33. Dexter Lawrence – DT – North Carolina
34. Sam Bruce – WR – Florida
35. Shea Patterson – QB – Louisiana (Arizona)
39. Liam Eichenberg – OT – Ohio
40. Kaden Smith – TE – Texas
42. Isaac Nauta – TE – Georgia
44. Ben Cleveland – OT – Georgia
61. K.J. Costello – QB – California
75. Janarius Robinson – DE – Florida
81. Jake Hausmann – TE – Ohio
82. Justin Layne – WR – Ohio
83. E.J. Price – OT – Georgia
87. Richard Merritt – OT – Washington, D.C.
89. Steven Smothers – WR – Maryland
115. Messiah DeWeaver – QB – Ohio (Michigan)
119. Ben Bredeson – OT – Wisconsin
123. Shaquille Quarterman – LB – Florida (Miami)
125. Josh King – DE – Illinois
137. Elijah Holyfield – RB – Georgia
145. Cameron Chambers – WR – New Jersey
156. Clark Yarbrough – OT – Virginia
162. Josh Imatorbhebhe – WR – Georgia
190. Miles Sanders – RB – Pennsylvania
199. Collin Johnson – WR – Texas (Texas)
205. Tavares Chase – WR – Florida
210. Daelin Hayes – LB – Michigan
219. Kyree Campbell – DT – Virginia
224. Jaquan Yulee – LB – Virginia
239. Brad Hawkins – WR – New Jersey
256. Erik Swenson – OT – Illinois (Michigan)
262. Thiyo Lukusa – OT – Michigan

3-stars:
277. Mike Williams – DT – Texas
293. Naseir Upshur – TE – Pennsylvania
297. Malek Young – CB – Florida

2014 Season Countdown: #48 Matt Godin

Matt Godin (#99) – image via MWolverine.com

Name: Matt Godin
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 283 lbs.
High school: Novi (MI) Catholic Central
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #99
Last year: I ranked Godin #37 and said he would be a backup strongside end. He played in six games and made 3 tackles.

Believing Godin would be the primary backup to Keith Heitzman last season, I ranked the towering defensive end a little too high. He played sparingly throughout the year and did not make much of an impact. Reports surfaced that he would have played more, but a nagging back injury limited him during the season. Chris Wormley took a lot of the snaps that might have gone to Godin, and Brennen Beyer also spent some time at strongside end late in the year.

This year Godin seems to have recovered from his injury, and he should be able to play a little more consistently. Starting 3-tech tackle Jibreel Black has graduated, and redshirt sophomores Willie Henry, Wormley (also a defensive tackle now), and Godin should battle for the majority of the snaps. Henry may also play some nose tackle, which could draw Godin into the lineup a little more frequently. Godin does not appear to be a penetrator or pass rushing threat, but he plays with good leverage – despite being the the tallest defensive tackle on the team by two inches. I expect to see him in the rotation quite often, but he won’t fill up the stat sheet.

Prediction: Backup 3-tech defensive tackle

2014 Bednarik Award watch list

Jake Ryan

The 2014 Bednarik Award watch list has been released. The award is given to the most outstanding defensive player in the country. There are several Big Ten and other opponents on the list, and you may want to scan through the list just to see some familiar names from the recruiting trail.

Michael Bennett – DT – Ohio State
Joey Bosa – DE – Ohio State
Shilique Calhoun – DE – Michigan State
Frank Clark – DE – Michigan
Carl Davis – DT – Iowa
Kurtis Drummond – S – Michigan State
Randy Gregory – DE – Nebraska
Jordan Lucas – CB – Penn State
Keivarae Russell – CB – Notre Dame
Jake Ryan – LB – Michigan
Jaylon Smith – LB – Notre Dame
Trae Waynes – CB – Michigan State

2014 Season Countdown: #49 Jeremy Clark

Jeremy Clark (#34)

Name: Jeremy Clark
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 206 lbs.
High school: Madisonville (KY) North Hopkins
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #34
Last year: I ranked Clark #50 and said he would be a backup strong safety and special teams player. He played on special teams coverage and played one game as a backup safety, but he did not accrue any statistics.

Michigan went into 2013 with some experience at safety, but not much depth. Now Michigan is in the same boat, minus the experience. The only returning player with significant playing time is junior Jarrod Wilson; full-time safety Thomas Gordon graduated, part-time safety Courtney Avery graduated, and primary backup Josh Furman transferred. Clark didn’t play much, and the safety position is a very large question mark going into 2014.

Aside from Wilson, who is all but assured a starting position, Clark seems to be battling sophomore Delano Hill for safety. The possibility exists that Michigan will shift a cornerback – where depth is, uh, deep – to safety; in the meantime, it seems Hill will beat out Clark by a nose. Even so, those three players appear to be the main competitors for playing time on the back end, and as we saw last year with Furman, a backup will probably be needed for a stretch of time. Clark is the largest defensive back, reportedly has decent speed, and looks like a solid tackler. I doubt he will turn into a playmaker, but he could play a role as a fill-in and special teamer.

Prediction: Backup strong safety, special teams player