2009 Countdown: #49 Mike Jones

Tag: 2009 Season Countdown


10Aug 2009
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2009 Countdown: #49 Mike Jones

Name: Mike Jones
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 203 lbs.
High School: Edgewater High School in Orlando, FL
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey Number: #27
2008 High School Statistics: 60 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 blocked kicks
Prediction for 2009: Backup SAM linebacker

A recent article about Greg Robinson suggests that the safety/linebacker hybrid doesn’t really exist. So instead of calling him a backup “Spinner,” I’ll just call Jones the backup strongside linebacker (SAM). Jones will battle Brandin Hawthorne to back up Steve Brown at the position, and the lead backup will be your likely SAM in 2010.

9Aug 2009
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2009 Countdown: #50 John Ferrara

Name: John Ferrara
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 279 lbs.
High School: Monsignor Farrell School on State Island, NJ
Position: Offensive guard
Class: RS junior
Jersey Number: #74
2008 statistics: 5 starts at left guard
Prediction for 2009: Backup guard

Due to many factors – the Great Migration of 2008, low recruiting numbers during the Carr era, injury to Mark Huyge, etc. – Ferrara moved from defensive tackle to offensive guard on the fly during fall camp last year. Despite garnering a fair amount of playing time as a redshirt freshman defensive tackle (12 games, 2 tackles, 1 TFL) in 2007, Ferrara agreed to the switch and pretty quickly beat out Tim McAvoy for the starting left guard position. He started five games there last year, but Steve Schilling has moved inside to guard, rendering Ferrara an afterthought as of now. He has starting experience and played pretty well in the second half of last year, but he probably won’t play much this year, and he’ll have to battle Ricky Barnum and Rocko Khoury for playing time in 2010.

5Aug 2009
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2009 Countdown: #51 J.T. Floyd

Name: J.T. Floyd
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 183 lbs.
High School: J.L. Mann High School in Greenville, SC
Position: Cornerback
Class: RS freshman
Jersey Number: #12
Prediction for 2009: Backup cornerback

It was unclear to many fans whether Floyd would play cornerback or safety, but he’s a cornerback now, perhaps partly because of the depth at the position. Floyd redshirted in 2008 and should get limited playing time this year. There are only five scholarship cornerbacks on the roster, so it’s practically guaranteed. But buzz about Floyd has been practically non-existent, so I don’t believe he will make a huge contribution this year.

5Aug 2009
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2009 Countdown: #52 Jeremy Gallon

Name: Jeremy Gallon
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 165 lbs.
High School: Apopka High School in Apopka, FL
Position: Slot receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey Number: #29
Prediction for 2009: Backup slot receiver, part-time kick returner

Gallon took a bit of extra time qualifying academically, but he’s in Ann Arbor now and expected to contribute this year. He is extremely slippery and a strong runner for his size. Rodriguez has shown that he wants to get his best athletes on the field, so I don’t think Gallon will redshirt. However, Martavious Odoms started for the entire year at slot receiver, and Gallon will have to fight with Terrence Robinson and Roy Roundtree for playing time in the slot. It would be nice if starters such as Odoms, Boubacar Cissoko, and Donovan Warren can save their energy for their respective positions, so I’m hoping Gallon’s biggest contribution will be returning some punts and kickoffs throughout the year.

5Aug 2009
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2009 Countdown: #53 Brandin Hawthorne

Name: Brandin Hawthorne
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 198 lbs.
High School: Pahokee High School in Pahokee, FL
Position: Spinner
Class: Freshman
Jersey Number: #7
2008 high school senior statistics: 113 tackles, 48 TFL, 27 sacks, 6 FF, 5 FR
Prediction for 2009: Redshirt

Hawthorne was a defensive end, linebacker, and safety in high school. Reports out of camp suggest that he’s been playing the spinner position but he’s behind a couple other players. I also don’t think the spinner will be an every-down position, so Steve Brown won’t need much relief. One or more of the backup spinners should be redshirted, and I’m guessing Hawthorne will be watching from the sideline.