2009 Countdown: #54 Tim McAvoy

Tag: 2009 Season Countdown

5Aug 2009
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2009 Countdown: #54 Tim McAvoy

Name: Tim McAvoy
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 291 lbs.
High School: Bloomington High School in Bloomington, IL
Position: Offensive guard/center
Class: 5th year senior
Jersey Number: #62
2008 statistics: 5 starts at left guard
Prediction for 2009: Backup center

McAvoy started five games at guard last year and has played center in the past. As a fifth year senior, he should be pretty adept at reading defenses and calling out blocking schemes and protections. He lost his starting guard job to a converted DT last year, so he’s probably not starter material. But as the only player who has snapped the ball behind David Molk, he could be useful as a backup at all three interior line spots.

5Aug 2009
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2009 Countdown: #55 William Campbell

Name: William Campbell
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 318 lbs.
High School: Cass Technical High School in Detroit, MI
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey Number: #73
2008 Statistics: 55 tackles, 22 TFL, 9 sacks, 2 FF, 2 FR, 1 TD
Prediction for 2009: Backup defensive tackle

Campbell (pictured above, killing a guy) was Michigan’s top-rated recruit in the class of 2009. Michigan fans are expecting a lot from Campbell, but they need to remember that defensive tackle is not typically a position where true freshmen make a huge impact. Campbell had virtually no technique in high school; he simply used his size and strength to toss around the guys who were much smaller and weaker than him. As it is, Campbell is third on the depth chart at nose tackle. He’ll probably see a few snaps a game in the base defense, and he’ll be a clogger in the middle on goal-line or short yardage situations. Give this kid a year or two and he could be a monster if he learns proper technique.

4Aug 2009
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2009 Countdown: #56 James Rogers

Name: James Rogers
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 182 lbs.
High School: Lamphere High School in Madison Heights, MI
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Junior
Jersey Number: #18
2008 statistics: 3 catches, 64 yards, 2 tackles on special teams
Prediction for 2009: Backup wide receiver, special teams contributor

Personally, I think Rogers has got a raw deal so far in his Michigan career. Carr’s staff allowed him to burn his redshirt in 2007, playing him on special teams and sparingly at cornerback. Then Rodriguez moved him to wide receiver in 2008, where he caught 3 passes for 64 yards (a 21.3 yard average) but could barely get any snaps. Perhaps he has attitude issues I don’t know of, but he’s performed well when given the opportunity. He’s not going to make many people miss, but he does have good speed and seemingly good hands. Hopefully Michigan can take advantage of his talents this season.

4Aug 2009
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2009 Countdown: #57 Vince Helmuth

Name: Vince Helmuth
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 291 lbs.
High School: Saline High School in Saline, MI
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Junior
Jersey Number: #32
Prediction for 2009: Special teams contributor

Helmuth is the only scholarship player on the team to be brought in as a fullback. The problem is, he’s now a defensive tackle. He was a fullback/defensive end in high school, played some DE in practices last fall, and this winter he ate a lot of pizza and turned into a DT. Reports suggest that he’s well behind the other nose tackles on the roster, but as a former running back, he does have some agility and speed that the others lack. I would not expect to see him much on defense, but that speed and size could be used on punt coverage and in the return game.

4Aug 2009
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2009 Countdown: #58 Perry Dorrestein

Name: Perry Dorrestein
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 306 lbs.
High School: Central High School in Plainfield, IL
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: RS junior
Jersey Number: #79
2008 stats: 4 starts at OT
Prediction for 2009: Backup offensive tackle

Dorrestein was Michigan’s top backup tackle last year. He started three games at LT and one at RT with the constant reshuffling and the injuries to Mark Ortmann and Steve Schilling. However, buzz from spring practice makes it seem as though Dorrestein is in a fight with Patrick Omameh to remain the first tackle off the bench. Dorrestein played pretty well in his limited duty, and while he probably won’t play a lot, he’s not a huge liability if there’s an injury to the guys ahead of him.