Tag: 2009 Season Countdown

2009 Countdown: #69 Elliott Mealer

Name: Elliott Mealer
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 299 lbs.
High School: Wauseon High School in Wauseon, OH
Position: Center/guard
Class: RS freshman
Jersey Number: #57
Prediction for 2009: Mop-up duty

Hardcore Michigan fans are well aware of Mealer’s plight. In December 2007, he and his family were involved in a nasty automobile accident at Christmas. Mealer’s father and girlfriend were killed and his brother was seriously injured. Elliott himself injured his shoulder and spent a good portion of 2008 recovering from the crash. He instantly became a fan favorite as Michigan fans, future Michigan teammates, and Michigan coaches rallied around Elliott and his brother.

Mealer redshirted in 2008 and got a slow start on the strength and conditioning program due to his injury. His situation is similar to that of Stephen Schilling, who suffered from a shoulder injury and mononucleosis early in his career. With the offensive line pretty well solidified for 2009, Mealer is battling for a spot on the two-deep at center or guard. He may get some time in mop-up duty, but it will probably be a couple years before Mealer sees significant playing time. I think I speak for all Michigan fans when I say we’ll be rooting for him all the way.

2009 Countdown: #70 Michael Cox

Name: Michael Cox
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 208 lbs.
High School: Avon Old Farms in Dorchester, MA
Position: Running back
Class: RS freshman
Jersey Number: #15
Prediction for 2009: A couple carries in mop-up duty

As with the true freshman running backs, several underclassman RBs’ paths are blocked by three seniors and Michael Shaw. Cox is no exception, although I imagine he’ll get a couple carries in mop-up duty or if Brandon Minor gets injured. Supposedly, Cox is almost a clone of Minor, although he’s a tad bit smaller. In 2010, however, I expect Cox to be the bruiser in the backfield with all the electron-sized slots and running backs darting around him.

2009 Countdown: #71 Vincent Smith

Name: Vincent Smith
Height: 5’6″
Weight: 168 lbs.
High School: Pahokee High School in Pahokee, FL
Position: Running back
Class: Freshman
Jersey Number: #2
Prediction for 2009: Redshirt

Smith was the talk of the spring with fans seeing him as an underdog due to his size. He supposedly played well in practices, but insiders have warned that he’s not nearly as advanced as some fans are hoping. With three seniors on the team, as well as underclassmen like Michael Shaw and Michael Cox, Smith will probably watch from the sideline this year.

2009 Countdown: #72 Bryant Nowicki

Name: Bryant Nowicki

2009 Countdown: #73 Anthony Lalota

Name: Anthony Lalota
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 256 lbs.
High School: The Hun School in Princeton, NJ
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey Number: #90
Prediction for 2009: Redshirt