2010 Countdown: #85 Antonio Kinard

Tag: 2010 Season Countdown


21Jun 2010
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2010 Countdown: #85 Antonio Kinard


Name: Antonio Kinard
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 210 lbs.
High school: Liberty High School in Youngstown, OH
Position: Weakside linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Prediction for 2010: Junior college

Okay, the reason Antonio looks so sad in the above picture must be that he’s not coming to Michigan in the fall. The stupid thing about college is that you have to graduate high school first. Lame. Antonio, being from the Worst State Ever, has an Ohio Graduation Test to pass. This is the same test that prevented cornerback/safety Justin Turner from joining fall camp on time last year.

Kinard was likely looking at a redshirt this fall, anyway. He’s too skinny and too raw to have played as a freshman, so it doesn’t really hurt Michigan on the field in 2010. It does potentially hurt the Wolverines in 2011-14, though, because there’s little to no depth at inside linebacker. Once senior Jonas Mouton graduates, that essentially leaves Mike Jones as the only weakside ‘backer on the squad.

I am not optimistic that Kinard ends up at Michigan anytime in the future. If you look at the last few guys who have been non-qualifiers, all or most have taken their talents elsewhere. Demar Dorsey (Louisville), Adrian Witty (Cincinnati), Marcus Witherspoon (Rutgers before being booted), and Quintin Woods (nowhere, as far as I know) never stuck (EDIT: Quintin Woods currently plays for the Kansas Jayhawks). Marques Slocum attended prep school for a year, then came to Michigan only to get kicked off the team. He finished his playing career at Eastern Arizona and is currently fighting for a spot on the Washington Redskins after going undrafted in 2010.

So long, Antonio. We hardly knew ye.

20Jun 2010
Uncategorized 1 comment

2010 Countdown: #86 Christian Pace


Name: Christian Pace
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 259 lbs.
High School: Avon Lake HS in Avon Lake, OH
Position: Center
Class: Freshman
Jersey: #64
Prediction for 2010: Redshirt

Pace enrolled early, so he’s been at Michigan for a few months. But on Michigan’s spring roster, Pace is listed at 259 lbs. He will surely add some weight between now and the season, but not enough to be a factor in the depth chart at center. David Molk should be back in playing shape after tearing his ACL last season, even if he won’t be 100%. The backup from last season, David Moosman, has graduated and moved on. However, Michigan still has a couple options if Molk isn’t ready. Redshirt sophomores Rocko Khoury, Elliott Mealer, and Ricky Barnum all have the ability to play center if Molk re-injures himself. I believe Pace will be a good center down the road, but it’s rare for true freshmen to play on the offensive line.