Tag: 2012 season countdown

2012 Season Countdown: #80 Graham Glasgow

Graham Glasgow

Name: Graham Glasgow
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 314 lbs.
High school: Aurora (IL) Marmion Academy
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #61
Last year: I did not rank Glasgow.  He did not see any game action.

Glasgow showed up to campus last season as a walk-on, choosing Michigan over Ohio State.  He is/was pretty limited athletically.  Despite excellent size, he does not appear to be pressing for playing time.  The first time most Michigan fans saw him in action was in the 2012 spring game, when he was painfully slow getting out of his stance, pulling, etc. and single-handedly prevented a short yardage touchdown by being so slow.  He will most likely remain on the bench this fall, but depth at offensive line could be a problem if any injuries occur.

Prediction: Bench

2012 Season Countdown: #81 Allen Gant

Allen Gant

Name: Allen Gant
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 210 lbs.
High school: Sylvania (OH) Southview
Position: Strong safety
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #12
Last year: Gant was in high school.  He had 66 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 1 interception.

Allen Gant is a big, strapping safety who – if the above measurements are accurate – already has the size to play in college.  He’s the son of a former Michigan defensive back, which probably bodes well for his attitude and dedication.  However, Gant seems to be a little short on speed and doesn’t appear to be a great “athlete.”  Of course, Michigan’s current starting strong safety, Jordan Kovacs, has done well despite being somewhat limited athletically, so maybe the current coaching staff can use Gant appropriately, too.

Kovacs is entrenched as the starter at SS, and his backup is likely junior Marvin Robinson, who has the physical skills to be good but needs to keep his head on straight.  Michigan doesn’t necessarily need a third strong safety to be ready, but Gant and redshirt sophomore Josh Furman might compete for playing time if necessary.  Gant also has a chance to see time on coverage teams.  If there are no injuries or departures at the safety spots, Gant should be able to redshirt and then be a backup to Robinson in 2013.

Prediction: Redshirt

2012 Season Countdown: #82 Tom Strobel

Tom Strobel (#36)

Name: Tom Strobel
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 260 lbs.
High school: Mentor (OH) Mentor
Position: Strongside defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Strobel was in high school.  He had 55 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 33 quarterback hurries

Final TTB Rating: 85

Strobel had an excellent senior season.  Originally slated for the weakside end position, his added weight and the team needs now see him penciled in as a future strongside end.  Strobel recently told Andrew that he’s up to about 260 lbs., which is pretty solid for a true freshman.  The current starting SDE is Craig Roh, and Roh was 235 lbs. coming into college.

Strobel does have an outside shot at playing time this fall, but Roh is the starter.  He’ll be backed up by redshirt sophomore walk-on Nathan Brink, who earned a lot of praise last year despite not doing much on the field.  The coaches like to go two-deep but not much further, so if Strobel can’t crack the top two and the other guys stay pretty healthy, he’ll probably be able to redshirt, bulk up, and work on his technique.

Prediction: Redshirt

2012 Season Countdown: #83 Chris Eddins

Chris Eddins (#75) as a high schooler at Country Day

Name: Chris Eddins
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 265 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Country Day
Position: Tight end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: 93
Last year: I did not rank Eddins.  He didn’t see any game action.

Eddins was an all-state player in high school and was even ranked as a 2-star prospect (the #148 defensive tackle) by Scout, but he didn’t receive any FBS scholarship offers and walked on at Michigan instead.  He joined the football team in 2010 but has not seen the field in either season since then.

That might change this year.  Eddins played defensive end for a couple seasons, but with the graduation of Kevin Koger and Steve Watson, pickings were slim at the tight end position.  During the spring, both Eddins and linebacker Jordan Paskorz switched to tight end for depth purposes.  The starter will likely be fifth year senior Brandon Moore, but Eddins, Paskorz, former walk-on Mike Kwiatkowski, and freshmen will compete for playing time.  Offensive coordinator Al Borges will likely forego some multiple tight end sets in favor of spread looks that Denard Robinson prefers, so Eddins won’t be much of a receiving threat.  However, in goal line or short yardage situations, there’s a possibility we might see Eddins and his 265 lbs. helping to plow the way.

Prediction: Emergency backup tight end in case of injury

2012 Season Countdown: #84 Drake Johnson

Drake Johnson

Name: Drake Johnson
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 206 lbs.
High school: Ann Arbor (MI) Pioneer
Position: Running back
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Johnson was in high school.

Final TTB Rating: 65

Johnson put up some mind boggling numbers in high school, not just as a running back but as a hurdler, too.  Regardless of what happens at Michigan, he will long be remembered in track and football circles for his high school exploits.

Those accomplishments don’t necessarily translate to college, though.  Johnson racked up big numbers running the ball, but the consensus seems to be that he doesn’t have much wiggle and will struggle to find creases in Michigan Stadium.  Johnson has good speed and a big frame, and he plans to be 220-225 lbs. by the time he becomes an upperclassman.  Hopefully he can parlay those qualities into being a good college running back.  With the backfield pretty set, Johnson’s best chance to get on the field this fall would appear to be as a kick returner; his speed and power could be a nice combination.  However, with another player (Dennis Norfleet) having been brought in for the express purpose of returning punts and kickoffs, Johnson might find his pathway to playing time blocked there, too.