Tag: 2012 season countdown

2012 Season Countdown: #85 Willie Henry

Willie Henry

Name: Willie Henry
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 270 lbs.
High school: Cleveland (OH) Glenville
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #69
Last year: Henry was in high school.

Final TTB Rating: 76

Henry was a very late addition to the 2012 recruiting class.  Michigan was looking for another interior defensive lineman to pair with nose tackle Ondre Pipkins, they tossed out an offer to Henry, and he was committed within 24 hours.  He was a little bit of a late bloomer because of the other talented guys at Glenville, but the athletic ability is apparent on his highlight film.  It all comes down to how willing he is to accept coaching and how quickly he can add bulk.

At only 270-ish pounds, it’s unlikely that Henry will get a chance to play this season.  The Michigan coaching staff wants their defensive ends to be 270 lbs., and Henry is a tackle.  He will likely take at least a year to add the necessary strength and bulk, and then he will likely still be behind Jibreel Black at the 3-tech defensive tackle position, perhaps getting some time in the rotation.  By his redshirt sophomore year in 2014, he should be in pretty good shape to compete for a starting position.

Prediction: Redshirt

2012 Season Countdown: #86 Sione Houma

Sione Houma

Name: Sione Houma
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 220 lbs.
High school: Salt Lake City (UT) Highland
Position: Fullback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Houma was in high school.  He struggled with injuries but ran 93 times for 790 yards (8.8 yards per carry) and 8 touchdowns.

Final TTB Rating: 66

Houma is going to be an interesting case study for Michigan, because he’s essentially a high school tailback.  Highland runs an option offense and used him as the primary ball carrier whenever he was healthy.  Whereas Michigan used to employ big, bruising fullbacks who weren’t much of a threat to run the ball, Houma is a West Coast-style fullback – a guy who can run the ball once in a while, catch some passes out of the backfield, and block.  Michigan hasn’t really used much of a true I-formation fullback since Obi Oluigbo in 2007.

As for the 2012 season, I don’t think the Wolverines will really need Houma’s services.  The starting fullback is Stephen Hopkins, backup tailback Thomas Rawls can play there, and then there’s a walk-on option in redshirt freshman Joe Kerridge.  Typically, a team doesn’t need to use more than two fullbacks in a season unless there’s a significant injury.  Meanwhile, Michigan learned toward the end of last season that Denard Robinson operates better out of a shotgun spread offense.  With the loss of Kevin Koger and no heir to the position, Michigan’s best choice for a base offense will likely be a spread look with one tight end; multiple tight ends will require putting multiple guys on the field who aren’t “the best eleven.”  Without a capable tight end, the I-formation becomes ineffective and a fullback becomes harder to use.  That means Houma should have the luxury of redshirting, bulking up, and learning the ways of the college football world.

Prediction: Redshirt

2012 Season Countdown: #87 Blake Bars

Blake Bars (#67)

Name: Blake Bars
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 275 lbs.
High school: Nashville (TN) Montgomery Bell
Jersey number: N/A
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Last year: Bars was in high school.

Final TTB Rating: 62

In my opinion, Bars is the most likely freshman to redshirt.  Michigan doesn’t have much depth on the offensive line, but there are guys who are more highly touted and physically more ready to play.  There was some chatter at one point that Bars might play center due to a lack of depth at the position, but offensive line coach Darrell Funk stated on national signing day that he didn’t think any of the incoming freshman linemen would have the ability to play center.

Unfortunately for Bars, he arrives at Michigan with some highly touted guys competing at his position, and the class of 2013 also looks to be pretty solid on the offensive line.  Competition is going to be stiff, and I’m not sure Bars will be able to get or stay ahead of the other guys.  Regardless, when you’ve got a 4-star recruit with no serious and apparent shortcomings, that bodes well for your team’s performance.

Prediction: Redshirt

2012 Season Countdown: #88 Jack Kennedy

Jack Kennedy

Name: Jack Kennedy
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Walled Lake (MI) Central
Position: Quarterback
Class: Fifth year senior
Last year: I did not rank Kennedy.  He did not see game action.

Much like Steve Wilson yesterday, Kennedy is a 5’11” walk-on quarterback who is unlikely to play except in a blowout.  But since he’s a fifth year senior – and he did run for 6 yards against Delaware State a few years ago – I’m including him in the countdown.

You’ll always have the Hornets, Jack.

Prediction: Bench

2012 Season Countdown: #89 Steve Wilson

Steve Wilson

Name: Steve Wilson
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 180 lbs.
High school: White Lake (MI) Lakeland
Position: Quarterback
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: 4
Last year: Wilson was not ranked.  He did not see any game action.

Wilson is a 5’11”, 180 lb. walk-on quarterback.  He has not set foot on the field for Michigan before, and he is not likely to see the field this fall, either . . . unless there is a significant blowout and a chance to get the seniors into the football game.  Michigan doesn’t have much depth at the quarterback position, but there are more likely backup options than Wilson.  However, I’m including Wilson on the list because he’s a senior, and dammit, I can do what I want.

Prediction: Bench