Tag: 2013 season countdown

2013 Season Countdown: #65 Da’Mario Jones

Da’Mario Jones (#11)

Name: Da’Mario Jones
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Westland (MI) John Glenn
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #14
Last year: Jones was a senior in high school. I gave him a TTB Rating of 81.

Jones committed to Michigan at the end of October 2012 after previously having been pursued by smaller schools like Bowling Green, Toledo, etc. Near the end of the recruiting cycle, coaches from schools like Georgia came through his high school, but he said no thanks to their overtures.

As the most athletic receiver in the freshman class – on a team that lacks a little bit of athleticism at the position – I think Jones is the most likely of the group to play. He has good speed and decent change of direction, so it will depend on how quickly he can pick up the offense. If the coaches are looking for a guy to block, they might go with Jaron Dukes, but if they want a freshman to be involved with the passing offense, Jones appears to be the most ready. I don’t think he’ll be a superstar right off the bat, but I believe he’s the best wide receiver in the freshman class and could catch a few passes this year.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver; 3 receptions, 30 yards

2013 Season Countdown: #66 Ross Douglas

Ross Douglas

Name: Ross Douglas
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 176 lbs.
High school: Avon (OH) Avon
Position: Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #29
Last year: Douglas was a senior in high school. I gave him a TTB Rating of 63.

Douglas committed to Michigan in July 2012 after de-committing from Penn State. The controversy surrounding Penn State seemed to be the issue, and Brady Hoke poached him from the Nittany Lions. He played running back for his high school team last fall and ended the year with 1,597 yards and 25 touchdowns. His performance in high school was good enough to earn him a roster spot for the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, and shortly afterward, he arrived on Michigan’s campus as an early enrollee.

Going into the 2013 season, Michigan essentially has three starters returning (Blake Countess, Raymon Taylor, and Courtney Avery) and freshman Dymonte Thomas seemingly locked into the slot corner position. With junior Delonte Hollowell also pushing for playing time, Michigan could probably get by without much help from other true freshmen. However, Douglas enrolled early and is fairly well developed for a freshman corner, so he won’t get abused physically. Even though I think he has a relatively low long-term celing, he could help out as a special teamer or as a backup this year.

Prediction: Backup cornerback, special teams

2013 Season Countdown: #67 Erik Gunderson

Erik Gunderson

Name: Erik Gunderson
Height: 6’8″
Weight: 316 lbs.
High school: Milan (MI) Milan
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #69
Last year: I ranked Gunderson #74 and said he would be a backup offensive tackle. He played in five games as a backup offensive tackle.

Gunderson has always been massive but somewhat slow-footed. With a very thin offensive line last season, he worked his way into some playing time. His skills have not changed much, but he has rebuilt his body over the past few seasons.  At one time he was very overweight, but he trimmed down to 312 last year and is now up to 316 lbs.

Going into the 2013 season, there’s still not much at offensive tackle. The best tackle not named Taylor Lewan or Michael Schofield is probably Ben Braden, but Braden is battling for a starting spot at guard while he bides his time for one of the tackle positions. With redshirt freshman Erik Magnuson struggling and true freshmen elsewhere on the depth chart, Gunderson has a decent chance of being the primary backup offensive tackle. If any long-term injuries occur at the position, I would guess some reshuffling takes place; but in garbage time or short replacement stints, you could see big #69 out there.

Prediction: Backup offensive tackle

2013 Season Countdown: #68 Ben Gedeon

Ben Gedeon

Name: Ben Gedeon
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 220 lbs.
High school: Hudson (OH) Hudson
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Gedeon was a senior in high school. I gave him a TTB Rating of 81. He ended his senior season with at least 960 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Gedeon committed to Michigan in April 2012 and never wavered. He did a little bit of everything for Hudson, playing quarterback, running back, tight end, and linebacker at various times. While not the flashiest player, he has a nose for the football and ended up ranked as the #214 player overall in 247’s Composite rankings.

Gedeon plays like a WILL linebacker, but at his height, I would guess he ends up playing MIKE once he adds some weight down the road. Michigan’s coaching staff hasn’t been shy about playing freshman linebackers for the past couple years (Desmond Morgan, Joe Bolden, Royce Jenkins-Stone, and James Ross have all played as freshmen under Hoke), and it’s unclear if that’s a trend or if Brady Hoke just needed an influx of talent at the position. Gedeon has a chance to unseat Jenkins-Stone as the backup WILL this season, play special teams, or redshirt. I think Gedeon will be as ready to play as Bolden or Morgan the past couple years, so it all depends on how quickly Jenkins-Stone improves and how healthy the linebacker unit stays.

Prediction: Backup linebacker, special teams

2013 Season Countdown: #69 Mark Lawson

Mark Lawson makes a tackle as a high schooler (image via AnnArbor.com)

Name: Mark Lawson
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 215 lbs.
High school: Ada (MI) Forest Hills Eastern
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #59
Last year: I did not rank Lawson. He did not play in 2012.

After Jake Ryan tore his ACL in the spring, Lawson was mentioned as a backup at SAM linebacker, along with Cameron Gordon. Brennen Beyer has moved from the weakside end position, the staff has moved Allen Gant from safety, and incoming freshman Mike McCray II is slated to play SAM. I do not expect Lawson to factor into the rotation much at linebacker, but he could be used on special teams. And if it comes down to burning McCray’s redshirt in garbage time or plugging in a walk-on, it would make sense to plug in Lawson.

Prediction: Backup linebacker, special teamer