Tag: 2016 season countdown

20Jul 2016

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2016 Season Countdown: #54 Keith Washington

Keith Washington (image via Maize and Blue News)

Name: Keith Washington
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 170 lbs.
High school: Prattville (AL) Prattville
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #6
Last year: I ranked Washington #74 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.

Mostly a quarterback in high school, Washington was bound to redshirt as a freshman unless something drastic happened. Nothing drastic did happen, so he was afforded a chance to spend the year learning the position and getting ready physically. Now listed at 6’2″ and 170 lbs., he’s clearly taking the Reon Dawson- and Roy Roundtree-approved path to physical fitness. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cornerback at Michigan contribute with those dimensions.

However, Jim Harbaugh likes his attitude, and Washington may have edged past redshirt sophomore Brandon Watson this spring. With three senior corners returning and two blue-chippers entering the competition, I can’t put Washington any higher. He needs to bulk up and work on his technique, but I think he looked okay enough in the spring to start earning some late-game snaps this season if the situation is right. Keep him away from the other team’s best receiver, and maybe Michigan can groom him into a more prominent role for 2017.

Prediction: Backup cornerback

18Jul 2016

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2016 Season Countdown: #55 Joshua Uche

Joshua Uche (image via Maize and Blue News)

Name: Joshua Uche
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 215 lbs.
High school: Miami (FL) Columbus
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #10
Last year: Uche was a senior in high school (LINK). He had 50 tackles, 14 sacks, 3 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles.
Final TTB Rating: 82

Uche was committed to Miami at one point, and Don Brown was recruiting him to Boston College. By the time January rolled around, Uche was no longer committed to Miami and Don Brown was recruiting him to Michigan. Brown likes guys who can wreak havoc with their speed, and Uche is a guy who can do that, whether it’s from linebacker or defensive end.

Uche’s biggest asset is his ability to come off the edge and get to the quarterback, and he has that extra closing burst to make plays once he gets into the backfield. Michigan intends to start him off at SAM linebacker, where he would be backing up Jabrill Peppers. The two players are rather dissimilar, since Peppers is a converted corner/safety and Uche is viewed by some as a weakside end prospect. I think Uche will play a role this season because of his pass rushing abilities, but he might be limited by his size and some weaknesses in pass coverage. I imagine he might be used in some situations as a defensive end, somewhat like we saw Jake Ryan used at times during his Michigan career. I think Uche will have a good career, but defensive line and SAM linebacker are tough places to break through this season.

Prediction: Backup SAM linebacker

17Jul 2016

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2016 Season Countdown: #56 Brandon Watson

Brandon Watson (image via Maize and Blue News)

Name: Brandon Watson
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 191 lbs.
High school: Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #28
Last year: I ranked Watson #34 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He played in twelve games and made 8 tackles.

In one of my more egregious overrankings last year, I put Watson at #34, thinking he would beat out Channing Stribling for the #3 corner spot. Stribling split starting duties with Jeremy Clark. The #3 cornerback is pretty important, but the #4 guy . . . he’s usually not so important. After a solid spring game, he did okay in 2015 but was pretty invisible on the field.

This season should be more of the same since Michigan has three senior corners (Clark, Stribling, and Jourdan Lewis). Watson will also have to contend with a couple blue-chip freshmen (Lavert Hill, David Long) and a redshirt freshman Keith Washington. There have been vague rumors floating around that Watson may end up elsewhere, especially now that high school teammate Freddy Canteen is no longer with the team, but Watson has stuck with the program so far. I don’t expect Watson to play a ton of defense, but I do think he has some value as a special teams player and he could potentially contribute at a thin safety position if there are injuries.

Prediction: Backup defensive back, special teamer

15Jul 2016

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2016 Season Countdown: #57 Ahmir Mitchell

Ahmir Mitchell (image via MLive)

Name: Ahmir Mitchell
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Egg Harbor City (NJ) Cedar Creek
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #2
Last year: Mitchell was a senior in high school (LINK). He caught 30 passes for 359 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he ran for 3 touchdowns.
Final TTB Rating: 79

Mitchell was a big-time recruit out of New Jersey who was wanted by a lot of powerhouses like Florida State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. Oh, and Rutgers. Brady Hoke started recruiting him a few years ago as a safety, but as time wore on, it became clearer that he looked more like a wide receiver . . . with one caveat: questionable hands. He has at various times been described as someone who fights the ball and is inconsistent catching it. Michigan earned his pledge in August, and he enrolled in January.

This spring Mitchell was at times running with the twos at wideout. I think that was partially due to some depth issues that may be fixed in the fall when some other guys return healthy. There have been rumors that off-the-field issues have arisen, so that could be another obstacle to overcome for the fall. I don’t know if Mitchell will find his way to the field this season or not, but he does provide a big, athletic body with some blocking ability. With Brad Hawkins, Jr. heading to prep school, Mitchell is the lone freshman receiver who is clearly headed for the split end or flanker position.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver, possible redshirt

 

14Jul 2016

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2016 Season Countdown: #58 Elysee Mbem-Bosse

Elysee Mbem-Bosse (image via Bleacher Report)

Name: Elysee Mbem-Bosse
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 232 lbs.
High school: Ellenwood (GA) Cedar Grove
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Mbem-Bosse was a senior in high school (LINK).
Final TTB Rating: 78

Mbem-Bosse was an early Georgia lean who never got an offer from the Bulldogs. He flirted with other SEC schools, but a dogged late pursuit by new defensive coordinator Don Brown rekindled Mbem-Bosse’s interest in Michigan. He went ahead and committed in January.

At 6’3″ and 232 lbs., Mbem-Bosse might be the most physically ready linebacker in the freshman class. He is a middle linebacker, and starting MIKE Ben Gedeon is the most proven player on the inside. Michigan is going to be looking for a player who can replace Gedeon in 2017, and it’s a good idea to get experience for your linebackers. Mbem-Bosse’s fellow freshman, Devin Bush, also has a good chance to play at the WILL spot. I think there’s a chance that Mbem-Bosse redshirts, but with no clear backup to Gedeon, it seems likely that he will play this season. Sure, an injury to Mbem-Bosse may put the position in flux, but I don’t think he’s all that ready to be a prime-time contributor right now. If the defense had to reshuffle to get McCray or Noah Furbush at MIKE, I don’t think the team would be negatively affected much.

Prediction: Backup linebacker