2019 Season Countdown: #39 Luiji Vilain
Name: Luiji Vilain
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 255 lbs.
High school: Alexandria (VA) Episcopal
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #18
Last year: I ranked Vilain #56 and said he would be a backup weakside end (LINK). He did not play.
TTB Rating: 90
In some ways Vilain has been one of the most frustrating signees in the 2017 class – right up there with Tarik Black. Why? Because neither one can stay on the field. Or in Vilain’s case, he can’t get on the field, period. In 2017 he had a couple nagging injuries that kept the Wolverines from burning his redshirt. No big deal. In 2018 he had an injury that kept him off the field. With Chase Winovich, Rashan Gary, Kwity Paye, Josh Uche, no big deal.
If Michigan can’t get something out of Vilain in 2019, it’s potentially a big deal. Uche is a proven pass rusher and Paye has shown flashes, but nobody has shown the ability to put consistent pressure on the quarterback like Winovich did. I don’t expect Vilain to replicate Winovich’s production right off the bat in 2019, but Michigan needs to develop that next elite pass rusher, whether it’s Vilain or someone else. The arrival of Mike Danna from Central Michigan might alleviate some of the pressure on Vilain, but Danna is a one-year rental, while Vilain needs to get experience for 2020 and beyond. Vilain should be a sub-package guy like Paye has been the past two seasons.
Prediction: Backup weakside end