Tag: Chris Wormley

Michigan vs. Akron Awards

Jehu Chesson

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Chris Bryant. If Michigan wants to run zone stretch, then perhaps Bryant isn’t the guy. But I do think he’s more powerful than Graham Glasgow, giving the team a bigger advantage on the power runs. And pass protection could afford to be improved at either guard position; both Glasgow and Kyle Kalis get confused too easily.

Let’s see less of this guy on offense . . . Jeremy Jackson. In the past two seasons, I have seen a couple interceptions thrown at least partly because Jackson is so slow and defensive backs can bait quarterbacks into thinking he’s open. On Saturday, Jackson was crossing toward the right sideline in the endzone, and Gardner tried to hit him on the run; Jackson was easily undercut by an Akron defensive back. I don’t mind seeing Jackson on running downs, but Michigan has numerous more athletic players for the passing game. Even if Michigan has to burn the redshirt of someone like Da’Mario Jones, I think Jackson’s playing time should diminish.

Let’s see more of this guy on defense . . . Willie Henry. Henry played more against Akron than any other team this year, and he acquitted himself pretty well. He’s built low to the ground and very stout, and he’s capable of creating penetration on running downs that I just don’t see from the other 3-tech rotation players. From what I saw on Saturday, I might even suggest Henry as the starter over Jibreel Black. Black is a better pass rusher but often a liability against the run because he’s so undersized.

Let’s see less of this guy on defense . . . Chris Wormley. Maybe it’s the ACL or his age or lack of experience or whatever, but every time I see Wormley on the field, he’s just not doing anything productive. He’s not powerful enough to bull rush guys, and he’s not quick enough to run around them. The 3-tech/5-tech rotation should consist of some combination of Keith Heitzmann, Black, Henry, and Matt Godin, with guys like Wormley and Ryan Glasgow playing only when absolutely necessary.

Play of the game . . . Devin Gardner to Jehu Chesson for a 33-yard touchdown. There weren’t many plays that stood out a great deal – no sacks, the interceptions weren’t spectacular, Jeremy Gallon didn’t make a highlight-reel grab for once, etc. I strongly considered Gardner’s 48-yard touchdown pass to Devin Funchess, which was perhaps more impressive but not quite as clutch. Michigan was scuffling throughout the game, and it showed no signs of going away. Chesson grabbed a short pass over the middle, shucked a guy, sprinted toward the sideline, and ran through a [piss poor] tackle attempt by an Akron defensive end before zipping into the endzone. That put Michigan up 21-10 in the third quarter. Obviously, the Wolverines continued to struggle, but the speed of Chesson showed me that he could do some big things before he leaves Ann Arbor.

MVP of the game . . . Fitzgerald Toussaint. Gardner put up 248 passing yards and 103 rushing yards, but he also turned over the ball four times. Toussaint looked like the running back of old on his way to 19 carries for 71 yards and 1 touchdown, along with 1 reception for 27 yards. His numbers would have been better if a couple runs wouldn’t have been called back for holding (probably closer to 21 carries for 120 yards). One thing I have also noticed with Toussaint is an improvement in pass protection. He did noticeably whiff on a blitzing linebacker, but he’s much more physical than he used to be.

2013 Season Countdown: #47 Chris Wormley

Chris Wormley

Name: Chris Wormley
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 290 lbs.
High school: Toledo (OH) Whitmer
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #43
Last year: I ranked Wormley #65 and said he would redshirt if possible. He tore his ACL in the pre-season and redshirted.

When Wormley hit campus last summer, he had impressive size for a freshman . . . despite the fact that he turned out to be 6’4″ after his recruiting profiles listed him as tall as 6’7″. The coaches talked about him like a kid who was going to see time as a freshman. Then August came around, he tore his ACL in practice, and it was all moot. He missed the season but recovered enough to participate in spring drills.

Now up to 290 lbs., Wormley seems to have jumped straight past his apprenticeship as a strongside end and looks like a straight-up defensive tackle. In the video clips that came out of the spring, I was concerned about his slowness off the ball. He seemed to be a half-step behind the other guys in drills, whether that was because of an inherent deficiency in quickness or a lag from the injury and his rehab. My biggest concern with him coming out of high school was his drive and consistency, so I won’t believe he’s a viable candidate for significant playing time until I see some explosiveness out of him. Regardless of what I think, however, the coaches seem to want him on the field in some capacity. Senior Jibreel Black looks like the front-runner for the 3-tech defensive tackle position, and redshirt freshman Willie Henry should provide some competition there, too. I expect Wormley to be less productive than those two while still getting some time in the rotation.

Prediction: Backup defensive tackle

2012 Season Countdown: #65 Chris Wormley

Chris Wormley

Name: Chris Wormley
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 270 lbs.
High school: Toledo (OH) Whitmer
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #43
Last year: Wormley was in high school.  He had 66 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 pass breakup.

Final TTB Rating: 73

Wormley’s reputation as a football player went through a bit of a rough patch last year.   Widely regarded as an elite recruit early in his high school career, questions arose about his health and aggressiveness.  Some people (including me) thought that perhaps he had suffered an injury or, worse, had lost his fire for the game. The numbers above look pretty good, but it seemed they could have been better if he had given a little more effort on the field.

Wormley claims to be 270 lbs. now and he’s headed for the strongside defensive end position, unless or until he outgrows the position.  There has been a lot of discussion about his potential to play the 3-tech defensive tackle spot, and that seems to be a distinct possibility down the road.  Strongside end is a tough position to play for a true freshman because of the technique and strength required to hold up against double teams, so Wormley should probably redshirt.  After senior starter Craig Roh graduates, Wormley can battle with his classmates, Keith Heitzman, and Nathan Brink for the starting job.

Prediction: Redshirt if possible

Chris Wormley Answers Your Questions

Image via ESPNHS Football

Incoming defensive lineman Chris Wormley has been a busy guy the last few years.  Besides keeping up with his classes and coursework, Wormley was a three-sport athlete at Toledo Whitmer, participating in football, basketball, and track & field.  His academic and athletic efforts earned him scholarship offers from some of the best institutions and programs in the nation, including the majority of the Big Ten, Alabama, Florida, and Notre Dame, among others. And as if those undertakings weren’t enough to keep him swamped, Wormley also held down not one but two jobs for much of his high school career – one umpiring baseball and another making pizzas.

Despite his tireless schedule, Chris found a few minutes to speak with me before punching in at work in order to discuss his future at Michigan and answer several reader questions.

Throwing heavy objects:  “Last year I made states in both shot put and discus, and I place sixth in disc and ninth in shot.  My farthest so far for shot is 58.3 feet and discus is 184.1. . . .yeah, there’s the strength and then the technique is pretty big.”

Screaming like a Panther:  “That photo shoot was for The Blade, which is our newspaper in Toledo.  The photographer was just doing different poses and different shots.  It was for defensive player of the year for all of division one in Ohio.”

Kickin’ it with Koger:  “Oh yeah, he actually went to Whitmer as well.  Right before my sophomore year is when we started talking and stuff.  He was my host up there when I went on my visit, so he showed me around campus and everything.  I definitely talk to him and stuff. . . . He would say stuff on my Facebook [during the recruiting process] like, “Go Blue!” and one of my good friends lives across the street from him, so I’d go over there, and he’d be over there for discing or something and we’d throw it across the yard.  But he wasn’t too annoying with it to the point where I’d get annoyed, but he’d put stuff in my ear. . . . Oh, man, who’d win [in a game of basketball] between me and Kevin (laughs)?  Well, he’s been away from basketball for five years now and he’s pretty massive, but I think my shot’s a little better than his right now, so I’d have to take me. . . . I think I’d win.”

Strengths and weaknesses:  “I think one of my strengths is my size.  You know, most D-ends are 6’4”, but I’m 6’5”/6’6” – and my intelligence of the game, too, knowing the game.  I think one of my weaknesses is going side to side, which is definitely a big part of defensive end.  You have to change your direction, so that’s something I’ll have to work on during the next four years.”

Height, weight, position:  “I’m 6’5” and 270 [pounds]. . . . Hopefully they can give me a target weight when I get up there but as of now they haven’t given me a certain weight that I should get to. . . .As of now they said [I’ll play] the 5-technique, but depending on if I lose a little weight or gain twenty pounds that could affect the 3-tech position that way, whether I go down there or just stay at the 5-technique.”

Redshirting:  “Well, I think most freshmen come in and try to get on the field and try to play.  But if not and I get redshirted, then that’s an extra year of school, an extra year to get bigger and stronger and work on the game of football.”

Strong motivation and drive:  “Just wait and see.  You can watch film all you want and roll back the tape of the games, but come out to practice, come out to a workout, go in the classroom and I’ll definitely prove you wrong, whoever thinks that my motivation isn’t at 100%.” 



Learn from the pros:  “I like the way Jared Allen plays for the Vikings, just how he plays defensive end and his style of play.  I like to watch Jared Allen and DeMarcus Ware.  Those are my two favorite defensive end players.”  

More Wormley:

Ask a Question: Chris Wormley

Image via seanworkphotography.com

I should be talking with incoming defensive lineman Chris Wormley from Toledo, OH, in the next day or two.  If you have any questions for him, leave them in the comments section, and I’ll address them in the interview.