Tag: Drew Singleton

Drew Singleton, Ex-Wolverine

Drew Singleton (image via TrendsMap)

Redshirt freshman linebacker Drew Singleton has been granted his release to transfer. Singleton came to Michigan in the 2017 class from Paramus (NJ) Catholic, the same school that sent Jabrill Peppers and Rashan Gary to the Wolverines. Singleton tore his ACL as a senior in high school, and he was not recovered enough to play by his freshman year of college.

I initially gave Singleton a TTB Rating of 83 (LINK), and I didn’t see a reason to change it since he tore his ACL. He entered college with a loaded linebacker class (Singleton, Josh Ross, Jordan Anthony, Ben Mason), which has been whittled down to two now that Singleton is transferring and Mason moved to fullback. Singleton was battling at WILL linebacker this season, but that job has mostly been split between Ross and junior Devin Gil.

Singleton’s career stat line at Michigan:

1 kickoff return for 5 yards

Michigan now has at least 15 scholarships open for the 2019 class (LINK).

2018 Season Countdown: #55 Drew Singleton

Drew Singleton

Name: Drew Singleton
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 219 lbs.
High school: Paramus (NJ) Catholic
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #8
Last year: I ranked Singleton #78 and said he would be a backup linebacker (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: 83

Singleton was a very highly touted linebacker, but he tore his ACL as a senior in high school. Cameron McGrone seemed to heal from his ACL injury very quickly, but Singleton took a little bit longer, which impacted his ability to play last season. Now Singleton has a chance this season to spell Devin Bush, Jr. at middle linebacker. Bush rarely came off the field last season, but this year maybe he’ll get a little bit of a break. Plus Michael Wroblewski was his primary backup last season, and Wroblewski graduated. I expect to see Singleton gets his feet wet this year and perhaps get prepared to succeed Bush, who could potentially leave for the NFL in the 2019 draft.

Prediction: Backup middle linebacker

Five Things to Watch During Spring Practice

Going into the beginning of spring practice, there are lots of questions about the 2018 team. Some are obvious. Some, maybe not so much. Here are the top five things I’ll be looking for throughout the spring.

1. What will the offense look like?
Michigan’s offense was, to be kind, largely ineffective in 2017. Offensive line coach and run game coordinator Tim Drevno was nudged out the door, and he was replaced by a combination of former Ohio State/Minnesota offensive line coach Ed Warinner and former Florida head coach/Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain. Furthermore, offensive tackle/tight ends coach Greg Frey left for Florida State and was replaced by Central Michigan’s Sherrone Moore. Moore won’t change the look of the offense. Warinner might switch things up a little bit, depending on what types of bodies he wants on the offensive line. McElwain is the key here. He’s not known as an innovator, but will Michigan be in shotgun? Pistol? Will the use of the fullback be dialed back a bit? Will he pack it in with multiple tight end sets, or will he spread it out more?

Hit the jump for four more questions about the spring.

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Who might not return on defense in 2018?

Bryan Mone and Chase Winovich (image via iSportsWeb)

I addressed potential offensive attrition last week (LINK), and here’s the defensive edition. As I mentioned in that previous post, this is about the depth chart and opportunity for playing time; these posts are not about rumors or talent judgments.

DEFENSIVE LINE: First of all, it’s important to note that there are few places in the country where defensive linemen get better coaching than Michigan. If you want to be good and have the ability, Michigan gives you as good of a chance as anyone. It’s not like Alabama or Clemson, where elite recruits simply continue to be elite. It’s a place where walk-ons (Ryan Glasgow) and lowly 3-stars (Frank Clark, Maurice Hurst) can be turned into high draft picks. But if you’re not on their level, you won’t get on the field. In that regard, there are a few guys who are buried on the depth chart. One is defensive end Reuben Jones (RS Jr.), who has been passed by younger guys, and another is Ron Johnson (RS So.), who has bounced between defensive end and defensive tackle. Both are finding it difficult to find the field. Meanwhile, interior players Lawrence Marshall (RS Sr.) and Bryan Mone (RS Sr.) have both been passed by younger guys, most notably Aubrey Solomon, a 2017 signee. Michigan rotates defensive linemen quite a bit, so there’s playing time available for both, but becoming a starter would be a tall order. Most importantly of all, there’s a chance that Chase Winovich (RS Sr.) might enter the NFL Draft.

Hit the jump for a discussion of the linebackers and defensive backs.

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2017 Season Countdown: #78 Drew Singleton

Drew Singleton (image via Scout)

Name: Drew Singleton
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 213 lbs.
High school: Paramus (NJ) Catholic
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #8
Last year: Singleton was a senior in high school. He made 12 tackles and forced 1 fumble before tearing his ACL.
TTB Rating: 83

Singleton suffered a torn ACL near the beginning of his senior year, wiping out that opportunity to continue to improve – but he did get a chance to play in Michigan Stadium, where his Paladins played their season opener. Despite the health issue, he still earned enough respect to finish the recruiting cycle as the 247 Composite’s #80 overall player and #4 outside linebacker.

Michigan will have two new starters at linebacker now that Jabrill Peppers and Ben Gedeon have graduated, but Singleton probably won’t be needed. Though he’ll be almost a full year removed from his injury, Michigan kept a short bench at linebacker in 2016 and has several other options. There’s no need to push Singleton into playing until he’s 100% healthy, and even then, he might not be up to speed the other guys. I could see him redshirting or playing a backup role, but either way, he probably won’t be a key player for the 2017 defense.

Prediction: Backup linebacker