2012 Spring Game Review – Defense

Tag: Jarrod Wilson


15Apr 2012
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2012 Spring Game Review – Defense

Senior WILL Brandin Hawthorne was Saturday’s defensive MVP

DEFENSIVE ENDS
I thought Craig Roh looked pretty darn good at strongside end.  The starter at weakside end was Brennen Beyer, who looks significantly bigger this spring than he did in the fall.  He looked like a bona fide weakside end instead of a lanky outside linebacker.  Beyer got a good pass rush a couple times.  Meanwhile, backup weakside end Frank Clark performed solidly and made a nice hit on fullback Joey Kerridge, whom Clark chased down out of the backfield.  I also thought backup strongside end Keith Heitzman looked pretty solid.  Based on how Nathan Brink looked last year, I’m going to posit that Heitzman passes up Brink this fall.  (Brink sat out the spring game, still recovering from his broken leg.)

DEFENSIVE TACKLES
William Campbell looked alternately solid and inconsequential.  He had one or two good  plays but he just didn’t seem to be going hard all the time.  He should have destroyed walk-on guard Joey Burzynski (or so I would think) but instead got stalemated too often.  Maybe the coaches are teaching him differently than I would expect, but it all seemed to start with his stance, which needs work from my perspective.  Jibreel Black looks like a matchup nightmare for a lot of offensive guards, because he’s too quick to handle with any consistency.  He looks bigger than last year (although the neck roll might have had something to do with that).  It also seems that Richard Ash has taken a step forward, and I was surprised by how big backup 3-tech Chris Rock has become.  I saw glimmers of hope there for some competent rotation players.  Quinton Washington and Ken Wilkins still didn’t impress me.

LINEBACKERS
I didn’t pay much attention to Jake Ryan because we already know he’s a good player.  Kenny Demens looked solid but unspectacular at MIKE.  Desmond Morgan left the scrimmage early after getting chopped down on a blitz; he limped to the sideline and was later carted into the tunnel.  Hopefully it was nothing serious.  Cam Gordon was Ryan’s backup at SAM, and he’s definitely put on some weight since last year.  Now he looks like a linebacker rather than a strong safety.  I don’t think he’ll surpass Ryan, but he’s a very good backup.  It will be interesting to see what the coaches do with him in 2013 as a senior, because by that time, I don’t think they’ll be able to afford to keep him off the field.  Mike Jones and Joe Bolden played as backup middle linebackers, but neither one was particularly visible.  I saw a couple loafs out of Antonio Poole, which does not bode well for his immediate future.  Kaleb Ringer looked like he was in great shape and he made a nice tackle on Justice Hayes, but both of those guys seem to be a ways down on the depth chart.  The linebacker who impressed me most on the day was Brandin Hawthorne, who made a couple nice tackles for loss and grabbed a one-handed pick, albeit off walk-on Jack Kennedy, who floated the ball across the middle.  Hawthorne looked good at times last year, too, but he’s another guy who loafs once in a while, and that seemed to get him in the dighouse.  The linebackers now have depth, which we haven’t been able to say for several years.  I truly believe that Michigan has five starter-level linebackers: Ryan, Gordon, Demens, Morgan, and Hawthorne.

CORNERBACKS
J.T. Floyd started over Terrence Talbott, despite reports that Talbott had overtaken Floyd.  That was somewhat expected.  Floyd looked solid but was never tested deep.  Blake Countess made a nice pick on a late Devin Gardner throw and also made a couple nice tackles.  The backup cornerbacks did not impress me, although I don’t remember seeing much out of Talbott.  Maybe he’s the third guy and we’ll be fine, but I don’t think Raymon Taylor and Delonte Hollowell are ready.  We know Courtney Avery is pretty solid at the nickel corner, and although he pulled up on a tackle, it seemed like he was trying not to submarine the leaping receiver; if it were a game, I would be disappointed by that play, but I think he was just trying not to hurt his teammate.

SAFETIES
The starting safeties weren’t really tested in the running or the passing game.  Jordan Kovacs should be good and practice reports suggest that Thomas Gordon has improved once again, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see on him.  Backup free safety Jarrod Wilson needs to get stronger.  He did miss a tackle on Thomas Rawls that turned into a touchdown, but Wilson should be struggling through senioritis and ordering his prom tux right now.  Tackling 220 lb. running backs is a tough task for a safety so young.  Marvin Robinson looked solid as the backup strong safety and made a nice tackle for little or no gain in the run game.  As long as Robinson’s legal troubles are behind him, I expect him to improve and be a good in-the-box safety.  He should be a good replacement for Kovacs after the latter graduates.

4Apr 2012
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Spring Practice Thoughts and Rumors – Defense

Cameron Gordon has impressed the coaches again this spring

If you missed yesterday’s discussion of the offense, here it is.  And now for the defense:

Defensive end: As we know by now, Craig Roh has switched to strongside end.  He has done fairly well at the position, but he’ll need to spend the next several months eating a ton and bulking up.  The coaches want him in the low 280s and right now he’s about 270.  Insiders say Frank Clark looks like the starter at weakside end for the upcoming season.  Brennen Beyer, who switched from SAM linebacker this offseason, also has reportedly fared well but looks to be a step behind Clark at the position.  Beyer’s a thicker, run-stopping sort and Clark will have to work on that aspect of his game.  Nathan Brink is the presumed backup at the 5-tech position but has been limited due to his late-season broken leg.  Keith Heitzman is also in the mix, which would be great for depth at the position.  I would not be surprised to see one or two of the freshman defensive ends get some action, such as Matt Godin at 5-tech and Mario Ojemudia on the weakside, although Heitzman’s emergence might preclude Godin from having to burn a redshirt.

Defensive tackle: The first team defensive tackles appear to be Will Campbell at nose tackle and Jibreel Black at the 3-tech.  Campbell looks fit and is being more consistent with his technique, but the coaches continue to work on that aspect.  Black needs to add weight, but he’s more athletic than most 3-techs (especially compared to Will Heininger), so he adds a different dimension.  Richard Ash appears to be the backup nose tackle.  Meanwhile, Ken Wilkins has supposedly taken a leap forward this spring.  He was mired on the bench last season and there were a lot of questions swirling about him, but it seems the light has gone on.  He could be the #2 defensive tackle going into the season.  Chris Rock has also earned a tiny bit of buzz and has put on a significant amount of weight to play the 3-tech.

Linebacker: I don’t mean to overstate things, but the competition between Jake Ryan and Cam Gordon appears to be neck-and-neck for the SAM position.  The coaches really like Gordon’s athleticism, and he’s done a good job in pass coverage, which makes sense because he’s a converted safety.  Ryan has continued to progress after having a solid redshirt freshman season.  There was a huge dropoff last season between Ryan and Beyer, but that won’t be the case this year (if Cam Gordon can stay healthy).  At the MIKE spot, Kenny Demens hasn’t necessarily taken the forward steps that the coaches want.  He has been hampered by a thumb injury, and the #1 middle linebacker in his absence has been freshman Joe Bolden.  Mike Jones is buried at the #3 spot.  The best linebacker this spring has been Desmond Morgan, according to several accounts.  He’s put on a decent amount of weight after playing at 225 last season, and insiders suggest he’s probably close to 240 now.  The backup to Morgan at WILL has been Antonio Poole, who redshirted last season.

Cornerback: Blake Countess has one cornerback position locked down.  At the boundary corner position, Terrence Talbott has stepped up to challenge J.T. Floyd.  Insiders say that Floyd’s “benching” is partly due to him underperforming and partly due to rewarding Talbott for hard work in the offseason.  It might be unlikely that Talbott takes a job from a fifth year senior, but the possibility exists.  He’s made his move not by being a great coverage guy but by supporting the run and turning into a very good tackler.  Those are the top three corners right there.  Raymon Taylor continues to earn buzz as perhaps the secondary’s best athlete, but he’s still not ready mentally and physically.  Courtney Avery is the nickel corner, where he did a great job last season and doesn’t seem to getting challenged this spring.

Safety: The starters here are pretty clear with Thomas Gordon at free safety and Jordan Kovacs at strong.  Freshman Jarrod Wilson has picked things up quickly, and he might be the #2 free safety.  Marvin Robinson has returned to the practice field this spring after disappearing last year with some legal issues.  Despite his absence, Robinson appears to have taken another step forward and should be the heir apparent to Kovacs. A couple backup safeties have been absent from practices so far this spring: Tamani Carter and Josh Furman.  I would have to assume that they will be buried a little bit if/when they return.  These coaches do not like guys who miss practice.

30Oct 2011
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Recruit Tracker

Jarrod Wilson breaks up a pass against Firestone
OL Blake Bars and Montgomery Bell Academy (5-5) won a 35-0 contest over the Pope John Paul II Knights.
LB Joe Bolden and Colerain (9-1) won a 17-7 contest over Coca.
OL Ben Braden and his team the Rockford Rams (9-1) “rose up to turn away West Ottawa in Division 1 playoff opener,” winning by a score of 17-10.
DE Pharaoh Brown and the Brush Arcs (3-6) were defeated by Garfield Heights by a score of 41-27. Brown caught 9 passes for 105 yards in the Arcs final game of the season.
S Jeremy Clark of North Hopkins (8-2) went on the road and routed Crittenden County, 49-0.
TE Devin Funchess of Farmington Hills Harrison (10-0) won a 35-0 contest against Birmingham Seaholm in the first round of the 2011 Division 2 State Tournament. Funchess caught 2 passes for 19 yards and a touchdown.
S Allen Gant and the Southview Cougars (9-1) defeated Northview by a score of 35-6.
DL Matt Godin and Detroit Catholic Central (9-1) hosted Northville on Saturday and blew them out, 56-6, in a first round division playoff game. Matt texted that he recorded 10 tackles and 4 QB hurries.
FB Sione Houma’s Highland Rams (7-3) defeated Maple Mountain by a score of 42-20 to advance to the second round of the 4A state playoffs. Houma, who has been injured for a large portion of the season, appears to have regained his health. On Friday, he rushed for 205 yards on only 13 carries and scored 4 touchdowns.
LB Royce Jenkins-Stone and Detroit Cass Tech (7-3) got back to playing dominating football on Friday, pounding Livonia Churchill, 35-6. Next, they take on Dearborn Fordson in a Division 1 district final. Jenkins-Stone recorded 4 tackles and a sack to go with a 4-yard touchdown run.
OL Kyle Kalis and the Lakewood-St. Edwards Eagles (7-3) were plagued by turnovers and lost the “Holy War” against St. Ignatius by a score of 20-17. 11,000 people were reported to have attended the game.
OL Erik Magnuson and his team the La Costa Canyon Mavericks (6-2) won a 21-16 contest against Oceanside.
2013 QB Shane Morris and Warren De La Salle (8-2) defeated Roseville by a score of 48-14. Surprisingly, I couldn’t find Morris’ official stats, but “BrendanDavis22” went to the game and posted on the MGoBoard that Shane went 13-16 with 2 touchdowns and 0 picks but also dinged up his throwing hand a bit.
DL Mario Ojemudia and Farmington Hills Harrison (9-0) defeated Birmingham Seaholm by a score of 35-0. If you feel like shelling out a couple bucks, Mr. Tom VH has an article on Harrison and their pursuit of another state title.
DT Ondre Pipkins and his Park Hill Trojans (5-5) lost a 24-6 contest against Central.
CB Terry Richardson and Detroit Cass Tech (7-3) defeated Livonia Churchill, 35-6.
LB Kaleb Ringer and the Northmont Thunderbolts (4-6) won a 33-20 contest against Springfield.
LB James Ross and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s pummeled Detroit Pershing by a score of 56-6 to advance to the second round of the division 3 playoffs.
OL Caleb Stacey and Oak Hills (4-5) were defeated by Serrano, 21-14.
CB Anthony Standifer and his Crete-Monee (10-0) team defeated Bloomington, 63-14, to remain undefeated on the season. Standifer sat out the game with a dislocated shoulder, but teammate Laquon Treadwell, a 2013 wide receiver prospect, caught 3 touchdown passes, finishing with 6 catches for 119 yards. Treadwell even made an impact from the defensive end position, recording 1.5 sacks. “Playing defensive end helps with my hands and has made me a more aggressive player…I’m more physical now when I’m blocking,” Treadwell said.
DE Tom Strobel and his Mentor team (9-1) lost their first game of the season by a score of 38-35 against Twinsburg.
2013 S Dymonte Thomas and Marlington (7-2) won a 27-23 contest against Alliance.
TE AJ Williams and Sycamore (8-2) lost a 41-13 contest against Mason.
S Jarrod Wilson and his Akron squad Buchtel (6-4) won a 34-0 contest against Firestone. Wilson had his “best game of the season,” blocking a punt, making an interception and catching a TD pass. When asked about Wilson, Coach Ricky Powers said, “he’s going to Michigan. Need I say anything else?”
DL Christopher Wormley and the Toledo Whitmer Panthers (8-0) defeated Catholic Central by a score of 38-21. Ace was at the game and tweeted that Wormley was “active and aggressive…too much so at times…had a strong second half.” Josh Helmholdt from rivals was at the game, too, and tweeted that Wormley was “aggressive,” but he “needs to do a better job of diagnosing plays”
Stats will be updated as they’re found. Please let us know if you have any additional information for the compilation. Thanks!
8Jul 2011
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Jarrod Wilson, Wolverine

Akron, OH safety Jarrod Wilson (#24)

Akton (OH) Buchtel safety Jarrod Wilson committed to Michigan on Friday afternoon.  He had offers from Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Stanford, Syracuse, UCLA, West Virginia, and others.  The other two finalists for his services were the Fighting Irish and Nittany Lions.

Wilson is a 6’2″, 190 lb. free safety type whose high school coach is Ricky Powers, the former Michigan running back.  Last year the rising senior had 55 tackles and 8 interceptions, 5 of which were returned for touchdowns; he also returned a fumble 88 yards for a touchdown.  His ratings on the recruiting sites:

ESPN: 4-star, #12 safety
Rivals: 4-star, #13 safety
Scout: 4-star, #10 safety
247 Sports: 4-star, 91 rating

I am a huge fan of Wilson’s abilities.  He has the size, speed, tackling ability, and ballhawking instincts that Michigan teams have been lacking for the last several years.  And, perhaps best of all, he’s the elusive Michigan-recruited safety who actually looks like a safety and not a linebacker.  Brady Hoke and Greg Mattison are recruiting linebackers who played linebacker in high school, and safeties who played safety.  Hallelujah!  The next thing you know, they’ll be recruiting running backs and wide receivers who are taller than 5’6″ . . .

Here’s what Wilson isn’t: Steve Atwater.  He’s not a guy who’s going to take Wisconsin’s fat running back du jour and plant him on his hindquarters.  He’ll make the tackles that need to be made, but he’s not the most aggressive hitter.  And that’s fine.

Here’s what Wilson is: a good football player.  He’s got the potential to be All-Big Ten, pick off a handful of passes, and make quarterbacks think twice about lofting the ball down the middle of the field.  Having a 6’2″ guy with hops and ball skills playing center field helps out the defensive line and gives the cornerbacks a chance to gamble once in awhile, knowing that one mistake might not mean a sure touchdown.

Michigan now has 18 commitments in the class of 2012, and this pushes Jeremy Clark to almost certain greyshirt status, which will cause him to count toward the class of 2013.

TTB Rating: 89 (rating system here)