Who should be happy/sad about the Doug Nussmeier hire?

Tag: Khalid Hill


9Jan 2014
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Who should be happy/sad about the Doug Nussmeier hire?

Could Shane Morris be the next A.J. McCarron?

THIS HIRE IS GOOD FOR . . . 
Fifth year senior quarterback Devin Gardner. Gardner has one final chance to show his stuff at quarterback, and I think Nussmeier will bring a more cohesive offense to Ann Arbor. Gardner can run out of the shotgun and pistol, and he’s not bad throwing from under center. I expect Nussmeier to simplify Michigan’s blocking schemes, which should help out the young linemen and the quarterback. The new offensive coordinator also likes to push the ball down the field (as did Al Borges), which suits Gardner well because he has a strong arm and throws a nice deep ball.

The offensive line. Michigan’s young offensive line was terrible this past season, and it appears that Nussmeier may bring in a new offensive line coach to help him out. Whether coach Darrell Funk remains or not, I expect that Nussmeier will want a little more beef up front, and his coaching pedigree at Alabama suggests that he can help those guys achieve a new level of success.

Sophomore running backs Derrick Green and De’Veon Smith. Nussmeier utilized the inside zone game and zone sweeps to great effect at Alabama, which recruited Green out of high school. Both Green and Smith fit the role of good inside zone runners, because both of them are north-south runners capable of running through tackles. Green has the better speed of the two and would likely be more effective on the zone sweeps.

Sophomore quarterback Shane Morris and freshman quarterback Wilton Speight. Nussmeier has tutored numerous successful college quarterbacks (A.J. McCarron, Jake Locker, Drew Stanton, Jeff Smoker) and spent time with the St. Louis Rams under passing game guru Mike Martz. I can see Morris as a McCarron-like Game Manager Plus, a guy who can not only take care of the football and keep his team in the game, but make some downfield throws to really stress defenses.

Redshirt freshman H-backs Khalid Hill and Wyatt Shallman. Nussmeier likes to use his H-backs as lead blockers, wings, slot receivers, etc. Hill and Shallman appear to be good fits for this role, more so than the fullbacks who have been playing the past couple seasons.

THIS HIRE IS BAD FOR . . . 
Redshirt junior running back Justice Hayes. Nussmeier does not appear to be a fan of scatback types, at least not for featured roles. Hayes was reported to be moving to slot receiver, although he started Michigan’s bowl game at running back. His chances of winning the running back job next year likely took a hit with this hire.

Junior fullback Sione Houma and redshirt junior fullback Joe Kerridge. Nussmeier is a proponent of a one-back offense and doesn’t have a whole lot of use for true fullback types. The hire will almost certainly diminish their role in the offense, which was already more significant than it should have been based on Michigan’s personnel and abilities.

17Jun 2013
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2013 Season Countdown: #73 Khalid Hill

Let’s have another debate about which actor he resembles and/or how old he looks:
Khalid Hill (left) with Jake Butt and Jaron Dukes.

Name: Khalid Hill
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 235 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Crockett
Position: Tight end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Hill was a senior in high school. I gave him a TTB Rating of 60.

Hill was a bit of a surprise offer and committed in February 2012. Michigan’s coaching staff offered him as a U-back, the “move” tight end/fullback that guys like Devin Funchess, Ian Bunting, etc. play or will play. He’s built a little differently than those guys, though. Shorter and stockier, he’s perhaps a bit more pass-catching fullback than traditional tight end. Think Larry Centers or Keith Byars, the latter of whom went to Ohio State, so forget I said that.

I could see Hill’s season going either way – a redshirt or some time as a backup. He didn’t enroll early, but he’s already stout enough to hold his own in limited time. As a pass catcher, he’s more advanced than Michigan’s fullback options (Joe Kerridge, Sione Houma) but less so than Funchess. I think Michigan can find a small role for him this season, get him a little experience, and have a wide array of tight end/U-back/fullback options in 2014 and beyond.

Prediction: Backup U-back

1Feb 2013
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Scout: Class of 2013 Michigan Final State Rankings

Warren (MI) De La Salle quarterback Shane Morris is the top player in the state

Scout finalized its 2013 in-state rankings.  Here are some notes on a few players of Michigan interest:

1. Shane Morris – QB – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Offered, committed to Michigan.
2. Steven Elmer – OT – Midland (MI) Midland: Offered, committed to Notre Dame.
3. Jourdan Lewis – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Offered, committed to Michigan.
4. Jon Reschke – LB – Bloomfield (MI) Brother Rice: Offered, committed to Michigan State.
5. David Dawson – OG – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Offered, committed to Michigan.
6. Dennis Finley – OT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Offered, committed to Michigan State.
7. Delano Hill – S – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Offered, committed to Michigan.
8. Wyatt Shallman – FB – Novi (MI) Catholic Central: Offered, committed to Michigan.
9. Khalid Hill – TE – Detroit (MI) East English Village: Offered, committed to Michigan.
13. Da’Mario Jones – WR – Westland (MI) John Glenn: Offered, committed to Michigan.
23. Berkley Edwards – RB – Chelsea (MI) Chelsea: Brother of former Michigan WR Braylon Edwards, committed to Minnesota.
26. Andre Turner – DE – Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park: Teammate of WR commit Csont’e York, committed to Western Michigan.
28. DeJuan Rogers – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Teammate of commits Lewis, Dawson, and D. Hill; committed to Toledo.
37. Josh Cox – S – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Teammate of QB commit Shane Morris; committed to Central Michigan.
64. Matt Linehan – QB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: Son of Detroit Lions OC Scott Linehan, committed to Idaho.

17Jan 2013
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Detroit News Blue Chip list for 2013

Shane Morris is the top player in Michigan, according to the Detroit News

The Detroit News released its “blue chip” list for 2013, and unsurprisingly, there’s a handful of future Wolverines on the list.  A quick rundown:

1. Shane Morris – QB – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Committed to Michigan.
2. David Dawson – OG – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Committed to Michigan.
3. Steve Elmer – OT – Midland (MI) Midland: Committed to Notre Dame.
4. Jourdan Lewis – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Committed to Michigan.
5. Jon Reschke – LB – Birmingham (MI) Brother Rice: Committed to Michigan State.
6. Wyatt Shallman – RB – Novi (MI) Catholic Central: Committed to Michigan.
7. Cameron Dillard – OG – Plymouth (MI) Canton: Committed to Florida.
8. Gerald Holmes – RB – Flint (MI) Carman-Ainsworth: Committed to Michigan State.
9. Delano Hill – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Committed to Michigan.
10. Khalid Hill – TE – Detroit (MI) East English Village: Committed to Michigan.
11. Da’Mario Jones – WR – Westland (MI) John Glenn: Committed to Michigan.
12. Dennis Finley – OT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Committed to Michigan State.
13. Csont’e York – WR – Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park: Committed to Michigan.
14. Kenton Gibbs – DT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Uncommitted.
15. Luke Maclean – LB – Grand Blanc (MI) Grand Blanc: Committed to Pitt.

So Michigan has 8 of the top 15 players in the state for the class of 2013, in addition to 8 of the 15 from last year.

13Oct 2012
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Visitors: Michigan vs. Illinois

Jalen Watts-Jackson

Mike Barwick – DT – Cincinnati (OH) Summit Country Day: Barwick is a 6’3″, 275 lb. defensive tackle prospect.  He just has one offer (Western Michigan), and he looks like a low level BCS prospect.  He’s decently athletic, but he doesn’t use his hands well to shed blockers and isn’t explosive off the ball.  As a sophomore in 2011, he had 68 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery.  I would be surprised if Michigan offered him anytime soon. (Highlights.)

Kei Beckham – CB – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: Beckham is a 5’11”, 170 lb. athlete from the class of 2015. He’s the teammate of 2013 Michigan linebacker commit Michael McCray II.  (Highlights.)

Jaylon Brown – RB – St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville: Brown is a 5’8″, 160 lb. running back in the class of 2014.  He’s a small, quick back who might be a third down option, but probably won’t receive much of a look if he doesn’t add some size.  Brown is the teammate of 2014 commit Michigan Ferns III. (Highlights.)

David Cornwell – QB – Jones (OK) Jones: Cornwell is a 6’5″, 215 lb. signal caller in the 2014 class with offers from Auburn and Indiana.  He reminds me a little bit of former Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell.  Cornwell isn’t a great athlete but has a little bit of ability to scramble; as a passer, he has a good arm and decent mechanics, but he’s got some accuracy issues.  Michigan is still looking to offer their first quarterback in the 2014 class, and Cornwell could grab an offer at some point.  He’s not an elite quarterback, but might be a decent player to follow one class after Shane Morris. (Highlights.)

David Dawson – OG – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Dawson committed to Michigan in February.

Nathaniel Devers – OG – Massillon (OH) Washington: Devers is a 6’3″, 265 lb. offensive guard prospect from the class of 2014 with a lone offer from Toledo.  He has visited and camped at Michigan before, and he could be in line for an offer down the road, but I don’t see him as an elite prospect. (Highlights.)

Michael Ferns III – LB – St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville: Ferns committed to Michigan in August.

Ramroth Finnegan – QB – Columbus (OH) Whetstone: Finnegan is a 6’3″, 205 lb. quarterback prospect from the class of 2014.  He doesn’t have any offers at this point, and he doesn’t appear to have a big-time arm or be an elite athlete.  I would not expect an offer from the Wolverines to come for Finnegan. (Highlights.)

Brandon Fritts – TE – Mentor (OH) Mentor: Fritts is a 6’4″, 210 lb. high school receiver who looks like he’ll grow into a tight end in college.  He’s somewhat reminiscent of current Michigan freshman Devin Funchess.  As a sophomore in 2011, Fritts had 50 receptions for 800 yards and 9 touchdowns; in Mentor’s first six games this season, he had 400 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns.  His former teammate is current Michigan freshman defensive end Tom Strobel. (Highlights.)

Connor Hayes – OG – Traverse City (MI) West: Hayes is a 6’4″, 280 lb. offensive guard prospect from Traverse City.  He’s a 2014 prospect who already has offers from Central Michigan and Indiana.  He camped at Michigan this summer.  He appears to be more of a drive blocker than an all-around lineman, and could use some more work on his pass blocking.  He could be a backup option in the recruiting process, but he has the potential to grow into a legitimate BCS prospect. (Highlights.)

Khalid Hill – TE – Detroit (MI) East English Village: Hill committed to Michigan in February.

Da’mario Jones – WR – Westland (MI) John Glenn: Jones is a 6’2″, 185 lb. wideout who is committed to Central Michigan.  He also has offers from Bowling Green and Toledo.  Jones transferred to John Glenn this offseason after playing in New Jersey previously.  Michigan is still pursuing Crete (IL) Crete-Monee wide receiver LaQuon Treadwell, but Jones looks like a guy who could garner a late offer if things with Treadwell go south. (Highlights.)

Jamarco Jones – OG – Chicago (IL) De La Salle: Jones is a 6’5″, 285 lb. offensive guard prospect with offers from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and a few others.  While some sites list him as an offensive tackle, he reminds of class of 2011 recruit Chris Bryant, who has been playing guard at Michigan.

Marcelys Jones – OG – Cleveland (OH) Glenville: Jones is a 6’4″, 325 lb. offensive guard prospect.  He plays offensive tackle for Glenville, a school that has sent Frank Clark and Willie Henry to Michigan in recent years; however, he’s not a very technical player, and is more just a huge body.  He can push people around, but he’s not a guy who should be blocking elite edge rushers.  Jones already holds offers from Indiana and Ohio State.

Tyler Jones – DE – Albertville (AL) Albertville: Jones is a 6’5″, 270 lb. strongside end/defensive tackle prospect for the class of 2014.  He looks more like a defensive tackle to me, and I’m not sure he’s a Michigan-level prospect.  He has no offers at this point. (Highlights.)

Jake Khoury – DT – Traverse City (MI) St. Francis: Khoury is a 6’3″, 270 lb. defensive tackle from the 2014 class.  He’s the cousin of former Michigan center Rocko Khoury.  Jake camped at Michigan over the summer and doesn’t have any offers at this point; I do not foresee one coming from the Wolverines in the near future.  He’s a decent athlete, but he doesn’t deal well with blockers and appears to struggle with fulfilling his assignments. (Highlights.)

Tyree Kinnel – CB – Huber Heights (OH) Wayne: Kinnel is a 5’11”, 170 lb. cornerback from the class of 2015.  He attends the same school as former Michigan players Terry and Terrence Talbott, who have left the program due to injury and discipline, respectively. (Highlights.)

DeShone Kizer – QB – Toledo (OH) Central Catholic: Kizer is a 6’4″, 205 lb. dual-threat quarterback from the 2014 class.  So far he has netted offers from Boston College, Illinois, Louisville, and Nebraska, along with a few others.  He camped at Michigan, but the Wolverines have had several chances to offer and haven’t done so.  That leads me to believe that Kizer won’t be offered by Michigan, at least not very early in the process. (Highlights.)

Chase Lash – OT – Massillon (OH) Washington: Lash is a 6’5″, 287 lb. prospect for the class of 2014.  At this point he has no FBS offers.  His favorite school is Ohio State, so if both the Buckeyes and Wolverines come calling, he’ll probably be headed to Columbus.

Jourdan Lewis – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Lewis committed to Michigan back in February.

Lawrence Marshall – DE – Southfield (MI) Southfield: Marshall is a 6’4″, 215 lb. defensive end from the class of 2014.  He has offers from Bowling Green and San Diego State.  Through seven games of his junior season, he has 35 tackles and 6 sacks.  He looks to me like a guy who could start off his career as a weakside end grow into playing the strongside spot. (Highlights.)

Mike McCray II – LB – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: McCray committed to Michigan in March.

Shane Morris – QB – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Morris committed to Michigan last year.  Here’s a look at how his senior season is going.

Kyle Rachwal – TE – Lapeer (MI) East: Rachwal is a 6’3″, 215 lb. tight end/linebacker with no offers at this point.  He also visited for the UMass game a few weeks ago.Rachwal has some abilities on both sides of the ball, but I’m not sure that he’s a Michigan-caliber tight end or linebacker.  He’s the type of player who can probably get a scholarship to a MAC team or even somewhere like Indiana, but he’s just not on the same level as Jake Butt, Devin Funchess, James Ross, etc.  He also comes from the alma mater of former Wolverine Jake Long. (Highlights.)

Gelen Robinson – DE – St. John (IN) Lake Central: Robinson is a 6’1″, 230 lb. defensive end/outside linebacker in the class of 2014.  He is the son of former Purdue and NBA basketball star Glenn Robinson, and his brother is Michigan basketball player Glenn Robinson III.  Gelen might be a little bit short to play defensive end in college, but he could be a SAM linebacker.  He has been having a productive junior season and could very well hit a growth spurt, so Michigan will likely keep their eye on how he develops. (Highlights.)

Jeff Rotheram – OT – North Olmsted (OH) North Olmsted: Rotheram is a 6’6″, 290 lb. offensive tackle from the class of 2014.

Chance Sorrell – TE – Middletown (OH) Middletown: Sorrell is a 6’6″, 225 lb. tight end from the class of 2014.  He does not have any offers at this point, and he looks like a pure blocking tight end.

Dymonte Thomas – S – Alliance (OH) Marlington: Thomas committed last year and is having an excellent senior season.

Jordan Van Dort – OG – Zeeland (MI) West: Van Dort is a 6’5″, 280 lb. offensive line prospect from the class of 2014.  He doesn’t have any offers at this point, and he played tight end as a sophomore; however, it seems pretty clear that he’ll end up playing an interior line position in college.  He doesn’t have any offers at this point, but athletic linemen like him won’t go unnoticed.  I don’t think he’s an elite line prospect on par with the guys Michigan netted in the class of 2013, but he’s still a BCS-level prospect, in my opinion. (Highlights.)

Denzel Ward – OT – Chicago (IL) Hales Franciscan:Ward is a 6’9″, 285 lb. offensive tackle prospect with a lone offer from Purdue.  Ward trains with the Core 6 group of athletes, which includes Jamarco Jones and Joliet (IL) Plainfield South LB Clifton Garrett.

Jalen Watts-Jackson – WR/CB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: Watts-Jackson is a 6’0″, 172 lb. wide receiver or cornerback from the 2014 class.  He has no offers at this point, but they should be on their way.  He looks to me like more of a cornerback prospect.  I don’t see him having the run-after-catch abilities to play wide receiver at the next level, but he’s very thin and some added weight could change that perception a little bit.  Watts-Jackson is the former teammate of freshman Michigan linebacker James Ross. (Highlights.)

Jake Whitley – OG – North Augusta (SC) North Augusta: Whitley is a 6’4″, 300 lb. high school offensive tackle from the class of 2014.  While he has the size to play big-time college football, he looks a little stiff to be a legitimate Michigan prospect. (Highlights.)

Mikale Wilbon – RB – Chicago (IL) De La Salle: Wilbon is a 5’9″, 190 lb. running back prospect from the class of 2014.  He already has offers from Iowa and Purdue.  Wilbon is the teammate of Michigan offeree Jamarco Jones, and while he’s not a blazer or particularly big, Wilbon is a little bit shifty and a fairly powerful runner.  He does a good job of getting north-and-south, and I could see Michigan pursuing him down the road. (Highlights.)

Csont’e York – WR – Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park Academy: York committed to Michigan back in May.