Tag: Lawrence Marshall

Class of 2014: By the Numbers

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I recently did a summary of the 2015 class that was an interesting look back at their five years on campus (LINK). The class of 2014 was Brady Hoke’s final complete class before he was fired, so here’s a look at how that group fared over five years. Michigan landed 17 players in the pack, which ranked 20th in the country according to the 247 Composite.

Hit the jump for the rundown.

A Few Thoughts on Rounds 4-7, UDFA

After the day one and day two results (LINK), Michigan got one more player drafted on day three.

Zach Gentry – TE – Pittsburgh Steelers: Round 5, #141 overall
Gentry had subpar performances at both the Combine and pro day, but I guess it’s important to remember that he got invited to the Combine for a reason. At 6’8″ and 260 lbs. with some impressive plays over the past two seasons, he has some things going for him. I projected that he wouldn’t go higher than the 7th round due to a 4.92 forty (at the Combine) and a poor showing on the bench press, the Steelers found him worthy of drafting, perhaps to help replace Jesse James (who signed with the Lions). I like Gentry and I think he could hang around the NFL for a decent career.

Hit the jump for more.

2019 NFL Draft Preview: Michigan

This is one of the most exciting NFL Draft seasons for Michigan fans in years, probably even surpassing the 2017 draft when Taco Charlton was taken in the first round, Jourdan Lewis seemed like a borderline first rounder, and several others were drafted. A couple players are expected to go in the first round, and another player is considered to be one of the top few players at his position.

Hit the jump for more.

2018 Season Countdown: #46 Lawrence Marshall

Lawrence Marshall (#93, image via MLive)

Name: Lawrence Marshall
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 268 lbs.
High school: Southfield (MI) Southfield
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #93
Last year: I ranked Marshall #61 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle (LINK). He made 5 tackles and 1 fumble recovery.
TTB Rating: 72

Marshall had a chance last season to step up at defensive tackle last season, and he . . . sort of did. A converted defensive end, Marshall hasn’t shown the same explosiveness he displayed in high school, so Michigan bulked him up and made him an interior guy. He has 11 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in four years on campus, and it looked like he might not return for a fifth year. However, he stuck around through the spring, and reports were generally positive. He’s not developing into a star, but he’s developing nonetheless.

I contemplated putting Marshall below Donovan Jeter, but Marshall has the experience and isn’t coming off an injury. I have to think the coaching staff offered to bring him back for a fifth year for a reason. They didn’t want him to come back just so he can waste away on the sideline and eat up a scholarship, so I expect Marshall to play. Maybe he’ll be the second 3-tech, or maybe he’ll be #3. Either way, I expect him to be a rotation guy and get a decent amount of playing time behind Michael Dwumfour and perhaps others.

Prediction: Backup defensive tackle

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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