Tag: Richard Ash

2013 Season Countdown: #54 Richard Ash

Richard Ash

Name: Richard Ash
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 316 lbs.
High school: Pahokee (FL) Pahokee
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #54
Last year: I ranked Ash #39 and said he would be the backup nose tackle. He played in four games and did not accrue any statistics.

Ash has been a bit of a forgotten man over the past few years. He came in without a great deal of hype for being a 4-star prospect, and his position was a little bit in the air. Rich Rodriguez recruited him for defensive tackle, but some thought he would be better as a strongside defensive end type. Last year he played around 301 lbs., which would have made him a light rotational defensive tackle . . . if he made the rotation. So far he has played in nine career games without making a single tackle. He simply hasn’t been very effective.

Fifth year senior Quinton Washington established himself as a starting nose tackle last year, and sophomore Ondre Pipkins earned most of the backup snaps. Ash doesn’t have the explosive abilities to be a consistent penetrator, so perhaps he can use his 316 lbs. to take up some space in the middle this coming year. However, the only defensive tackle who graduated last year was William Campbell, Michigan’s starting 3-tech. Until Washington graduates, Ash will probably find himself in the same spot or lower on the depth chart.

Prediction: Backup nose tackle

2012 Season Countdown: #39 Richard Ash

Richard Ash (#54) (image via Scout)

Name: Richard Ash
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 301 lbs.
High school: Pahokee (FL) Pahokee
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #54
Last year: I ranked Ash #47 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle.  He played in three games at nose tackle but didn’t accrue any statistics.

Ash was sprinkled throughout the season in 2011, showing up against Minnesota, Purdue, and Virginia Tech.  Despite Michigan being pretty thin on the interior of the defensive line, he couldn’t find his way onto the field consistently.  There was quite a bit of rotation at the end positions, but it was mostly Mike Martin and Will Heininger in the middle with a little bit of William Campbell.  Coming out of high school, Ash had a reputation for playing best when he was lighter (around 245 lbs.) and his performance tailed off as he added weight.  Now hovering just above 301 lbs., I wonder if he has adjusted to that additional weight yet.

The opportunity and the need are there for Ash this season.  Starting nose tackle Mike Martin graduated, and senior Will Campbell, whose play hasn’t matched his potential, presumably will be the new starter at NT.    Incoming freshman Ondre Pipkins has the size to play immediately, but freshmen on the defensive line are usually overmatched initially.  Unless Pipkins can break tradition and be an effective interior player as a rookie, then someone like Ash, Quinton Washington, or Ken Wilkins needs to hold the point of attack.  Ash has the best combination of size, quickness, and experience to be Campbell’s primary backup.

Prediction: Backup nose tackle

Poll Results: Who will be Michigan’s starting nose tackle against Alabama?

William Campbell (#73) is the frontrunner for the nose tackle position in 2012

William Campbell: 73%
Believe it or not, Campbell is now a senior.  The former 5-star recruit has spent the last three seasons as a backup defensive tackle and offensive guard.  He should have redshirted in 2009 and, in an ideal world, would have two seasons of eligibility left.  Unfortunately, this will be his last hurrah.  Campbell is 6’5″ and around 320 lbs., and when he fires off low, not many offensive linemen stand a chance; however, that’s about a 50/50 proposition.  Last season he made 14 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery as Mike Martin’s primary backup.  He’ll probably get the first crack at taking Martin’s starting spot

Ondre Pipkins: 17%
Pipkins is a 6’3″, 330 lb. incoming freshman who won’t hit campus until June.  It’s notoriously difficult for true freshmen to play on either side of the line, so he would normally be a huge long shot . . . but the lack of productive depth at the position suggests Pipkins will be in the running for playing time.

Quinton Washington: 5%
The 6’4″, 302 lb. made a bit of a sacrifice a couple seasons ago when he switched positions from offensive guard to defensive tackle.  When I watch him play defense, I see an offensive guard playing defense.  He’s a very strong, stout player, but he’s not athletic enough to be a real playmaker.  I think he lacks the qualities that the coaches are looking for in a starter, but he’s a decent sub and goal line player.

Richard Ash: 2%
Ash will be a redshirt sophomore this fall and has yet to see significant playing time in college.  He did play in three games in 2011, but did not accrue any statistics.  As the voting indicates, I think Ash is the biggest long shot to start at the position.

Other: 0% (3 votes)
I’m not sure who was earning votes here.

2011 Countdown: #47 Richard Ash

Richard Ash

Name: Richard Ash
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 320 lbs.
High school: Pahokee High School in Pahokee, FL
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #54
Last year: I ranked Ash #71 and said he would redshirt.  He redshirted.

Ash was listed at 263 lbs. as a recruit, which means he’s put on a ton of weight since his senior season of high school.  That’s almost a 60-pound difference.  His conditioning was reportedly an issue as a true freshman and one of the factors that prevented him from playing last year.  Ash backed up both defensive tackle positions (1-tech and 3-tech) this spring, and contrary to what some people report from message boards, I haven’t heard much in the way of rave reviews.  I haven’t heard bad things necessarily, but he just hasn’t been talked about much.

This fall it would be great if Ash could be a viable backup to Mike Martin at the nose tackle position.  With William Campbell looking like the starter at 3-tech and Quinton Washington pushing for playing time at both positions, Ash could give the team a nice four-player rotation at the defensive tackle positions.  Will Heininger is also a possibility inside, but he’s awfully light for a tackle at 267-ish pounds.  All Ash needs to do is not get crushed backwards for a couple plays in a row, just to allow Martin to get a blow.

Prediction: Backup defensive tackle

Welcome Back, 4-3 Under: The Defensive Line

The 4-3 Under

A couple weeks ago, I put up a post that took a stab at the depth chart for 2011.  In the comments section, I was asked to describe what should be expected from each position.  I’ll try to do that here.

5-TECH DEFENSIVE END
Alignment: 5-technique, which is on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle
Gap responsibility: C gap (between offensive tackle and tight end)
What should he look like? It’s only a matter of semantics, but head coach Brady Hoke and new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison appear to be referring to this position as the 5-technique defensive tackle.  Don’t get caught up in the terminology – the term “5-tech” is more important than whatever comes after it.  This player needs to be able to stand up to double-teams by the tight end and tackle, which will come with some regularity.  He also needs to be able to rush the passer when the tight end releases or when the offense goes to the spread.
Best physical fit: Ryan Van Bergen (6’6″, 283 lbs.)

1-TECH DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Alignment: 1-technique, which is on the strongside shoulder of the center
Gap responsibility: A gap (between center and strongside guard)
What should he look like?  The most important thing for a 1-tech (a.k.a. nose tackle) is that he should be able to stand his ground against double-teams.  Any penetration or pass rush from a nose tackle is gravy, but if he can resist getting blown backwards, the rest of your defense has a chance.  It would be typical to expect a short, fire hydrant-type player to fill this role.  Tall players (such as 6’5″ William Campbell) often struggle with losing leverage.  Mike Martin, the projected starter at nose tackle, is a bit of an anomaly, because he has the strength and technique to be successful at the position, despite being less than 300 lbs.
Best physical fit: Richard Ash (6’3″, 320 lbs.)

3-TECH DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Alignment: 3-technique, which is on the outside shoulder of the weakside guard
Gap responsibility: B gap (between weakside guard and tackle)
What should he look like?  Rather than size, the key at this position is the ability to get penetration.  Whether it’s by brute strength or pure quickness, it doesn’t really matter.  Most running plays go to an offense’s strength, which means the 3-tech is expected to play the B gap while simultaneously squeezing the A gap and trying to prevent cutbacks.  In passing situations, the 3-tech ought to be able to beat a single block (typically the guard) and push the pocket.  Because of the job description, players of various shapes and sizes can play the 3-tech.  Albert Haynesworth was a great 3-tech at 6’6″ and 335 lbs., but so was Warren Sapp at 6’2″ and 300 lbs.
Best physical fits: Mike Martin (6’2″, 299 lbs.) and William Campbell (6’5″, 333 lbs.)

RUSH END
Alignment: 5-technique, which is on the weakside offensive tackle’s outside shoulder
Gap responsibility: C gap (outside offensive tackle and containing outside)
What should he look like?  This is essentially the weakside end position that gets so much attention in recruiting each year.  He’s typically the quicker and lighter of the two defensive ends.  While he should be more of a threat as a pass rusher, he needs to be able to hold his own against single blocking by the offensive tackle.  In certain blitz packages, he might also need to cover the flat zone or a running back out of the backfield.  You can expect this player to be between 6’3″ and 6’5″ and somewhere around 260 lbs.
Best physical fit: Craig Roh (6’5″, 251 lbs.)