Tag: Steve Watson

2010 Countdown: #63 Steve Watson

Name: Steve Watson
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 257 lbs.
High school: Mullen High School in Cherry Hills Village, CO
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #81
Last year: I ranked Watson #64 and said he’d contribute on special teams and see spot duty on defense. He was mainly a special teams player and made 5 tackles.

Having been buried on the depth chart behind Kevin Koger, Martell Webb, and Brandon Moore, Watson switched to defense during the spring of 2009. Greg Robinson was a new defensive coordinator then and needed a few players to play the defensive end/outside linebacker hybrid role that was eventually locked down by freshman Craig Roh. Brandon Herron was Roh’s primary backup, and Watson settled for mop-up duty against teams like Delaware State and Illinois. He finished the season with 5 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 pass breakup as the third-string OLB. He was also a part-time contributor on special teams, but only against the B-list teams on Michigan’s roster.

For spring of 2010, Watson switched roles again to 5-tech defensive end. Assuming no further position changes, he’ll be playing exclusively with his hand on the ground. Despite the position change, Watson will probably still be no higher than third on the depth chart. The starter will likely be Ryan Van Bergen with Anthony Lalota as the primary backup. A freshman like Jibreel Black could also work himself into the mix. Buried on the depth chart at yet another position, I expect 2010 to be Watson’s final campaign as a Wolverine. He probably won’t be offered a fifth year of eligibility by the coaching staff.

Prediction for 2010: Special teams contributor, spot duty on defense

Marell Evans, ex-Wolverine

Marell Evans has decided to transfer from Michigan. A former 2-star recruit from Varina High School in Richmond, VA (the same high school as running back Brandon Minor), Evans burned his redshirt as a freshman by playing on special teams. He started last year as Michigan’s starting SAM but quickly lost that position to . . . anyone else willing to play it.

With the arrival of Greg Robinson as defensive coordinator, Evans switched from SAM to the Quick position and appeared to be battling Brandon Herron, Craig Roh, and Steve Watson for the starting job. Most reports had Herron leading in that battle, and it seems that Evans is looking for more playing time. A reporter recently asked Rich Rodriguez if Evans transferred too soon (i.e. before the depth chart was finalized) and Rodriguez basically said, “There is a chance that guys could move up in the depth chart, but most of the backups know they’ll be backups.” In other words, if Evans wanted to play, he’d have to go elsewhere.

This leaves the Quick position three-deep (Herron, Roh, Watson). Herron and Watson are redshirt sophomores who have only played special teams. Roh is a true freshman.

It’s unclear where Evans will end up, but most kids who transfer seem to end up closer to home and at a slightly smaller program.

2009 Countdown: #64 Steve Watson

Name: Steve Watson
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 257 lbs.
High School: Mullen High School in Cherry Hills Village, CO
Position: Quick
Class: RS sophomore
Jersey Number: #81
Prediction for 2009: Spot duty on defense, special teams contributor

Watson came to Michigan as a tight end and remained there through last season. But when new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson showed up and needed DE/OLB hybrids to play the new Quick position in the 4-3 under, Watson moved over to defense; it didn’t help that he was buried on the TE depth chart behind then-freshman Kevin Koger and then-sophomore Martell Webb. Watson got positive reviews during the spring, but it seems he’s been left behind by a couple teammates and incoming freshmen. He might be able to earn just enough snaps to prevent a freshman like Craig Roh from burning a redshirt, but he probably won’t contribute significantly on defense.