We'll be breaking a lot of players in this year, but it's a talented crop of players....
DT...Hurst, Mone, Marshall, Dwumfour, Solomon, Hudson, Paea, Irving-Bey.
2017...Hurst and Mone have first round potential if healthy. I think Marshall is still too small to play here, and might be auditioning for a fifth year with classmates JBB, Harris, Ways, Wangler, and Watson. Dwumfour has been nicked up since arriving, it seems, but might be our best backup at the nose. Solomon and/or Hudson will likely play this year anticipating the departures of Hurst and possibly Mone. Paea and Irving Bey likely to play scout team
2018...Hopefully Mone returns for a fifth year. If not, it could be second year guys Solomon and Hudson on the interior battling Dwumfour for PT. The numbers are good, but the experience could be light. Gary could potentially slide inside, and will definitely get some reps here, but is mainly a SDE.
Needs (1)...I like Tyler Friday, and of course, Alim McNeil could play the DL, too.
DE...Gary, Winovich, Jones, Ron Johnson, Kemp, Vilain, Jeter, Malone-Hatcher
2017...Gary could be first rounder #3 starting on the DL. In fact, he's a potential #1 pick with his measurables. Winovich probably needs to get stronger vs. the run to maintain starter status or he could lose the starting spot to Jones, Johnson or Kemp. Vilain might play as a pass rush specialist in year 1.
2018...Everybody is back and we gain Hutchinson.
Needs (1-2) We have Hutchinson (SDE) and I have a sneaky feeling the staff really likes Iowan John Waggoner, who gets an offer every where he visits. I think the staff backed off of Jersey product Dorian Hardy, but their are another half dozen quality prospects we are in on
SAM...Furbush, Uche, Paye
2017...we'll play big guys/SAMS vs big teams and the VIPER vs spread teams, IMO. Furbush has steadily improved and is a very good athlete as is Uche. Both can run. I put Paye here, because he's not the biggest prospect for WDE at this point (but might just end up there). These guys will need to be stout run defenders, but be able to get after the QB on occasion.
2018...Again, everybody's back assuming Furbush gets a fifth season.
Needs (1)...Dallas Gant might be the only LB on board and is versatile enough to play inside or outside, but projects best to SAM, IMO.
ILBs...McCray, Bush, Wroblewski, Mbem-Bosse, Mason, Gil, Wangler (FB? Doghouse?), Anthony, Ross.
2017...Lots of candidates here and McCray, Bush, and Wroblewski have some experience. I'm not sure where Anthony and Ross will start out, but project them inside for now on scout team.
2018...We lose McCray and Wroblewski, but Mbem-Bosse, Mason and Gil should fill in nicely.
Needs (0)
Viper...Hudson, Glasgow, Singleton
2017...Is it possible that Hudson is a better prospect that Jabril, here? It's possible! Hudson played inside a lot more in HS and is a vicious tackler. Never bet against a Glasgow. He will be a factor this year and Singleton, if healthy, might be too good to redshirt.
2018...everybody returns and we also get Reese.
Needs (1)...Otis Reese might be the prototype for Don Brown's S/LB hybrid.
Safety...Kinnell, Metellus, JKP, Woods
2017...this position is somewhat dependent on the viper position, but I think Kinnell and Metellus will start. Behind them is a big ????? Will true frosh (and early enrolled) Woods and JKB be ready? Does Watson slide over with his experience? Are Washington and St-Juste better playing man-to-man or centerfield?
2018...EVERYBODY RETURNS! It's a nice problem to have...just saying.
CB...Long, Hill, Thomas, Washington, Watson, St-Juste.
2017...lots of talent, limited experience. But the first 3 guys have tremendous man-to-man skills to build on. Watson provides some experience behind them and Washington/St-Juste have great length going for them.
2018...EVERYBODY RETURNS except maybe Watson or a possible defection. The 2018 defensive backfield could be as good or better than the 2016 team.
Needs (DB) (4)...Jersey prospect Shayne Simon is a S or a Viper and we lead, reportedly. In fact, MOST of the defensive backs we are recruiting can play S or CB with their size. It all depends on how well they cover man-to-man if they will end up on the corners or inside. Myles Sims, Mario Goodrich and Sammy Faustin have all put the Wolverines at the top of their lists. And I still think we could be a landing spot for Cass Tech's Gervin if (when?) ND implodes and fires Kelly.
REVIEW: we potentially lose Hurst, Mone, Marshall, McCray, Wroblewski, and Wangler. I think Furbush will return for a fifth season.
BEST GUESS: Hutchinson, Reese, Friday, Waggoner, Gant, Simon, Sims, Goodrich, and Faustin.
DT...Hurst, Mone, Marshall, Dwumfour, Solomon, Hudson, Paea, Irving-Bey.
2017...Hurst and Mone have first round potential if healthy. I think Marshall is still too small to play here, and might be auditioning for a fifth year with classmates JBB, Harris, Ways, Wangler, and Watson. Dwumfour has been nicked up since arriving, it seems, but might be our best backup at the nose. Solomon and/or Hudson will likely play this year anticipating the departures of Hurst and possibly Mone. Paea and Irving Bey likely to play scout team
2018...Hopefully Mone returns for a fifth year. If not, it could be second year guys Solomon and Hudson on the interior battling Dwumfour for PT. The numbers are good, but the experience could be light. Gary could potentially slide inside, and will definitely get some reps here, but is mainly a SDE.
Needs (1)...I like Tyler Friday, and of course, Alim McNeil could play the DL, too.
DE...Gary, Winovich, Jones, Ron Johnson, Kemp, Vilain, Jeter, Malone-Hatcher
2017...Gary could be first rounder #3 starting on the DL. In fact, he's a potential #1 pick with his measurables. Winovich probably needs to get stronger vs. the run to maintain starter status or he could lose the starting spot to Jones, Johnson or Kemp. Vilain might play as a pass rush specialist in year 1.
2018...Everybody is back and we gain Hutchinson.
Needs (1-2) We have Hutchinson (SDE) and I have a sneaky feeling the staff really likes Iowan John Waggoner, who gets an offer every where he visits. I think the staff backed off of Jersey product Dorian Hardy, but their are another half dozen quality prospects we are in on
SAM...Furbush, Uche, Paye
2017...we'll play big guys/SAMS vs big teams and the VIPER vs spread teams, IMO. Furbush has steadily improved and is a very good athlete as is Uche. Both can run. I put Paye here, because he's not the biggest prospect for WDE at this point (but might just end up there). These guys will need to be stout run defenders, but be able to get after the QB on occasion.
2018...Again, everybody's back assuming Furbush gets a fifth season.
Needs (1)...Dallas Gant might be the only LB on board and is versatile enough to play inside or outside, but projects best to SAM, IMO.
ILBs...McCray, Bush, Wroblewski, Mbem-Bosse, Mason, Gil, Wangler (FB? Doghouse?), Anthony, Ross.
2017...Lots of candidates here and McCray, Bush, and Wroblewski have some experience. I'm not sure where Anthony and Ross will start out, but project them inside for now on scout team.
2018...We lose McCray and Wroblewski, but Mbem-Bosse, Mason and Gil should fill in nicely.
Needs (0)
Viper...Hudson, Glasgow, Singleton
2017...Is it possible that Hudson is a better prospect that Jabril, here? It's possible! Hudson played inside a lot more in HS and is a vicious tackler. Never bet against a Glasgow. He will be a factor this year and Singleton, if healthy, might be too good to redshirt.
2018...everybody returns and we also get Reese.
Needs (1)...Otis Reese might be the prototype for Don Brown's S/LB hybrid.
Safety...Kinnell, Metellus, JKP, Woods
2017...this position is somewhat dependent on the viper position, but I think Kinnell and Metellus will start. Behind them is a big ????? Will true frosh (and early enrolled) Woods and JKB be ready? Does Watson slide over with his experience? Are Washington and St-Juste better playing man-to-man or centerfield?
2018...EVERYBODY RETURNS! It's a nice problem to have...just saying.
CB...Long, Hill, Thomas, Washington, Watson, St-Juste.
2017...lots of talent, limited experience. But the first 3 guys have tremendous man-to-man skills to build on. Watson provides some experience behind them and Washington/St-Juste have great length going for them.
2018...EVERYBODY RETURNS except maybe Watson or a possible defection. The 2018 defensive backfield could be as good or better than the 2016 team.
Needs (DB) (4)...Jersey prospect Shayne Simon is a S or a Viper and we lead, reportedly. In fact, MOST of the defensive backs we are recruiting can play S or CB with their size. It all depends on how well they cover man-to-man if they will end up on the corners or inside. Myles Sims, Mario Goodrich and Sammy Faustin have all put the Wolverines at the top of their lists. And I still think we could be a landing spot for Cass Tech's Gervin if (when?) ND implodes and fires Kelly.
REVIEW: we potentially lose Hurst, Mone, Marshall, McCray, Wroblewski, and Wangler. I think Furbush will return for a fifth season.
BEST GUESS: Hutchinson, Reese, Friday, Waggoner, Gant, Simon, Sims, Goodrich, and Faustin.
