... and how they're shaping up at this point of the fall. There are always questions about frosh who aren't seen, or seen very much. Here are some thoughts about what's going on with them.
• Michael Barrett — The athlete out of Valdosta, Ga., has absolutely caught the attention of the head coach, in a positive way. He started out at viper, and has switched sides of the ball, to wide receiver/slot. He's tough to handle when he gets his hands on the football, making the move to offense a good one. Eventually, Michigan could have some offensive plays fashioned around his skill set. He'll be one to keep an eye on next spring, and should help in 2019 both on offense and special teams.
• Vincent Gray — The defensive back out of Rochester, Mich., significantly exceeded expectations in fall camp, and hasn't slacked off during the season. At 6-2, he's imposing, and those looking on really like that. He has played both corner and safety, but more of the former. He's most efficient and effective in zone coverage at this point — which means the required man-to-man skills remain in development. He can make the two-deep next spring.
• Julius Welschof — The defensive end from Germany definitely needed the redshirt season. He's older, but getting used to the speed of the game and the proper techniques simply takes time for someone of his inexperience. He's improving, and will contribute next year. He could be a two-deep performer likely to back up fellow freshman Aidan Hutchinson next year.
• Ben VanSumeren — The athlete from Essexville, Mich., has been viewed by some as another sophomore fullback Ben Mason in development. He could also wind up on defense. The best bet for now is fullback, for someone more athletic than some thought earlier and a freshman described with the best possible connotation of "a football player." With good pass-catching skills, he's a good bet for the No. 2 fullback spot and a special teams contributor next season.
• Taylor Upshaw — The defensive end out of Bradenton, Fla., continues to bulk up, to the point that he could make a move inside in the future. He reminds some of junior defensive lineman Carlo Kemp. Given Michigan's incoming defensive ends and an ongoing need inside, he may well wind up at defensive tackle. He'll keep developing, and while some think he may need another year to make the two-deep, that's dependent upon how he comes along.
• Hassan Haskins — The running back out of Eureka, Mo., is described as a tough, hard-working, one-cut back that will always find room in a Jim Harbaugh offense. While some have wondered whether he might bulk up enough to play linebacker, it's doubtful that scenario plays out. He'll be seeing how high he can climb on the running backs roster next spring.
• Sammy Faustin — The defensive back out of Naples, Fla., has made our "players to watch in spring ball" list. He's projected at safety but has also played some corner, at 6-2. He's been strong in coverage at safety, but needs to put on some weight. He'll be battling to make the two-deep at safety next spring, according to one educated guess, and will get a chance to make a name for himself on special teams.
• Camerson McGrone — The linebacker out of Indianapolis has come on, and could be one of the reasons Drew Singleton departed. He's going to play next year, and reminds some of sophomore linebacker Josh Ross. He can play inside or outside linebacker. Expect him to make next year's two-deep with an outside shot at starting.
• Luke Schoonmaker — The tight end out of Hamden, Conn., is in his first year of concentrating just on football, and some think he might be the performer who makes the most progress from year one to year two. He has good hands, and he's effective once the football is there. He needs to ramp up his blocking substantially, like many tight ends coming out of high school. If he does, he could make the tight ends rotation as early as next year.
• Ryan Hayes — The tight end/offensive lineman out of Traverse City, Mich., is the best blocker among the young tight ends. He still could wind up on the offensive line proper, depending on the amount of weight he gains. One projection has him winding up at offensive tackle, with a work ethic that eventually gets him onto the two deep, as the type of player you need on your roster.
Look for Part II of this evaluation soon.
• Michael Barrett — The athlete out of Valdosta, Ga., has absolutely caught the attention of the head coach, in a positive way. He started out at viper, and has switched sides of the ball, to wide receiver/slot. He's tough to handle when he gets his hands on the football, making the move to offense a good one. Eventually, Michigan could have some offensive plays fashioned around his skill set. He'll be one to keep an eye on next spring, and should help in 2019 both on offense and special teams.
• Vincent Gray — The defensive back out of Rochester, Mich., significantly exceeded expectations in fall camp, and hasn't slacked off during the season. At 6-2, he's imposing, and those looking on really like that. He has played both corner and safety, but more of the former. He's most efficient and effective in zone coverage at this point — which means the required man-to-man skills remain in development. He can make the two-deep next spring.
• Julius Welschof — The defensive end from Germany definitely needed the redshirt season. He's older, but getting used to the speed of the game and the proper techniques simply takes time for someone of his inexperience. He's improving, and will contribute next year. He could be a two-deep performer likely to back up fellow freshman Aidan Hutchinson next year.
• Ben VanSumeren — The athlete from Essexville, Mich., has been viewed by some as another sophomore fullback Ben Mason in development. He could also wind up on defense. The best bet for now is fullback, for someone more athletic than some thought earlier and a freshman described with the best possible connotation of "a football player." With good pass-catching skills, he's a good bet for the No. 2 fullback spot and a special teams contributor next season.
• Taylor Upshaw — The defensive end out of Bradenton, Fla., continues to bulk up, to the point that he could make a move inside in the future. He reminds some of junior defensive lineman Carlo Kemp. Given Michigan's incoming defensive ends and an ongoing need inside, he may well wind up at defensive tackle. He'll keep developing, and while some think he may need another year to make the two-deep, that's dependent upon how he comes along.
• Hassan Haskins — The running back out of Eureka, Mo., is described as a tough, hard-working, one-cut back that will always find room in a Jim Harbaugh offense. While some have wondered whether he might bulk up enough to play linebacker, it's doubtful that scenario plays out. He'll be seeing how high he can climb on the running backs roster next spring.
• Sammy Faustin — The defensive back out of Naples, Fla., has made our "players to watch in spring ball" list. He's projected at safety but has also played some corner, at 6-2. He's been strong in coverage at safety, but needs to put on some weight. He'll be battling to make the two-deep at safety next spring, according to one educated guess, and will get a chance to make a name for himself on special teams.
• Camerson McGrone — The linebacker out of Indianapolis has come on, and could be one of the reasons Drew Singleton departed. He's going to play next year, and reminds some of sophomore linebacker Josh Ross. He can play inside or outside linebacker. Expect him to make next year's two-deep with an outside shot at starting.
• Luke Schoonmaker — The tight end out of Hamden, Conn., is in his first year of concentrating just on football, and some think he might be the performer who makes the most progress from year one to year two. He has good hands, and he's effective once the football is there. He needs to ramp up his blocking substantially, like many tight ends coming out of high school. If he does, he could make the tight ends rotation as early as next year.
• Ryan Hayes — The tight end/offensive lineman out of Traverse City, Mich., is the best blocker among the young tight ends. He still could wind up on the offensive line proper, depending on the amount of weight he gains. One projection has him winding up at offensive tackle, with a work ethic that eventually gets him onto the two deep, as the type of player you need on your roster.
Look for Part II of this evaluation soon.
