These are the long, hot days of summer, where there's not much hard football intel. Plenty of projection, speculation, arguing over what teams will emerge, whether talent can overcome inexperience, etc.
Here's a bit of a break from such, although as always, summer observations are just that, and young players develop at different paces. Here is what we've heard, regarding how the newcomers are coming along during the Michigan heat.
First, some freshman names you have NOT heard much about until this point. Three freshmen who are really impressing in workouts and player practices: 5-10, 192-pound running back O'maury Samuels; 6-4, 201-pound Nico Collins and 6-0, 235-pound Jordan Anthony. These three, along with previously discussed 6-4, 238-pound defensive end Luiji Vilain, are those most recently turning heads.
In fact, it's to the point where some put them in the "could see the field early" category. That would be a potentially big depth development. Samuels is incredibly cut and has great physical tools, but the competition in New Mexico left some wondering how much he might be playing catch-up. Collins drew the "raw" tag, but he's getting up to speed and could put himself in position to make the "possible redshirt" talk go away. Anthony drew as much of a "sleeper" label as a five-star recruit could, but he's looking very good as well.
And Vilain … he obviously passed the eye test while helping out at the Michigan camps, but he's certifying his preparedness for camp on a day-to-day basis.
That doesn't mean the recently hailed four are the only freshmen standing out, by any means. Many who drew praise in the spring are still seen as potential contributors and part of a special freshman class.
They include linebacker Ben Mason, interior offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz, wideouts Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black, and defensive back Benjamin St-Juste. Punter Brad Robbins belongs in that group as well.
It's tough to break through on the lines as a true freshman. Even the consensus No. 1 prep player in the nation a year ago, sophomore Rashan Gary, took a secondary role behind players on their way to the NFL. Among Michigan's incoming linemen on both sides of the football are several very talented players who need to get bigger, stronger and quicker. The one exception to this, at the moment, is Ruiz, a physical specimen for a true freshman big man.
He will get a shot, as will the others, to impress once the pads go back on. Before that happens, it's a total guess as to who might step forward once fall hits.
A couple of side notes: junior running back Karan Higdon remains the fastest back in the Michigan arsenal, and he's probably very motivated by the general concession of sophomore Chris Evans as the Wolverines' No. 1 tailback. Also, it's been a while since the Wolverines attacked fiercely with sets involving four wideouts. That may not be the case much longer.
Here's a bit of a break from such, although as always, summer observations are just that, and young players develop at different paces. Here is what we've heard, regarding how the newcomers are coming along during the Michigan heat.
First, some freshman names you have NOT heard much about until this point. Three freshmen who are really impressing in workouts and player practices: 5-10, 192-pound running back O'maury Samuels; 6-4, 201-pound Nico Collins and 6-0, 235-pound Jordan Anthony. These three, along with previously discussed 6-4, 238-pound defensive end Luiji Vilain, are those most recently turning heads.
In fact, it's to the point where some put them in the "could see the field early" category. That would be a potentially big depth development. Samuels is incredibly cut and has great physical tools, but the competition in New Mexico left some wondering how much he might be playing catch-up. Collins drew the "raw" tag, but he's getting up to speed and could put himself in position to make the "possible redshirt" talk go away. Anthony drew as much of a "sleeper" label as a five-star recruit could, but he's looking very good as well.
And Vilain … he obviously passed the eye test while helping out at the Michigan camps, but he's certifying his preparedness for camp on a day-to-day basis.
That doesn't mean the recently hailed four are the only freshmen standing out, by any means. Many who drew praise in the spring are still seen as potential contributors and part of a special freshman class.
They include linebacker Ben Mason, interior offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz, wideouts Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black, and defensive back Benjamin St-Juste. Punter Brad Robbins belongs in that group as well.
It's tough to break through on the lines as a true freshman. Even the consensus No. 1 prep player in the nation a year ago, sophomore Rashan Gary, took a secondary role behind players on their way to the NFL. Among Michigan's incoming linemen on both sides of the football are several very talented players who need to get bigger, stronger and quicker. The one exception to this, at the moment, is Ruiz, a physical specimen for a true freshman big man.
He will get a shot, as will the others, to impress once the pads go back on. Before that happens, it's a total guess as to who might step forward once fall hits.
A couple of side notes: junior running back Karan Higdon remains the fastest back in the Michigan arsenal, and he's probably very motivated by the general concession of sophomore Chris Evans as the Wolverines' No. 1 tailback. Also, it's been a while since the Wolverines attacked fiercely with sets involving four wideouts. That may not be the case much longer.
Last edited:
