Michigan Football: Dynamic Fast Twitch Athletes
Posted at 12:00pm — 1/27/2014
Michigan Football: Dynamic Fast Twitch Athletes
How many of these fast twitch, explosive guys does Michigan have? It is not necessary to build a defense of eleven of these type of of superior athletes. There is still room and a need for size inside, toughness at Mike and other positions. You need a combination of all these necessary skills to build a great defense.
Look at Bama’s defense last couple of years. 300+ lb NT, 240 lb Mike who hits like a trucks, 290 to 300 pound DE’s who command doubles and are a royal pain in the butt to play against. Players who play the game with that nasty I will rip your D@MN head off edge. You also need to have some highly skilled fast twitch players at safety and linebacker. Guys who might not be super fast but can jump out of the gym and cover 5 to 7 yards in a eye blink. That is what UM recruiting has lacked. And on both sides of the ball. Dynamic athletes who can turn short catch into long gain and who have the burst to make up those couple of yards and make tackles.
In My Opinion Michigan has 6 or 7 of these types of athletes on the roster, not nearly enough. Here is my list and notes. In no particular order.
Nov 30, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Blake Countess (18) intercepts the pass intended for Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Nick Vannett (81) in the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports1.) Countess: Showed flashes of being a fast twitch athlete before the knee. Hoping it returns next season. It sometimes takes 18 months or bit longer to completely recover.
2.) Thomas: Possibly #1 fast twitch guy on the team. Watch his high school film it seemed like he had a jet pack on his back at times.
3.) Hill: This is high risk high reward type of player. Type of safety MSU craves. A bit rough around the edges fundamental wise, but with a skill set that if he puts it all together will make him a NFL prospect . Watch his make up speed against the pass and run in his high school film.
Sep 14, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Dennis Norfleet (23) runs the ball in the first half against the Akron Zips at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports4.) Norfleet: When he committed many of my Blue Brothers were upset. They saw his relatively slow 40 time and panicked. I could care less about 40 times. Watched him play corner on film and just smiled as he seemed to just accelerate and make up 5 yards on offensive players. This is also why he is an above average return guy, see the holes and has the explosiveness to get there.
5.) Dawson: Watched him cover 10 yards of ground in a high school game in flash, missed the tackle when got there, but still got there. You can teach proper angles and tackling. You cannot coach the ability to cover 10 yards that fast. Great skills, needs a lot of work.
6.) Wormley: Before you choke on your pretzels or spit up your Labatt Light let me explain. He showed little this season, but see Countess, knees matter. In high school I watched him dunk basketballs from across the key at 260+ lbs. I watched him coil like a spring and spin the discus 180 yards with terrible technique.
Oct 19, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Tre Roberson (5) avoids a tackle by Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Chris Wormley (43) in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 63-47. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsSay the same thing I said when he committed, if he puts it all together watch out. Just as likely he turns out to be an average player. But you don’t find 270-pounders with his type of skill. So you take the chance.
One last thing, many of these types of players are not or 5-star guys. Think MSU recruiting. Sure the Pepper’s are. Just as many are projects. Some of these guys will be busts because they are so raw and don’t have the patience or maturity to take coaching. But with their skills they are (IMO) worth the gamble. And in many cases less of a gamble than the 4* with the big stats and lesser skills.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — CoachBT
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