GBMWolverine: Coach's Corner -- Michigan Football -- Brandon Moore -- Spring Evaluations

Posted at 6:00am — 5/10/2011

GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Brandon Moore — Spring Evaluations

GBMWolverine Football Spring Evaluations: Position by Position — Player Profile.

GBMWolverine readers: Here is a brief overview of Brandon Moore and GBMWolverine’s analysis concerning his progress this spring with the new system.

Note: We will not evaluate every player on the team and with this position group (tight ends) we will not evaluate #90 Mike Kwiatkowski, #40 Nate Allspach, and #42 Dylan Esterline. If you would like to chat about these players bring them up on the message board, in chat or send us an e-mail request.

Coming in: Chris Barnett (Bell), Frank Clark (Glenville), and Keith Heitzman (Hilliard Davidson).

The above list of incoming tight ends includes two players who could easily end up on the defensive side of the ball, or possible become a fullback, especially since Michigan already has two verbal commits from the 2012 recruiting class in Devin Funchess (Harrison) and A.J. Williams (Sycamore) and is still seriously looking at adding another tight end to the current 2012 recruiting class.

Obviously we take into account, and have already stated, that A.J. Williams could easily grow out of the tight end position and become an offensive lineman in a few years.

Losing: Kevin Koger, and Steve Watson

Brandon Moore
Height: 6’5
Weight: 250
Number: 88
Position: Tight End
Year: Red-shirt Junior
City/State: Trotwood, Ohio
High School: Trotwood-Madison

Overview:

Brandon is a solid back up for Kevin Koger and he is a competent tight end when Michigan shows a two tight end formation.

Strengths:

Brandon is a good athlete who does a nice job in the passing game, as witnessed this spring. The tight end position could be a real weapon in the MWC offense, if the offensive staff can get the tight ends involved in the passing game. Some of this immersion responsibility falls on the quarterbacks to first locate and then throw to the tight ends. Historically, this offense has featured tight ends.

As the GBMWolverine staff stated with Kevin Koger, Brandon could also be a big nightmare for a defensive coordinator, especially if Denard can get everybody involved. When the defensive backs have to worry about the wide receivers, and the safeties about the passing game, in general, and Denard taking off, that is when fans can see the tight ends become a real weapon.

Needs Work:

Brandon needs to improve his blocking with this offensive scheme since he will be counted on to help Michigan move the ball in the power running game.

Adding some strength, under the guidance of Coach Wellman, along with achieving a solid body weight, would enhance Brandon’s football fortunes.

We believe most of the talk about the tight ends, regarding catching the ball, has to do with the few opportunities to catch the ball in the previous offense. When the ball went to a tight end every game or two, that magnified any drop, more so than the slots who had several drops but numerous opportunities, and the spread, due to its design, always kept the slots involved. There is pressure when the ball rarely goes the way of a receiver.

Contributing This Year?

Yes, GBMWolverine believes Brandon will be a contributing back-up tight end for Michigan this year.

This year the offense will probably feature some two tight end sets, along with possible H-back formations, that will get Brandon into the game more often this year. Clearly the coaches will be watching Brandon’s progress this fall to see how viable the two tight end set is for game planning.

Final Thoughts:

Brandon is in a good position to learn the new offense, get his feet wet, and be ready to take over the tight end position next year, or at least be the player with the most experience and playing time.

Recent changes in scheme, and recent success in recruiting, could be the start of something very good for the tight end position group. It is premature, but not illogical, to predict a string of NFL type talent at the tight end position at Michigan, starting with Kevin Koger.

For certain, Michigan is recruiting tight ends that provide variety, anything from bulldozers, to classic tight ends, to split out hybrids. This should give a game planner expanded options.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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