GBMWolverine: Coach's Corner -- Michigan Football -- Kenny Demens -- Spring Evaluations

Posted at 6:00am — 6/24/2011

GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Kenny Demens — Spring Evaluations

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

GBMWolverine readers: Here is a brief overview of Kenny Demens 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 (Linebackers) we will not evaluate #59 Paul Gyarmati. If you would like to chat about these players bring them up on the message board, in chat on Monday nights, or send us an e-mail request.

Coming in: Antonio Poole, Kellen Jones, and Desmond Morgan.

Losing: #9 Marell Evans, and J.B. Fitzgerald.

Kenny Demens
Height: 6’1
Weight: 250
Number: 25
Position: Linebacker
Year: Red-shirt Junior
City/State: Oak Park, Michigan
High School: Detroit Country Day

Overview:

Kenny was limited in what he could do much of the spring practice session. He seemed to go through most of the non-hitting drills, and workouts, but missed most of the scrimmages. Early on he gave it a try, but we believe the coaches were being cautious with his recovery. He is needed for the fall and the coaches probably know what they have in Demens.

Strengths:

Kenny adds the size, leadership, and physical play this Michigan defense has lacked and desperately needs. If he is lost for any length of time it will be a huge hit on the linebacker group and to the defense in general.

When he was absent this spring it was very noticeable in that the overall performance of the defense declined.

In one of Kenny’s first interviews of the Coach Hoke era, one could tell he was happy and excited about the new direction of the defense when he stated “I am having fun again.”

Needs Work:

Kenny is the best linebacker that Michigan currently has on its roster at this point in time, but like all players on the defense, and offense for that matter, there is needed work to get UM back to the top.

First, Kenny needs to get and stay healthy for this team to regain a good defense that has been lacking for several years.

Some of his bad habits might be traced back to his coaching. With this new defensive staff it looks like the fundamentals and basics of defense are being not only taught but heavily emphasized, such as wrapping up, tackling and getting to the ball.

Contributing This Year?

Yes, Kenny is a starter for sure, unless his injuries linger on, but we believe he will enter the season completely healthy. He is a team leader and has more game experience at the linebacker position than any other player.

Final Thoughts:

It will be nice to see how Kenny plays under the new coaches, the new system, and the effect his play will have on the entire team. We believe the changes are not only best for Kenny but the entire defense that is once again a focus and not an afterthought.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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