GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Top 20 Defensive Players Evaluations 10-6
Posted at 6:00am — 1/29/2012
GBMWolverine: Coach’s Corner — Michigan Football — Top 20 Defensive Players Evaluations 10-6
The college football season never really ends for any dedicated aficionado that wishes every week was game week. We here also plead guilty and have prepared tidbits for consumption looking at the 2011 and offensive and defensive personnel.
First off is a look back and ahead for key defensive players of 2011, and below is a short description relating to those key players.
Michigan’s defense underwent a metamorphosis throughout the 2011 season. Here are the twenty principals in this transformation.
After seeing our ranking of players come to the message board and give your opinion and how you would rank the defensive players.
10. Brandin Hawthorne:
Brandin was overlooked in our opinion. He was in the top 10 in tackles and did a great job blitzing.
Next season:
Brandin must continue to get stronger. He could be pretty valuable as a part timer and special teams warrior.
He could also surprise and get even more playing time. Here is another guy who just appears to love football and will be a solid player especially if injuries happen and be ready to play.
9. Desmond Morgan:
Every year one or two true freshmen come out of the woodwork in a shocker. Desmond played better than a true freshmen should have at this tough position. Yes, he did have some problems with lead blockers, but was the best scraper on the team.
Good dose of S&C should help as he continues to learn the position and getting bigger as well.
Next season:
Desmond will have a chance to cement a starting job by ability not as a replacement for injury or resting a starter. He should be bigger and stronger. His recognition was decent and he is like Kovacs, once on the field it will not be easy to get him off.
8. JT Floyd:
Floyd is fearless and did a competent job against Notre Dame’s Floyd and other top wide-outs this year.
He is far from elite, but so much better than two years ago when he held on numerous plays to keep from getting toasted.
Next season:
J.T. must continue to improve his feet and overall movement skills. He needs refinement that can elevate him past an average defender. This could be one of the strengths of the defensive unit next season with having Countess, Floyd, and Avery all back.
7. Blake Countess:
Blake has the ability to be the first true Michigan lock-down corner-back since Leon Hall.
Next season:
Blake will be expected to be the player matching up against the best opposing receiver next year. He still needs to improve, but the “potential” is there.
As the Virginia Tech game showed he needs a good dose of S&C.
6. Jake Ryan:
Last year Jake was the best pass rusher and blitzer on the team.
Like other Michigan linebackers, he does have problems in coverage. He appears to love the game and is one of those guys better described as a football player than an Olympic athlete.
Jake appears to be able to beat an opponent with his mind and body.
Next season:
Our staff would like Ryan to grow into a defensive end and cause some havoc from the edge.
Next up will be our defensive player evaluation rankings top 5.
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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