Michigan Football: Tidbits from MaizeMan — Opinions — Fastest Risers

Posted at 4:00pm — 12/22/2013

Michigan Football: Tidbits from MaizeMan — Opinions — Fastest Risers

This is a small sample of MaizeMan’s post on the message board of over 1,200 words.

Based on 2013 season progress of red-shirt class and some bowl practices. Here is my opinions on the “fastest risers” on the UM football team.

Note:
First I want to point out that almost all posters and fans of UM football have a tendency to overrate both the recruiting classes and talent on the roster. I tend to think there is a huge difference in asking the question about talent. How many of our players would play for any BCS team? My answer to that question would be there are many who other Big 10 rosters would love to have added, but when you compare with rosters of the top 15 BCS teams, then answer would be completely different.

So, having said that my “fastest risers”.

Oct 19, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Nick Stoner (14) makes a catch over Michigan Wolverines defensive back Jourdan Lewis (26) in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 63-47. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports1) Lewis (CB). As season has progressed and performances in practice Lewis is starting to emerge as not only the ‘fastest riser”, but just may be our best CB currently on the roster. I understand he is not the current starter, but when you take into consideration pure athletic talent the ability to play man coverage or project players who can make an impact on defense Lewis is the best of our CB group. Countess is a very good player, but his quickness has been hampered by his injury (another off-season could improve his quickness). Taylor is a good, not a great player who at this point in his career has reached his potential and is seem more of a “zone type” of CB. Watch for Lewis to be the starter by next fall.

6) Hurst (remember topic is “fastest risers”) and there is no doubt based on practices Hurst fits this category. He needs a big off-season, he just needs to get stronger, but those who think he needs to add substantially weight Hurst is pretty big now, its strength that is needed not weight. Sure he will add some pounds, but hopefully during the S&C process he wont lose his obvious quickness for his position. He may not be the starter in 2014, but I think he is in the 2-deep and gets substantial snaps.

November 10, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Venric Mark (5) is tackled by Michigan Wolverines Amara Darboh (82) and linebacker Brandin Hawthorne (7) in the first quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports13) Last by not least, Darboh. He is officially my favorite UM player. I wish UM could have 85 Darboh’s on the roster. Darboh as we know has been hampered by injuries, but that has not kept him from doing anything he can from improving his game. He is a monster in weight room and probably could be a pretty good OLB.

One Last Comment:
This list is not a prediction that everyone of them will start next year, but when you watch them they just stand out at their prospective positions in terms of pure athletic ability and potential. Sometimes those type of kids don’t play, but if there is one aspect of UM football that really needs an upgrade it is athletic talent. This group would not only play for almost all Big 10 teams, but would probably based on talent be on most top BCS 2-deep.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — MaizeMan

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