Michigan Wolverine Football Spring Scrimmage Summary 2004

MICHIGAN FOOTBALL SPRING SCRIMMAGE 2004

Let’s start at quarterback! Gutierrez and Richard both look strong and either could lead this team. Both have good arms and are accurate throwers; I’d give the edge to Richard in arm strength, velocity, but Gutierrez the edge in scrambling and rollout ability, poise and pocket presence. I’m not sure what the final stats were, but since it was not gamelike conditions, the stats won’t matter as much. The addition of Henne should contribute to making both better, and next Spring should be really interesting. I would predict Henne to redshirt unless we have a major injury here. Kastl and Brinton were both injured and didn't participate in Spring drills.

Quarterback

Gutierrez, Matt

So.

6'4"

230

Starter

4.82

33"

n/a

1070

3.3

Richard, Clayton

Fr.

6'4"

227

Redshirt

4.7

n/a

1340

Henne, Chad

Fr.

6'3"

220

Recruit

4.6

n/a

3.5

Brinton, Spencer

Sr.

6'5"

226

Injured

4.75

n/a

980

3.1

Kastl, Jeff

So.

6'3"

218

Walk-on

n/a

Wilde, Matt

So.

6'2"

202

Walk-on

n/a

I was surprised to see Dudley play as I thought I read where he wasn’t going to participate. He played and did fine as did Thompson, Presley and Oluigbo. We aren’t great here, but we should have enough to get done what we need: blocking! We seem to like to throw a lot of short sideline passes to our fullback-H-back, and probably threw about 4 or 5 in the scrimmage. I’m guessing Allison will start here in the Fall rather than at linebacker, but will most likely redshirt.

Fullback/H-Back

Dudley, Kevin	32	FB-H Back	1	Sr.	6'1"	237	Starter	4.55	n/a	300	800	3
Thompson, Brian	35	FB-H Back	2	So.	6'2"	235	Backup	4.65	n/a	n/a	21	3.4
Presley, Jim	46	FB-H Back	3	Fr.	6'2"	231	Redshirt	4.43	n/a	385	19/1020	2.9
Oluigbo, Obi	40	FB-H Back	4	So.	6'0"	243	Backup	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Allison, Roger	33	FB-H Back	5	Fr.	6'1"	228	Recruit	4.59	31"	400	25	3.4

Tailback seems to have Underwood as the leader, at least he started and stayed with the first unit. He ran hard, and didn't fall down so easily like in the past. Bracken and Jackson appear to be the backups. Bracken and Underwood will be the veteran senior backs in their final year of eligibility. Jackson looks to be the most athletic, but Bracken has great hips and balance. Underwood really looked a lot faster than I’ve seen him previously; perhaps, he emphasized keeping his weight down and working on speed this Winter. I still think this group is wide open for the two frosh, Hart and Martin. Apparently, Campbell has moved to defense; he didn’t practice with the tailbacks. Bradley did play at tailback although the program listed him at defensive back. Rembert must be either “in the doghouse” or he has some other problems; he has moved from our backup in the Rose Bowl to 5th string.

Tailback

Underwood, David

Sr.

6'0"

227

Starter

4.38

34"

330

930

3.4

Jackson, Jerome

So.

5'11"

198

Backup

4.5

n/a

Bracken, Tim

Sr.

5'9"

206

Backup

4.4

n/a

255

n/a

Rembert, Pierre

So.

6'0"

213

Doghouse

4.5

n/a

250

3.2

Hart, Mike

Fr.

5'10"

175

Recruit

4.54

n/a

295

1030

3.75

Martin, Max

Fr.

6'1"

216

Recruit

4.5

n/a

400

24/1070

2.5

Bradley, Alijah

So.

5'6"

171

Walk-on

n/a

Eldridge, Jason

Jr.

5'8"

175

Walk-on

n/a

Hamel, Scott

Jr.

5'10"

200

Walk-on

n/a

The wideouts all looked as good as usual. Edwards and Avant will start with Breaston being 1A. Their was some real competition between Edwards and Marlin Jackson today. Tabb and Gonzalez look to be backups along with walk-on Matsos; however, look for Dutch, Trent and Arrington to be in the mix in the Fall. We have some top receivers, but really not as much depth as I’d like to see; hopefully, Dutch, Trent and Arrington will “fill the bill.”

Flanker

Edwards, Braylon

Sr.

6'3"

210

2nd Team All Big Ten

4.48

n/a

285

n/a

Breaston, Steve

So.

6'1"

181

Backup

4.4

n/a

890

3.2

Dutch, Doug

n/a

Fr.

6"0"

200

Recruit

4.4

n/a

1000

3.8

Trent, Morgan

Fr.

6'1.5"

188

Recruit

4.4

35"

n/a

Smith, Landon

So.

5'8"

162

Walk-on

n/a

Wide Receiver

Avant, Jason

Jr.

6'1"

209

Starter

4.4

39"

300

2.9

Tabb, Carl

So.

6'2"

193

Backup

4.3

42"

245

3.8

Matsos, Chris

Jr.

6'0"

209

Walk-on

n/a

Gonzalez, Jermaine

Sr.

6'2"

210

Backup

4.55

n/a

265

n/a

2.9

Arrington, Adrian

n/a

Fr.

6'4"

185

Recruit

4.5

n/a

3.43

Cischke, Brad

Jr.

6'4"

202

Walk-on

n/a

The tight end position looks much more solid than last year. Massaquoi and Ecker will share the position. I look for Ecker to be the main guy be the end of the year; he is tough, confident and poised. He also has great hands; he is tall and surprisingly fast plus he’s hard to tackle. Fisher also looks good and Murphy may also see action. Mandich was in street clothes and didn’t participate, but he is also in the mix on the depth chart. Studenski also saw action. My guess is that Massey will redshirt.

Tight End

Ecker, Tyler	89	TE	1	Jr.	6'6"	249	Starter	4.65	n/a	n/a	21	3.5
Massaquoi, Tim	88	TE	2	Jr.	6'4"	249	Backup	4.5	38"	255	810	2.5
Fisher, Jim	86	TE	3	Sr.	6'5"	255	Backup	4.75	n/a	300	n/a	n/a
Murphy, Kevin	84	TE	4	So.	6'5"	253	Backup	4.65	n/a	375	n/a	3.1
Mandich, David	82	TE	5	Jr.	6'3"	245	Walk-on	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Massey, Mike	81	TE	6	Fr.	6'5"	235	Recruit	4.8	n/a	285	980	2.5
Studenski, Matt	94	TE	7	Jr.	6'3"	227	Walk-on	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

Offensive line will be strong. The first unit featured Kolodziej (because of the injury to Stenavich), Baas, Bihl, Lentz and Riley. The second unit had Kraus (LG), Henige and Long (RT); we also saw Berishaj some at RG and Schoonover at LT with the second unit. Derek Bell was in street clothes, but rumor is that he is a walk-on contributor at center. Sharrow looks pretty big as well, but he didn’t play (or at least not much). This is a big, strong, tough unit and barring injury will be a good one. They are all huge, mobile and tough; one can tell by how they practice, they love to play their positions. The additions of Mitchell, Gallimore, Ciulla and DeBenedictis will help, but realistically, all will probably redshirt. Ross Mann will be our snapper as he returns for a 5th year.

Center

2004 MICHIGAN Football Player

Position

Depth

Class

Height

Weight

Status

40 yd. Dash

Vertical Jump

Bench Press

ACT/SAT

Grade Point Average

Bihl, Mark

So.

6'4"

301

Starter

4.84

36"

340

3.7

Henige, Leo

Jr.

6'4"

331

Backup

5.2

n/a

375

n/a

Sharrow, Pat

Fr.

6'3"

287

Redshirt

4.9

n/a

390

3.6

Bell, Derek

Jr.

6'4"

276

Walk-on

n/a

Right Guard

Lentz, Matt	67	RG	1	Jr.	6'6"	316	Starter	5.2	n/a	375	n/a	n/a
Berishaj, Tom	71	RG	2	So.	6'4"	325	Backup	5.1	n/a	385	30	3.3
Mitchell, Alex	64	RG	3	Fr.	6'6"	315	Recruit	5.1	24"	385	21	3.4

Right Tackle

Riley, Rueben	72	RT	1	So.	6'3"	311	Starter	4.95	n/a	425	19	3.55
Long, Jake	77	RT	2	Fr.	6'7"	331	Redshirt	5	n/a	380	n/a	2.9
Gallimore, Brett	74	RT	3	Fr.	6'5"	290	Recruit	5.1	n/a	350	n/a	2.7

Left Guard

Baas, David	75	LG	1	Sr.	6'5"	307	1st Team All Big Ten	5.1	n/a	340	930	2.8
Kraus, Adam	57	LG	2	Fr.	6'6"	291	Redshirt	4.9	29"	300	25	2.7
DeBenedictis, Grant	52	LG	3	Fr.	6'6"	275	Recruit	5.1	n/a	n/a	31/1370	3.75

Left Tackle

Stenavich, Adam	79	LT	1	Jr.	6'5"	313	Starter	5	n/a	320	26	3.9
Kolodziej, Mike	76	LT	2	So.	6'7"	319	Starter	4.95	n/a	320	20	3.7
Ciulla, Jeremy	73	LT	3	Fr.	6'5"	275	Recruit	n/a	n/a	325	1100	3.6
Schoonover, Dave	69	LT	4	Jr.	6'3"	276	Walk-on	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

Overall, the offense looks to be solid; they’ll definitely need time to mature. They’ll need to effectively run the ball early in the season against tough opponents like Notre Dame and Iowa, but hopefully gain confidence in all phases of offense by the middle of the season. I don’t think we’ll be a prolific offensive machine scoring 30 points a game, but we’ll be capable of scoring adequately. The key is always being able to respond on offense after your opponent has scored or responding when the game is “on the line.”

On the defensive side of the ball, I was surprised at what I saw. Then, I started to understand better what I saw, and why we are doing it. We have gone back to a style of defense right out of the old 1970s when we played three down linemen and four linebackers with two of those linebackers being essentially defensive ends, and the other two being traditional inside linebackers. It seemed “old-fashioned” and “corny” at first, but it really does suit our personnel. We have some awesome linebackers, and we need to utilize them accordingly.

Let’s start with the defensive ends or outside linebackers. We have taken our SAM linebackers and utilized them as essentially defensive ends. Pierre Woods is on one side and Lamarr Woodley on the other; the second unit is Shawn Crable and Roy Manning. I think newcomer Tim Jamison will fit right into this system, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him contribute this Fall; in fact, I think we sorely need his presence in our lineup immediately. The knee sprain to Jeremy Van Alstyne prevented him from participating in the Spring scrimmage, but he was on crutches and very involved in watching drills, smiling and I’m predicting (and hoping) he’ll return strong for Fall. I don’t know if it is the same knee he may have aggravated from last Fall, but we really need him in this new scheme. I think Chris Rogers also has a good chance to contribute next year as well under this new use of defensive ends. Woodley is going to have a hard time playing the whole game in this scheme as it demands more mobility; I’m predicting Woods, Crable, Manning and JVA get most of the minutes.

Defensive End-Strong Side (SAM Linebacker A)

Woods, Pierre	99	DE-Short	1	Jr.	6'5"	248	Starter	4.68	30"	225	n/a	n/a
Crable, Shawn	2	DE-Short	2	Fr.	6'5"	234	Redshirt	4.5	n/a	345	n/a	2.8
Rogers, Chris	49	DE-Short	3	Fr.	6'3"	240	Recruit	4.7	n/a	340	950	3.3

Defensive End-Weak Side (SAM Linebacker B or RLB-Rush Defensive End)

Woodley, Lamarr	56	DE-Wide	1	So.	6'2"	268	Starter	4.7	29"	315	16	2.8
Manning, Roy	58	DE-Wide	2	Sr.	6'2"	240	Backup	4.7	n/a	315	n/a	n/a
Van Alstyne, Jeremy	50	DE-Wide	3	So.	6'4"	258	Injured	4.78	n/a	350	1050	3.5
Jamison, Tim	n/a	DE-Wide	4	Fr.	6'3"	230	Recruit	4.7	n/a	n/a	n/a	2.6

We will use three defensive linemen, all of which are essentially tackles. Massey is on the strong side (tight end) along with Woods. Watson is essentially a Nose Guard and Harrison is on the wide side (non-tight end). They will be our three starters at the down lineman or tackle positions. The second unit includes Will Paul, Alex Ofili and Rondell Biggs. In this new defense, Biggs has grown to 278 to go down as he is not mobile enough to stay at DE. We also alternated walk-ons Paul Sarantos and David Hull in the rotation, and they did well. I think Alan Branch, Marques Walton and Will Johnson all have a chance to contribute next year under this three down lineman scheme.

Defensive Tackle-Strong Side (Anchor-Defensive End)

Massey, Pat

DT-Strong

Jr.

6'8"

276

Starter

4.7

36"

300

n/a

Biggs, Rondell

DT-Strong

So.

6'2"

278

Backup

4.7

n/a

330

n/a

Branch, Alan

DT-Strong

Fr.

6'6"

326

Recruit

n/a

Hull, David

DT-Strong

Fr.

6'1"

255

Walk-on

n/a

Sarantos, Paul

DT-Strong

So.

6'3"

243

Walk-on

4.57

n/a

33/1470

3.8

Defensive Tackle-Nose Guard

Watson, Gabe	78	DT-NG	1	Jr.	6'4"	333	Starter	4.9	25"	435	17	3.3
Ofili, Alex	93	DT-NG	2	Jr.	6'3"	289	Backup	4.65	n/a	325	19	3
Walton, Marques	95	DT-NG	3	Fr.	6'2"	280	Recruit	4.9	30"	365	25	2.5

Defensive Tackle-Weak Side

Harrison, Larry	96	DT-Wide	1	So.	6'3"	313	Starter	5	n/a	400	17	2.8
Paul, Will	92	DT-Wide	2	Fr.	6'3"	264	Redshirt	4.6	n/a	340	20	3.3
Johnson, Will	90	DT-Wide	3	Fr.	6'4"	285	Recruit	4.9	28"	425	n/a	3.8

At inside linebacker, the starters were McClintock and Joe Sarantos. The second unit was walk-on Jeremy Read and Prescott Burgess. Even with Lawrence Reid back, Sarantos will log some minutes; he looks bigger and he is tough, mobile. David Harris was still in street clothes, but my guess is that he’ll come back strong and challenge McClintock for playing time. They will probably share the position much like Diggs and McClintock did in 2003. Burgess will also log some minutes. We’ll be solid at inside and outside linebackers! I was hoping to see heralded walk-on, Jeff Jansen, but he didn’t play. I’m not sure if it was because of injury. The 3rd unit featured walk-on Kyle Myers. I didn’t stay for ever play (too cold), but I also saw walk-on Max Pollack get some “reps.” I think Chris Graham and John Thompson have a tremendous opportunity to get some early playing time although it would be much better if they redshirt.

ILB-Mike

McClintock, Scott	36	ILB-Mike	1	Jr.	6'2"	243	Starter	4.55	32"	345	960	2.8
Harris, Dave	45	ILB-Mike	2	So.	6'2"	246	Backup	4.65	n/a	355	20	2.4
Read, Jeremy	55	ILB-Mike	3	Sr.	6'1"	221	Walk-on	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Jansen, Jeff	51	ILB-Mike	4	Fr.	6'2"	240	Walk-on	4.65	n/a	n/a	n/a	4
Graham, Chris	48	ILB-Mike	5	Fr.	5'11"	205	Recruit	4.4	31"	360	600	2.1
Moore, Dan	28	ILB-Mike	6	So.	6'0"	226	Walk-on	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

ILB-Will

Reid, Lawrence

ILB-Will

Jr.

6'1"

219

Starter

4.6

33"

350

3.4

Burgess, Prescott

ILB-Will

So.

6'3"

228

Backup

4.55

n/a

2.9

Sarantos, Joe

ILB-Will

Jr.

6'3"

231

Backup

4.5

38"

305

n/a

3.9

Myers, Kyle

ILB-Will

Sr.

6'0"

213

Walk-on

n/a

Thompson, John

ILB-Will

Fr.

6'2"

230

Recruit

4.55

n/a

410

3.2

Pollack, Max

ILB-Will

So.

6'1"

215

Walk-on

n/a

Leoni, Joe

ILB-Will

So.

5'11"

220

Walk-on

n/a

Cartwright, Chip

ILB-Will

Jr.

6'1"

226

Walk-on

n/a

In the secondary, my eyes were glued on the free safety position, and I don’t think we have anything to be worried about. Ryan Mundy will be the starter; he looked solid and made some nice hits. I think he communicates well with the others. The first unit has Mundy, Shazor, Jackson and Curry. The second unit has Barringer (FS), Stewart (SS), Mason (Short) and Hood (Wide). I was pleasantly surprised with the play of Mason; he has blended right in with the team, and he is a really gifted athlete. Of course, Leon Hall will probably be our “nickel” and first backup at cornerback in the Fall, but he didn’t participate in Spring drills. Also, Brandent Engelmon may compete with Barringer for the backup to Mundy, but he had a thumb injury and didn’t play today. It looks like Anton Campbell is now working in the backfield so he and McCoy (he got a pick) may also compete for playing time. I would really be surprised if Jamar Adams, Charles Stewart or Keston Cheathem are able to log playing time in the Fall with all this competition; I’d predict redshirts for all.

Cornerback-Wide Side

Jackson, Marlin	3	WCB	1	Sr.	6'1"	194	1st Team All Big Ten	4.45	n/a	300	790	2.8
Hood, Darnell	4	WCB	2	So.	5'11"	191	Backup	4.35	33"	305	n/a	2.5
Stewart, Charles	7	WCB	3	Fr.	6'1.5"	190	Recruit	4.47	28"	n/a	21	3.5

Cornerback-Short Side

Curry, Markus

SCB

Sr.

5'11"

183

Starter

4.3

n/a

315

n/a

Hall, Leon

SCB

So.

5'11"

193

Backup

4.42

33"

n/a

960

3.2

Mason, Grant

SCB

Jr.

6'0"

190

Transfer

4.5

n/a

McCoy, Quinton

SCB

Fr.

5'9"

167

Redshirt

4.3

n/a

255

n/a

2.8

Cheathem, Keston

SCB

Fr.

6'2"

185

Recruit

4.55

n/a

820

2.8

Opong-Owusu, B.J.

SCB

So.

5'10"

191

Walk-on

n/a

Jordan, Tyrone

SCB

So.

5'10"

188

Walk-on

n/a

Plummer, Kyle

SCB

So.

5'10"

161

Walk-on

n/a

Strong Safety

Shazor, Earnest	25	SS	1	Jr.	6'4"	226	Starter	4.43	32"	280	n/a	n/a
Stewart, Jacob	28	SS	2	Jr.	6'0"	212	Backup	4.46	n/a	305	n/a	3.1
Campbell, Anton	9	SS	3	Fr.	5'11"	192	Redshirt	4.45	36"	330	18	2.8
Carl, Mike	26	SS	4	So.	6'0"	189	Walk-on	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

Free Safety

Mundy, Ryan	21	FS	1	So.	6'1"	209	Starter	4.45	n/a	290	830	2.7
Barringer, Willis	19	FS	2	So.	6'0"	201	Backup	4.37	n/a	300	19	2.9
Englemon, Brandent	31	FS	2	Fr.	5'11"	197	Redshirt	4.5	n/a	260	20	4.9
Adams, Jamar	37	FS	4	Fr.	6'2.5"	195	Recruit	4.45	33"	n/a	940	3

Overall, I think the defense looks solid, and I think they’ll carry our team initially and throughout the year. I don’t see opponents being able to move the ball against these guys. They really seem to play well together, cohesively and they communicate well with each other. We also have some great turnover specialists like Jackson, Shazor, Crable and Woods. Three guys on our defense who look an awful lot alike are Shazor, Crable and Woods; they are tall, rangy and cover a lot of ground. I think Herrmann will attack with this defense on virtually every play, and I don’t see them playing much “bend, but not break” style. I know this is a bold prediction, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they held our twelve opponents to less than 100 points during the Fall.

The kicking game featured some nice punts by Finley, and it looks like Rivas will continue to be an adequate answer for extra points and field goals. These areas appear to be adequate rather than solid or strong. I was surprised to see some things on the punt and kickoff returns though. Breaston will definitely be our punt returner, and Curry will back up; however, Jason Avant was back there and looking strong. Mason can also return punts. On kickoff returns, we had Curry, Tabb and Jackson along with Bracken and Breaston as tandems; we also had Hood and Mason. I’m surprised we don’t also work in Jerome Jackson, but I didn’t see him working there. The "flyers" on the punt coverage appears to be Shazor and Tabb; this is an important role and as we learned last year against Iowa and Oregon, it make win or lose games. I liked the drills that we were using, and hopefully DeBoard will help turn things around with our special teams.

Snapper

Mann, Ross

Snapper

Sr.

6'1"

242

Walk-on

n/a

Booth, Turner

Snapper

So.

6'2"

260

Walk-on

n/a

Punter

Finley, Adam

Sr.

6'4"

209

2nd Team All Big Ten

4.8

n/a

325

1200

3.8

Spencer, Mark

So.

6'0"

215

Walk-on

n/a

Ross, Ryan

So.

6'0"

210

Walk-on

n/a

Placekicker-Field Goals/Extra Points

Rivas, Garrett

So.

5'9"

210

Starter

4.8

n/a

1120

3.3

Nienberg, Troy

Jr.

6'2"

172

Walk-on

n/a

Bloomsburg, James

Jr.

5'10"

195

Walk-on

n/a

Perl, Luke

Jr.

6'0"

205

Walk-on

n/a

300

n/a

Moore, Craig

So.

5'10"

178

Walk-on

n/a

Kickoffs

Nienberg, Troy

Jr.

6'2"

172

Walk-on

n/a

Punt Returns

Breaston, Steve	15	PR	1	So.	6'1"	181	Starter	4.4	n/a	n/a	890	3.2
Curry, Markus	30	PR	2	Sr.	5'11"	183	Backup	4.3	n/a	315	n/a	n/a
Avant, Jason	8	PR	3	Jr.	6'1"	209	Backup	4.4	39"	300	17	2.9
Hall, Leon	29	PR	4	So.	5'11"	193	Backup	4.42	33"	n/a	960	3.2
Mason, Grant	13	PR	4	Jr.	6'0"	190	Backup	4.5	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

Kickoff Returns

Breaston, Steve	15	KR	1	So.	6'1"	181	Starter	4.4	n/a	n/a	890	3.2
Curry, Markus	30	KR	1	Sr.	5'11"	183	Starter	4.3	n/a	315	n/a	n/a
Bracken, Tim	41	KR	2	Sr.	5'9"	206	Backup	4.4	n/a	255	n/a	n/a
Jackson, Marlin	3	KR	2	Sr.	6'1"	194	Backup	4.45	n/a	300	790	2.8
Mason, Grant	13	KR	2	Jr.	6'0"	190	Backup	4.5	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Dutch, Doug	n/a	KR	3	Fr.	6"0"	200	Recruit	4.4	n/a	n/a	1000	3.8
Tabb, Carl	17	KR	3	So.	6'2"	193	Backup	4.3	42"	245	24	3.8

Some other views of the Spring Scrimmage thanks to Cutter:

www.detnews.com/2004/um/0404/12/d11-119194.htm

michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=284355

www.mlive.com/wolverines/aanews/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/108167864473413.xml

www.mlive.com/wolverines/aanews/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/108167847973410.xml

www.mlive.com/wolverines/aanews/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/108167860573411.xml

www.mlive.com/wolverines/aanews/football/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1081592022121300.xml

michigan.theinsiders.com/2/250789.html

michigan.theinsiders.com/2/250766.html

www.michigandaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/04/12/407a3e3287bfb

www.michigandaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/04/12/407a319b28107

www.michigandaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/04/12/407a3dd188073

www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040411/SPORTS17/40411011/-1/SPORTS

msnbc.msn.com/id/4710331/