Observations on the Spring Scrimmage 2012
There were approximately 25,000 fans who donated over $260,000 to Mott Children's Hospital with the Beam family matching all fan donation, and Alijah Bradley won the Most Valuable Player in the Alumni Game that over 100 former players participated in. The final score was 33-19. The "Blue" Team defeated the "White Team" 17-0 with Thomas Rawls scoring two TDs, and Matt Wile hitting a 43 yard field goal.
The two skill players on offense who showed the fans and coaches that they can contribute were Thomas Rawls and Russell Bellomy. Rawls gained 42 yards on 10 carries, and really showed toughness in the scrimmage. He will backup Touissaint with Smith also continuing to be a threat especially on screen and short passes across the middle. We all know what Denard Robinson and Fitzgerald Touissaint can do, they had nothing to prove; however, Russell Bellomy showed that he can be a great option as a #2 quarterback. Bellomy was 6 of 9 for 40 yards, and ran a few times with confidence. Devin Gardner also had his moments, but was picked off by Countess and he is too inconsistent overall; he'll make a great play and follow up with a poor play. Justice Hayes played, but looks to be the #4 back. Hopkins did not play at fullback, and Redshirt Walk-on Joe Kerridge looked quite good replacing him; he had a couple of catches out of the backfield.
Our offensive line looked good with Schofield, Omameh, Barnum, Burzynski/Mealer and Lewan manning the first team. The second team featured Gunderson, Bryant, Miller, Glasgow and Mateus. Just as the "experts" have said, our first team should be good, but we certainly have a depth problem that freshman will have every opportunity to remedy. It is expected that Kyle Kalis and Erik Magnuson will take full advantage of the situation, and that is why both pledged. I am pretty confident that Schofield will end up moving back to Left Guard with Kalis starting at Right Tackle and Magnuson should also get guard duty. Both should prove to be better than Burzynski or Mealer, but as of now those two are the leading candidates for Left Guard. There were 3 center snap exchange fumbles.
Our wide receivers were not too impressive, and as expected, the tight end position prospects look bleak. We all know what Roy Roundtree and Jeremy Gallon can do, and Drew Dileo is another steady player. Gallon grabbed two for 29 yards. Unfortunately, we were hoping Jerald Robinson would impress, but he did not; he only caught 2 for 9 yards. Both Amarah Darboh and Jehu Chesson will have an opporunity to move in to being the #4 and #5 receivers along with scatback Dennis Norfleet. Devin Gardner may also try to get some minutes at wide out.
The tight end position was shut out, no catches. Brandon Moore, Mike Kwiatkowski and Ricardo Miller appear to have the inside track for playing time, but pledges A.J. Williams and Devin Funchess should have opportunities to play if they report in playing shape.
On defense, it is so comforting that both Hoke and Mattison along with Montgomery coaching the defensive line. Our line graduated two good ones with Martin and VanBergen, but Campbell and Roh should be able to do a nice job replacing them. Jibreel Black looks impressive inside at the 3 technique position, and Frank Clark looked better than Brennan Beyer at Rush Defensive End. Clark is active and flows well to the ball. Quinton Washington looks like he'll be playing some minutes, too. Chris Rock played well for the second team. Richard Ash is big, but slow. This leaves the door wide open for Ondre "Pee Wee" Pipkins to also gain some playing time. Keith Heitzman ended Spring backing up Roh at Strong Side Defensive End, but watch out for Tom Strobel and Chris Wormley this Fall.
We were very impressive at linebacker in the scrimmage. Kenny Demens and Jake Ryan will be solid at MIKE and SAM. Unfortuntately, Desmond Morgan was injured on the first series and spend the day icing his knee. Hopefully, it won't be a serious injury. Mike Jones had 6 tackles and Brandin Hawthorne had 5 to lead the linebacking corps. Cameron Gordon will backup Jake Ryan; he can hit, but still isn't a great tackler. Joe Bolden, Antonio Poole and Kaleb Ringer also look to be contributors in backup roles. We will also have James "Big" Ross and Royce Jenkins-Stone coming in to compete in June. Our prospects at linebacker should be much better in 2012.
In the backfield, we all know how solid Jordan Kovacs is, but now Blake Countess showed he is ready to be a leader, too. He had a nice interception and blanketed receivers all scrimmage. J.T. Floyd looked like his usual self; he makes a great play and takes the next one off which is too inconsistent for me to give him high praise. I really like Courtney Avery at Nickel, he came up with some big plays in 2011 and should do the same in 2012. Jarrod Wilson showed he will be a great addition backing up Free Safety, but also missed a tackle on Rawls 21 yard TD scamper. Marvin Robinson had a couple nice hits, and he'll still backup Kovacs. I was hoping to see more out of Ramon Taylor and Delonte Hollowell, but neither showed much in backup roles. Overall, we should have a good, but not great backfield.
In the kicking game, Wile nailed a 43 yarder, but Gibbons missed a 22 yard chip shot. Will Hagerup punted 8 times for a 47 yard average including a 66 yarder. I'm sure Norfleet will really add a new dimension to our kickoff team, and Blake Countess is backing up Gallon in punt returns. Delonte Hollowell will continue to be our chief flyer on punt returns.
We'll find out just how good we'll be early with road tests against Alabama and Notre Dame in September. If we win the Big Ten, beat Michigan State and land in a BCS Bowl, I'll be ecstatic. (Spring Game Highlights) Spring Prospectus Mattison Borges
Go Blue!!!