UA-59049186-1 Welcome to Michigan Team 137: Defense - Good if it Goes

Welcome to Michigan Team 137: Defense

Rashan Gary, 5*DL

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1831776/highlights/323258398/v3

Strengths

  • Size
  • Strength
  • Speed
  • Explosiveness

Needs work

  • Technique

In 2016: Plays a significant role. Gary was the consensus #1 player in this class for a reason – he’s good. Like, really good. It’s not very often you’ll see a high school player as good as Rashan Gary. He can play 3 or 5-tech, and is already big enough and athletic enough to play at the college level. He’s a truly remarkable athlete for a man his size. With a little polishing on his technique – look out.

Michael Dwumfour, 3* NT

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2556144/highlights/293800375/v3

Strengths

  • Explosiveness
  • Uses hands well
  • Athleticism

Needs work

  • Needs to develop physically

In 2016: While Dwumfour looks better on film that you would expect someone with his rankings to, he’ll redshirt in 2016, a) because Michigan has plenty of talent returning on the interior line and b) because he needs to develop. He’s plenty big already, but will need to hit the weight room a bit before being ready to contribute at the college level. Dwumfour played all over the line in high school, but looks to be a NT at Michigan.

Ron Johnson, 4* WDE

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3386916/highlights/322230411/v3

Strengths

  • Speed
  • Footwork
  • Athleticism

Needs work

  • Strength

In 2016: Assume he redshirts. Johnson needs to hit the weight room before being ready to contribute at the college level. I don’t see any added bulk being much of an issue in terms of speed or athleticism; he’s got plenty of both.

Josh Uche, 3* OLB

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3096785/highlights/317038424/v3

Strengths

  • Speed
  • Agility
  • Footwork

Needs work

  • Size
  • Strength
  • Use of hands
  • Coverage? (May not actually be an issue, depending on how the defense looks)

In 2016: Redshirts. He needs to bulk up quite a bit before being ready to play at the college level. With as much bulk as he’s going to need to add, it’s a safe bet that he’ll lose a bit of the speed and quickness that made him so effective in high school, but he’ll still be plenty fast. Uche played both LB and DE in high school, per his Twitter, he’ll be playing OLB at Michigan. Take this to mean that Don Brown wants to play 3-4, because Uche’s real strength is pass rushing.

Devin Gil, 3* WLB

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3537545/highlights/320150375/v3

Strengths

  • Size
  • Good instincts

Needs work

  • Speed
  • Quickness

In 2016: Redshirts. Gil played safety in high school, but doesn’t look to have the necessary speed to play the position and the college level, and projects as a WLB at Michigan. He’s got okay size already and the frame to put on enough weight to be a college linebacker and will need to spend 2016 putting on said weight. After that, I really think he can be a difference-maker for Michigan. Gil has a good nose for the ball and the ability to read plays. After the problems that plagued Michigan’s LBs this season, a guy with those skills is a welcome addition in Ann Arbor.

Dytarious Johnson, 3* LB

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3344048/highlights/226418376/v3

Strengths

  • Agility
  • Speed
  • Coverage
  • Hard hitter

Needs work

  • Size
  • Instincts
  • Footwork

In 2016: Redshirts. He needs to put on some size before being ready to contribute. Johnson’s tape, which is from his junior year of high school showed someone with plenty of athleticism, but lacking in fundamentals. I’m hopeful that by 2017, he’s ready to contribute, likely as a WLB.

Elysee Mbem-Bosse, 3* ILB

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4004654/highlights/170784378/v3

Strengths

  • Size
  • Quickness
  • Ball skills

Needs work

  • Fluidity in coverage
  • Instincts

In 2016: Probably redshirts. I say probably only because the depth chart at LB is not-so-good. Mbem-Bosse needs to work on his coverage skills, though in coverage, he does play the ball well. Hopefully he’s able to contribute in 2017.

David Long, 4* CB

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2687129/highlights/292137377/v3

Strengths

  • Speed
  • Plays the ball well
  • Athleticism
  • Fluid hips

Needs work

  • Awareness

In 2016: Long can redshirt this year, since Michigan brings everyone back at CB, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he sees the field a bit this year. Should start in 2017 after Lewis, Clark, and Stribling all graduate. Long’s a phenomenal athlete with great speed, but his man coverage skills need some polishing. With what Fred Jackson and Mike Zordich did at Michigan last year, I’m confident he’ll be plenty polished by the time he’s needed to start.

Lavert Hill, 4* CB

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4075177/highlights/297884456/v3

Strengths

  • Speed
  • Awareness
  • Plays ball well

Needs work

  • Size

In 2016: Redshirts, unless the staff wants to get him some experience since he’ll likely be a starter next year. A redshirt is probably the idea option, since Hill needs to put on a bit of size and Michigan returns everyone who saw the field at CB last year, and Freddy Canteen will hopefully see the field there this year. Hill’s an exciting prospect, though. He’s got elite speed and covers well.

Khaleke Hudson, 3* S

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1690809/highlights/295148379/v3

Strengths

  • Can do multiple things on both sides of the ball
  • Instincts
  • Plays ball well
  • Hard hitter

Needs work

  • Athleticism
  • Hip fluidity
  • Coverage

In 2016: Hudson’s tape looks a lot better than what one would normally expect from a 3* recruit. He can do so much that I have to imagine he sees the field right away in some capacity. He needs some polishing, but possesses a skillset similar to Jabrill Peppers and should fit right in his spot when the day comes that Peppers leaves to wreak havoc on NFL offenses.

Josh Metellus, 3* S

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3625131/highlights/319642383/v3

Strengths

  • Quickness
  • Athleticism

Needs work

  • Coverage
  • Instincts

In 2016: Redshirts. Metellus’ tape looks a little better than his ranking would indicate. He looks like a good athlete, though his technique needs some work.

Twitter: @KSchroeder2325

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com

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