- Lloyd Carr's press conferences prior to and during spring practice;
- News from the spring practice the media was allowed to attend;
- Rumors leaked out of the winter conditioning program and spring practice;
- The absolute latest recruiting buzz.
Michigan primarily uses two different defensive sets, the base 4-3 and the 4-2-5. The former is the standard UM defensive alignment but the latter is used a lot given the large number of spread offensive that Michigan encounters during the season. On occasion Michigan will switch to a 3-4-4 and they will also use a 6 defensive back set against extreme spreads.
Weakside Defensive End- Junior Tim Jamison is the starter and if he can stay healthy he will be an absolute stud. The problem is that Michigan really don't have a plan B. This also should sound off the alarm for the future if UM doesn't score 1 or 2 WSDEs in the '08 class. How did we get to this point? First, Quentin Woods from the 2006 class never qualified. Chris McClaurin has switched to TE. Sophmore Adam Patterson is now a SSDE. Chris Rogers transfered to PSU. Michigan also lost out on targeted recruits such as Micah Johnson (Kentucky) and Martez Wilson (Illinois).
SSDE- Sophomore starter Brandon Graham has been "unblockable" during the spring. He will slide inside and OLB Shawn Crable will slide down to DE when UM goes to the 4-2-5. Sophomore Adam Patterson is the primary backup but redshirt freshman Greg Banks shined during the rose bowl practices. True freshman Ryan Van Bergen adds to the depth come fall. But none of these guys are really capable of playing WSDE. They are all more likely to be one-gap DTs then WSDEs. Eugene Germany was kicked off the team and given permission to transfer. As you can tell from the above SSDE break down, we won't miss him.
DT #1- Junior Terrance Taylor is the starter and should be very very good. He plays two-gaps but can also explode up field and chase down a QB. He will stay in the game when UM goes to the 4-2-5. He is sitting out the spring for precautionary reasons. When 20 year old freshman Marques Slocum finally joins the team full-time in the fall he will become Taylor's backup. Early reports are extremely upbeat regarding him. Redshirt freshman Jason Kates was thought to be a lost cause as a freshman but is in much better shape now and seems to be turning his career around in the spring. UM will add a DT here in the '08 class.
DT #2- Junior Will Johnson, the former Mr. Football in Michigan finally gets his chance to start after injuries and Alan Branch blocked him. He will come out and Brandon Graham will slide into his spot in the 4-2-5 defense. Sophomore James McKinney is the clear cut #2 here. He is out for the spring with a minor injury. Slocum can play here too but 19 year-old true freshman Renaldo Sagesee has a good chance to be the #3 because redshirt freshman John Ferrara has yet to amount to anything.
Sam LB- Shawn Crable is the senior starter and he has a very high ceiling with respect to how good he will be this year. But who is the backup? 3-star True freshman Marell Evans is the only person scheduled to be a Sam (strongside linebacker) and he will probably redshirt. Like weakside defensive end, this is a position to worry about into the future. There is a need for 1 0r 2 recruits in the '08 class.
Mike LB- It's tough to distinguish between Mikes (middle) and Wills (weakside) at this point. Many more guys are being called Mikes but I believe some of them will actually be Wills. Junior John Thompson will be the starter and should be solid. Redshirt freshman Obinna Ezeh will likely be the backup and has had an incredible amount of love thrown his way over the last couple months. JUCO transfer Austin Panter is having some difficulty adapting to the speed and size of top college football but he has potential. Redshirt freshman Cobrani Mixon lingers in the background. One of these guys will probably end up a Will. Michigan needs to get a Mike in the '08 recruiting class.
Will LB- Senior starter Chris Graham is a workout warrior but average on the field. Redshirt freshman Jonas Mouton is the future but probably only a backup in the present. Junior Brandon Logan is and always will be third string. True frosh Brandon Herron is very raw but is also very agressive and is very very fast. We'll probably add an '08 recruit here as well.
CB #1- Gasp! Junior Morgan Trent is currently the number 1 guy here. He will be significantly pushed by five-star true freshman Donovan Warren come fall. Converted Sophomore RB Carlos Brown and converted Jr. WR Doug Dutch are getting their shot here in the spring.
CB #2- Sophomore Johnny Sears looks to be the starter. He should improve a lot over the summer and has great raw skills. '08 committment Boubacar Cissoko is the real threat for Sears. Besides Warren, Brown and Dutch, true freshman James Rogers (possible diamond in the rough) and Troy Woolfolk (great speed) will contend but will likely redshirt. Chris Richards was kicked off the team.
CB #3- Against three WR sets (& especially the 4-2-5 defensive set) the Michigan slot CB is important. Brandon Harrison (Jr.) still is thought fondly of and this is a make or break year for him. True frehsman Michael Williams is his backup and challenger.
SS- J. Adams will be a star as a returning starter. Converted CB C. Stewart (Jr.) is the backup. This position is a significant need in the '08 class. A. Cambell (Sr.) is a special teams whiz and the current #3. CB M. Williams may have a future here.
FS- Sophomore Steve Brown is very talented but inexperienced. He will start and senior Brandent Englemon will back u both safety positions. Incoming freshman Artis Chambers is the current #3 but the future #2. CB Brandon Harrison can play here in a pinch. Look for 1 '08 recruit here.
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