Michigan on the Rise?

Jim Harbaugh prepares to turn Michigan program around.

    I finally got around to watching the Michigan Spring Game the other day, and I was a good bit impressed with what I saw. Jim Harbaugh is wasting no time stockpiling talent in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and making his Spring Training something to build his team.

    The night before the game, the teams were "drafted" by coaches. Teams were pretty evenly distributed, so there was no side that was more talented then the other. One of the biggest things that popped during the draft was the first player drafted, it wasn't the more experienced QB Shane Morris, it was the freshman QB Alex Malzone. QB's were live throughout the day so Harbaugh could see how his players handled hits and pressure. 

    Although he may have been picked second, Morris looked very much alive and separated himself from Malzone as the leader. Proving that he could make throws into tight coverage, at one point triple coverage, and looking calm when under pressure, Morris came alive the second half and played extremely well. 

    RB De'Veon Smith looked very promising the first drive, breaking out on the first play for a long run. After that, Smith struggled running between the tackles, but he looks violent running the ball and a promising option for Michigan to go with. However, don't expect to see Michigan run with a feature back, I think it will be a rotation with Junior RB Wyatt Shallman looking very talented between the tackles at 6'3" and 244 pounds. His style was very much like a former Harbaugh RB in Toby Gerhart. 

    WR Amara Darboh looks very talented on fade routes. Twice on the final Blue drive of the first half Darboh caught deep passes along the sideline that ultimately set up Jaron Dukes 14 yard TD catch, and the only score of the game. However, getting separation on post routes into the "seam" or the middle of the field will be Darboh's biggest challenge. 

    The defense looks very much improved from last year, it was the defense after all who really won the 5 games that the Wolverines did win last season. Jabrill Peppers looks strong making open field tackles and solid on coverage and may end up moving to safety before the season is over. I would love to see Peppers lined up with Delano Hill, who had an outstanding Spring Game as well. 

    Another player who popped out on the screen was Senior LB Joe Bolden. Bolden showed promise as a tackler and could step up well to replace LB Jake Ryan who just left for the NFL. He was solid (most of the day) in coverage, and played zone well reading the QB and reacting. 

    Watch DT Ryan Glasgoe this season. Glasgoe looked quick off of the line, making plays in the backfield and could be a disturbing presence in the backfield all season. 

    Blake Countess made an amazing tackle on 3rd down showcasing his pure strength when he shook off his blocker simply by shoving him away and stuffed the edge run play in the backfield. He was strong on defense, and proved that the secondary is solid for 2015. 

    Don't forget Alex Malzone. Although he struggled a bit, it was his first day in the Big House (and he is young), he has a lot of potential. Malzone realistically could take over the starting job next season, if not at some point this season if Morris struggles. 

    Overall, I think Michigan fans have some hope for the 2015 season, at least to establish a winning season, and then a B1G championship appearance in the next 2 to 3 years. Jim Harbaugh brings another dimension to the Wolverines.

    That's exactly what the program needs.

    

Urban Meyer Starts to Hurt? QB Situation is Tough Decision.

    Urban Meyer is starting to garner a headache.

    With a big QB decision to make in Columbus, Ohio, I would have one too! Meyer has 3 of the best QB's in the nation on his roster, each one stepping up and making amazing things happen while on the field.

    ESPN reported that Meyer was deeply contemplating the situation. "That's the only thing that's starting to eat away at me a little bit," Meyer said Tuesday. "It didn't for a while because you're just so busy. But now that I'm seeing what I'm seeing, I have such great respect for all three guys."

    The 3 candidates for the 2015 starting job are redshirt senior Braxton Miller, a 2 time Heisman trophy candidate, 2014 Heisman trophy candidate JT Barrett, and the man who filled in for Barrett while he was injured through the 3 biggest games of the Ohio State season Cardale Jones.

    Yes, just with the resume's, Meyer's headache is understandable.

    "Everything is positive," Meyer said. "Talent, quality people, value to the program, investment in the program? Check, check, check, check. The only negative is two people are going to have to watch."

    Miller suffered a season ending shoulder injury during Summer camp last season and isn't quite throwing in practice. Barrett, who suffered a fractured ankle, is playing in mini field and 7-on-7 drills, while Jones is taking first team snaps.

    Meyer may still move Miller to a different position, to help his NFL stock, while he allows Barrett and Jones to fight out the starting job.

    A lot of drama and media attention will be on Ohio State this summer, and a lot of expectations must be lived up to.

Players To Watch in 2015

    The Big 10's very own Ohio State has claimed the National Title, and finished strongly in a 2014 Bowl Season, not including the National Title, but also Michigan State's come from behind win over Baylor, Wisconsin beating out Auburn in overtime, and don't forget Nebraska and USC's close call.

    So, here are a few players to keep your eyes on in 2015.
    Penn State's Christian Hackenberg, QB, Jr.

    While Hackenberg suffered from a sophomore slump in 2014, struggling with the loss of his number one target Allen Robinson, and going from a TD-INT ratio of 20-10 to 12-15, a lot of people have written Hackenberg off. However, I'm not going to ignore the fact that he completed more passes then any other QB in the Big 10 did in 2014. I think Hackenberg has too much talent to not have a breakout season in 2015.

    Yes, he struggled with accuracy and decision making, but that's typical when a QB who struggled his freshman year looses his best WR. I think he has so much upside and potential he'll break out in 2015 and lead Penn State to a 10 win season.

    Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Jr.

    At 6-0 and 225 pounds, Ezekiel Elliot is the top returning rusher in the Big 10, and possibly the nation. Elliot showed up big when paired with Cardale Jones, the Buckeye 3rd string sophomore QB, rushing for 220 yards or more in each of Jones' 3 starts. He ran for 1872 yards during the season and 18 TD's, 8 of those in the last 3 games. His hands showed up too, catching 7 balls against Indiana and 5 against Cincinnati.

    While he's not as big as some backs in the nation, e.g. Oklahoma's Perine, etc, Elliot runs with speed and power combined very well for his size. He's got some quick moves too, his footwork is amazing, and he's going to be the man everyone will watch. We'll see how the team works with Elliot next season while using him more and allowing him to showcase his broad skill set.

    Nebraska's Demornay Pierson-El, WR, So.

    17.5 yards per punt return. 3 Punt Return TD's. 596 Punt Return Yards. Try 1074 total all purpose yards. That's the stats of Pierson-El's 2014 Freshman campaign. 596 PR yards was a national high, along with his 3 TD's. Add his 23 catches for 321 yards and 4 TD's into the mix. He ended his season well, catching 8 balls for 102 yards and a score in the Bowl loss to USC.

    Demornay has some incredible athletic ability. He's amazingly fast, he jumps and will get the jump ball almost every time, and he will use his pure speed to get yards after the catch. I can see him trying to add some moves into the lineup over the next couple of years, but even without them his speed makes him a dynamic and explosive player on the field. Watch this man make yet another run at the Ty Montgomery Award in 2015.