Online Now 1072

One final look at the 2012 class

Kyle Kalis

Incoming freshman Kyle Kalis has a great chance to see the field in 2012.

Wolverine247 takes a final look at the 2012 recruiting class before heading to fall camp. Predictions on which incoming freshman could see early playing time.

Clint Brewster

    • Which freshman do you guys predict have a good chance at seeing the field in 2012?

      Clint Brewster ●

    • Clint Brewster said...

      Which freshman do you guys predict have a good chance at seeing the field in 2012?

      Kyle Kalis, Ondre Pipkins, Amara Darboh/Jehu Chesson, AJ Williams, Devin Funchess, Tom Strobel, and Ben Braden.

      MaizeandBlue21 ●

    • maize&blue21 said...

      Kyle Kalis, Ondre Pipkins, Amara Darboh/Jehu Chesson, AJ Williams, Devin Funchess, Tom Strobel, and Ben Braden.

      It is concerning that Pipkins is up to 337 now. I thought he looked more trim than that in photos from this summer. Hopefully he can provide some depth at DT as a frosh.

      This post was edited by Clint Brewster on 8/4/2012 at 10:09 AM

      Clint Brewster ●

    • If Clark is suspended and or off the team it is almost a given Mario O will see the field.

      Norbit ●

    • Clint Brewster said...

      It is concerning that Pipkins is up to 337 now. I thought he looked more trim than that in photos from this summer. Hopefully he can provide some depth at DT as a frosh.

      Yeah, I didn't think he weighed that much, but he has lost around 20 pounds since the US AA game when he was playing at 360. A year in the weight room would make him a deadly weapon, but the depth chart will not allow it and he'll need to mold his body in fall camp to get ready for the season. I personally would like to see him get down to the 320-325 range, but I'm not sure what the coaches are telling him.

      If he gets his technique down in fall camp, I don't see anything keeping him from starting unless Will Campbell figured it out.

      MaizeandBlue21 ●

    • Norbit said...

      If Clark is suspended and or off the team it is almost a given Mario O will see the field.

      No, one of Strobel or Wormley will shift over there, Ojemudia is a year or two away from the field.

      MaizeandBlue21 ●

    • Norbit said...

      If Clark is suspended and or off the team it is almost a given Mario O will see the field.

      Good point. It will be interesting to see how his situation plays out.

      Clint Brewster ●

    • Clint Brewster said...

      Which freshman do you guys predict have a good chance at seeing the field in 2012?

      - Joe Bolden at MIKE is already in the two deep so he has a good chance of seeing the field.

      - One of the TEs will have to play, perhaps both. Devin Funchess could come in in passing situations and be a great receiving threat. AJ Williams is a mammoth at 6'6 280 already, so he has the size to play right away. I'd be shocked if he took a RS.

      - At least one WR will play as well, and we're lucky that both will probably be ready. Amara Darboh has the size at 6'4 218, and Chesson is beefier than he was and still reports a 4.4. With the weakness of our receiving corps, they'll probably see the field as well.

      - Dennis Norfleet could win one of the returning spots that are up for grabs after a pretty poor season at the position last year.

      - Kyle Kalis is the only OL that should be ready, and our depth is spotty at best so he'll definitely see the field if an injury occurs. He could even be in the mix for the starting LG spot over Burzynski/Mealer by mid-season.

      - Ondre Pipkins will have to play a serious amount of time, as we really only have him and Will Campbell at NT. I'm a little concerned about his weight (he's already the heaviest guy on the team), but as long as he can engulf double teams and keep his agility, he should be in the mix to step up if Campbell disappoints.

      - One of the 3/5-tech guys will get a good shot at getting some serious PT, especially considering how much Mattison loves rotating the DL. My order, in terms of likelihood to play, would be Chris Wormley, Tom Strobel, Matt Godin, Willie Henry.

      - Jarrod Wilson could easily make the two deep due to his EE, and I think he'll be there by the season's end.

      This post was edited by Ducksworth on 8/4/2012 at 10:15 AM

      Ducksworth

    • Ducksworth said...

      - Joe Bolden at MIKE is already in the two deep so he has a good chance of seeing the field.

      - One of the TEs will have to play, perhaps both. Devin Funchess could come in in passing situations and be a great receiving threat. AJ Williams is a mammoth at 6'6 280 already, so he has the size to play right away. I'd be shocked if he took a RS.

      - At least one WR will play as well, and we're lucky that both will probably be ready. Amara Darboh has the size at 6'4 218, and Chesson is beefier than he was and still reports a 4.4. With the weakness of our receiving corps, they'll probably see the field as well.

      - Dennis Norfleet could win one of the returning spots that are up for grabs after a pretty poor season at the position last year.

      - Kyle Kalis is the only OL that should be ready, and our depth is spotty at best so he'll definitely see the field if an injury occurs. He could even be in the mix for the starting LG spot over Burzynski/Mealer by mid-season.

      - Ondre Pipkins will have to play a serious amount of time, as we really only have him and Will Campbell at NT. I'm a little concerned about his weight (he's already the heaviest guy on the team), but as long as he can engulf double teams and keep his agility, he should be in the mix to step up if Campbell disappoints.

      - One of the 3/5-tech guys will get a good shot at getting some serious PT, especially considering how much Mattison loves rotating the DL. My order, in terms of likelihood to play, would be Chris Wormley, Tom Strobel, Matt Godin, Willie Henry.

      Good post Ducksworth. I agree with your projections.

      Clint Brewster ●

    • Norbit said...

      If Clark is suspended and or off the team it is almost a given Mario O will see the field.

      mario is way to small. he will red shirt. hes only 223 lbs

      Wolverines89

    • I don't want to see any Freshman on the field. But, that likely won't happen.

      Joe Bolden
      Dennis Norfleet
      Devin Funchess
      AJ Williams
      Ondre Pipkins

      Those 5 are the ones who I believe will contribute this year.

      Joester16

    • maize&blue21 said...

      Kyle Kalis, Ondre Pipkins, Amara Darboh/Jehu Chesson, AJ Williams, Devin Funchess, Tom Strobel, and Ben Braden.

      you forgot about the guy that's been there since spring and is the most likely to see the field joe bolden.

      Wolverines89

    • maize&blue21 said...

      No, one of Strobel or Wormley will shift over there, Ojemudia is a year or two away from the field.

      Strobel and Wormley don't have the necessary speed for WDE. Mayyybe Strobel, but definitely not Wormley.

      It'd be Beyer and then if anything happens to him, I personally think they should shift Ryan to WDE and have Gordon at SAM over having a guy like Wormley play WAY out of position at WDE. Heitzman would move over before them.

      Ducksworth

    • Wolverines89 said...

      you forgot about the guy that's been there since spring and is the most likely to see the field joe bolden.

      Doubt he passes Desmond Morgan, kid is a football player.

      MaizeandBlue21 ●

    • Ducksworth said...

      Strobel and Wormley don't have the necessary speed for WDE. Mayyybe Strobel, but definitely not Wormley.

      It'd be Beyer and then if anything happens to him, I personally think they should shift Ryan to WDE and have Gordon at SAM over having a guy like Wormley play WAY out of position at WDE. Heitzman would move over before them.

      Have you seen Strobel's film? Kid is like a cannon coming off the line, he has plenty of speed.

      MaizeandBlue21 ●

    • Clint Brewster said...

      Which freshman do you guys predict have a good chance at seeing the field in 2012?

      I think you will see a lot. Depth of talent is an issue for us so I think the coaches will get a lot of the true freshman's feet wet.
      Bolden
      Chesson
      Funchess
      Godin
      Wilson
      Kalis
      Norfleet
      Pipkins,
      Ross,
      A.J. Williams
      Chris Wormley,

      Luger ●

    • Wolverines89 said...

      mario is way to small. he will red shirt. hes only 223 lbs

      Clark was 228 and Beyer was 225 last year.

      Mario can play.

      Ducksworth

    • maize&blue21 said...

      Doubt he passes Desmond Morgan, kid is a football player.

      Bolden is the backup at MIKE. Morgan is the starter at WILL

      Ducksworth

    • Ducksworth said...

      Bolden is the backup at MIKE. Morgan is the starter at WILL

      Can we just use MLB and OLB terms? Always get confused with the names.

      MaizeandBlue21 ●

    • Ducksworth said...

      Clark was 228 and Beyer was 225 last year.

      Mario can play.

      They both played very little though because of lack of depth and some injuries.

      MaizeandBlue21 ●

    • Norbit said...

      If Clark is suspended and or off the team it is almost a given Mario O will see the field.

      I think Jake Ryan could spell Beyer at WDE and bring in Cam Gordan at sam. Get the best and most ready players on the field. Once Mario gets up to 245 I think he will be a he'll of a rush specialist

      LEXwolverine1

    • Ducksworth said...

      Strobel and Wormley don't have the necessary speed for WDE. Mayyybe Strobel, but definitely not Wormley.

      It'd be Beyer and then if anything happens to him, I personally think they should shift Ryan to WDE and have Gordon at SAM over having a guy like Wormley play WAY out of position at WDE. Heitzman would move over before them.

      Playing WDE is more about athleticism then speed. Its ability to make plays in the run or pass, accounting for play action, misdirection, RB chips, and screens. I can see strobel filling in, Beyer is there now and I don't see a noticeable difference in athleticism from Strobel.

      Luger ●

    • Ducksworth said...

      Clark was 228 and Beyer was 225 last year.

      Mario can play.

      Beyer played sam last year. Clark was s rush specialist, usually third down player. At that weight it's hard to play on 1st and 2nd downs.

      LEXwolverine1

    • Ducksworth said...

      Clark was 228 and Beyer was 225 last year.

      Mario can play.

      they wont play mario at 223. they had no back ups last year. they were the only back ups for roh. hoke made them both put on weight. clarks at 260 and beyer is at 252.

      Wolverines89

Already have an account? Sign In

Add a comment
Want to be involved in the discussion? Start Free Trial
Michigan
247Sports
Features
Resources
Connect

247Sports In partnership with CBS Sports