Michigan football team needs big things from these 5 players in 2010
After two consecutive losing seasons, the Michigan football needs to make a bowl game next year. Here are 5 players whose progress this off-season will help determine the Wolverines’ fate in 2010:
Tate Forcier - Until Denard Robinson proves he’s a quarterback and with no idea how ready recruit Devin Gardner is for the Big Ten, Forcier is Michigan’s best hope behind center. He threw for 2,050 yards and 13 touchdowns as a true freshman, but struggled with turnovers (10 interceptions) and poor decision making at times. He has nine months to mature on and off the field, or Michigan will be in for another long season.
Donovan Warren
Will Campbell - Plenty was expected from the jewel of Michigan’s 2009 recruiting class, but Campbell didn’t see the field much early and showed he had a ways to go when he did. He played more over the final month, and coaches still believe in his bright future. As Michigan’s only 300-pound lineman, Campbell’s development is key to running the 3-4 defense. He can be a monster at nose tackle and allow Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen to slide to their more natural positions, or he can spend another year as a backup on the Wolverines’ undersized front.
Mark Huyge - The interior of Michigan’s offensive line looks set with David Molk at center and Steve Schilling and Patrick Omameh at guard. It’s the tackle spots that are most concerning heading into next year. Huyge won the right tackle job coming out of fall camp, then bounced around because of injuries to Molk. He started five games at right guard, four at right tackle, and never quite found a rhythm. Still, as a third-year sophomore, he's got plenty of upside. If not him, then Perry Dorrestein and Taylor Lewan have to solidify the tackle spots for Michigan to reach its offensive potential.
Fitzgerald Toussaint - Vincent Smith should enter spring practice as the starter, but Rich Rodriguez has always relied on multiple running backs. Mike Shaw gets first crack as Smith’s sidekick, but Toussaint is a better changeup. He’s a physical runner who’s up to 205 pounds, and he would have played this year if not for the shoulder injury he sustained in camp. Bruising Brandon Minor will be missed, but Toussaint can fill his void and may have a better career if he stays healthy.
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
rightmind250
Sat, Nov 28, 2009 : 7:51 a.m.
Will Campbell? You got to be kidding me. He can't move. They should call him the blob. He looked pathetic for the 2 or 3 plays he got in.
81wolverine
Fri, Nov 27, 2009 : 4:44 p.m.
Michigan will need more size and depth at RB to compete in the Big Ten. Losing Minor, Brown, and Grady at running back will leave us with little size at this position. Also, they need ANYONE to emerge as real players at linebacker and safety between now and next season. We're undersized and too slow at linebacker in general. I'd like to see J.B. Fitzgerald and Kenny Demens make a big move at LB. Hopefully, someone else besides Campbell will also step up on one of the D-line positions.
chuckc02
Thu, Nov 26, 2009 : 11:47 a.m.
Denard Robinson has been mis-used all season. He should have been a deep threat. No one can run faster. It was tried once during the OSU game and a bad pass resulted in an interception. It wasn't tried again. Robinson will transfer and will not be here next year. Tate will probably go also.
GoblueinNE_PA
Thu, Nov 26, 2009 : 12:09 a.m.
W/O Tate, the team won't stand a chance next year. You can not start true freshman at QB 3 consecutive years and expect to win at high level. If RR wants to finish his contract, he better pray like crazy that Tate get's it together between now an next years season opener. Absolutely critical that Tate becomes successful.
Maize&Believe
Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 9:34 p.m.
yup your right saline... kids 19 years old, true freshmen.. he's got 3 more years to grow, and he's showed some serious potential.. yea lets bring in gardner and start him right away right? he's our savior next year, he'll be in the same shoes tate was in this year.. people that don't want tate at a starter are crazy, who else you gonna throw in there? tate is a hell of a QB and has a very bright future. GO BLUE!
Salinegoblue
Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 6:51 p.m.
We can't win with Tate at QB.
heartbreakM
Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 6:07 p.m.
Shaw has not really shown much since his first game as a frosh, IMO. I don't know if he even warrants second string. In fact, his biggest hit was that tunnel hit on whoever that was. Not impressive. Cox, to me, is much more impressive--every time he has been in games, he has shown something. But, it would help if RR would have any semblance of a real running game, instead of that gimmick play where the tailback runs 15 yards sideways before breaking it upfield and getting caught for 2 yard gain or a loss. They've gotta attack the line, counter, off-tackle, whatever. That's where they have success. Of course, these sideline routes can hit a homerun periodically, but more often are for naught.
Fresh121
Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 5:13 p.m.
Well if DW stays that will help JT floyd and cullen and allow for woolfolk to go back to saftey i think people tend to forget how many players were out of there spot this year do to injurys and red shirts..i agree with the list F.T gonna be a good power runner to go with VS speed