2018 Michigan Season thread

[Mdot21]

He won't be the most important this year, and I'm still doubting he even wins a CB spot over Long or Levert, since they have 1-2 years on him and are already among the best in the nation, but there's an argument to be made for Ambry being the best player on the entire roster, at least by the time every guy puts a bow on his Ann Arbor career.

that's a bold statement right there. Ambry Thomas is definitely talented, but not remotely willing to go that far.
Rashan Gary, Donovan Peoples Jones, and Zach Gentry might have something to say about that. All 3 of those guys are basically ideal body types combined with exceptional athleticism for their positions.
Gary is a legit 6'5, 280+ and a freak athlete for his position- can play any position on the DL at a high level. DPJ is a legit 6'2, 200+ runs a legit 4.4 in the 40 and can leap out of the gym with a 45+ inch vertical. Gentry is a legit 6'7, 260+ and just a really fluid athlete. His length/catch radius and speed are all A+ for the position. Gentry got his first real playing time last year as a Soph and put up 17 catches for 303 yards and 2 TD's. He averaged nearly 18 yards a catch. With some pretty mediocre QB play. He keeps developing and gets solid QB play out of Patterson he could really take off this year. All 3 of those guys scream 1st round NFL draft pick ability imo. Thomas is really talented for his position no doubt, but not quite at those other 3 level imo.

[Mdot21]

Michigan247's Steve Lorenz with a small update on the DL.

Aidan Hutchinson is the one guy he's heard the most about. Sounds like he's gonna play as a true frosh imo.

Don Brown singled out Lawrence Marshall and Bryan Mone as veteran guys who will step up for them inside. Carlo Kemp has moved inside full time.

Kwity Paye is up to 260 from 247 last year when he was a true frosh. Could be starting for a lot of teams across the country this season. Feels like he's "next". Paye is a guy that Don Brown loved and went after hard and stole him from Boston College.

Luiji Villain is full go back from injury. Villain was the #5 WDE and the #36 player overall in the 2017 class. Highly rated guy coming off a redshirt, should be in that rotation.

IMO this could be the deepest DL they've had since Harbaugh's been there.

[Anonymous Coward]

I know that comment about Ambry is bold. That's the point and definitely just a hunch. I'll stand on it and we'll see.
I'm still more excited about Paye/Vilain than Hutch, which is saying something.
As for Marshall and Mone, I don't want to get ahead of myself. I'm less trustworthy there.

[Mdot21]

I know that comment about Ambry is bold. That's the point and definitely just a hunch. I'll stand on it and we'll see.
I'm still more excited about Paye/Vilain than Hutch, which is saying something.
As for Marshall and Mone, I don't want to get ahead of myself. I'm less trustworthy there.

Ambry is supremely talented. No doubt about it. I actually think they should play him at safety just to get him on the field. Also with his speed, ball skills, and man coverage ability he'd hold up in coverage better than say Josh Mettelus. Brown puts his safeties in man so much they almost have to have CB skills.
Paye was productive at WDE and got on the field as a 247 lbs true frosh. He should only be better now that he's up to 260+ and with a year under his belt, bowl practices, spring practices, and fall camp. Villain would've gotten on the field last year if not for the injuries. Excited to see what he can do now that he's healthy. Hutchinson is going to be an animal before he leaves imo. Mattison LOVES that young pup and Mattison knows d-linemen.
As for Marshall- I'll believe that when I see it. As for Mone- he's shown lots of flashes- just never been healthy for an entire year. Hopefully he can be this year.

[Anonymous Coward]

Mone has always had difficulty stacking consecutive plays. But yes when he's a planet on a mission for one snap, he's superb. 

[Mdot21]

Mone has always had difficulty stacking consecutive plays. But yes when he's a planet on a mission for one snap, he's superb.

his weight and injuries have held him back from really breaking through. He's also had some pretty good guys in front of him.
When Harbaugh and his staff first got there they ranked all the players on the entire roster. Mone was 3rd on that list. He's got the talent.

[Anonymous Coward]

That's true of his injuries. Even then, I've come to think that #3 ranking was a mistake. It may not be fair but it's been my sense for a long time.

[Anonymous Coward]

There's no way his release is actually that quick, right? Bad video or something?

https://mobile.twitter.com/MichiganOnBTN/status/1029144537158049794

[Anonymous Coward]

This one is lingering with me. I think it has to 100% be a product of video manipulation (that transition between starting in slow-mo before going to a real frame rate...a modern highlight video annoyance). 
Because if it weren't from film tricks, that n=1 release would be the fastest I've ever seen at Michigan...by far. 

[Mdot21]

I don't know if the video was doctored, but his release is pretty damn quick on all his film. His release, mechanics, and footwork are a thing of beauty. His arm strength is probably B+ to A-, somewhere in that range and more than good enough. He's a pretty good athlete too. Not blazing fast, probably more like a 4.7-4.8 guy- similar to Baker Mayfield in that he can run a little bit but it's not a huge part of his game.

Patterson is really talented. No doubt about it. He's got to put it all together. Has yet to do that in his brief career at Ole Miss. He's only played in 10 games and made 9 starts coming off his true sophomore year. I think a lot of people forget that. He's not a proven or finished product by any means. He's still a young, inexperienced QB who still has to prove himself. He's got a hell of a lot of talent though. For sure the most talent that any Michigan QB has had under Harbaugh.

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm excited to see it. 
I'm also excited about whoever wins right after between Peters and McCaffery (and Milton), but that seems to be at least one year away.
Its clearly the strongest QB roster we've had in a long time. Given how Denard and Devin were mismanaged, I'm not sure whether this should be called the best QB roster since them or since 2007.

[ELA]

https://twitter.com/FauxPelini/status/1031617940016312320

[MaximumSam]

Grant Newsome officially calls it a day. Must be so disappointed

[Anonymous Coward]

https://twitter.com/FauxPelini/status/1031617940016312320

Heh