Wolverine Wednesday: A Mix of Everything

Mailbag:

Jason from Augusta writes: Why hasn't Big Will gotten more snaps?

BHB: The Michigan coaches have been critical about about Big Will's (William Campbell) technique at defensive tackle. When these kids are in high school they are much bigger and stronger then everyone else. They just barrel their way through the offensive line and hit the running back in the backfield. In college, the competition is much better and you need a strong technique to be effective. Mike Martin was able to play last year as a true freshman and I hope/expect to see Big Will to get more snaps in the next two weeks and against Delaware State. He did look impressive in the two snaps he got against WMU, one was a tackle for a loss against the Western RB.


Bill from Boston writes: Which other true freshmen do you expect to see on the field the next two weeks if Michigan blows out Eastern and IU?

BHB: Michigan has serious depth issues at cornerback and safety. Michael Williams left the ND with cramps and Jordan Kovacs (a walk on redshirt freshman) came in and played well. Look for Vladimir Emilien to see some snaps at safety along with Justin Turner and Teric Jones at CB.


Depending on the injuries to Hemingway and Stounum, look for Je'ron Stokes and Roy Roundtree (redshirt freshman) to see action as well.

On a personal note, I would like to see Michael Cox and Michael Shaw get more snaps at running back as well.

Denard has to throw when he gets in the game the next two weeks. In fact he should throw more then he runs.


Recruiting:

• Michigan welcomed two out of state visitors for the ND game (one official = Michigan paid for it) and one un-official (meaning the recruit and their family paid for the trip themselves). The un-official visit was from Woodberry Forest (Va.) outside linebacker Aramide Olaniyan. Who had an amazing time at Michigan. Aramide is a current Duke commit and a 4 star rated LB from Rivals. The official visitor was Millersville (Md.) Old Mill's Josh Furman who Michigan would also like at LB in a Dhani Jones type of role/player. "The atmosphere, when I was going down to the game and fans everywhere, this is what you live for," Furman said. "Just looking at how the fans reacted and how the players reacted after a win like that, it's something I want to play for.”


• A top 2010 Michigan recruit Cullen Christian at cornerback visited OSU last weekend. "I'm pretty much open to anyone, but I wasn't really giving Ohio State a hard look because they haven't given me an offer," Christian said. Plenty of others have offered Christian a scholarship. His list stands at close to 20 and includes Michigan, UCLA and West Virginia, which are his top three choices. "Those are the three I'm mainly looking at," Christian said. "Michigan is my favorite. I grew up a Michigan fan. They show the most interest."


• Defensive lineman Beau Allen from Minnesota: "My top four are still Wisconsin, Minnesota, Notre Dame and Stanford," Allen said. "Michigan recently offered me. I think I'll give them a look. It's Michigan, Michigan State and UCLA for the last visit."


• DB Tony Grimes (Hollywood Hills, Fla.) is still planning a visit to Ann Arbor.

News and Notes:

• Tate and Michigan get the corner spot of the cover of SI this week. That doesn't qualify for the SI jinx right?


• As a BHB reader points out: Tate is now on the Heisman watch list on ESPN now and also is up for one of the college plays of the week. Check out ESPN and vote for him.


• Troy Woolfolk is no longer the "other" Woolfolk at Michigan. His dad is proud of him and didn't twist his arm in going to Michigan.
  

Something to think about this week: Ron English recruited most of the defensive players on the field for Michigan on Saturday. He knows their strengths and weakness. Can he put together a game plan that exposes their weakness?