3 breakout candidates for Michigan football team in 2010
It took three-quarters of a season and an injury to Martavious Odoms, but Roy Roundtree had a breakout November. The redshirt freshman finished with 32 catches for 434 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns, and looks like the Michigan football team's best receiver entering next year. Who could be the full-season version of Roundtree in 2010? Here are 3 candidates:
Vincent Smith
Craig Roh - Where will Michigan’s defense be without Brandon Graham next year? Depends on Roh. The true freshman started every game this year at outside linebacker and finished with 2 sacks and 7 ½ tackles for loss. More will be asked of him next year whether he stays at outside linebacker or bulks up to play Graham’s defensive end position.
J.T. Turner - Turner was supposed to play a supporting role as a true freshman, but he started camp late after a Clearinghouse issue and never got on track. Now that he’s adjusted to college life and Big Ten football, there’s no reason Turner shouldn’t start next year. He can play cornerback or safety, and Michigan has dire needs at both positions. Turner would have benefitted tremendously from 15 extra bowl practices, so keep an eye on his development this spring.
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
hurd06
Sat, Nov 28, 2009 : 9:21 p.m.
Season rewind: http://isportsweb.com/2009/11/28/michigan-football-2009-season-rewind/
GoblueinNE_PA
Thu, Nov 26, 2009 : 11:01 a.m.
81Wolverine I agree w/you wrt Smith. I really like the kid and he does run hard, but unless he turns out to be the 2nd coming of Mike Hart, I don't think we can rely upon him to get the tough yards. We saw so few of the backs this year, it's hard to tell what we have down the depth chart. I thought Cox ran hard during his limited action, so maybe he can develop into that "guy", maybe toussant, maybe the kid isn't even on the roster yet. It is a concern though, trading speed for power. We'll have a better idea come spring time.
81wolverine
Thu, Nov 26, 2009 : 8:55 a.m.
Smith is a good back for his size, but he is NOT a short-yardage or every-down sort of player. Michigan needs a running back with size who can run in the middle of the field against Big Ten defenses. I don't see anyone next year who can fill that role. You saw the problems this year when Minor and Brown were not healthy. Roh is going to develop into a great player, no doubt. He needs to put on at least 20 pounds though - 30 even better. Will Campbell and Justin Turner are two key players next year for Michigan. They MUST emerge as reliable starters for our defense to improve. Hopefully, in recruiting, the coaches will find a few more D-line players to give us depth next year - which was a big problem this past season.
newe82
Thu, Nov 26, 2009 : 8:29 a.m.
It won't really matter if three or four guys step up next year. They still have holes all over the place. The defense is going to be horrible no matter what. I live down in Ohio and I have spoken to a few of my friends in Columbus and they would like to see the end of year Michigan/OSU game switched to the PSU/OSU game. They really feel like Penn State is more their rival than Michigan. They believe Michigan/MSU should play their rivalry at the end of the year. It does make sense. UM/OSU could play the 5th game of the year and then MSU would not have to get their butt kicked every year by PSU to end the season. It makes sense for all the teams. Michigan is a second teir team and their main rivaly game should be a second tier rivalry to end the season. MSU/Michigan should play the third week in November.
Maize&Believe
Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 9:47 p.m.
michallday.. i think that all the work til spring will have to be voluntary. if these kids truly want to get better, then need to work their ass off this off season on there own..
michalllday
Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 4:22 p.m.
Can you hold practices anyways even without a bowl on our schedule??? Probably a violation...we need it though