Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson talks Michigan's cornerbacks
Michigan cornerback J.T. Floyd snares a pass during a practice last season. He's now projected as a starting cornerback in 2010.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
Michigan could have several true freshmen in the playing group at cornerback this fall, but Troy Woolfolk and J.T. Floyd are manning the first team for now, with James Rogers and Justin Turner as their backups.
Woolfolk split his time between cornerback and safety last year, but defensive coordinator Greg Robinson said last week Woolfolk looks “comfortable” at his new home.
“Up until this point in spring he’s played very well, and he plays like Troy,” Robinson said. “He works hard to defend the pass and he’s not shy when it comes to making tackles.”
Rogers remains “a work in progress” after switching back to defense last fall, Robinson said. One of 12 seniors, Rogers played cornerback as a freshman, receiver as a sophomore and junior, then moved back to defense last October.
“But he can run, he’s got length, he understands about being a receiver,” Robinson said. “So we’re trying to convert him.”
Floyd has played sparingly - nine games with starts against Michigan State and Ohio State last year - but the third-year sophomore is carrying himself like a veteran after making substantial gains in the weight room this offseason.
“He looks better, he looks thicker in his uniform, his movement is good and he acts much more like an experienced football player,” Robinson said. “Justin Turner, he’s a work in progress, but he’s got a prototype frame and I just think he’s growing. And I’m glad that J.T. Floyd is acting like an experienced football player because I think that helps Justin.”
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
voiceofreason
Wed, Apr 7, 2010 : 8:12 a.m.
Gatling, The long-term goal is to move Turner to safety, but he is currently playing CB because of depth issues. Once the new guys step up and become ready to play CB, Turner will move back to the position he was rated 5 stars at.
mgobluegold
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 1:19 p.m.
Terry Star, I did see that video, also of tate, denard, schilling and RichRod - much fun. Too early to tell if much improvement from tate and denard, and how much speed devin has, but fun to watch, loved the way devin protected the ball when nearing the goal line, you and theo are classic, can't wait to see what you are going to say next, no I won't try a rhyme, I embarass everyone.
Terry Star21
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 12:33 p.m.
True freshman, right away will help this team, coach RichRod and GRob most certainly will beam. Will it be this year or maybe take four, a National Championship and yes, we'll want more. 8 will see action, yet 3 will be stars, people will just know, and come from afars. True Freshman - will impact for sure....... UM faithful - will love it, oh yes sir.
gatling64
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 10:36 a.m.
I am not enthusiastic about Turners slow development.When your 5 star All American is redshirted you would expect that he would be ready to start. I would hope that some of the freshmen play significant roles in this years defense since they are very talented and by midseason should be ready to play.Many of the best teams in the country have freshmen DBs starting and in a class of 6-7 new DBs there should be one or two ready to play.After all RRs job is on the line, so to spend time with guys like Rogers who is a senior and played offense his whole career is not what he needs.
clarklaker
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 5:59 a.m.
redshirts and another year of experience will go blue
NoBowl4Blue
Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 5:32 a.m.
True freshman wont help this season
Terry Star21
Mon, Apr 5, 2010 : 2:56 p.m.
Good stuff.... you can't have too many great players at any position... Rogers and Turner will continue to learn and grow from Floyd and Wolfolk and be ready in case.... look for the JJ's to get significant playing time this year. Want to see video of Deven Gardner score a touchdown before the Spring Game, go to WWW.mgoblue.com/mzone/ - see a practice where he weaves through perhaps the best defense in American and scores standing up. Devin Gardner - runs without fear..... Spring Game - getting very near