Pressure builds for Michigan's Brennen Beyer to develop after suspension of Frank Clark
Brennen Beyer, right, played well in limited action for Michigan last year. But now he's moving from linebacker to defensive end, and might not have much time to acclimate before he's forced into action.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
The Wolverines' options, should Toussaint not be available for that Sept. 1 game against Alabama, have been thoroughly sliced and diced in the past week.
But what about the possible loss of suspended weak-side defensive end Frank Clark, who was expected to contend for a starting job at one of Michigan's thinnest positions?
He has been accused of stealing a laptop from a Stockwell Hall dorm room and isn't scheduled to be back in court until Sept. 11. That puts his status in question for games against Alabama on Sept. 1 and Air Force on Sept. 8.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke said recently he has not yet determined whether Clark will miss time.
Clark's replacement, should one be needed, is known. How he will play is not.
Sophomore Brennen Beyer is coming off a season in which he was heavily praised for his growth in practice. Thing is, that came at strong-side linebacker, where he backed up Jake Ryan.
He made the move to weak-side end this offseason to shore up depth there after starter Craig Roh slid to the strong side and backup Jibreel Black was moved to tackle.
That left just Clark, last year's third-stringer, and Beyer at the position.
Now, it might be just Beyer to man a position that has lost at least its top-two players, and maybe a third.
How did he look in the spring, after making the move full time to defensive end?
"He was productive," Hoke said. "I thought he did a nice job. We challenged him to get a little stronger, to get a little bigger, and I think he’s done a nice job of that. The productivity he showed during the spring is just scratching the surface of what he could be."
Beyer weighs 252 pounds. Roh played the position last year at 269.
That means technique will be of paramount importance for him -- and it seems to be coming along.
"His technique has gotten a lot better," said left tackle Taylor Lewan, who matched up with Beyer every day during spring ball. "As an offensive tackle, you don’t want your shoulders to get turned ... and he’s done a nice job of getting the tackles’ shoulders turned. I think he’s made a lot of gains."
Roh began his career as a linebacker as well, and made the move to end quite capably. Now a senior, he has not missed a start since first cracking the lineup in the 2009 season opener against Western Michigan.
He's accumulated 112 tackles -- 21 for a loss -- 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. The rest of the projected defensive line starters combine for 55 tackles -- five for loss -- 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
And one start.
The other ends combine for none.
Michigan will try to develop depth at the position during fall camp, which opens Monday. That work starts with Beyer, whose chances of making his first career start appear to be growing.
Simply put: He might be the Wolverines' only choice, if Clark's legal entanglements continue.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
observer
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
he appears to be an intelligent player and has the intensity.....he may be better than Clark.....
Shlobodon Dobodon
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.
ummm Stop trying to act like a spanking from bama is avoidable.
Tom
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 10:32 p.m.
"You know, I don't even think Michigan ought to make the trip to Dallas at all. In fact, they should save the money, use it to buy other expensive things in the stadium, and just take the loss without playing. I mean, according to all you slappies, it is a foregone conclusion." That's right. Michigan lacks physicality...BAMA BLEEDS PHYSICALITY. The Tide is going to put a BIG HURT on the over matched Walmarters from AA! 170 yards of total offense vs. VaTech! This is THE TIDE; not the Hokies! Gonna be REAL UGLY! Shouldn't be wasting money ($400,000) on the band trip either.
Tom
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.
"Just glad that the 1969 team didn't have that attitude, or the 1997 team, or even the 2011 team." Congratulations to the 1997 team they beat MSU. '69 team beaten 23-12 (I was there) and '11 team POUNDED 28-14 (there too)! Where's the threat?
Shlobodon Dobodon
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 3:03 p.m.
That's cute, but sarcasm won't save you from your spanking.
Shlobodon Dobodon
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 8:31 p.m.
LOL
Mick52
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 4:14 p.m.
If Michigan truly deserves to be ranked 8th, it should be a close game. I do not care how well Alabama has been in the past, their will 11 players on the field for both teams and the result will be determined by who wants it the most.
Rilke44
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 5:20 a.m.
heartbreakM is right. And it's a good thing Alabama's 1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1978, 1979, 1992, 2009, 2011 didn't have that attitude either.
OldBittyBates
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 10:14 p.m.
Bama spanked Penn State in 2010 and 2011 - They pretty much creamed them. Can Michigan play competitive against such an awesome football program? Will either Toussaint or Clark ever be included in another Wolverine football game ever again? Ironically, Saban does not own a winning record against Michigan (Overall). Urban Meyer doesn't own a winning record against Michigan either. Regardless of who Michigan plays, the Wolverines usually find a way to keep in the game to the end. If Michigan can keep the ball away from the Alabama powerhouse offensive players, we stand a chance. Thomas Rawls may be more than great. Beyer, Brink, and Heitzman are sure to develop and make up for at least some of what we will be losing. Brady Hoke and his staff are craftsmen who know how to fix things that are broken. We will do well in the first game of the season because I have FAITH.
heartbreakM
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 4:54 p.m.
You know, I don't even think Michigan ought to make the trip to Dallas at all. In fact, they should save the money, use it to buy other expensive things in the stadium, and just take the loss without playing. I mean, according to all you slappies, it is a foregone conclusion. Just glad that the 1969 team didn't have that attitude, or the 1997 team, or even the 2011 team.
Scott
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.
Beyer was a heavily recruited DE out of high school. I think he'll be just fine. He's very quick and now that he's added weight he's ready to have a solid season. Brink or Heitzman could back him up but I think we'll see Strobel playing as a freshman like Clark and Beyer did. He comes in 25 lbs. heavier than they did. His 3.9 GPA in high school would indicate he's smart and a quick learner.
81wolverine
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 6:29 p.m.
Very good comments. I think Strobel can be the next Craig Roh, and maybe even better before he's done. The other possible freshman DE contributors are Chris Wormley and Mario Ojemudia. But, I think Wormely is going to be switched to the interior and Ojemudia is not physically ready yet to see much playing time.