Week 6 Notes and Predictions

Week 6 of the 2012 season is coming up, and Michigan is back after the long bye week to face Purdue (a bye week seems even longer when it's Michigan not playing). Michigan will be playing yet another tough road game but please keep in mind that they are 3 point favorites in this one. I'm never one to put emphasis on point spreads (not much of a gambler), so I'm not putting much stock into it. However, if we played Savannah St. and were say...56 point favorites...I might then just buy into it for a game or so. Nevertheless, that isn't Purdue. So...on with the predictions:

Michigan at Purdue --Michigan is coming off of the bye week at the most important time. Denard Robinson has taken a hit both locally and nationally for the poor job against Notre Dame. Michigan's defense had a few bright spots a couple weeks ago, and against Purdue they will need to sustain most of that momentum. Purdue doesn't have any dominant players, but they do have a few good ones. A balanced attack against their defensive line and keeping turnovers down is what needs to happen. Needs to. Winner: Michigan

Recapping 2012 Commit Ondre Pipkins

We've been breaking down 2012 recruits all month and as we continue along with the defensive line, we reach Ondre Pipkins.  Pipkins is an immense player that brings in large expectations and potential for both the 2012 season and for the future.  There have been concerns about his ability to contribute in his freshman campaign, especially with his recent injury, but most believe he could be one of the most important pieces of the 2012 recruiting class, especially for this season.

There are all kinds of things to be excited about for Pipkins.  To start, he's a great kid who has been known to joke about all things related to the program.  Along with that, he's a pretty good football player too.  His major asset is his impressive size, coming in at 6'3 and 340 lbs according to the athletic site.  For a true freshman, that's pretty big.  So big that he has actually had to undergo a weight loss program during the summer.  He should be trimmed down a bit before kickoff, but getting rid of his "bad" weight will be important for his career as we saw with the whole Will Campbell situation.  Pipkins also has the ability to shed blocks at will with the great use of his hands and ability to shed double teams.  What is even more impressive is his ability to run down plays.  If you watched the All-American game, you can watch Pipkins seemingly chase down plays similar to Mike Martin did last year at Michigan.  With these skills he has the ability to be a factor in multiple parts of the game.

2012 Positional Breakdown: Defensive Line

Out of all the question marks for Michigan's 2012 squad, perhaps the biggest are for the defensive line.  After losing three starters, Michigan is looking for players to fill the roles formerly played by Mike Martin, Ryan Van Bergen, and Will Heininger.  They have returning players at every position on the defensive line with game experience, but only one of the four spots has gotten a serious amount of confidence from fans.  As a result, Michigan's defensive line progress could very likely determine the direction of the defense overall and the team's performance down the stretch.

This is largely because Michigan has All-Big Ten prospects at just about every positional group on the offensive side and is returning just about everybody that started at linebacker or in the secondary last year as well.  Add in the fact that both of the specialists return and Michigan looks like a pretty good squad for 2012, assuming the defensive line can progress.  In my opinion, this is the position group that will determine the type of season Michigan will have in 2012.  Not only because it has the most question marks, but also because of the way it produced in 2011 in route to the Sugar Bowl victory.  Key red zone stops, key stops on 3rd and short, and a plethora of turnovers during the course of the season.  Making up for that is going to be a challenge, so let's start breaking down who has a chance at doing it in 2012.

D-Lineman Ondre Pipkins Suffers Neck Injury

Head football coach Brady Hoke released a statement today (Friday, August 17th) that confirmed a neck injury suffered by freshman defensive lineman Ondre Pipkins, the third significant Wolverine injury this fall. The good news is Pipkins seems to be okay with no serious damage done to the neck, and, according to coach Hoke's statement: "He had movement in all extremities and was taken to U-M Health System for precautionary reasons and evaluation." That is obviously great news, but there has been no time table set for his return.

Pipkins was competing for a back up spot behind nose tackle Will Campbell through the fall, and fellow teammates of his said he was doing a very nice job of competing and that he was learning very quickly in practice.

Commit #19: Maurice Hurst, Jr.

Photo Credit: 247Sports

After waiting a few weeks after the commitment of wide receiver Csont'e York, Michigan fans finally get to celebrate another recruit joining the maize and blue.  Hurst is a defensive tackle hailing from Westwood, Massachusetts and brings a lot of talent to the Wolverine defense.  He is 6'2" and weighs 275-290 lbs, depending on your recruiting site of choice.  He is ranked by Rivals as just a 3* recruit, but both Scout and 247Sports have him ranked as a 4* recruit.

He's a classic 3*/4* recruit.  Probably too good to be grouped with the majority of 3* players, but not quite good enough to be grouped with the majority of 4* recruits.  Regardless, this is a very solid ranking, especially for a player that will likely develop in his role with the team.  It's rare that an offensive or defensive line recruit will get significant playing time when they arrive on campus and I anticipate much the same for Hurst.  He's already pretty big and probably will be a bit bigger when he arrives on campus, but with some of Michigan's 2012 commits such as Ondre Pipkins and Willie Henry, his early chances will certainly be limited.

Despite this, Hurst brings a lot to the table for Michigan and will very likely make a big impact for the team in the future.  Whether he's going to play nose tackle or 3 tech for Michigan is still up in the air, but I think he'll take the 3 tech spot primarily because of Pipkins.  Pipkins will probably be the backup nose tackle in 2012 and after Will Campbell graduates, he will probably move in as the unquestioned starter.  Obviously, there are a lot of question marks surrounding what Pipkins will do next season, but Pipkins taking that role is probably the most likely situation given depth, experience, and size factors.

With Pipkins at nose tackle, Hurst will likely take the 3 tech role.  Now, one thing I'm sure most fans noticed is that Greg Mattison and Brady Hoke tend to rotate the defensive line pretty frequently.  As of now, when Hurst arrives on campus, the interior defensive line will largely consist of recruits and untested players, although some of the players such as Quinton Washington, Richard Ash, and Kenny Wilkins could make some noise next season, if they get some solid playing time.  Odds are however, there will be an opening for some of the younger players from the 2012 and 2013 recruiting classes to make some noise.

Do I think Hurst will make a big impact early?  Probably not, but there certainly is an opportunity and if not, he should have plenty of time to develop and make an impact later on in his career.  The important thing is that Michigan is filling a position of need with Hurst.  So far, since national signing day for the 2010 class, Michigan has only received commitments from four defensive tackles (including Hurst).  Considering the need for growth and potential for injuries, that's pretty significant. 

Now, Michigan still has a chance at securing commitments from some other defensive linemen for this class to accompany Hurst and defensive end Taco Charlton, but this is a big step in the right direction.  The 2013 class is already ranked #1 and Hurst's commitment has done nothing but help that standing.  Michigan's 2013 recruiting is slowly nearing an end, but there's no doubt this is an exciting pickup for Wolverine fans.

Get to Know Ondre Pipkins

Since I’ve started writing about recruiting, I’ve been focused on the 2013 class. I mean, you can’t blame me...the class is more than half full almost a year before Signing Day, so I’ve been busy! But I did recently get the opportunity to interview one of the top 2012 signees, one I believe will be a very valuable player on the Michigan squad. 

Ondre Pipkins, a 5* defensive tackle out of Kansas City, Missouri, headlined Coach Hoke’s 2012 class. He stands 6’3” and 325 pounds and is an absolutely beast at a position of real need for the team. He can bench press 385 pounds and squat 520 pounds. Like I said: beast. In addition to being ranked a 5-star, Pipkins was ranked 14th overall in the nation, 3rd at his position, and 2nd overall from his state according to Rivals. He had offers from all over, including Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, and USC. He chose Michigan for multiple reasons, but Pipkins is also a native of Saginaw, Michigan. His junior season, he had 50 tackles and 3 sacks. His senior season, he had 60 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 3 pass-breakups, and 6 forced fumbles. Crazy. Pipkins was selected to play in the 2012 US Army All-America Bowl. He was also the defensive line MVP at the Ohio State NFTC in the summer of 2011. The first minute and a half of this video taken from Rivals.com shows how truly athletic and incredibly shifty Pipkins is.

Ondre was kind enough to answer some questions for me. 

Me: So where’ve you been? The fans wanna know!

Ondre: Lately I’m just focusing on midterms and my last few tests. Working out, trying to get in shape and things like that. I’ll be off [of Twitter] for a little while, hopefully I’ll be back sooner than expected. 

Me: What do you think of this 2013 recruiting class so far? Do you think your class is the reason for this crazy fast start?

Man, I mean I think it’s the coaching staff, really. They’re the ones that go into the schools and have to talk to the players. I think it’s a great class they’re putting together, starting with Shane Morris. That’s a big get for us, we’re happy to have them. Also a couple big offensive linemen, now that gets the ball rolling. It’s just a great feeling to know that you got some high-caliber guys coming in ready to challenge you. 

Me: If you had a word of advice for the incoming class, what would you say?

I would say, do not take any breaks when football is over. You need to hit the gym ASAP, before you start regretting it! 

Me: What are you most looking forward to when you get to campus?

Football-related, I’m looking to go up against the o-linemen and having a big learning experience from them, and learning from the senior class too. Socially, I’m looking forward to meeting new people and getting a chance to interact with all the students and the fans and stuff like that, along with my teammates of course. 

Me: What’s your favorite thing about the coaching staff in general and Coach Hoke in specific?

The coaching staff is a big family, very family-orientated and even though they all have different personalities, they always give you positive feedback. Coach Hoke, his walk...that walk is just like, he gotta have it. If you ain’t got that walk, you ain’t getting it. His way of recruiting you...I went to the barbecue, he introduced me and he’s like, “This guy’s coming to Michigan, I don’t care what the media says.” And I was even thinking about other schools at the time! He always gives the o-linemen pizza on Fridays. Homemade pizza! The way he says, “This is Michigan” is hilarious. I gotta record it next time he does it! 

Me: What do you expect out of the Wolverines in the next few years?

I expect hard work and I’m sure we will all be hard workers. We can reach all heights in college football so I see National Championships and BCS-game championships as well. I do see a lot of success in our future. 

Me: Any last words?

THE TEAM, THE TEAM, THE TEAM!

The love for Michigan that Pipkins has is very clear and frankly, it’s refreshing. This kid loves Michigan and can’t wait to play for his team. His comments about the things he loves about Coach Hoke were also very comical. There’s just too many things he likes! It’s clear Pipkins has a good head on his shoulders, as he’s taking some time away from Twitter to focus on his studies and football. He knows how important it is for him to be ready for next season because he will probably be one of the few true freshman who will play a big role for Michigan. 

Ondre said he is going to try to come and visit during the Michigan Spring game to help Shane and Co. recruit the rest of our 2013 class. 

Michigan's Options at Defensive Tackle

The Wolverines are well on their way to another excellent recruiting class for 2013. As I wrote in this post, the biggest needs left are linebacker and defensive tackle. Since I broke down Michigan’s options at the linebacker position in that same post, today I’m going to take a look at Michigan’s options at defensive tackle. 

There’s not a ton of offers out for a DT, mainly because the 2012 class had 3 DT signees (5* Ondre Pipkins, 3* Matt Godin, 3* Willie Henry). I can’t reiterate enough how important landing an excellent defensive tackle like Ondre Pipkins was for the 2012 class. Pipkins was the 14th ranked player in the nation (according to Rivals). Let me put this in perspective for you. Even though it’s still very early, the first DT ranked on the current Rivals100 is Montravius Adams, who is ranked 33rd. Last year’s class had 5 defensive tackles in the top-33, including Mario Edwards, who was considered by multiple sites as the top overall prospect of the 2012 class. Needless to say, this year is looking a little different than 2012 in regard to the defensive tackle position. 

Out of the 9 defensive tackles in the Rivals100 (so far this season), 3 are already committed to a school. Michigan has offered about 10 defensive tackles across the country, 2 of which are in the Rivals100 (4* Henry Poggi and 4* Greg Webb), and 1 more is in the Rivals250 (4* Billy Price who is already committed to Ohio State). I’ll be breaking down 4 different d-tackles, but Michigan will probably only take 2. This position should be an easy sell for recruits considering Coach Mattison’s presence and Coach Hoke’s focus on the defensive line. D-line coaches galore, over here. 

1. Rod Crayton

Crayton is a DT from the heart of SEC Country. Although he’s currently unranked on Rivals, we all know how easily that can change. Crayton is a huge lineman (6’1” and 285 pounds) who has multiple offers from all over the nation and is one of the top prospects out of Alabama. Offers include Michigan, Arkansas, LSU, and Penn State. He had a great junior season with 162 tackles, 10 sacks, and 40 tackles for loss. Crayton says that he wants to take his time and visit a wide variety of schools. He does not have a timeline on his decision, and also says that location is not a factor. Actually, he said that “Being away from home makes you a better man -- you have to depend on yourself.” He visited Michigan on February 19th and said that he enjoyed his visit very much. Of the Big House, he said, “I knew it was big, but oh my God, is it huge and deep looking down on it. I was thinking about how loud it is, how it’s rocking with the crowd when I’m watching a game.” Needless to say, he’s interested. 

2. Henry Poggi

Poggi is a 4* tackle out of Baltimore, MD (another MD recruit) who Rivals ranks as 43rd overall in the nation. He stands 6’3” and 250 pounds. He finished his junior season with 49 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, and one forced fumble. Poggi is a beast, with about 20 offers from schools like Michigan, Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, and Stanford. It’s too early to say much about his options, but Poggi is very interested in Michigan. He has already visited Michigan twice, but is planning another visit soon. Poggi plays a position of need for Michigan and he would be an excellent get. His favorites as of November (so things could have definitely changed) are Michigan, Tennessee, Stanford, Alabama, Auburn, and Ohio State. 

3. Eddie Vanderdoes

Vanderdoes is listed as both a DE and DT on multiple sites. He is a 4* DE on Rivals and ranked 21st overall, making him an easy candidate for a 5th star. Vanderdoes is another CA product who stands 6’4” and 285 pounds. His junior season, he had 59 tackles and 8 sacks. Vanderdoes has tons of offers including Michigan, Alabama, and Notre Dame. He plans on taking an official to Michigan, since his interest is “very, very high.” He is also impressed with Michigan’s early recruiting success, saying he wants to go somewhere to win championships. He has not specified when he wants to make a decision. Vanderdoes is another player that would be an amazing get. 

4. Greg Webb

Webb is a 4* DT out of New Jersey who Rivals ranks 78th overall in the nation. He stands 6’2” and 290 pounds. He finished his junior season with 94 tackles (wow), 9 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries. Impressive. Webb has over 20 offers including Michigan, Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, and Oklahoma. Webb plans on visiting Michigan, and probably with friend and teammate Dajaun Drennon (4* DE with a Michigan offer). Even though Webb has high interest in Michigan, what’s interesting is that him and Drennon want to be a package deal and attend the same university. Even more interesting? Drennon has stated that Michigan is #1 on his list. Webb says distance will not be a factor. Praising Michigan, he says, “Michigan is legendary, Michigan has the Big House and great coaching staff, and the best d-line play I’ve seen in the Big Ten.” Awesome. Him and Drennon plan on visiting together. Could be great news. 

Willie Henry Commits To Michigan

Finally!  Michigan has some good news on the recruiting front.  After what had seemed like the longest "dry" stretch for recruiting in recent Wolverines' history, they finally have a new commitment.  Although he is new to the scene and was only offered a scholarship recently, he should be a solid addition to this year's class.  Willie Henry, a defensive tackle from Cleveland, is rated as a 3* recruit and has been praised by many in the recruiting world.

Last week, I talked about how I believed Caleb Stacey's de-commitment made Jordan Diamond the most important recruit for the 2012 recruiting class.  Although I still believe that, it does nothing to decrease the significance of Henry's decision.  Obviously, Ondre Pipkins is the recruit on the defensive line that will get the most attention, but bringing in a player like Henry is crucial for building a strong program.

Why is Henry a great addition?  Right now, there are several places on the team that lack significant depth.  The biggest areas are offensive and defensive line.  Although there are some great players and some solid incoming recruits for these areas, they still don't have great depth.  The cause of these problems is debatable, but they do exist and recruits like Henry will help to fill that void and ensure success for Michigan in the long term.

Another important factor is that Greg Mattison and Brady Hoke both seem awfully high on what is a standard 3* defensive lineman.  Nothing against Henry or any other 3*, but he didn't receive a lot of attention until late in the recruiting process.  One can debate the reason for this, but, to me, it shows that Hoke and Mattison really believe this kid can play and after what they've done with last year's defense, I have pretty high confidence that they can turn almost any defensive recruit into a great player (not saying Henry isn't good).

Henry is rated as 6'2" and weighing 270 lbs.  He will probably have to bulk up a little more if he really wants to compete against the big offensive lines, but there's no reason to believe he won't.  This is even supported by Scout's online rankings of Henry, which cite his only area for improvement as "size."  Frankly, if a player is an incoming freshman and their only problem is size, a fan or coach can't complain.  Along with this, he will probably red-shirt during his freshman year, which means he'll be a lot bigger when he actually sees the field in 2013.

There's certainly going to be a lot of drama and action over the next few days, but I'm very excited at what Henry brings to this class.  Sure, I would have loved to get guys like Joshua Garnett or Armani Reeves, but that doesn't take anything away from what Henry will bring to the field.  This class is sure to finish great and among the elite in the nation.


Photo Credit: Bill