Thursday, June 9, 2011

2011 Countdown: #81 Brennen Beyer

Brennen Beyer is the tall guy in the middle
Name: Brennen Beyer
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 215 lbs.
High school: Plymouth High School in Plymouth, MI
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #97
Last year: Beyer was a high school senior (commitment post here)

TTB Rating: 82

Beyer has a great deal of talent as an outside linebacker/defensive end hybrid.  He ought to be perfect for the weakside end position at Michigan and looks almost like a clone of junior defensive end Craig Roh.  He has some weight and strength to add, but the base level of athleticism is there to make an impact at the college level.

Unfortunately, it's tough to do much as a 215 lb. defensive end in the Big Ten.  You can see in the above photograph that Beyer is just about the skinniest guy within sight, despite the fact that he's headed to a big-time football program.  I would expect that Beyer will be heavier than 215 lbs. by the time he hits campus, but probably not enough to make his mark in 2011.  There's an outside chance that he can contribute on the punt unit or as a third- or fourth-string end behind Roh and sophomore Jibreel Black, but the best thing for him to do would probably be to lift weights and eat eat eat.

Prediction: Redshirt

17 comments:

  1. Brennen's skinnier than Roh when he came in, so like you said, a redshirt would be perfect. I think Brennen has a ton of upside, and I can't wait to see him in a couple years.

    I'm also very excited to see how Roh can blossom with the defensive staff that we have. I think he is going to have a great season and has the potential to make a Brandon Graham-type leap for his senior year.

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  2. I watched Brennen play in the high school state final game. He was a much use blocking Tight End for the game. He did catch a pass or two. Teams ran away from his side on defense as well. Never really got to see that wow play I was looking for.

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  3. I'll eat my shirt if this twig plays and Barnett doesn't. Or at least I'll say I did.

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  4. I would not call this guy a twig at all. He is over 230 pounds now and he is constantly gaining weight. He has a frame that weight can easily be added to. I would not say it is a 100% sure thing that he will be redshirted. Watch his senior year highlight tape it is a jaw dropper. He is a leader as well and keeps a great GPA. I see potential

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  5. @Anonymous 12:23

    Very cute, Mrs. Beyer.

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  6. Indeed Anonymous, Brennen Beyer's senior year highlights are just him whupping on high schoolers. He is clearly on another level.

    Hopefully it will translate well to the college game, though he already seems to have a nice array of DE moves. Should be an interesting kid to watch once he bulks up a bit.

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  7. @ David 12:57 p.m.

    You know, it's funny because someone with the last name of "Beyer" did just start following me on Twitter. So it could very well be Beyer's mom (or a family member).

    Regardless, I wouldn't call Beyer a twig, either. The above picture makes him look pretty thin, but he's had about 7 months to add weight and will surely gain some more between now and August. It's not preposterous to think that Beyer could have gained 15-20 lbs. in 7 months.

    Lankownia's "twig" comment surely wasn't said with any ill will, so it shouldn't be taken seriously, anyway. He's always pretty respectful in his comments.

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  8. I can say he was definately bigger than 215 when he played against CC in the playoffs. Easilly 225 or 230. Beyer has an acceleration that is deceiving. Supposedly he ran a 4.5 forty (at Mich or at a combine, not sure). If this isn't legit - he is definately a very fast 10 or 20 kid and in the top percentile. There were a few plays where this really was on display. Seemed like a very tough player and he was a real gentleman after the game according to my son and a few others. I would have to believe he could easilly be 250 to 260 by his soph season.

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  9. Thunder is right - no ill will intended. I for one, don't expect a high school kid to have a body that is ready for B1G play, especially on the line. He may be closer come fall, but most linemen are far from what they'll become when they mature. I remember Jeff Backus at my freshman orientation and he was about half as wide as he now looks...

    The bigger issue is that Roh and Black are ahead of him at WDE, and several backup SLB type guys can be used a rush-ends and special teamers. If Beyer has good long-term potential, its best for all if he red-shirts.

    You never know who ends up contributing, but my 2 cents is that Barnett and several other freshman are more likely to than Beyer. That says nothing about what kind of career the young man will have or what kind of person he is.

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  10. He may have a shot to play if he can rush the passer and is up in the 230's by the season. Roh has not shown a great edge-rush yet. I think Black may be better, but he was starting to look chubby toward the end of last season. Again, with all of the edge players coming in in 2012, the coaches may get Beyer some experience.

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  11. @ anon 7:59am

    I wouldn't say Brandon Graham was a "senior leap" type of player. As a junior he had 10+ sacks and 20 TFL's. Even as a sophmore he had 8.5 sacks. Brandon Graham was a stud long before his senior year.

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  12. For what it's worth, about a month ago I happened to be bowling in Canton and Brennan was a couple lanes down from us (he was wearing Michigan gear and looked exactly like his Rivals recruiting picture).

    He's definitely big for a high school kid, but he is not "Big 10" size as of yet for a rush lineman. He's bigger than me (I'm 6' 3, just over 200), but not by a lot, so I'd guess the estimates of him being 220-230 are about right.

    Hopefully he can contribute in spot duty next year and really start to contribute as a RS Sophomore.

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  13. For what it's worth, the picture at the top of this page was from his junior year (Fall 2009), so he's had more than a few months to add weight since this was taken. He was about 205-210 at that time; he's now probably 225-230 (still on the small side, but his burst of speed could be a major equalizer).

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  14. This is the real Ms. Beyer. haha but Brennen is 235 now, woohoo!

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  15. This is the real Ms. Beyer. Haha and Brennen is 235 now, Woohoo!

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  16. @ Bri 4:46 p.m.

    Welcome, Ms. Beyer! Thanks for the update on Brennen's weight.

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  17. haha Bri..!! Way to go Brennen!

    (Neighbor of Brennen's)

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