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| Ricardo Miller |
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 215 lbs.
High school: Pioneer High Schoo in Ann Arbor, MI (via Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, FL)
Position: U-back
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #80
Last year: I ranked Miller #60 and said he would get minimal offensive reps. He redshirted.
Miller looked like the freshman receiver who was most physically ready to play in 2010, but the lone freshman wideout to play in 2010 was Jeremy Jackson. Miller did technically play special teams against UMass, but never saw action again for the rest of the season and therefore redshirted. I wasn't terribly excited about his potential as a wide receiver, so I'm glad he's switched positions to U-back, which is Al Borges' version of a fullback/tight end hybrid (known elsewhere as an H-back).
Miller is a willing blocker and I expect him to be bigger than 215 lbs. when fall practice comes around, maybe in the range of 225. He still probably won't be big enough (or technically sound enough) to be an in-line blocker, but he's likely the best suited of the "tight ends" to play the old Aaron Shea hybrid position. That ought to get him on the field with some regularity, especially since fullback John McColgan isn't particularly skilled.
Prediction: Backup tight end
So from this position will he be primarily a blocker or can he be a threat in the passing game? How often do you expect him to be on the field in this position, maybe not this year due to lack of weight or technique, but in the future compared to the inline tight ends?
ReplyDeleteAs I understand it, playing even a single special teams down against UMass burns his red shirt.
ReplyDeleteHe may be eligible (like Gardner) for a medical exception to the redshirt rule due to the timing and infrequency of his playtime, but how are we able to conclude that Ricardo has been granted a redshirt when Gardner's is still up in the air?
Do you see Miller as a potential receiving threat out of the U-back position? I assume if he is a former WR, he should have good enough hands and route running to become a weapon. Some of the assessments from spring were on the negative side.
ReplyDelete@ Anon 12:19
ReplyDeleteWe are able to conclude that based on the fact he's listed as a redshirt freshman on the official roster. I would say your understanding is incorrect.
This guy already sounds like he's going to be somewhat of a bust. He's still pretty small for a fullback/H-back type and probably has lots of work to do on his blocking. I'm expecting very little out of his career at this point.
ReplyDelete@Anon 12:36. Its fair to lower your expectations, but I'd be a little cautious about judging a guy after his freshman year. I think because of the recent success that Hart, Henne, and Long had as freshman that many Michigan fans are sometimes forget that Edwards, Perry, Brady, Graham and most others really didn't show much till later in their careers. These were all non-descript freshman who looked like they weren't destined for much.
ReplyDelete@ Lankownia
ReplyDeleteLewan also started as a RS Freshman.
In those Michigan times, when Hart, Henne, and Long started as Freshmen, they did so because of talent, not necessity. There were others on the depth chart, but they beat them out. Looking back on those players now, they were all drafted.
We're building depth back up now, though!
And I agree with being harsh on freshmen. Miller redshirted last year, and he still has 4 years of eligibility. He was recruited to play wideout, and now they want him at H-back. He might not even contribute that much this year unless he really is up to 225 or higher. But, that doesn't mean we should expect nothing out of his career for chrissakes! (Holden Cauffield)
Everytime I talk with players, they say they're lifting more now with this strength and conditioning staff than they did with Barwis. I hope Miller is lifting just as hard, and putting on good weight.
Playing a single down is enough to burn the redshirt. I think the most likely answer is the participation list for the UMass game was in error.
ReplyDelete