Friday, August 26, 2011

2011 Countdown: #5 David Molk

David Molk (#50) and Taylor Lewan
(image via AnnArbor.com)

Name: David Molk
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 286 lbs.
High school: Lemont High School in Lemont Township, IL
Position: Center
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #50
Last year: I ranked Molk #1 and said he would be the starting center.  He started every game at center.

I hate to think about how bad Michigan could have been over the past three seasons if Lloyd Carr hadn't recruited Molk to Ann Arbor back in 2007.  Molk has started since his redshirt freshman season in 2008, and the only things that have beaten him have been foot and knee injuries suffered in 2009 that cost him eight games.  Otherwise, he was a rock for the zone running system implemented by Rich Rodriguez starting in '08. Molk has often been mentioned as the strongest offensive lineman on the team; that title was briefly stolen by Quinton Washington, who has since moved to defensive tackle.  Regardless, Molk complemented that strength with enough intelligence and quickness to be recognized as a first team All-Big Ten center by the conference's coaches and was a finalist for the Rimington Award, which is given to the nation's top center.

Molk isn't necessarily the ideal center for the power running game that new head coach Brady Hoke wants to implement at Michigan (think of someone who's 6'4", 310 lbs.), but you can bet that Hoke will enjoy Molk's presence while he's giving it one last hurrah for the Maize and Blue.  His strength will prevent him from being a detriment on power plays, and his quickness will continue to be an asset while offensive coordinator Al Borges looks to be in the early stages of phasing out the heavy reliance on the zone running game.  Molk will spearhead an offensive line that returns four starters (the lone new starter will likely be left guard Ricky Barnum) and the five average out to be in their 4th year of major college football.  The five have 67 starts among them, tied for 10th in the country in sacks allowed (11) last season, and paved the way for the #13 rushing offense (3,101 yards).  If games are won in the trenches, consider the offensive battle to be a likely victory.

Prediction: Starting offensive center; Second Team All-Big Ten

7 comments:

  1. If he is a year old, a year wise, and I'm assuming a bit stronger, then why would he go from first team all b1g to second team? Is that all scheme change?

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  2. @ Anonymous 7:56 a.m.

    It's part scheme change, part Michael Brewster.

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  3. Magnus,

    Do you think crappy Ohio State QB performance might affect Brewster's grading? I really, really want Molk to beat him out for First Team.

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  4. P.S. Taylor Lewan is scary huge.

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  5. Yeah Dave that's what I'm screamin. Plus, every time I hear Brewsters name I get an image of Arnold as the Terminator saying the name "Katharine Broosta" in my head....drivin me nuts.

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  6. This is so typical....
    The media is so into 6'5" 310# its so predictable!
    Molk is running the 40 in 4.87, Benches a semi and has easily handled every possible defense in college football thrown at him also the intelligences equal to any head coach in college football! But will give him 2nd team??? Put Molk and Brewster in a ring and Molk would emerge in 2 min. with with balls in hand.I would bet every dime I have on that!!!!

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  7. @ David 10:33 a.m.

    That depends on whether a crappy Ohio State QB can still win games. If Ohio State wins the conference or still has a very good season, I think Brewster wins it. If they drop off significantly, then that opens the door.

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