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| Rising sophomore defensive end Brennen Beyer (image via MGoBlog) |
This question was asked prior to the spring game, but the last poll question was: Who will be Michigan's starter at weakside end against Alabama?
Frank Clark: 62%
The 6'2", 228 lb. sophomore played well in limited time last season, but at the end of spring practice, it seems he's #2 on the depth chart. He had 10 tackles, 1/2 a tackle for loss, and 1 interception. He will surely compete into the fall, and barring an outstanding fall camp from a true freshman, the choice is going to come down to Clark or . . .
Brennen Beyer: 19%
Beyer, pictured above, got the start in last Saturday's spring game. He's listed at 6'3", 225 lbs. but he seems quite a bit bigger than last year. Last season he had 11 tackles but seemed slightly miscast as the backup SAM linebacker. Weakside end seems like a more natural position, but it's a position change nonetheless.
Jake Ryan: 14%
Redshirt sophomore Jake Ryan, who is 6'3" and 230 lbs., started at SAM linebacker in 2011. He proved to be a playmaker by making 37 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. He started at SAM once again in the spring game. Some people are clamoring for him to play defensive end in an effort to get backup SAM Cameron Gordon on the field at the same time, but since Ryan and Gordon are literally the only two strongside linebackers on the roster, that seems unlikely.
Mario Ojemudia: 1% (tie)
Incoming freshman Ojemudia is the only one of the four freshman defensive ends who seems to be slotted for weakside end. The other three ends seem destined for strongside end or even defensive tackle. He played defensive tackle at Farmington Hills Harrison and struggled a little bit playing defensive end in the Semper Fi All American Bowl, so I think he's a long shot to be an immediate starter at the position.
Other: 1% (tie)
I don't know who else would have earned a vote. The only other possibility would seem to be incoming freshman Tom Strobel, who might be a weakside end right now but looks like he'll eventually develop into a strongside end.
Jesus, Beyer looks like he's at least 240/50 lbs.
ReplyDeleteIf he keeps this up, he's not going to stay at WDE much longer. Dude had gotten big.
ReplyDeleteWell, I see a potentially similar career arc to Craig Roh's. Roh started off as a weakside end/outside linebacker who was about 235 lbs. Beyer's family said he was 235 to begin the season, although the official roster said he was only 225. Now he's getting bigger and looks to be 245-250, and Roh was 251 as a sophomore. As a junior, Craig Roh was about 270 playing weakside end, and now he's aiming to be 280 or so as a strongside end.
DeleteI'm not saying Beyer will have a career just like Roh's, but they are very similar players, I think.
Agree with the above assessment of Beyer. I see him as Roh #2. Both guys are tall and lean, but more stout than they look. Both have a decent but not great outside pass rush. Mattison seems to really like Beyer, so I suspect he is an aggressive, sound player. I think Clark and Ojemudia have more potential with the pass rush. But perhaps they need to develop against the run to overtake Beyer. My guess would be that Beyer comes out on 3rd and long. Regardless, there are plenty of snaps to go around for at least two guys.
DeleteI think (well, more like hope) that Beyer get to around 255 and stays there, that's what I thought Roh's optimum weight would be as a WDE.
ReplyDeleteI personally find the weight|speed optimization process somewhat fascinating. I've also wondered whether Roh is playing at his optimum *football* weight. (I think it's a certainty that he's way north of his optimum "person" weight.)
DeleteI'm optimistic that we will see more QB pressure from the WDE spot this season. Pressure from the DL was kinda lacking last year and I think it will give Mattison more options in terms of coverages and such if he doesn't always have to bring a safety or LB to get pressure.
ReplyDeleteI believe I voted for Clark, but really like what I see in Beyer. To those that know more than me, could one of the other votes be for another move of Cam Gordon? Is he big enough? I thought he was bigger than Jake Ryan and apparently people thought he could make the jump. This would also be a way to get both Ryan and Gordon on the field at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI admittedly don't follow the players that closely so don't know if this is possible or not.
I think the only given on the edge on obvious passing downs is Jake Ryan. Whoever plays opposite him is up for grabs. Mattison may also choose to take a spare outside guy and move him inside in pass rush situations a la Shawn Crable. There are some decent options between Beyer, Clark, Gordon, and Ojemudia. I watched Gordon rush a couple times in the spring game and it was inconclusive. My money would be on Clark as the 2nd edge rusher.
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