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| Josh Furman (#14) blocks a punt against Nebraska (image via AnnArbor.com) |
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 208 lbs.
High school: Annapolis (MD) Old Mill
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #14
Last year: I ranked Furman #52 and said he would be a backup safety and a special teams contributor. He was both, making 10 tackles and blocking a punt.
Furman was a main cog of Michigan's special teams units last season, playing a good deal on coverage units. He played in just two games as a reserve safety, however, and what I've seen of him still makes me question whether he can play the position at this level. As a downhill, attacking linebacker in high school, he was at his best. Reading plays and dropping into pass coverage do not seem to be his strong suits, but perhaps further experience will help him there. Unfortunately, he spent spring practices dealing with a legal issue that was overblown by the prosecutor, so he probably didn't get much better in the spring.
As far as his prospects go for the 2012 season, they don't look much more involved than 2011. Furman has practiced at both safety spots, but both starters return (Thomas Gordon at free safety, Jordan Kovacs at strong). Backup safety Troy Woolfolk graduated, but true freshman Jarrod Wilson got a lot of reps in the spring as an early enrollee. Wilson's upside is probably higher than Furman's, but the freshman is less physically ready. Redshirt freshman Tamani Carter may also work his way into the mix, although he was not a highly regarded recruit and missed much of the spring dealing with the same legal issue as Furman. The Maryland native should once again contribute heavily on special teams, but will probably not be counted on in key defensive situations.
Prediction: Backup safety, special teams contributor
Based on what you can see of Furman physically, where do you think he could top out, (good) weight wise? Do you think there's any chance that he could be moved to linebacker? Also, where do you think he'd fit best, projecting him to a 4th/5th-year player?
ReplyDeleteI think 220 is probably the max. No, I don't think he could be moved to linebacker. He's too small to play SAM, and I don't think he has the reading abilities (or the thickness) to play WILL in this defense. I think strong safety is probably the best position for him in this defense, but I don't really think Michigan's coaches would have recruited him in the first place because he doesn't have a position...unless they recruited him as a running back. But now it's probably too late to move him to running back.
DeleteIt's too bad a freak athlete like Furman is finding himself without a position. I guess at the very least he's productive on special teams.
ReplyDeleteRobinson's probably blocking him from meaningful playing time this year, but he's next in line as the top backup next year and a likely starter his senior year...if he doesn't get passed over, of course.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be nice to upgrade the athleticism at safety.
Come on Magnus - why not admit you're really a Sparty/Buckeye fan? Your green & white colors have been showing through on mgoblog. Most Michigan fans I know would never say Treadwell should go to Oklahoma State over Michigan. It's ok that you aren't a Michigan fan as you still provide good content on your site, but just be man enough to admit it.
ReplyDeleteMost Michigan fans you know can't take a step back and look at the world objectively.
DeleteIf Treadwell wants a proven road to putting up big numbers and getting drafted, he should go to Oklahoma State. It's a really a no-brainer. I want him to come to Michigan, but that's really not relevant.
Clearly you've never read anything Magnus has said about Mark Dantonio.
DeleteAlso, it looks like you live on another planet or something. It's one thing to want players to come to Michigan. It's quite another to pontificate on what's best for for the future of a high-school kid and then condemn everyone (including the kid himself) who thinks otherwise. There are an awful lot of mgobloggerati who are guilty of the latter.
Thunder, wouldn't it be more accurate to say that if all Treadwell wanted was to put up big numbers he should go to Ok St. I would hope that most other factors he may consider would lead him here.
ReplyDeleteThe other poster was referring to a comment I made on MGoBlog, where I said, "Strictly from a football standpoint, Treadwell should pick Oklahoma State." So yes, that's where he should go to put up big numbers...and putting up big numbers would likely make him a high draft pick like Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon. Michigan is better in many ways, but not necessarily in the way of pumping out big-time wideouts.
DeleteI agree since the RR era we have not done much with our receivers but that could be because of our QB play. Sheridan, Threet and Denard are not very good at throwing the ball. Maybe Denard gets better this year (2nd year with Borges) but with Morris coming in and Devin having a big arm you would expect things to change by the time Treadwell is starting.
DeletePS-What do you think of Borges' offensive when it comes to developing wide receivers? Can him and Hecklinski be as good as Campbell was?
Can Borges and Hecklinski be as good as Campbell? My guess is no. Campbell is about as good as it gets in college football. I think they can have productive wideouts, but they're probably a notch below Campbell as far as evaluating talent and coaching the position.
DeleteIs it really inconceivable to think that Furman has enough time to make an impact as a RB? Obviously he has the breakaway speed to be a threat on any play. Pass protection would be an obvious weakness, but Im almost to the point where I feel like he'd be more useful to Michigan as a change of pace back while continuing to contribute on special teams.
ReplyDeleteHe wouldn't be what I would consider a "change of pace" back. He's a pretty straight-ahead runner, somewhat Ty Isaac-like in stature (though I think Isaac is a superior talent coming out of high school). It's not inconceivable, but I think it's unlikely.
DeleteYeah, probably a poor designation on my part. That being said, if you had to put him in one position (not including special teams work)for the remainder of his career, where do you think he could provide the biggest impact to his team based on what you know?
DeleteThe bench.
DeleteIs this guy just a bigger version of Teric Jones? I'm at least half-serious. I just wonder where we could expect him to ever play on the field (other than special teams). What's the best use for unpolished elite speed?
ReplyDeleteAside from special teams, I think the best use for "unpolished elite speed" is wide receiver.
DeleteCan he catch?
DeleteIs a frogs ass water tight?
DeleteFrom what I've seen, he's not a very natural pass catcher.
DeleteI suspect RR recruited him based on measurables. He was a great RB in HS, but defense was not his forte or emphasis. I don't think it is a good idea in general to recruit the LB or S position based on primarily physical prowess. The mental/instinctual abilities are so key there.
ReplyDeleteI agree that that was one of RR's mistakes. RR should have established a baseline of reliable ability on defense before he took on too many risks, but that is how you get playmakers like Jake Ryan on the team. 5-stars aren't easy for anyone to get and Furman, as an elite athlete that most teams were recruiting for defense, was worth the risk. Especially considering he's the sort of attacking 'hybrid' that, theoretically, had a good fit in the 3-3-5 we intended to run.
DeleteRegardless of all that, he's got 3 more seasons to perform and he's already helping on special teams. Let's give him time. He's one of those guys, like Hawthorne, that you can envision as a devastating blitzer - he just has to figure out other aspects of the game.
As our LB corps get settled in, we might not need a Safety like Kovacs who cleans everything up. There just might be room for an aggressive attacking safety if we can trust the LBs to be reliable. I could see that scenario if Bolden and Ross end up being as smart and instinctual at play-reading as we hope.
FWIW, I liked the idea of Furman playing OLB in the 3-3-5. But I just don't think he fits in the defense Michigan is running now. Hopefully he proves me wrong.
DeleteThis is one kid I've hoped would find a position. His speed is something we could have used in several games, and sending him on a blitz would be a thing of beauty assuming everyone wouldn't know it was coming.
ReplyDelete