Ex-Wolverine Encyclopedia Update

Adrian Witty (#8) helps recover a fumble in Saturday's win over Austin Peay

Former quarterback commit Shavodrick Beaver was going to sit out the upcoming season as an academic redshirt at Tulsa, but instead he decided to transfer to Midwestern State, a school in his hometown of Wichita Falls.  Beaver was a part of the 2009 class until the December prior to National Signing Day.

Former Michigan running back Sam McGuffie had 1 carry for 4 yards in a 34-9 loss to Texas.  McGuffie had a leg injury and the coaches didn't want him to worsen the injury.

Former Michigan safety/linebacker Brandon Smith is no longer on the roster at Temple.

Former Michigan wide receiver Je'ron Stokes is transferring to Bowling Green State University.  His younger brother Malik is a redshirt freshman quarterback for the Falcons.

Former tight end/fullback commit Christian Wilson had 2 receptions for 37 yards in North Carolina's 42-10 victory over James Madison.

Former Michigan signee Adrian Witty didn't start in Saturday's game for Cincinnati, but he notched 5 tackles as a backup cornerback against Austin Peay.

Check out the Ex-Wolverine Encyclopedia for more.

Scouting Report: Ed Davis, LB - Detroit, MI

Southeastern High School linebacker Ed Davis

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 215 lbs.
Class: 2011
Position: Linebacker
School: Southeastern High School in Detroit, MI
Vertical: 37.5"

Notes: Holds offers from Howard, Michigan, and Toledo . . . Attends Southeastern High School, alma mater of 2010 Michigan targets Johnathon Hankins (Ohio State) and William Gholston (Michigan State) . . . As a junior, had 103 tackles, 6 sacks, and 3 interceptions . . . Also scored 8 touchdowns on offense as a running back and wide receiver . . . 3-star prospect and #36 outside linebacker to Scout.com . . . Wears #9 . . .

Strengths: Good size with plenty of room to add muscle mass . . . Plays downhill when opportunity arises . . . Careless with his body . . . High-effort player . . . Doesn't go down easily with the ball . . . Seems to enjoy chasing plays down from behind . . . Good speed . . . Looks more agile and athletic than the highly recruited Gholston on film . . . Attacks blockers with leverage rather than trying to dance around them

Weaknesses: Not a fluid athlete . . . Lacks some agility in open space . . . Production is a bit questionable, since stats were amassed with two high FBS teammates alongside him in the front seven

Projection: He looks like a good weakside linebacker prospect. He could also project to tight end or rush linebacker, but I'd start him off at WILL. The biggest thing he seems to be lacking is bulk, but he could probably play in his second year.

Reminds me of: former Michigan S/LB (and current Temple Owl) Brandon Smith.

2009 Countdown: #65 Brandon Smith

Name: Brandon Smith
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 209 lbs.
High School: New Brunswick High School in New Brunswick, NJ
Position: Linebacker
Class: RS freshman
Jersey Number: #4
Prediction for 2009: Bench

Smith spent last year practicing at safety. Despite his efforts to stay there, his agility and speed remained a concern, so the coaching staff moved him to inside linebacker during spring ball. He currently sits outside the two-deep. The skills are there, but it's a big mental adjustment for him. I wouldn't expect to see him on the field this year unless he can help out on kickoff or punt coverage.

Fun fact: Smith changed his number from #28 to #4.

Spring football notes

According to reports from spring practice, it looks like the roster will be shaken up some.

Rumors are swirling that junior wide receiver Toney Clemons will no longer be playing for the Wolverines. This has been a rumor for a while, but he has been absent from practices, so the writing appears to be on the wall.

Redshirt freshman Patrick Omameh is running with the first team offensive line, and it looks like the odd man out could be redshirt junior John Ferrara. Redshirt junior Steve Schilling has moved to left guard to take Ferrara's spot, and Omameh has been plugged in at right tackle. The rest of the offensive line will likely remain the same.

Sophomore Justin Feagin, redshirt freshman Terrence Robinson, and senior Carlos Brown have all been practicing throwing the ball. None of them is being looked at as a possible quarterback; they are simply in the mix for occasional direct snaps.

The competition at running back seems to be working wonders. Reports are that all the available running backs (Michael Shaw is injured) look good and are running the ball well, and that includes true freshman Vincent Smith.

Sophomore J.B. Fitzgerald is battling Kenny Demens for the open linebacker job, but it looks like Fitzgerald has a leg up in that fight. The other linebacker who earned a starting nod last year, Marell Evans, is playing the hybrid DE/OLB position, along with Brandon Herron, Steve Watson, and Anthony Lalota.

The coaches are giving redshirt freshman Brandon Smith every opportunity to win the starting strong safety job. It looks like redshirt sophomore Michael Williams will be the starter at free safety. It's yet to be determined what role senior Steve Brown will play, but it looks like his role will change. He'll be playing closer to the line of scrimmage if Smith can prove himself worthy of the starting job.

This quite possibly means nothing, but one picture I saw showed Kevin Grady as the long snapper.