Ex-Wolverines Update: Post-Season Edition

Ray Vinopal had arguably the best season of any former Michigan player.

S/LB Isaiah Bell: Bell played for Lake Erie College and ended the year with 14 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble return for a 97-yard touchdown. His college career is complete.

TE Pharaoh Brown: Brown missed the early part of the season due to injury, and he finished the year with 10 catches for 123 yards (12.3 yards/catch) and 2 touchdowns. His two touchdowns came in the only two losses Oregon suffered, so I bet Ducks fans hope he goes scoreless next year. He will be a junior and likely full-time starter in 2014.

CB Cullen Christian: Christian made just 2 tackles as a backup defensive back at Pitt this year. He will be a fifth year senior in the fall.

CB Gareon Conley: Conley redshirted as a freshman at Ohio State. He will be a redshirt freshman in the fall.

CB Dallas Crawford: Crawford became Miami's starter after Duke Johnson got hurt. Crawford finished the season with 137 carries for 558 yards (4.1 yards/carry) and 12 touchdowns, caught 20 passes for 171 yards (8.6 yards/catch) and 1 touchdown, and returned 4 punts for 27 yards (6.8 yards/return). He will be a redshirt junior in the fall and will likely return to backup duty behind Johnson.

S Vladimir Emilien: As a backup outside linebacker for the Toledo Rockets, Emilien ended the year with 15 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 fumble recovery. His college career is finished.

K Anthony Fera: Texas's starting placekicker and punter was 20/22 (90.9%) on field goals and 45/46 (97.8%) on extra points. He also averaged 40.7 yards on 75 punts. His college career is complete.

K Matt Goudis: Goudis was 13/17 on field goals (76.5%) and 57/57 on extra points for Miami. He also averaged 64.3 yards/kickoff on 4 attempts.

OT Jake Fisher: Fisher started ten games at right tackle for Oregon. He will be a senior in the fall and presumably return to his starting right tackle spot.

S Carvin Johnson: Johnson ended the year second on Hampton's team with 122 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions for 59 yards, 6 pass breakups, and 2 fumble recoveries. His college career is done.

LB Mike Jones: Jones was third on his Western Michigan team with 92 tackles, adding 5 tackles for loss, .5 sacks, 1 pass breakup, and 1 fumble recovery. His college career is finished.

WR/TE Ricardo Miller: Miller started two games and played in a total of six, finishing with 5 receptions for 52 yards (10.4 yards/catch) for UMass. His college playing career is complete.

LB Kaleb Ringer: Ringer played linebacker in six games for Ferris State and made 14 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss. He will be a redshirt sophomore in the fall.

WR Jerald Robinson: Robinson led his Walsh University team in all categories with 38 catches for 499 yards and 7 touchdowns. He will be a fifth year senior in the fall.

S Marvin Robinson: Robinson led Ferris State in tackle with 89, adding 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, and 1 pass breakup. His college playing career is over.

DE Chris Rock: Rock played in one game for Ohio State against Florida A&M but did not record any statistics. He will be a redshirt junior in the fall.

WR Je'Ron Stokes: Stokes was part of a meager passing game at Norfolk State, where he caught 15 passes for 158 yards (10.5 yards/catch) and 1 touchdown. He also had 1 carry for 2 yards and returned 7 punts for 43 yards (6.1 yards/return). His college playing career is over.

S Ray Vinopal: Vinopal started at free safety for the Pitt Panthers and ended up second on the team with 83 tackles, adding 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 interceptions returned for 60 yards, 6 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. He has one year remaining at Pitt, where he will presumably start once more.

CB Adrian Witty: Witty started most of the year at free safety for Cincinnati, ending the year with 46 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 interception for a 41-yard touchdown, and 4 pass breakups. He has one year remaining at Cincinnati, where he will presumably return as a starter.

Ex-Wolverine Updates

Dallas Crawford (#4)

S/LB Isaiah Bell: Bell, now a defensive end, had 3 tackles and 1 sack in Lake Erie's 50-32 win over Tiffin. Lake Erie ends the year with a record of 4-7. Bell ends the year with 14 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery returned 97 yards for a touchdown.

TE Pharaoh Brown: Brown had 2 catches for 42 yards and 1 kickoff return for 5 yards in Oregon's 44-21 win over Utah.

Head coach Rich Rodriguez: Rodriguez and his Arizona Wildcats suffered a 24-17 loss to Washington State and fell to 6-4 on the year. Running back Ka'Deem Carey had 26 rushes for 132 yards and 1 touchdown.

CB Dallas Crawford: Crawford had a great individual performance with 19 carries for 115 yards and 3 catches for 48 yards, but Miami was upset by the Duke Blue Devils in a 48-30 game.

S Vladimir Emilien: Emilien had 3 tackles in Toledo's 51-41 win over Buffalo.

K Anthony Fera: Fera was 1/1 on extra points and 2/2 on field goals (from 39 and 27 yards), but Texas lost to Oklahoma State by a score of 38-13.

K Matt Goudis: Goudis was 3/3 on extra points and 3/3 on field goals (from 32, 32, and 31 yards), but Miami lost to Duke by a score of 48-30.

S Carvin Johnson: Johnson had 16 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in Hampton's 42-12 loss to Bethune-Cookman.

WR Jerald Robinson: Robinson had 2 catches for 22 yards and 1 touchdown in Walsh University's 49-28 loss to Findlay. Walsh ends the year with a record of 3-8. On the season, Robinson led the team in all categories with 38 catches for 499 yards and 7 touchdowns.

S Marvin Robinson: Robinson had 5 tackles and 3 pass breakups in Ferris State's 35-22 victory over Northern Michigan.

WR Je'Ron Stokes: Stokes had 3 catches for 27 yards in Norfolk State's 24-13 loss to North Carolina Central.

S Ray Vinopal: Vinopal had 7 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery in Pitt's 34-27 loss to North Carolina.

Ex-Wolverine Updates

Ray Vinopal had 2 interceptions last weekend.

TE Pharaoh Brown: Brown had 3 catches for 17 yards and 1 touchdown, but #3 Oregon lost to #5 Stanford by a score of 26-20. Brown's was the Ducks' final touchdown that gave them a chance for an onside kick and the win, but they failed to recover the kick.

CB Dallas Crawford: Crawford started at running back with Duke Johnson out due to a broken ankle, and he responded with 10 carries for 37 yards and 1 touchdown. He also caught 3 passes for 41 yards, but the Hurricanes lost for the second week in a row, this time 42-24 to Virginia Tech.

Defensive coordinator Ron English: English was fired as head coach of Eastern Michigan for numerous reasons, including losing and berating his players . . . who responded with a win over fellow MAC bottom feeder Western Michigan.

K Anthony Fera: Fera was 4/4 on field goals with hits of 24, 25, 29, and 37. He also punted 6 times for a 42.8 yard average and landed 3 inside the 20-yard line. He was 5/5 on extra points.

K Matt Goudis: Goudis hit a 49-yard field goal and was 3/3 on extra points in Miami's 42-24 loss to Virginia Tech.

Linebackers coach Jay Hopson: Hopson, now the head coach at Alcorn State, beat Prairie View by a score of 50-35 and moved to 8-3 on the year.

S Carvin Johnson: Johnson had 8 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass breakup, and 1 interception returned for 41 yards. His Hampton squad beat North Carolina Central by a score of 29-21.

LB Mike Jones: Jones had just 1 tackle as now 1-9 Western Michigan lost to 2-8 Eastern Michigan by a score of 35-32 in two overtimes.

Quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler: Loeffler, now the QB coach and OC at Virginia Tech, helped the Hokies beat the Miami Hurricanes by a score of 42-24. Quarterback Logan Thomas was 25/31 passing for 366 yards and 2 touchdowns, and running back Trey Edmunds ran 14 times for 74 yards and 4 touchdowns. Altogether, Virginia Tech had 549 yards. They're now 7-3 on the year.

Offensive coordinator Stan Parrish: Parrish, who was Michigan's quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator from 1996-2001, was promoted from OC to interim head coach of Eastern Michigan after English's firing.

WR Jerald Robinson: Robinson had 4 catches for 48 yards in Walsh University's 33-21 loss to Glenville State.

S Marvin Robinson: Robinson led Ferris State with 8 tackles in a 42-10 win over Northwood.

Head coach Rich Rodriguez: Arizona lost a close one to UCLA by a score of 31-26. Running back Ka'Deem Carey had 28 carries for 149 yards and 1 touchdown. The Wildcats fell to 6-3 on the year.

S Ray Vinopal: Vinopal had 7 tackles, .5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions returned for 40 yards in Pitt's 28-21 win over Notre Dame.

CB Adrian Witty: Witty led the Cincinnati Bearcats with 11 tackles, including 1 TFL, and 1 pass breakup in 28-25 win over Southern Methodist.

Ex-Wolverine Updates

Carvin Johnson is Hampton's second-leading tackler

CB Dallas Crawford: Crawford had 2 carries for 3 yards and 3 receptions for 16 yards in Miami's 41-14 loss to Florida State. Crawford may see some increased time in the coming weeks with starting running back Duke Johnson breaking his ankle in the game.

S Vladimir Emilien: Emilien started at linebacker but did not record a tackle in Toledo's 55-16 beatdown of Eastern Michigan.

K Anthony Fera: Fera was 5/5 on extra points in Texas's 35-13 win over Kansas.

K Matt Goudis: Goudis was 2/2 on extra points but missed a 44-yard field goal in Miami's 41-14 loss at the hands of FSU.

S Carvin Johnson: Johnson had 14 tackles in Hampton's 30-27 loss to Morgan State. He's second on the team with 88 tackles this season.

LB Kaleb Ringer: Ringer had 1 tackle in Ferris State's 41-10 victory over Wayne State.

WR Jerald Robinson: Robinson had 3 catches for 43 yards in Walsh University's 63-41 loss to Lake Erie.

S Marvin Robinson: Robinson had 8 tackles and 1 quarterback hurry in Ferris State's 41-10 victory over Wayne State. He leads the team with 76 tackles on the year.

Head coach Rich Rodriguez: Rodriguez's Arizona Wildcats moved to 6-2 with a 33-28 win over Cal. Running back Ka'Deem Carey 32 carries for 152 yards in the win and leads the nation with 153 yards/game on the ground.

WR Je'Ron Stokes: Stokes had 1 catch for 10 yards in Norfolk State's 16-6 loss to Florida A&M.

S Ray Vinopal: Vinopal had 2 tackles in Pitt's 21-10 loss to Georgia Tech.

CB Adrian Witty: Witty had 1 pass breakup in Cincinnati's 34-21 win over Memphis.

Ex-Wolverine Updates

Safety Marvin Robinson had 17 tackles for Ferris State

LB Isaiah Bell: Bell had 1 tackle and 1 pass breakup in Lake Erie's 55-50 loss to Malone.

CB Dallas Crawford: Crawford had a great game on Thursday night with 33 carries for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the game-winner against North Carolina on Thursday night. He also caught 2 passes for 17 yards in the 27-24 victory.

S Vladimir Emilien: Emilien had 2 tackles in Toledo's 45-44 win over Navy.

Defensive coordinator Ron English: English is now the head coach at Eastern Michigan, and the Screaming Eagles suffered a tragedy last week when junior wide receiver Demarius Reed was murdered. The Eagles lost 56-28 to Ohio. Former Detroit Tiger Mickey Tettleton's son Tyler had 375 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception for the Bobcats.

K Matt Goudis: Goudis was 2/3 on field goals (made from 20 and 22, missed from 43) and 3/3 on extra points in Miami's 27-24 victory over UNC.

S Carvin Johnson: Johnson had 11 tackles and 1 interception returned for 18 yards in Hampton's 27-17 win over Norfolk State.

WR/TE Ricardo Miller: Miller had 2 catches for 24 yards in UMass's 32-3 loss to Buffalo.

WR Jerald Robinson: Robinson had 2 catches for 36 yards in Walsh University's 14-6 loss to Ashland.

S Marvin Robinson: Robinson had 17 tackles and .5 tackles for loss in Ferris State's 45-38 loss to Hillsdale. He leads the team with 60 tackles and has 1 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 5 pass breakups.

Head coach Rich Rodriguez: Rodriguez's Arizona Wildcats beat Utah by a score of 35-24. Running back Ka'Deem Carey had 40 carries for 236 yards and 1 touchdown. Arizona is now 4-2 and got their first win in the Pac-12.

Defensive coordinator Scott Shafer: Shafer's Syracuse Orangemen got waxed by the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, 56-0. Georgia Tech had 394 rushing yards, while Syracuse had just 208 total yards. Shafer is now 3-4 as their head coach.

CB Anthony Standifer: Standifer was dismissed from the Ole Miss football team for undisclosed reasons.

WR Je'Ron Stokes: Stokes had 1 punt return for 9 yards but did not catch a pass in Norfolk State's 27-17 loss to Hampton.

Defensive line coach Steve Stripling: Stripling, now at Tennessee, helped the Volunteers upset South Carolina in a 23-21 game.

S Ray Vinopal: Vinopal led the Pitt Panthers with 7 tackles and had 1 pass breakup and 1 interception returned for 20 yards in a 35-24 win over Old Dominion.

CB Adrian Witty: Witty started at free safety for Cincinnati and had 6 tackles and 1 pass breakup in their 41-16 win over UConn.

Ex-Wolverine Updates

Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson is helping out a Texas team that was thought to be sliding downward.

TE Pharaoh Brown: Brown had 1 catch for 18 yards in Oregon's 45-24 victory over Washington.

K Anthony Fera: Fera was 3/3 on field goals, including makes of 50, 43, and 31 yards. He was also 3/4 on extra points with the fourth attempt being blocked. His Texas Longhorns beat Oklahoma by a score of 36-20.

Linebackers coach Jay Hopson: Hopson's Alcorn State team moved to 5-2 after a 48-0 destruction of Grambling. The team rushed for 288 yards and passed for another 254

S Carvin Johnson: Johnson had 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 pass breakup in Hampton's 31-26 victory over North Carolina A&T. That's Hampton's first win of the year.

LB Mike Jones: Jones had 14 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, .5 sacks, and 1 pass breakup in Western Michigan's 33-0 loss to Buffalo. Western is 0-7 on the season, but Jones is having a decent year with 63 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pass breakup.

Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson: Don't look now, but Greg Robinson - recently hired as Texas's defensive coordinator - helped the Longhorns to their 36-20 upset win over Oklahoma. Oklahoma managed just 263 total yards and quarterback Blake Bell got picked off twice, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

WR Jerald Robinson: Robinson had 3 catches for 33 yards and 1 touchdown in Walsh University's 38-28 win over Malone. He now has 24 catches for 306 yards and 5 touchdowns on the year.

S Marvin Robinson: Robinson started at safety and had 5 tackles in Ferris State's 54-44 win over Grand Valley State.

Head coach Rich Rodriguez: Arizona fell to 3-2 after a 38-31 loss to USC. The Wildcats were down 28-3 at one point, but they recovered to make it a one-score game. Quarterback B.J. Denker had a career day with 363 yards and 4 touchdowns through the air.

WR Je'Ron Stokes: Stokes had 1 catch for 8 yards in Norfolk State's 14-7 loss to Delaware State.

S Ray Vinopal: Vinopal had 6 tackles in Pitt's 19-9 loss to Virginia Tech.

CB Adrian Witty: Witty had 6 tackles and 1 tackle for loss in Cincinnati's 38-20 win over 0-6 Temple.

Ex-Wolverine Encyclopedia

Mike Jones (#27) had a solid game for Western Michigan

TE Pharaoh Brown: Brown had 1 catch for 24 yards, made 1 tackle, and ran in a 2-point conversion for Oregon as they handled the Colorado Buffaloes by a score of 57-16.

CB Dallas Crawford: Crawford had 5 carries for 31 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus a 6-yard reception and 1 tackle, in Miami's 45-30 win over Georgia Tech.

K Matt Goudis: Goudis was 6/6 on extra points and 1/1 from 24 yards on a field goal. Miami beat Georgia Tech, 45-30.

LB Mike Jones: Jones had 7 tackles and 1 tackle for loss in Western Michigan's 47-20 loss to Toledo.

TE Ricardo Miller: Miller started at tight end and caught 1 pass for 6 yards in UMass's 28-7 loss to Bowling Green.

WR Jerald Robinson: Robinson had 3 catches for 87 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown. Unfortunately for him, Walsh lost to Ohio Dominican by a score of 33-20.

S Marvin Robinson: Robinson had 4 tackles and 1 pass breakup as Ferris State lost a 31-28 decision to Saginaw Valley State.

Defensive coordinator Scott Shafer: Shafer's Syracuse Orangemen fell to 2-3 after a 49-14 home loss to Clemson. Former Michigan target Sammy Watkins had 4 catches for 126 yards, including a 91-yard touchdown, in the game.

WR Je'Ron Stokes: Stokes had 2 catches for 19 yards and 1 carry for 2 yards in Norfolk State's 26-24 win over Savannah State.

CB Adrian Witty: Witty had 2 tackles in Cincinnati's 26-20 loss to South Florida.

Ex-Wolverine Updates

Isaiah Bell (left, with Fitzgerald Toussaint in high school) had the best game of his college career.

DE Isaiah Bell: Bell, who started at defensive end for Lake Erie College, had a big game for the Storm. He had 2 tackles, 1 sack, forced 1 fumble, and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown. Lake Erie beat Wayne State by a score of 35-17.

CB Dallas Crawford: Crawford, now a running back for the Miami Hurricanes, had a big game this week. He had 5 carries for 48 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground, along with 1 catch for a 5-yard touchdown. And that wasn't even against the backups - Crawford scored the first, fourth, and sixth touchdowns of the day. Miami beat Bethune Cookman by a score of 77-0.

S Vladimir Emilien: Emilien had 2 tackles as a backup safety in Toledo's 38-17 victory over Central Michigan.

K Matt Goudis: Goudis was 11/11 on extra points in Miami's 77-0 victory over Bethune Cookman.

S Carvin Johnson: Johnson had 9 tackles and 1 pass breakup, but Hampton lost to Coastal Carolina by a score of 50-17.

LB Mike Jones: Jones had 7 tackles in Western Michigan's 59-3 loss to Iowa.

LB Kaleb Ringer: Ringer had 5 tackles in Ferris State's 34-7 victory over Ashland.

WR Jerald Robinson: Robinson had 5 catches for 38 yards in Walsh University's 29-7 loss to Michigan Tech.

S Marvin Robinson: Robinson had 9 tackles in Ferris State's 34-7 victory over Ashland. Robinson leads the team in tackles with 25.

WR Je'Ron Stokes: Stokes had 3 catches for 48 yards and 1 touchdown in Norfolk State's 20-12 loss to Charleston Southern.

S Ray Vinopal: Vinopal started at free safety and had 9 tackles in Pitt's 58-55 victory over Duke.

CB Adrian Witty: Witty had 3 tackles in Cincinnati's 14-0 shutout over the Miami RedHawks.

Ex-Wolverine Updates

Former Michigan defensive coordinator Scott Shafer got his first win as a head coach at Syracuse

S/LB Isaiah Bell: Bell, who started at defensive end for Lake Erie College, had 5 tackles in a 56-49 loss to Ferris State.

CB Cullen Christian: Christian, a backup free safety, had 1 tackle in Pitt's 49-27 win over New Mexico.

Defensive coordinator Ron English: Now the head coach at Eastern Michigan, English is 1-2 after a 28-10 loss to Rutgers on Saturday.

S Carvin Johnson: Johnson, who started at strong safety for Hampton, had 9 tackles and 1 pass breakup in a 30-27 loss to Tennessee Tech.

LB Kaleb Ringer: Ringer, a backup linebacker for Ferris State, had 4 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in the win over Lake Erie.

Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson: Robinson, hired as the Texas defensive coordinator last week, suffered a 44-23 loss to Ole Miss. Ole Miss had 449 yards of total offense.

WR Jerald Robinson: Robinson had 3 catches for 71 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown reception, in a 25-14 Walsh University victory over Northwood.

S Marvin Robinson: Robinson started at safety for Ferris State and notched 15 tackles, .5 tackles for loss, and 1 pass breakup in the win over Lake Erie.

Head coach Rich Rodriguez: Arizona won a 38-13 game over the University of Texas-San Antonio. The Wildcats are now 3-0.

Defensive coordinator Scott Shafer: Shafer, now the head coach at Syracuse, had his first victory as a head coach with a 54-0 decision over Wagner. The Orangemen are now 1-2 after previous losses to Northwestern and Penn State.

S Ray Vinopal: Vinopal started at safety for Pitt and had 5 tackles in the victory.

CB Adrian Witty: Witty, a starting safety for Cincinnati, had 3 tackles in a 66-9 win over Northwestern State.

Ex-Wolverine Updates

Marvin Robinson

CB Greg Brown: Brown is listed as a 5'11", 202 lb. cornerback for Iowa Central, a junior college. I have been unable to find any game statistics.

S Vladimir Emilien: Emilien had 2 tackles for Toledo in a 38-23 loss to Missouri.

S Carvin Johnson: Johnson had 10 tackles for Hampton in a 31-7 loss to William & Mary.

LB Kaleb Ringer: Ringer, now a backup at Ferris State, had 3 tackles in a 56-10 loss to North Dakota State.

DC Greg Robinson: Robinson, who had been working as a consultant for the Texas Longhorns, replaced Longhorns defensive coordinator Manny Diaz after the embarrassing weekend loss to BYU in which Texas allowed 550 rushing yards.

WR Jerald Robinson: Robinson, now at D-II Walsh College University, had 7 receptions for 47 yards and 2 touchdowns against Edinboro in a 35-34 loss.

S Marvin Robinson: Robinson, playing linebacker in a 4-4 defense at Ferris State, had 10 tackles and 1 interception in his debut. FSU lost by a score of 56-10 to North Dakota State, however.

Head coach Rich Rodriguez: Arizona beat UNLV by a score of 58-13. Running back Ka'Deem Carey had 16 carries for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Wildcats are now 2-0.

DL coach Bruce Tall: Tall, Michigan's former defensive line coach under Rich Rodriguez, is now the defensive coordinator at Charlotte. The 49ers have given up 7 points in each of their two games and are now 2-0.

CB Adrian Witty: Witty had 3 tackles for Cincinnati, but the Bearcats lost to Illinois by a score of 45-17. Also in the game, former Michigan recruiting target Munchie Legaux suffered a terrible knee injury and will miss the remainder of the year.

Marvin Robinson, ex-Wolverine

Marvin Robinson (#3) attempts a tackle on Michigan State's Keshawn Martin

Rising senior safety Marvin Robinson has left the football program.  He will presumably transfer somewhere to finish out his football career, but his destination is unknown at this time.

A member of the 2010 recruiting class, the Winter Haven (FL) Lake Region product committed to Michigan in April 2009, choosing the Wolverines over Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, and USC, among others.  He was a 4-star and the #20 outside linebacker to Rivals, who thought that he would be too slow and stiff to play safety at the next level.  Perhaps they were right.

Robinson mostly appeared on special teams as a true freshman and made 3 total tackles.  As a sophomore in 2011, he earned a start against Notre Dame, making 7 tackles in that game and 9 on the season; he ended up in the coaches' doghouse and didn't see the field much for the rest of the year.  In his junior season, he was once again mainly a contributor on special teams and made 9 tackles and 1 fumble recovery.  He finished his Michigan career with 21 tackles and 1 fumble recovery.

As you can see in the commitment post linked above, I thought Robinson would be a good college player.  However, he did not seem to progress much in his pass coverage.  In the past year or so, I had succumbed to the idea that he would be able to help in run support, but not so much on passing downs.  Last season he was surpassed on the depth chart by freshman Jarrod Wilson, and it looked like Wilson would be the starting free safety with incumbent FS Thomas Gordon bumping over to the strong safety position.  Robinson likely would have been relegated to special teams backup strong safety.  Others vying for that backup SS role will be redshirt junior Josh Furman, redshirt freshman Jeremy Clark, and some true freshmen.

Robinson is the 17th member of the 27-man class of 2010 to depart early.  The only players remaining from that class are DT Richard Ash, CB Courtney Avery, DT Jibreel Black, WR Drew Dileo, Furman, QB Devin Gardner, P Will Hagerup, WR Jeremy Jackson, TE Jordan Paskorz, and LB Jake Ryan.  This departure will not affect the size of the 2014 recruiting class, since Robinson was scheduled to run out of eligibility after the upcoming season, anyway.  Instead, it opens up a scholarship for a walk-on guy like FB Joey Kerridge, WR Joe Reynolds, etc.

Check out the Ex-Wolverine Encyclopedia for stories and updates on other players who left early.

Spring Game Preview: Michigan vs. Michigan

Devin Gardner

Top five things to watch for when Michigan has the ball . . . 
1. That Devin Gardner's ACL stays intact. Michigan has already lost two players to ACL tears this spring (linebacker Jake Ryan and backup quarterback Russell Bellomy). An injury to Gardner would be catastrophic, since redshirt freshman walk-on Brian Cleary is the current backup and Shane Morris won't arrive until June.

2. The interior offensive line. Michigan's defensive line should be playing at a pretty high level because of the guys who return on that side, so will the three "starters" at left guard, center, and right guard get the job done?  Those three positions seem to be held by Ben Braden, Jack Miller, and Joe Burzynski currently, but there are a few players hot on their heels.

3. Who's next at wide receiver? We know Jeremy Gallon can be an explosive player, and we know what Michigan has in Drew Dileo and Jeremy Jackson.  Redshirt freshman Jehu Chesson has made some nice plays in practice, and sophomore Amara Darboh has done the same.  At least one of those two guys needs to step up by the fall if Michigan wants to have a high-powered offense.

4. Adequate Michigan running backs. The chance that we see a stellar performance from any of the currently available running backs looks slim.  With fifth year senior Fitzgerald Toussaint out with a broken leg, the job comes down to junior Thomas Rawls, redshirt sophomore Justice Hayes, sophomore Dennis Norfleet, and redshirt freshman Drake Johnson.  Rawls and Hayes have been unimpressive in their live game action so far - although Rawls did have a long touchdown in garbage time last year - and Norfleet was mostly limited to kickoff returns last season.  Drake Johnson has earned praise from the coaches at times, but he has looked so-so in a few spring practice clips.  It would be nice to see a developing, viable option this spring, but we might have to wait until Toussaint comes back or until Derrick Green arrives on campus.

5. What does the offense look like these days? Denard Robinson is gone, and we all loved him, but now Michigan should have an actual, bona fide quarterback.  The kind of quarterback that can sit in the pocket and throw the ball without tricking the defense into thinking it might be a run.  I don't expect Al Borges to give much away in a spring game, but we should get an inkling of the direction he wants to take the offense.  If the Pistol isn't installed by now, I would expect to see it in the fall; I also expect a little more threat of the downfield pass this year.

Top five things to watch for when Michigan is on defense . . .
1. How does Cam Gordon look filling in for the team's best defender? Cam Gordon had a pretty darn good season when he was a redshirt freshman playing free safety and linebacker, although the free safety thing was a bit of a stretch.  Since that 2010 season, he has mostly been an afterthought.  Jake Ryan was a terror of a pass rusher and made his fair share of plays against the run, too, and Michigan will have to manufacture a replacement for him.

2. Safety reps. Thomas Gordon is capable of playing both safety positions, and he's guaranteed to start at one of them.  Sophomore Jarrod Wilson can play free safety; senior Marvin Robinson can play strong.  Which player will get the most reps?

3. First world inside linebacker problems. Michigan probably has three starter-quality inside linebackers, along with some other guys who have potential.  As I have been predicting for a while, it appears junior Desmond Morgan will be your new middle linebacker (moving over from WILL) and sophomore James Ross will step in at weakside linebacker.  Meanwhile, sophomore Joe Bolden could conceivably be a starter at inside linebacker, although he might be a little large and stiff for WILL.

4. Cornerback depth. Redshirt sophomore Blake Countess might not do much in the spring game, since he's recovering from an ACL injury.  His replacement last year, junior Raymon Taylor, continues to fight for his job, and senior Courtney Avery appears to have abandoned the nickel corner position to compete at field corner.  Two of the three will presumably start in the fall, but the starting combo we'll likely see in the spring game will probably be Taylor and Avery.  It will also be interesting to see if young guys Delonte Hollowell and Terry Richardson have developed.

5. Freshman early enrollees. Defensive end Taco Charlton (6'6", 265 lbs.), cornerback Ross Douglas (5'10", 176 lbs.), and safety Dymonte Thomas (6'2", 187 lbs.) enrolled in January, and each one has a chance to contribute somewhere in the fall.  Charlton apparently looks the part, but his technique was rough coming out of high school; Douglas came in bigger than expected; and Thomas has been practicing some at corner and some at the nickel position, both of which are departures from what he played in high school.

Defensive Backs Preview: Michigan vs. South Carolina

Jordan Kovacs was the team's MVP this season

MICHIGAN
Starters: Michigan will be missing its two starting cornerbacks from the beginning of the year; sophomore Blake Countess tore his ACL in the opener, and fifth year senior J.T. Floyd has been suspended for the Outback Bowl for breaking team rules.  Sophomore Raymon Taylor (5'10", 182 lbs.), who replaced Countess for most of the year, will likely slide over to Floyd's boundary corner position.  Taylor had his share of ups and downs on the season, but did a fair job overall and ended the regular season with 42 tackles, 2 interceptions (1 returned for a TD), 1 fumble recovery, and 1 pass breakup.  Junior Courtney Avery (5'11", 173 lbs.), who normally starts at nickel corner, will probably step in at Taylor's regular field corner spot.  Avery struggled there in some limited time early in the season, but he'll have more reps this time around; playing a new position against Alabama is an extremely difficult task.  This year Avery has 16 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, .5 sacks, 1 fumble forced, and 1 fumble recovery.  Fifth year senior strong safety Jordan Kovacs (6'0", 202 lbs.) has actually seen his statistics decline a little bit this year, but he was named the team's MVP by his teammates; he has 65 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble.  Redshirt junior Thomas Gordon (5'11", 207 lbs.) is more of a strong safety masquerading, but he has shown a knack for creating turnovers in the past; he has 75 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 2 pass breakups.  This is not a great group individually, but along with Floyd, they had the #2 passing yardage defense in the country.
Backups: Freshman safety Jarrod Wilson (6'2", 194 lbs.) has played more extensively than any other backup, but he hasn't had a signature positive play.  The game is moving too fast for him, as it often does with young safeties.  He could play a little bit at the nickel corner and has made 7 tackles and 1 fumble recovery on the year.  Another candidate for slot corner is sophomore Delonte Hollowell (5'9", 176 lbs.), who has 4 tackles and 1 fumble recovery but is more of a special teams player.  The most interesting candidate for playing time is freshman Dennis Norfleet (5'7", 161 lbs.), who returns kicks and ran the ball occasionally; he has now moved to defense in an attempt to shore up the depleted cornerback position.  Junior safety Marvin Robinson (6'2", 200 lbs.) is a run stuffer who has played sparingly on defense and made 7 tackles and 1 fumble recovery.  Redshirt sophomore Josh Furman (6'2", 203 lbs.) plays a lot on special teams but is a liability on defense; he has 10 tackles.

SOUTH CAROLINA
Starters: Redshirt sophomore Victor Hampton (5'10", 197 lbs.) starts at one cornerback spot; he has made 34 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, and is tied for the team lead with 6 pass breakups.  The other starter is senior Akeem Auguste (5'9", 188 lbs.), who was injured early in the season and returned to start the last couple games; he has 15 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass breakup, and 1 fumble recovery on the year. Senior D.J. Swearinger (6'0", 210 lbs.) is the free safety and has 70 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, and 5 pass breakups.  Sophomore Brison Williams (6'0", 205 lbs.) starts at strong safety and has made 48 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 4 pass breakups this season.
Backups: Redshirt junior Jimmy Legree (6'0", 189 lbs.), the other starting corner when Auguste was hurt, did a solid job.  Legree is a converted free safety and has 43 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 2 interceptions.  Redshirt freshman Ahmad Christian (5'10", 189 lbs.) has 8 tackles and 2 pass breakups as the backup to Hampton.  Sophomore Kadetrix Marcus (6'1", 185 lbs.) backs up the strong safety position and has made 5 tackles.

THE TAKEAWAY
The Wolverines have the #2 pass defense and #35 pass efficiency defense in the country, but quarterback play in the Big Ten has been woeful and they'll be down a starting corner (or two, if you include Countess).  Meanwhile, the Gamecocks have the #16 pass defense and the #34 pass efficiency defense in a schedule that included Georgia's Aaron Murray, Tennessee's Tyler Bray, Arkansas's Tyler Wilson, and Clemson's Tajh Boyd, not to mention East Carolina and UAB teams that put up pretty decent numbers through the air.  The Wolverines have played a steady diet of teams that rank in the 70's or lower in passing offense, and Alabama's A.J. McCarron - whose team blew out Michigan - was the only decent passer on the docket.  I don't think South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw will shred the secondary, but the edge in defensive back play goes to the Gamecocks.

Advantage: South Carolina

Michigan vs. Iowa Awards

Captains Denard Robinson and Jordan Kovacs (image via AnnArbor.com)

Let's see more of this guy on offense . . . Dennis Norfleet.  Now that Fitzgerald Toussaint is done for the season, I would like to see the coaches find a role for Norfleet.  Toussaint had some big-play capabilities due to his strength and good speed, and Norfleet is the only other guy who can take it to the house on any given play.  Thomas Rawls has been unimpressive, Justice Hayes hasn't done much, and Vincent Smith is a third down back.  I don't want or expect Norfleet to be a starter, but I would like him to get 3-5 touches out of the backfield.

Let's see less of this guy on offense . . . Thomas Rawls.  Rawls appears to be a guy who's just not quite good enough at any one thing to be a major player.  He wasn't quite coordinated enough to tiptoe the sideline for a touchdown, he's not quite fast enough to get to the outside, he's not quite big and powerful enough to run over linebackers in the hole, and he doesn't have great vision.  I do think he'll get better at sticking with the play and finding the hole, but not necessarily in one week.

Let's see more of this guy on defense . . . Marvin Robinson.  Robinson hasn't played a ton of defense this year, but he has been a capable tackler.  He'll never light the world on fire in pass coverage, but he looks like a capable replacement for Jordan Kovacs next year.  I would have liked to have seen him a little more on Saturday, although the Ohio State game might not be the best time to trot out projects.

Let's see less of this guy on defense . . . Josh Furman.  I really just don't see a future for Furman at safety.  The kid has good speed and does an excellent job on special teams coverage, but he gets caught flat-footed whenever he's not attacking downhill.  He might end up like a Darnell Hood or Anton Campbell, a guy who's a special teams demon his entire career but rarely sees meaningful time on defense.

Play of the game . . . Denard Robinson's option pitch to Fitzgerald Toussaint.  There were longer plays, plays that scored, and perhaps more athletic plays.  But I'm choosing this one because of the creativity behind it and its success.  Out of basically a wishbone formation, quarterback Devin Gardner took the snap from under center and handed it off to Denard Robinson going right; Robinson then pitched the ball to Fitzgerald Toussaint, who gained 14 yards before getting tackled.  It was an exciting play to watch because it seemed to open up all kinds of possible plays for Robinson out of the backfield.  Unfortunately, it ended with an ugly injury to Toussaint.

MVP of the game . . . Devin Gardner once again.  He finished the game 18/23 for 314 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception; he also ran 9 times for 37 yards and 3 touchdowns.  It was a Micah Hyde interception away from being a game with virtually no faults.  Of course, it helped that Iowa's defense had no clue how to play football, so thanks, Iowa!

Michigan vs. Illinois Awards

Thomas Rawls (#38)

Let's see more of this guy on offense . . . Thomas Rawls.  Rawls had 9 carries for 90 yards, including a 63-yard touchdown run late in the game.  Granted, it was late in the game and Illinois had given up, but he still showed some nice speed when he got to the sideline.  Fitzgerald Toussaint just can't seem to get going, and while I'm not sure that Toussaint should be benched, Rawls is looking more and more deserving of a chance to earn carries.

Let's see less of this guy on offense . . . Russell Bellomy.  The offense really seemed to be limited when he entered the game early.  Here's hoping that Denard Robinson can heal from that hand injury and stay healthy for the rest of the season.  I'd prefer not to see Bellomy until Michigan is blowing out the opponent.

Let's see more of this guy on defense . . . Marvin Robinson.  Jordan Kovacs seems to be nursing a bit of an injury, and Robinson was flying around the field when he entered the game.  Kovacs played well and Illinois never really tested the safeties, but Robinson seems quite capable of supporting the run.  Hopefully Robinson is to the point where he can spell Kovacs a little bit, because someone needs to be groomed for the starting spot once Kovacs graduates.

Let's see less of this guy on defense . . . nobody.  The defense allowed 134 yards and gave up zero points.  The only thing that really bugged me on "defense" was Josh Furman's moronic personal foul when he ran into the punt returner way too early, but Furman rarely plays defense, anyway.

Play of the game . . . Denard Robinson's 49-yard touchdown run.  It was a thing of beauty.  He danced around the tackles of about four guys and then exploded down the left sideline.  It was especially fun to watch Illinois defensive tackle Glenn Foster "fall" while chasing him because he knew that chasing Denard would be a waste of energy.

MVP of the game . . . Denard Robinson once again.  He was 7/11 passing for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns.  He also ran the ball 11 times for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Most importantly, he didn't turn over the ball.  When he temporarily got hurt early in the game, the offense bogged down and the entire fan base got scared, including me.  This team will really struggle if he's unavailable.

2012 Season Countdown: #34 Marvin Robinson

Marvin Robinson

Name: Marvin Robinson
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Winter Haven (FL) Lake Region
Position: Safety
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #3
Last year: I ranked Robinson #31 and said he would be a backup safety and special teams contributor.  He played in five games, making 9 total tackles.

Another in the line of guys who should never have burned their shirts made of red, Robinson made all of 3 tackles in 2010 and then 9 in 2011.  Part of the reason he didn't make more tackles in 2011 was that he got into a wee bit of legal trouble that made the coaches unhappy, which limited him to playing in less than half the games.  Now a stud safety recruit enters his true junior season having played sparingly and with a dozen tackles under his belt.

Robinson played well in the spring game, and he looked okay at times last season.  He looks to be a viable candidate to take over for Jordan Kovacs in 2013 as a guy who doesn't have a ton of ability to cover downfield but should be a solid tackler and blitzer.  In the meantime, he's a good special teams player and a solid backup safety.  If he can stay out of the doghouse, I think Michigan fans will like what they see in a limited capacity this season.

Prediction: Backup strong safety, special teams contributor

2011 Countdown: #31 Marvin Robinson

Marvin Robinson (#3)

Name: Marvin Robinson
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 200 lbs.
School: Lake Region High School in Winter Haven, FL
Position: Safety
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #3
Last year: I ranked Robinson #64 and said he would have a steadily increasing role at Spur.  He saw pretty steady action on special teams and played a bit at free safety, making 3 total tackles.

Michigan fans hoped last year that Robinson would enroll in January, get a little bit of experience in spring practice, and sub in for the athletically limited Jordan Kovacs once the season arrived.  Unfortunately, that scenario didn't play out, partly because Robinson was unable to graduate high school in December like he had hoped.  Robinson bounced back and forth between free safety and weakside linebacker in 2010, finally finding a home at the free safety position late in the season.  His three tackles on the year didn't inspire much confidence, but with a defensive coaching staff devoid of conjuring up any kind of schematic advantage, it's tough to glean much from his playing time or production.

Now it's 2011, Robinson has added an inch and 10 pounds to his frame, and he's closer to contributing this fall.  In the spring Robinson played free safety, but seems to be squarely behind both Kovacs and sophomore Carvin Johnson in development.  Robinson has good size and adequate speed, but his understanding of fundamentals and coverage leave a little to be desired.  Most Michigan fans seem to hope that Kovacs is replaced (sooner rather than later) by somebody with a little more size and speed, but he's held off competitors to this point and looks to have a starting job in hand, at least to begin the season.  Robinson could sub in at either safety position, but it might be a while before he's a solid contributor at this level.  Until then, look for him to be sprinting downfield on the coverage units.

Prediction: Backup free safety, special teams contributor

Snapshots: How to Give Up 68-yard Touchdown Runs

With a couple exceptions, the spring game was largely devoid of big plays for the offense.  This was the longest play from the line of scrimmage.  It's the second team offense vs. the second team defense, but it gives us a good look at what the defense will be trying to do in 2011.

ABOVE: Prior to the snap, the defense is in a standard 4-3 under look.  FS Marvin Robinson is shifted over to cover the slot receiver, while SS Josh Furman is about 12 yards directly off the ball.  CB Terrence Talbott is walked off the line of scrimmage with only TE Mike Kwiatkowski on his side.  Meanwhile, H-back Ricardo Miller has motioned across the offensive formation and is now offset between the strongside OG and OT.

ABOVE: Initial action suggests it's a power run.  LG Rocko Khoury is pulling across the formation; Kwiatkowski and RT Erik Gunderson are double-teaming LDE Ken Wilkins, who has stood straight up.  Meanwhile, MLB Brandon Herron reads run and immediately steps up to fill the hole.  NT Will Heininger gets outmuscled and collapsed away from the play.

ABOVE: As RB Michael Cox gets the handoff, LT Kristian Mateus whiffs on DE Jibreel Black, who's totally and completely screwed if this is a rollout pass.  HB Ricardo Miller impacts SAM Jake Ryan with LG Rocko Khoury coming to help, while DE Ken Wilkins gets driven off the ball.  MIKE Brandon Herron steps up into the developing hole and WILL Brandin Hawthorne (?) flows to the ball.  CB Terrence Talbott has started to come up and support while FS Marvin Robinson follows his receiver across the field.

ABOVE: SAM Jake Ryan completely stones both blockers and stands his ground, while MIKE Brandon Herron meets RB Michael Cox about a half yard beyond the line of scrimmage; this should be stopped for a gain of a yard or two.  DE Jibreel Black missed Cox in the backfield and has run himself out of the play.  CB Terrence Talbott has stepped up in run support, and FS Marvin Robinson appears to see the ballcarrier and can presumably fight through a block to help make the tackle.

ABOVE: Oops.  MIKE Brandon Herron tackles like a middle schooler.  WILL Brandin Hawthorne (?) lies prone on the ground from just being in the general vicinity of football player-sized football players.  Meanwhile, FS Marvin Robinson has completely overrun the play and lost his leverage on the ballcarrier.  And because of his careless positioning, he flummoxes SS Josh Furman, who has finally stepped up to support only to be thwarted by a teammate.  RB Michael Cox sees the cutback and engages afterburners.

ABOVE: WR Martavious Odoms (?) has good position on CB Greg Brown (?) and walls him off.  As RB Michael Cox hits the 45-yard line, he's a half step in front of FS Marvin Robinson and a half step behind SS Josh Furman.  Speed has always been a question for Robinson, but Furman is a supposed burner who ran a supposed 4.37 in high school.

ABOVE: As RB Michael Cox crosses the goal line with a 68-yard touchdown run, FS Marvin Robinson has gone from half a yard behind Cox to about 9 yards.  SS Josh Furman has lost about 4 yards on Cox.  Of course, both were chasing Cox at an angle as he veered toward the left sideline, but neither ever seemed in danger of catching Cox once he turned on the jets.

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

• Well, if nothing else, we know what Michigan's defensive alignment looks like and how the "power play" works.
• Ken Wilkins, who just got outmuscled by a duo of walk-ons, will probably not be ready to play this year.  There's a reason that Jibreel Black was playing some 5-tech DT, and the above type of play might be it.
• I like Michael Cox, but Giant Mistake #1 was Brandon Herron's complete and utter failure to even slow down the running back.  If you're a fifth year senior and can't slow down a guy who runs smack into your chest, hope is all but lost.  I guess I ought to cut Herron some slack because he did get bumped by Khoury, but still.
• Angles and positioning are of utmost importance.  It's one thing if Wilkins lines up in the right spot and gets double-teamed out of the hole.  But Giant Mistake #2 on this play was Marvin Robinson thinking he was in a race with Je'ron Stokes to get to the sideline.  By the time Stokes said, "Aw, I was just foolin', man, I ain't gonna race you," Robinson was the Tie Bomber to Cox's Millennium Falcon.  Robinson must maintain leverage on the runner, because he doesn't have the speed to get caught flat-footed and then make up for it.  There aren't many Big Ten running backs who will be chased down by Robinson if he doesn't take good angles.
• Good linebacker play makes this a 1- or 2-yard gain.  Good safety play makes this an 8-yard gain.  Bad linebacker play combined with bad safety play makes this a 68-yard touchdown run.

Fast forward to :56 to see the above play:

Welcome Back, 4-3 Under: The Defensive Backs

Would Ed Reed be too much to ask for?
(Hint: Not if you're Auburn.)

In the last week, I've broken down the ideal qualities of defensive linemen and linebackers.  Now for the defensive backs:

CORNERBACK
Alignment:  Dependent on coverage
Gap responsibility:  Outside contain
What should he look like?  Cornerbacks come in different shapes and sizes, but one thing to keep in mind with the 4-3 Under defense is that these corners are going to be put on an island a lot.  This is no longer a bend-but-then-break defense that utilizes soft zones and eschews man coverage.  These cornerbacks need to be up in the receivers' faces, often playing press man coverage.  Just like any defense, the strongside corner should be a little more adept at tackling and supporting the run.  The weakside corner should have excellent speed and ball skills.  Their job will typically be to force the receiver toward the sideline, maintaining inside leverage and forcing the quarterback to thread a ball between the defender and the sideline.
Best physical fits:  Troy Woolfolk (strongside; 6'0", 195 lbs.), Courtney Avery (weakside; 5'11", 167 lbs.)

STRONG SAFETY
Alignment:  Strong side of formation, but dependent on coverage
Gap responsibility:  Clean-up
What should he look like?  The strong safety is typically the bigger, more physical player of the two safeties.  He needs to be able to cover a wide range of athletes, from tight ends to wide receivers.  When it comes to run "fits," he's typically the clean-up man.  The free safety has responsibility for the weakside A gap, but the strong safety has no such commitment.  That means he should be the most reliable tackler of the defensive back group.  If anyone gets past the front seven, the strong safety should be fast enough to chase him down and strong enough to halt his progress.
Best physical fit:  Carvin Johnson (6'0", 195 lbs.)

FREE SAFETY
Alignment:  Weak side of formation, but dependent on coverage
Gap responsibility:  A gap or filling the alley
What should he look like?  Because of the unique way the 4-3 Under uses the free safety, this position is somewhat different from what many would expect.  He is heavily involved in supporting the run, and while he won't have to take on many punishing blockers, he does need to stick his nose up where it doesn't seem to belong.  He should have good ball skills and the ability to patrol the middle of the field, because he will often be the deep man in Cover 3 or Man Free coverages.  He doesn't need to be the world's best athlete, but he does have to be a very disciplined, fundamental player.
Best physical fit:  Marvin Robinson (6'1", 200 lbs.)

Full Contact Scrimmage Highlights

Here's a look at some full contact football for the first time in a couple months.  Several guys make some nice plays in these highlights, including Michael Cox, Devin Gardner, Will Campbell, Marvin Robinson, and . . . Jihad Rasheed (#18, running back), a redshirt freshman walk-on from Southeastern High School in Detroit.