Oklahoma's Kellen Jones (#52) and Tony Jefferson bring down Iowa C.J. Fiedorowicz in the endzone
(image via Greenwich Time)
Former Michigan cornerback Greg Brown left the program mid-season and has transferred to Findlay, a D-II school.
Former Michigan commit and current Miami Hurricane defensive back Dallas Crawford redshirted this past season.
Former Michigan commit and current Oregon Duck offensive tackle Jake Fisher played a backup role in 13 games this season.
Former Michigan commit and current Miami Hurricane kicker Matt Goudis redshirted this past season.
Former Michigan signee and current Oklahoma Sooner linebacker Kellen Jones played as a backup and special teamer in 11 games this past season, making 9 total tackles.
Former Michigan commit and current Wake Forest Demon Deacon quarterback Kevin Sousa redshirted this past season.
The future plans of former Michigan tight end Chris Barnett and former offensive lineman Tony Posada are unknown. Both decided to leave the program after they were already enrolled at Michigan this past fall.
Name: Tony Posada Height: 6'5" Weight: 315 lbs. High school: Plant High School in Tampa, FL Position: Guard/tackle Class: Freshman Jersey number: #79 Last year: Posada was a high school senior (commitment post here)
TTB Rating: Incomplete, due to lack of film
I never got a great feel for Posada because film on him was scarce. He's looked a little soft in the body in virtually every picture I've seen, and most 300+ pounders in high school have some work to do on their conditioning. As for his technique, footwork, and athleticism, well, that's anyone's guess right now. I'll reserve judgment. However, I was impressed with former Michigan offensive line coach Greg Frey's ability to scout and develop offensive linemen, so I do have some faith that Posada will at least be serviceable.
But it's usually a safe bet for true freshman linemen to redshirt, and I don't expect anything different from Posada. Offensive guard is a deep position group on this unit, so he can take his time to learn the position. In fact, I wouldn't expect to see him compete for playing time until at least 2013.
Michigan received its tenth commitment of the Class of 2011 Wednesday, getting a pledge from Tampa offensive lineman Tony Posada. Posada is a 6'5", 315 lb. offensive tackle from Plant High School, which is also the home of James Wilder, Jr., a highly touted running back (Michigan has offered Wilder, but the interest seems unrequited). He chose the Wolverines over offers from Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, South Florida, and Texas Tech, among others. Posada is unranked by Rivals and a 3-star to both Scout and ESPN.
I haven't seen much of Posada, other than the few glimpses in the video below. He has no highlight videos anywhere on the internet that I have found, so I'm basing all of my opinions on that slice of video and what I've gathered from articles and pictures.
Although he's ranked as an offensive tackle by all three recruiting services, I think Posada's future is at offensive guard. I'm a rebel like that. One reason is that Posada is 6'5" (or 6'6", depending on whom you believe). If you subtract an inch because usually those recruiting sites lie, that means he's actually 6'4" or 6'5". Looking at the heights and body types of Michigan's current tackles and tackle recruits, they're all taller and leaner. Taylor Lewan is 6'8"; Perry Dorrestein, Michael Schofield, and recruit Jake Fisher are 6'7"; the shortest of the bunch is Mark Huyge at 6'6". If Posada is indeed 315 lbs., he's already heavier than all but Dorrestein (321 lbs.), but his body type suggests a future at guard.
One of the things I have been most impressed with about Michigan has been the development of the offensive line. Guys who couldn't cut it were quickly run out of the program (Kurt Wermers, Dann O'Neill), and the remaining members of the offensive line seem to be coming along nicely. So while Posada lacks an extremely impressive offer list, I'm beginning to trust more and more the offensive line offers that Rodriguez and offensive line coach Greg Frey extend.
As for the rest of the 2011 class, there are eight remaining spots with the departure of Justin Turner. Michigan will likely take at least one more offensive lineman, possibly two. I expect at least one wide receiver, one running back, one tight end, one defensive tackle, one linebacker, one cornerback, and one safety. It should be a matter of filling out the team right now, not necessarily taking as many stars as possible. With all of the scholarships devoted to running backs and defensive backs, Michigan is running short on scholarship linebackers and tight ends, in particular.
