2009 Countdown: #64 Steve Watson

Name: Steve Watson
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 257 lbs.
High School: Mullen High School in Cherry Hills Village, CO
Position: Quick
Class: RS sophomore
Jersey Number: #81
Prediction for 2009: Spot duty on defense, special teams contributor

Watson came to Michigan as a tight end and remained there through last season. But when new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson showed up and needed DE/OLB hybrids to play the new Quick position in the 4-3 under, Watson moved over to defense; it didn't help that he was buried on the TE depth chart behind then-freshman Kevin Koger and then-sophomore Martell Webb. Watson got positive reviews during the spring, but it seems he's been left behind by a couple teammates and incoming freshmen. He might be able to earn just enough snaps to prevent a freshman like Craig Roh from burning a redshirt, but he probably won't contribute significantly on defense.

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.

2009 Countdown: #66 Brendan Gibbons

Name: Brendan Gibbons
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 229 lbs.
High School: Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, FL
Position: Kicker
Class: Freshman
Jersey Number: #34
Prediction for 2009: Kicker

Gibbons is a true freshman with a ghetto booty (see photo above). Garrett Rivas was a bit chunky, and he turned out to be pretty good, so hopefully that bodes well for Gibbons, who is 229 lbs*. I put the three potential kickers (Gibbons, Olesnavage, and Wright) together in the list because none of them has proven himself or separated himself from the others, so an injury to one might not cause much of a dropoff.

On a side note, if Gibbons wins the kicking job, Michigan will have a left-footed kicker and punter. I just blew your mind.

2009 Countdown: #67 Jason Olesnavage

Name: Jason Olesnavage
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 213 lbs.
High School: Ferndale High School in Ferndale, MI
Position: Kicker
Class: RS senior
Jersey Number: #92
Prediction for 2009: Kickoff duty

Olesnavage is a walk-on kicker who ended spring as the leading candidate for the kicking job. He's never played in a game and might not keep hold on the spot, but there is a strong possibility that he'll be the kickoff specialist this year.

2009 Countdown: #68 Bryan Wright

Name: Bryan Wright
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 217 lbs.
High School: Salem High School in Salem, OH
Position: Kicker
Class: RS junior
Jersey Number: #43
Prediction for 2009: Bench

Wright is a scholarship kicker who has suffered recently from a back injury. It was thought that he might take a medical scholarship and end his football career, but he's still kicking for the team. At this point, Wright is battling a couple other kickers for playing time, but it looks as if he'll be on the outside looking in.

2009 Countdown: #69 Elliott Mealer

Name: Elliott Mealer
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 299 lbs.
High School: Wauseon High School in Wauseon, OH
Position: Center/guard
Class: RS freshman
Jersey Number: #57
Prediction for 2009: Mop-up duty

Hardcore Michigan fans are well aware of Mealer's plight. In December 2007, he and his family were involved in a nasty automobile accident at Christmas. Mealer's father and girlfriend were killed and his brother was seriously injured. Elliott himself injured his shoulder and spent a good portion of 2008 recovering from the crash. He instantly became a fan favorite as Michigan fans, future Michigan teammates, and Michigan coaches rallied around Elliott and his brother.

Mealer redshirted in 2008 and got a slow start on the strength and conditioning program due to his injury. His situation is similar to that of Stephen Schilling, who suffered from a shoulder injury and mononucleosis early in his career. With the offensive line pretty well solidified for 2009, Mealer is battling for a spot on the two-deep at center or guard. He may get some time in mop-up duty, but it will probably be a couple years before Mealer sees significant playing time. I think I speak for all Michigan fans when I say we'll be rooting for him all the way.

2009 Countdown: #70 Michael Cox

Name: Michael Cox
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 208 lbs.
High School: Avon Old Farms in Dorchester, MA
Position: Running back
Class: RS freshman
Jersey Number: #15
Prediction for 2009: A couple carries in mop-up duty

As with the true freshman running backs, several underclassman RBs' paths are blocked by three seniors and Michael Shaw. Cox is no exception, although I imagine he'll get a couple carries in mop-up duty or if Brandon Minor gets injured. Supposedly, Cox is almost a clone of Minor, although he's a tad bit smaller. In 2010, however, I expect Cox to be the bruiser in the backfield with all the electron-sized slots and running backs darting around him.