 |
| Jeremy Gallon |
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 184 lbs.
High school: Apopka (FL) Apopka
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #10
Last year: I ranked Gallon #19 and said he would be a starting wide receiver with 40 catches for 540 yards and 5 touchdowns, along with a punt return touchdown. He started at wideout and made 49 receptions for 829 yards and 4 touchdowns; he also had 11 carries for 67 yards, 2 kickoff returns for 23 yards, and 12 punt returns for 66 yards.
Gallon was arguably Michigan's breakout offensive player last year when his production exploded with Devin Gardner at quarterback. He was okay with Denard Robinson throwing the ball (107 yards against Alabama), but the Gardner-to-Gallon combination was on pace for 1,331 yards, including 133 yards against Iowa and 145 against South Carolina. Sometimes guys have signature plays or playing styles, but it's hard to pin down Gallon's. Is it the slip screen that he takes to the house? Is it the leaping catches to outjump taller defensive backs? It's not often that 5'8" receivers are known for their jump ball skills, but Gallon is basically Junior Hemingway with speed.
With Gardner as the full-time quarterback going into 2012, the connection with Gallon is supposed to take off from the start. They should start where they left off, and if that's the case, it will be a pretty sight for Michigan. I expect to see Gallon play a little more flanker this season to increase his targets, but offensive coordinator Al Borges will probably move him around to get him open in different ways. Gallon has been relieved of his punt return duties to keep him fresh and healthy (along with the fact that sophomore Dennis Norfleet might be a flat-out better option there). Gallon is ranked this highly because he has zero proven production behind him, and Michigan is severely lacking depth at receiver. There are a couple seniors who are backup material (Jeremy Jackson, Joe Reynolds), a quality slot guy (Drew Dileo), and then a bunch of youngsters with zero experience. If Gallon goes down, well . . . those young offensive linemen had better be able to run block.
Prediction: Starting wide receiver; 75 receptions, 1,200 yards, 10 touchdowns; First Team All-Big Ten
"I expect to see a small bump in production this season, but Gallon is more of a complementary receiver than a future star, so his ceiling as a receiver isn't a great deal higher than what we saw last season"
ReplyDeleteYour words from last year's countdown. Do you think Gallon has improved to become a "star", that you may have overlooked his abilities, or that the emergence of Gardner has largely been responsible for his production?
I think I overlooked his abilities, and I think Gardner is largely responsible for his production. Obviously, he wouldn't have put up those numbers with Denard Robinson at quarterback. Gallon's ability to outjump and outmuscle defenders is something that has caught me off guard.
DeleteLet's not overstate things. Have to agree that he would have got more production with Gardner since Gardner is a better passer, but Gallon was a good player regardless of who was the QB. His opportunities increased with Gardner, but his ability was already there.
DeleteEven when Hemingway was here the coaches were talking about how good Gallon was at jump balls - and they threw to him on fade routes multiple times.
Gallon has become a really fun player to watch. His agility, body control, and hands are impressive. He is going to be targeted a boatload this year, especially with Jeremy Jackson getting the nod across from him. Should have big stats. A key for Borges will be using the the TE's to keep the safeties away from Gallon.
ReplyDeleteYou've been underestimating Gallon for a couple years now and this year ... well, he's at #3, so that's nearly impossible. I agree that he'll be first team all-conference. Not sure he'll actually get 10 TDs but I'm on board for the receptions and yards. He's one of our best players and it's nice that people can stop complaining about his height.
ReplyDeleteI think you've pretty much nailed the top 10 order this year and the write-ups have been good too. Nice work.
It's tough to overvalue wide receivers when the quarterback is somewhat weak. Obviously, Robinson has pretty much always been mediocre as a passer, and Gardner didn't look good in his first couple years. Now that we have a bona fide quarterback, I think these receivers can move up a little bit. Plus I'll admit that Gallon has done more than I expected.
DeleteYou get a lot of predictions right - nobody who makes as many as you do is going to be right every time.
DeleteNot sure I totally agree with your point here though, because we saw how important Hemingway was in '11 catching Denard's passes. Gallon and Roundtree made some great plays in '11 too. I think you could make the argument that a great passer can succeed with mediocre receivers while a poor passer needs to be bailed out more often.
To me, the biggest difference between this year and last year is that a) we'll need a better passing game, because Denard's legs are gone and b) there's less depth at WR without Roundtree around. Finally, in regards to his ranking being higher - Gallon's a proven threat now. Whatever doubts there were about his game and stature - they're pretty much gone.
HMMM, Devin Gardner or the Best Player in College Football? I wonder who goes #2 and #1.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to guess Lewan #2 and Gardner #1 simply based on the fact that Schofield has shown to be a high quality T and could slide over to LT if need be, while behind Gardner its raw true frosh and death.
DeleteI'm going to guess Lewan #2 and Gardner #1 simply based on the fact that Schofield has shown to be a high quality T and could slide over to LT if need be, while behind Gardner its raw true frosh and death.
Delete