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| Ben Gedeon |
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 241 lbs.
High school: Hudson (OH) Hudson
Position: Linebacker
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #42
Last year: I ranked Gedeon #38 and said he would make 30 tackles and 1 sack as a backup linebacker. He made 17 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack; plus he returned a blocked punt for a 32-yard touchdown.
Gedeon is one of those players who is hitting his later years on campus with fans thinking, "Huh? How is this guy so old already?" Despite not being needed, he played immediately as a freshman in 2013, making 19 tackles and 1 sack. The same sort of role recurred in 2014 when he made 17 tackles and 1 sack. Michigan had several more proven, more experienced guys ahead of him, but he played in all but one game during his first two years. His most impressive play of last season came when fellow linebacker Mike McCray blocked a punt; Gedeon corralled it, showed off his high school running back skills, and found the goal line 32 yards later.
Gedeon's a junior now, and he is arguably the best athlete in the linebacker corps. He has been pretty good when he gets playing time, but the path to the field is blocked by seniors Desmond Morgan, Joe Bolden, and James Ross. Gedeon will probably be the first linebacker to sub in, and an injury would likely give him a starting job. He has good size, speed, and instincts. Additionally, despite never being a starter, Gedeon is quite possibly the spearhead of the 2016 linebacker group, if not the entire defense. He has been a role player the past two seasons, but he should get more of a chance to shine this year.
Prediction: Backup linebacker; 35 tackles, 2 sacks
Redshirt Sophomore would have read so much better here. Although in Hoke's defense on this one, he couldn't have known that Morgan would go down last year and in doing so pick up another year of eligibility.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point. Gedeon is a very good athlete who contributed right away. It would be nice, sure to have him back for longer, but he helped right away and will probably end up being a key starter next year, if not sooner. I'm not going to shed tears about how this worked out.
DeleteI have a sneaking suspicion that Gedeon is going to see a ton of action including a spot start or two. I like him a lot, shame he's already a junior.
ReplyDeleteWord is Harbaugh doesn't show unearned favoritism to upperclassmen like Hoke did. If it's true ability that determines PT this year, then I would wager that Gedeon starts somewhere against Utah. He's too good.
ReplyDeleteNot out of the question. None of our projected starters at LB are so good that they're unreplaceable. I'd be a little surprised if someone like Gedeon stepped in for the first game, but some time during the season is certainly possible.
DeleteI agree on Harbaugh's thought process, but from what I heard, Bolden and Morgan were getting the most snaps at ILB in the spring. I think all three guys will play quite a bit, though.
DeleteIf the "word" about Harbaugh and Hoke is true (which I don't doubt), it's more evidence that Brady was, at best, "Lloyd Lite."
DeleteHoke seemed to favor Bolden a little more than his game-performance warranted. My suspicion is that he is a better practice player than gamer. Will be interesting to see if Gedeon is able to win more of Bolden's snaps this season. Either way, the coaches need to do something to improve TFL production (and pass coverage) out of the ILB's.
DeleteJust wondering if there's any way that the "Hoke played favorites" narrative can be proven wrong, or if anything can be done to change anyones mind.
ReplyDeleteIf Harbaugh flips the entire starting lineups entirely, then OK, you guys might have a point. But Harbaugh probably won't and the guys that earned time last year will probably earn time again this year. What then? Will Harbaugh be "playing favorites" too?
Hoke played the guys he thought gave him the best chance to win. So will Harbaugh. They'll mostly be the same guys.
This kid has enormous talent. He goes into games as a back up and always makes plays. I think it's a waste of talent to have him on the sidelines. I guarantee if he's in for longer periods of time, he will out play anyone that's starting in front of him. Give him a chance to show his abilities already! He won't let you down!
ReplyDelete