Ask a Question: Troy Woolfolk

Texas native and former secondary starter Troy Woolfolk has volunteered his time for an interview. If you have any topics or questions that you would like addressed, post them in the comments section, and I'll try to get to them.

2012 Season Countdown: #43 Keith Heitzman

Keith Heitzman wraps up running back Justice Hayes in the spring game (image via AnnArbor.com)

Name: Keith Heitzman
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 251 lbs.
High school: Hilliard (OH) Hilliard Davidson
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #92
Last year: I said he would redshirt.  He redshirted.

Heitzman came in toward the end of the recruiting cycle in 2011, when Brady Hoke and Greg Mattison were trying to salvage a recruiting class that was really on the verge of falling into mediocrity.  Heitzman committed in late January, just a couple weeks prior to National Signing Day.  As a 237-pounder who the coaches thought would grow into a "tackle," he was almost certainly headed for redshirt territory.  That is in fact what happened.

He is currently listed at 251 lbs. but looked a little bigger than that during spring ball, so it would not surprise me if he is listed at 260-270 lbs. once August rolls around.  Heitzman opened a few eyes during bowl practices, and while he wasn't a stud, practices observers indicated that he could be on his way to contributing soon.  I liked what I saw out of Heitzman in the spring.  He looks like a guy who might be able to substitute in without other teams automatically taking advantage, and he might be able to make a few plays along the way.  He might eventually grow into a 3-tech defensive tackle, but for this year, I think he can be a backup to Craig Roh at the 5-tech defensive end position.  He'll also have to battle true freshmen and walk-on Nathan Brink, none of whom participated in spring practices.

Prediction: Backup 5-tech defensive end

ESPN: Early Week 1 preview - Michigan

Brian Bennett of ESPN previews Michigan's week one game against Alabama.

NFL Network: Top 100 Players of 2012 - #59 Jake Long

Butkus, Lombardi, Biletnikoff Award Watch Lists

Some award watch lists were released on Monday and Tuesday.  Michigan's very own Kenny Demens and Taylor Lewan appear on the Rotary Lombard Award watch list, and Roy Roundtree was mentioned for the Biletnikoff Award.  Here's a look at the rest of the players of note for Michigan fans:

Butkus Award (Top college linebacker)
Johnny Adams - CB - Michigan State
Chris Borland - LB - Wisconsin
Jonathan Brown - LB - Illinois
Max Bullough - LB - Michigan State
Gerald Hodges - LB - Penn State
Nico Johnson - LB - Alabama
Michael Mauti - LB - Penn State
C.J. Mosley - LB - Alabama
Etienne Sabino - LB - Ohio State
Bruce Taylor - LB - Virginia Tech
Manti Te'o - LB - Notre Dame

Rotary Lombardi Award (Outstanding lineman who best exemplifies discipline of Vince Lombardi)
Denicos Allen - LB - Michigan State
Chris Borland - LB - Wisconsin
Jonathan Brown - LB - Illinois
Michael Buchanan - DE - Illinois
Max Bullough - LB - Michigan State
Braxston Cave - C - Notre Dame
Kenny Demens - LB - Michigan
Tyler Eifert - TE - Notre Dame
D.J. Fluker - OT - Alabama
Travis Frederick - C - Wisconsin
Jaymes Gayle - DE - Virginia Tech
William Gholston - DE - Michigan State
Johnathan Hankins - DT - Ohio State
Jordan Hill - DT - Penn State
Gerald Hodges - LB - Penn State
Nico Johnson - LB - Alabama
Barrett Jones - C - Alabama
Taylor Lewan - OT - Michigan
Spencer Long - OG - Nebraska
Zack Martin - OT - Notre Dame
Chris McDonald - OG - Michigan State
James Morris - LB - Iowa
C.J. Mosley - LB - Alabama
Marcus Rush - DE - Michigan State
Kawann Short - DT - Purdue
John Simon - DE - Ohio State
Akeem Spence - DT - Illinois
Baker Steinkuhler - DT - Nebraska
Jake Stoneburner - TE - Ohio State
Bruce Taylor - LB - Virginia Tech
Mike Taylor - LB - Wisconsin
Manti Te'o - LB - Notre Dame
Ricky Wagner - OT - Wisconsin
Chance Warmack - OG - Alabama
Jesse Williams - DT - Alabama

Biletnikoff Award (Most outstanding wide receiver)
Jared Abbrederis - Wisconsin
Corey Brown - Ohio State
Keenan Davis - Iowa
Marcus Davis - Virginia Tech
T.J. Jones - Notre Dame
Roy Roundtree - Michigan

2012 Season Countdown: #44 Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant

Name: Chris Bryant
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 341 lbs.
High school: Chicago (IL) Simeon
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #58
Last year: I said Bryant would redshirt.  He redshirted.

Bryant showed up on campus at 341 lbs., and that's simply too big, especially if you're only 6'4".  He was bound to redshirt because of the depth on the offensive line, anyway, but showing up that heavy didn't help matters.  Despite the extra weight, he impressed a lot of people in practices with his run blocking abilities.  The buzz from practice was that if he got hold of a defensive lineman, the defensive lineman was lost.  Unfortunately, Bryant didn't pass block much in high school, so he needs some work in that area.

Because of his shortcomings in pass blocking and some footwork issues, Bryant lingers as the backup right guard behind Patrick Omameh.  While the left guard spot is open, that battle seems to be between walk-on Joey Burzynski and fifth year senior Elliott Mealer.  Coach Hoke mentioned in the spring that he likes to get offensive linemen comfortable on one side of the line before flipping them back and forth, and with Bryant's road grading abilities, right guard seems like a good spot for Bryant at this juncture.  Hopefully Omameh stays healthy and Bryant can spend another year as an apprentice before battling for one of the guard spots in 2013.

Prediction: Backup right guard

An interview with 2012 preferred walk-on WR Bo Dever

Bo Dever

In one of the more engaging and enjoyable interviews that I've done so far, former walk-on defensive lineman and current Manhattan mogul Tim North made an interesting and true statement about walk-on players.  "You couldn't have a football program without walk-ons,"  Tim Said.  "I mean, it would be impossible to have a practice without walk-ons."  In the end, Tim did more than just practice with the team, eventually earning substantial playing time and, most importantly, a Michigan degree that allowed him to cultivate a successful career.

2012 preferred walk-on wide wide receiver Bo Dever from Lake Forest, IL, also knows about the value of walking on at Michigan.  Ignoring some interest from other schools, Bo chose to attend the alma mater of his father, Dave Dever, who played as a defensive lineman under Bo Schembechler.  And if you're wondering, it's no coincidence that Bo shares his name with the legendary coach for whom his father played.

Here are some quick hits from my conversation with Bo shortly before he traveled to Ann Arbor.

Feeling comfortable:  "I have a few high school friends who go to school up there in Ann Arbor and aren't on the team, so the transition should be pretty simple.  Also, [I've built relationships with] A.J. Williams and Chris Womley.  Chris was actually out here a couple weeks ago in Chicago.  He and his buddies came up here and stayed at my house for a couple days.  A.J. and I talk pretty much every day.  We're rooming together in the fall."

Awards despite injury:  "Last year I got hurt (ACL) in game four or five, and I was out for the rest of the year.  But I'm back to 100% now.  Last season I was still All-Conference, All-Area. . ."

Height, weight, style of play:  "I'm 6'2'' and 200 lbs.  Going into the season I'd like to be 205/210 and sophomore year maybe 215 because I'm more of that bigger possession receiver coming across the middle.  I'm not going to run a 4.4 forty or be a deep threat guy.  I'm that big body, catch in traffic guy. . . I'd also like to play some special teams."

Michigan heritage:  "My dad played football at Michigan back in the mid to late eighties, so ever since I was growing up, I wanted to go there.  And when I had to decide, I knew I wouldn't be happy anywhere else. "

Expectations:  "I'm excited.  I just want to go out and do what's best for the team.  I need to go out there and prove myself first [before thinking about playing time], and not get too hot in the head."