2015 Season Countdown: #53 Henry Poggi

Henry Poggi (#7) with Maurice Hurst, Jr. (image via Scout.com)

Name: Henry Poggi
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 273 lbs.
High school: Baltimore (MD) Gilman
Position: Tight end/defensive end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #7
Last year: I ranked Poggi #63 and said he would be a backup strongside end. He played in six games and made 2 tackles.

Poggi had a reasonable excuse for not playing much last season, when he was behind senior Brennen Beyer and a very talented Taco Charlton. Both of those guys stayed healthy, and the season went about how one would expect for a third-string defensive end. Poggi did not play much; when he did, it was nothing spectacular. He did do solid work, though, and looked like a future contributor.

This year Poggi has added two pounds, but the coaching staff moved him to tight end in the spring, at least part-time. He practiced quite a bit on offense, though he is still listed on the official roster as a defensive end. This is a guy who was recruited by Alabama to be an H-back, so his offensive skills - particularly as a blocker - are not to be overlooked. He will not be a starter on either side of the ball. Defensively, junior Taco Charlton and redshirt junior Chris Wormley are the front-runners; offensively, Poggi has to battle Jake Butt, A.J. Williams, Tyrone Wheatley Jr., Khalid Hill, Chase Winovich, and Ian Bunting for playing time. Realistically, Poggi just has to bide his time until graduation sorts out the depth chart. The path seems clearer on defense, because Michigan is fairly thin at the end positions before you get to a couple undersized true freshmen.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

MLive: Analyst says Wayne Lyons is Michigan's top draft prospect

Michigan's best NFL draft prospect is a guy who hasn't played a down for Michigan yet (LINK).

Hit the jump for numerous good looking ladies.

2015 Season Countdown: #54 A.J. Williams

A.J. Williams

Name: A.J. Williams
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 285 lbs.
High school: Cincinnati (OH) Sycamore
Position: Tight end
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #84
Last year: I ranked Williams #45 and said he would be a backup tight end. He started four games, making 4 catches for 33 yards (8.3 yards/catch).

Last year I discussed the sandwich intake of A.J. Williams, suggesting that he had been exchanging them for salads or perhaps an occasional cleanse. He went from over 280 lbs. as a sophomore to 263 lbs. as a junior. That's a step in the right direction for a tight end. Like watching Dan Fouts throw to Kellen Winslow, Williams caught 4 passes for 33 yards.

What will Williams do to top that? First of all, it looks like he's been topping those salads with lots of ranch and bacon. He's back up to 285 lbs. now. I am unsure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. On the one hand, incoming tight end Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. is up to 287 lbs., so maybe Harbaugh wants some big, beefy guys on the line to serve as de facto offensive tackles. On the other hand, Williams has never been so great at the "blocking" thing and it certainly can't help his speed, which has always been lacking. I have irrational faith hope that new tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh can mold somebody besides Jake Butt into a decent player, but I am not expecting a big breakthrough from Williams. At this point he probably won't change a great deal going into his senior season, and the Wolverines are stockpiling a variety of options at tight end. With Jake Butt fully healthy, Williams might be a "starter" in two tight end sets, but I don't think that means a great deal.

Prediction: Backup tight end

247 Sports: Recruits react to Michigan's return to Nike

Here are some responses to Michigan's move from Adidas back to Nike (LINK).

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Rivals 100 for 2017 released

Rivals released its top 100 prospects for 2017 (LINK). Michigan has no commitments for 2017, and there is just one player from within the state on the list: Detroit (MI) Cass Tech wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. Below are the rest of Michigan's offerees so far:

5-stars:
1. Marvin Wilson - DT - TX
3. Josh Myers - OT - OH (Ohio State)
4. Hunter Johnson - QB - IN
6. Trevon Grimes - WR - FL
7. Najee Harris - RB - CA (Alabama)
9. Calvin Ashley - OT - FL (Auburn)
10. Nate McBride - LB - GA
11. Darnay Homes - S - CA
12. William Poole III - CB - GA
14. Joshua Kaindoh - DE - MD
15. Isaiah Wilson - OT - NY

4-stars:
17. Jeffrey Okudah - S - TX
18. Tate Martell - QB - NV
19. Shaun Wade - CB - FL (Ohio State)
21. Foster Sarell - OT - WA
22. Shawn Robinson - QB - TX (TCU)
23. A.J. Epenesa - DE - IL
25. Maleik Gray - ATH - TN
26. Devon Hunter - S - VA
27. Wyatt Davis - OT - CA
28. Jarez Parks - DE - FL
29. D'Andre Swift - RB - PA
30. Brock Wright - TE - TX (Notre Dame)
31. Anthony McFarland - RB - MD
33. Paris Ford - S - PA
37. Joseph Lewis - WR - CA
45. Austin Jackson - OT - AZ
48. Toneil Carter - RB - TX
51. Nathan Tilford - ATH - CA
55. Donovan Peoples-Jones - WR - MI
57. Isaiah Pryor - S - GA
62. Trey Sermon - RB - GA
63. Jeff Thomas - WR - IL
64. Richard LeCounte - CB - GA
65. Marco Wilson - CB - FL
72. JaCoby Stevens - ATH - TN
78. Fred Hansard - DT - NJ
79. Cordarrian Richardson - RB - MO
82. Jordan Anthony - LB - MD
83. Walker Little - OT - TX
86. Greg Johnson - ATH - CA
87. Kayden Lyles - OG - AZ
89. LeAnthony Williams - CB - GA
91. Cam Akers - RB - MS
92. Stanford Samuels - CB - FL
94. Hezekiah Jones - WR - TX (Baylor)
95. Sione Heimuli-Lund - LB - UT
96. Marcus Williamson - CB - OH (Ohio State)
97. Daniel Wright - S - FL
100. Dylan McCaffrey - QB - CO

2015 Season Countdown: #55 Sione Houma

Sione Houma and Desmond Morgan (image via Michigan Daily)

Name: Sione Houma
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 243 lbs.
High school: Salt Lake City (UT) Highland
Position: Fullback
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #39
Last year: I ranked Houma #32 and said he would be the starting fullback. He was a backup fullback and made 4 tackles on special teams.

Last year was a swing and a miss on Houma, who I think is a better athlete than Joe Kerridge. Houma has been playing special teams since his true freshman year, and that's where he made the majority of his impact in 2014. So far in his career, he has just 2 catches for 14 yards and has made 14 tackles on special teams.

I'm not going to take the same wild swing this year. Houma missed the spring with an injury, and while he is supposed to return by the time the season starts, he has now been Kerridge's backup for three consecutive seasons. If Houma wins the job, I think it will be a surprise to almost everyone. Michigan also has other options at fullback, like 276 lb. Brady Pallante and redshirt sophomore Wyatt Shallman, who has also played some tailback and H-back. Houma can still play special teams, and I think he can do some good things if given the chance on offense, but he's not a significantly important cog.

Prediction: Backup fullback

James Light Football: Georgia Dagger Concept and RPO

James Light Football talks about Georgia's Dagger pass concept with a run/pass option (LINK).

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