10 Breakout Candidates for Team 134

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

Team 134 has officially begun as the players hit camp ready to make a run at a Big Ten Championship. However, they won\’t have a \”successful\” season without some of their young guns and new comers stepping in and making a big impact.

There are players, like Kyle Kalis and No one knows who the breakout players will be, but we have our hunches.

Here are our top 10 breakout candidates for the 2013-14 season:

1. Amara Darboh, WR, Sophomore

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Darboh should make a big impact.
(via isportsweb.com)

-The player that has been spotlighted since the end of last season, Darboh will be looked on to take over as the big, physical receiver opposite Jeremy Gallon. He has shown the flashes in practice, camp and in the Spring game, and will have a ton of opportunities this year.

2. Taco Charlton, DE, Freshmen 

– At 6\’6\’\’, Charlton is a physically gifted force that enrolled early and made an impact right away. He flashed his potential in the Spring game and has received a lot of praise from Brady Hoke. With the coaches always playing the best players, regardless of age, there is a very good chance Taco makes an impact as a rotational lineman.

3. Cam Gordon, SSLB, RS Senior

– When star linebacker Jake Ryan went down with an ACL tear in the Spring, the Michigan faithful freaked. But luckily one of the most athletic players on the roster is ready to step in and make his impact at the SAM position. Gordon has played receiver, safety and linebacker. So, you know he has the athleticism to make an impact. With added strength and experience, he should (and will have to) step in and be a force in Ryan\’s place.

4. Joe Bolden, LB, Sophomore 

– The outside linebacker positions are set: Gordon at the SAM and Ross at the WILL. However, there is still competition at the MIKE between Desmond Morgan and Joe Bolden. Both players bring great instincts but I believe Bolden\’s size, athleticism, and another year in the system will make him the best option in the middle throughout the season. With more time in the weight room, he could be an All-American caliber linebacker.

5. Ben Braden and Kyle Kalis, OG, RS Freshmen

– \”The most physically gifted individual I\’ve ever seen\”. That is how All-American left tackle, Taylor Lewan, referred to redshirt freshmen. Braden will have the chance to show his athleticism off as he is expected to start next to Lewan at left guard this season (and will most likely move to right tackle next year). However, he will have to fight off walk-on Graham Glasgow, but I expect his skill set to win that battle.

As for Kalis, he may be the most obvious choice after coming in as a 5* recruit. He is a mean, physical and technical which has Hoke and coach Funk very excited. Expect him and right tackle Michael Schofield to clear the lanes each and every game on the right side.

6. Jarrod Wilson, FS, Sophomore 

– Senior defensive leader Jordan Kovacs is gone and Thomas Gordon will step into his place. But Gordon\’s position is open and fully expected to be filled by the sophomore, Wilson. He is a big, rangy, athletic safety that can cover and come up to lay the wood. He will be, by far, the biggest question mark in the secondary, but I think he will flourish in his 2nd season.

7. Ondre Pipkins, NT, Sophomore 

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Hayes has the speed to be a difference maker.
(via GBW.com)

– The former 5* recruit flashed his big time potential his freshmen year and is expected to be an even bigger part of this years D-Line rotation. He has elite size and athleticism for a nose tackle and is pushing for a starting position. I doubt he starts at the nose to begin the season but he will push Quinton Washington and will make a big time impact on running downs.

8. Dymonte Thomas, DB, Freshmen

– One of the biggest recruits in the 2013 class, Thomas enrolled early and earned high praise from the entire coaching staff for his athleticism and versatility. He is competing for the starting role at nickel corner this year but should move to strong safety next year and take over for Thomas Gordon.

9. Justice Hayes, RB, RS Sophomore

– A heralded recruit, Hayes de-committed from Notre Dame to join the Wolverines but has yet to really get going and make his mark. That had a lot to do with his size and physical maturation. But now, he has worked hard in the weight room and put on the size needed to be a game changer as a change of pace, screen pass back that every offense needs. Expect some home run plays from Hayes in 2013 and beyond.

10. Tom Strobel, DT, RS Freshmen

– Another big time recruit, Strobel was picked right out of the Buckeyes backyard and should really come back to haunt them. He is a big, physical lineman that has moved from strong side defensive end to the 3-technique after adding good size during his redshirt season. With his skill and grit, I think he could end up starting sometime during the season at defensive tackle.

Other options:

  • Mario Ojemudia, WSDE, Sophomore
  • Royce Jenkins-Stone, LB, Sophomore
  • Jake Butt, TE, Freshmen
  • Allen Gant, SSLB, RS Freshmen
  • Jehu Chesson, WR, RS Freshmen
  • Chris Wormley, DL, RS Freshmen
  • DaMario Jones, WR, Freshmen
Garrett Fishaw
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