Photo Credit: John T. Greilick, Detroit News)

2016 Michigan Fall Camp Preview: 5 Offensive Breakout Candidates

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

With the BBQ at the Big House is all cleaned up and media day in the books, all eyes turn to the play on the field with fall camp starting tomorrow. Everyone will get their first look at one of the most anticipated teams in the past 20 years of Michigan football. And with the anticipation and excitement, I’ve put together a couple preview posts to get ready for fall camp. 

Check out our five offensive breakout candidates for the 2016 Michigan football fall camp:

  1. RB Ty Isaac
    • Isaac is easily one of the most physically impressive players and one of the players with the highest ceilings on the roster. At 6’3” 230+lbs, he has the size of a linebacker but his biggest problem is that he played smaller than his size.
    • Toughness had been an issue for him since arriving in Ann Arbor but, according to multiple reports, that issue is behind him. If that is indeed the case, he should be a player that makes a ton of noise all camp long and sees plenty of time this fall.
  2. TE Devin Asiasi
    • Outside of Gary, Asiasi is the recruit that the staff wanted most and for good reason. He already has the build to play at the collegiate level from day one and that should show throughout camp as both a receiver and blocker.
    • A source close to the situation told me this about Asiasi: “He wants to learn everything and work hard”. They also compared him to Jake Butt, who is expected to help mold him into the tight end the staff envisions he can be.
    • With the staff using 4 tight ends on a normal basis and dressing at least 6 tight ends each game, Asiasi should not only prove himself to be a depth player but should prove throughout camp that he should be on the field throughout the fall.
  3. WR Kekoa Crawford
    • While Asiasi may have been the biggest offensive win for the staff in the 2016 class, Crawford is the player I thought was the best get for Michigan. That’s not only because of him coming from California but when you look at him as a wide receiver prospect, he has the look of a star.
    • Crawford is one of the most polished freshmen receivers I’ve seen at Michigan in quite sometime but it’s his mix of speed and toughness that I believe will have the staff wow’d throughout camp. He’ll stick his nose in there to block and will go across the middle to make the tough catches no matter the danger.
    • If he shows those talents during camp, I believe he will be a real contributor to the offense from day one of the regular season.
  4. SB Chris Evans
    • Possibly the most underrated get in the 2016 recruiting class, Evans is the type of player that Michigan football has been lacking for quite some time. And that happens to be a lightning quick, speed threat that can play multiple skill positions on offense.
    • Thanks to the electricity, the Indiana product could have an immediate impact at slot receiver, similar to Grant Perry, as a scat back option out of the backfield or as a return specialist on special teams. All are right in his wheel house and something that Michigan needs to take their offense to the next level.
    • He’ll get his opportunity throughout camp and should be a real contributor to this team throughout the fall.
  5. OL Nolan Ulizio
    • When a team basically has the starting offensive line locked down prior to camp, it’s hard to see a lineman having a “breakout” performance at said camp. But that’s what I’m predicting here. Ulizio has been getting plenty of love in team updates all over the Michigan web even though he was a lower rated recruit and late addition to the 2015 class.
    • His size and tenacity standout most. And with the lack of depth at the offensive tackle position, he is a name that should solidify his spot on the two deep depth chart throughout camp.

Thanks to a ton of returning talent mixed with one of the best recruiting classes in recent memory, there are plenty of breakout candidates for Michigan this fall camp. So, who do you think are the players that will put their name on the map this camp? Let us know in the comment section below!

Photo Credit: John T. Greilick/Detroit News

Garrett Fishaw
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