If you didn’t catch the blip on the radar, Michigan football has emerged from submarine level depths to give their second first hand look at Team 136. But once again, it was on Jim Harbaugh’s terms. And that meant students only and no cell phones (this guy is serious about not giving Utah a look at his cards).
Luckily, a couple students that were in attendance took some notes and were able to tweet out what they saw during the practice and scrimmage. Here’s what I’ve gathered:
The Submarine is Serious, Loud and Realistic
BREAKING: Tonight's @umichfootball practice has a no-phone policy. Violators will be asked to leave.
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 22, 2015
Phone blackout is because the team is doing red zone work, team doesn't want pictures coming out.
— Ben Fidelman (@bfidelman) August 22, 2015
They aren't playing games. Keeping all the students close to field, even questioning notebooks.
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 22, 2015
Offense in white, defense in blue. Band is blasting The Victors. Who needs phone when you have football? #UMPractice
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 22, 2015
First 200 students are going to be on the field. Team wants a "end zone atmosphere" for the drills.
— Ben Fidelman (@bfidelman) August 22, 2015
The band will be present, too.
— Ben Fidelman (@bfidelman) August 22, 2015
I've reemerged from the submarine slightly deaf after the non-stop piped-in crowd noise and hard rock
— Kelly Hall (@kellyhall20) August 23, 2015
For most of the practice Harbaugh had Kiss, AC/DC and crowd noise pumped in through the speakers. Really, really loudly.
— Ben Fidelman (@bfidelman) August 23, 2015
Rudock Separating Himself
Rudock gets the "start" in game action.
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 22, 2015
Rudock was first team, Morris second. Morris still has a rocket.
— Kelly Hall (@kellyhall20) August 23, 2015
Rudock took all first team reps
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 23, 2015
@cdbarker I think the big takeaway is that Rudock is meshing well w/ the team and Morris really struggled to put together a decent drive
— Kelly Hall (@kellyhall20) August 23, 2015
First off… I think Jake Rudock is going to be the starting quarterback
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
As expected Rudock took first team reps, mostly Smith in the backfield
— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) August 23, 2015
For those asking, biggest differences between Morris and Rudock were accuracy and poise in pocket. Both have the arms.
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 23, 2015
Pro-Style offense
Could have just been today, but a lot of slant "nickel and dime" passes. Typical pro-style offense.
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 23, 2015
I would expect Joe Kerridge to be the fullback
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
Running Back Competition
At running back I think it goes 1A) De’Veon Smith 1B) Ty Isaac with a drop-off to Derrick Green but all three will probably get touches
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
Also quite a few passes to RBs. Green, Isaac, Smith and Johnson have less than 250 yards receiving combined.
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 23, 2015
De'Veon Smith with most of the first-team reps at RB. FR Grant Perry, RS FR Drake Harris got substantial time at WR.
— Jake Lourim (@jakelourim) August 23, 2015
Offensive Line
I think offensive line from left to right will go Mason Cole, Ben Braden, Graham Glasgow, Kyle Kalis, then Erik Magnuson
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
A little sluggish at first, especially on the outside. Finished really strong though. https://t.co/8ZFwx8ZxOO
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 23, 2015
O-line was pretty much as expected: Cole, Braden, Glasgow, Kalis, Magnuson. Dawson came in for Braden in later series
— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) August 23, 2015
Offensive line was mostly as @BTNDaveRevsine tweeted it the other day: Cole, Braden, Glasgow, Kalis, Magnuson.
— Jake Lourim (@jakelourim) August 23, 2015
Butt Stuff
After watching that practice, I would expect to see a lot of Rudock to Butt this season
— Kelly Hall (@kellyhall20) August 23, 2015
Expect Jake Butt to have a TON of targets this year… Could have a All-Big Ten year and guess Ian Bunting gets some playing time too
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
Two TDs tonight– Rudock to Harris and Rudock to Butt.
— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) August 23, 2015
New Receivers Emerge
Drake Harris and Grant Perry both caught some long passes. Definitely more of a passing offense, not 50/50.
— Kelly Hall (@kellyhall20) August 23, 2015
Grant Perry was the most frequent slot receiver with the 1s. A lot of Drake Harris out wide.
— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) August 23, 2015
At wide receiver Drake Harris is still skinny but think he’s your other outside wide receiver alongside Amara Darboh
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
Only true freshman to get much starting action was WR Grant Perry
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 23, 2015
Also think Grant Perry is going to get playing time at the slot this year
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
After seeing him in action last night, I think the Grant Perry / Jeremy Gallon comparison is creeping up. Will be fun to watch.
— Ben Fidelman (@bfidelman) August 23, 2015
Defense, Defense, Defense
All even fronts on defense
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 23, 2015
The guys that played the most on the first team defensive line tonight were Willie Henry, Matt Godin, and Ryan Glasgow
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
Expect to see more Mario Ojemudia and RJS this year
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
Peppers took most of his reps at nickelback
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 23, 2015
Peppers saw a lot of time at nickel and safety
— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) August 23, 2015
In the secondary one thing is clear… Jabrill Peppers is going to be used about everywhere but I think he plays the most at cornerback
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
No big surprises on defense. Stribling, Jeremy Clark at CB. Peppers at safety. When Delano Hill came in at safety, Peppers moved to nickel.
— Jake Lourim (@jakelourim) August 23, 2015
Clark and Stribling tarted at CB, but with Lewis limited action, nothing definite yet
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 23, 2015
At linebacker Desmond Morgan and James Ross stood out the most to me and Joe Bolden played a lot with Ben Gedeon getting reps too
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
Safety, with a decent amount of drop-down coverage. Was taking second team reps though https://t.co/rGLCrBDemw
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 23, 2015
I think the cornerbacks are going to be Jourdan Lewis, Jabrill Peppers, Channing Stribling, and perhaps some of Jeremy Clark
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
Jarrod Wilson and Delano Hill were the safeties and Jabrill Peppers played a little bit there too
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
A lot of Clark and Stribling at corner for the 1s. Lyons was at safety most of the night with the 2s.
— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) August 23, 2015
Injuries?
Jarrod Wilson started at safety and wore a red jersey. No tackling at all though, all wrap-up.
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 23, 2015
Amara Darboh didn't dress and had a splint on his left pinky
— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) August 23, 2015
Freddy Canteen wasn't dressed, Jourdan Lewis only did drills
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) August 23, 2015
Freddy Canteen also missed the practice with his right arm in a sling, and Jourdan Lewis did not practice either (couldn't tell why)
— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) August 23, 2015
TJ Wheatley and Patrick Kugler both were on crutches.
— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) August 23, 2015
Amara Darboh had his left pinky in a splint. Freddy Canteen had his right arm in a sling. Patrick Kugler was on crutches.
— Jake Lourim (@jakelourim) August 23, 2015
Was actually pretty surprised Taco Charlton and Lawrence Marshall didn’t play much at all tonight
— Steve Kays (@SteveCKays) August 23, 2015
Full Break Down
Had the chance to cover #Michigan's student-only practice last night for @detroitnews. Rudock commands first team: http://t.co/t8K0DJZPce
— Kelly Hall (@kellyhall20) August 23, 2015
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