Wow...this is going to be an awesome story when UM plays Ohio State with the two of them likely #1 and #2 at game time. It was not a foregone conclusion that UM would beat upset-minded Penn State in Happy Valley last night though. A great defensive struggle, with the difference in this one being UM's offensive balance. Lots of folks might have thought this was in the bag when UM went up 17-3 early in the 4th quarter on a Mike Hart 1-yard run, but despite Penn State's starting QB being knocked out of the game when DT Alan Branch planted him midway through the 3rd quarter, Penn State hung tough right up until the closing moments. Still, Florida's loss to Auburn, and USC's mediocre performance against ASU combined to likely put UM at #2 in the polls.
SCOUTING SUMMARY:
College: Michigan Conference: Big 10 Columnist: Adam Davis
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Leon Hall 29 5' 11.0" 196 4.48 CB 2007: Made the tackles he was supposed to make and had an important late PD. I don't see what all the fuss is about though. Maybe this was not a good game to evaluate, as Penn State's passing attack remains fairly anemic this year. Looks like a solid tackler, and doesn't give a lot of cushion. GRADE: Inc.
Steve Breaston 15 6' 1.0" 178 4.40 WR 2007: With Manningham out, Steve had to step up along with WR Adrian Arrington, and he did a nice job. Did not bust anything in the return game like you always need to expect when he gets the ball that way, but caught the ball well, and showed breakaway ability, especially on a short flare pass in the 4th quarter. Admirable performance by a guy who has been over-shadowed lately. I can see the reasons though. He just doesn't appear tough. Doesn't look as fluid catching the ball as he does running after the catch. Looks like a 5th-receiver at best at the next level, who should stick because of his speed and return abilities. GRADE: Neutral
Jake Long 77 6' 7.0" 330 5.30 OT 2008: Mixed feelings about this guy. His steps are jerky and choppy in pass pro, and he can get away with that kind of footwork now, but not at the next level. I like him better run blocking. Looks like an ROT. Should stay in college and refine his pass pro technique. Sometimes he stands around and blocks no one. He holds very well (and very deceptively). Pancakes people on occasion. Might even be a LOG at the next level. Really gets a push in the running game. GRADE: Neutral
Tyler Ecker 89 6' 6.0" 251 4.80 TE 2007: DNP. Anybody no what his situation is??
Chad Henne 7 6' 2.0" 226 5.00 QB 2008: A quiet, game manager. Doesn't make mistakes anymore. Looks stronger and more confident than in the past. Had two bullets on skinny posts that were dead on in the first half that made me sit up and take notice. Uses the pocket well. Does not panic. Holds the ball high. Checks down nicely. Looks like the leader of a top 3 team now. Should stay in school and go first round next year, not come out now and go third or fourth. GRADE: Positive
Mike Hart 20 5' 9.0" 193 4.60 HB 2008: He runs like a 220-pounder. Nobody gets him down with an arm tackle. Not explosive, but he is definitely a not-to-be-denied type. Does not have the burst to the outside or other-worldly moves, so even if he gains 1500 yards and UM wins the national title, I still don't see him as a first day back. Willing blocker. No chance to discuss hands today. GRADE: Slightly positive
Alan Branch 80 6' 6.0" 325 5.40 DT 2008: A load and a half, who just keeps coming. His motor is not top-shelf though, and he seems to be content to tie up blockers sometimes when he could bust through blockers and do more. Looks like a top 10 guy physcially, and plays like one at times. If he comes out he could be the first defensive lineman off the boards. My bet is he will be because of his massive size and potential. Looks like he might even get a shot at DE unless that 5.40 is legit. GRADE: Slightly positive
LaMarr Woodley 56 6' 2.0" 274 4.70 DE 2007: You gotta love everything about Woodley's game. His size gives him so much versatility at the next level. He is a big play guy, and made two of them in this game (sack, FF). He is so quick off the edge, and even does a decent job when playing down in the 3-4 against much bigger blockers. Throws people, and has moves. GRADE: Positive
David Harris 45 6' 2.0" 251 4.70 LB 2007: Hadn't really watched Harris that much before, but he flashes quite a bit of ability. Doesn't look like a legit 6'2" though...but maybe. Not the kind who takes over a game, but we are talking about the nation's best front 7 here, so nobody will with this group. Put him on a normal IA defense, and he would be getting as much hype as most of the top backers we are all talking about. Same thing can be said of Burgess. GRADE: Positive
Prescott Burgess 6 6' 3.0" 243 4.80 LB 2007: Defensive game ball for this one is a toss up between Burgess and Woodley. All over the field. Seemed like he was involved in every play. Downfield pursuit caught my eye. Plays faster than 4.80. Wraps up. GRADE: Positive
Willis Barringer 19 6' 0.0" 207 4.60 S 2007: DNP...or if he did, I missed it.
Mark Bihl 54 6' 4.2" 299 5.18 C 2007: Bihl was the beast for the UM line today. Love his footwork in pass pro. Really moves them quickly and does a great job in short area. Swivel neck. Makes hits wherever he must. Drives people staright ahead of him back. Not a dominator, but plays smart. GRADE: Positive
Jamar Adams 22 6' 1.3" 210 4.58 S 2008: Was involved in about four tackles and had an important PD late. Couldn't focus on him as much as I would have liked. Has some fire in his belly. GRADE: Slightly positive
College: Penn State Conference: Big 10 Columnist: Adam Davis
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Paul Posluszny 31 6' 1.5" 230 4.70 LB 2007: Still playing like a shadow of his pre-injury self. Is not leading the defense anymore, but is playing like an excellent college LB, instead of a top 10 pick like we all thought he might be coming into the season. I'd really like a look at those medical charts. Still, when they needed a stop late, he got in and got a TFL. Saw him in on only about 5 tackles tonight. His game is built on speed and emotion, and I'm wondering of the injury has robbed him of a little of both. GRADE: Neutral
Levi Brown 67 6' 4.5" 328 5.25 OT 2007: Levi is a load. Good enough feet to be a top drawer collegiate LOT, but looks like he will be a killer ROT at the next level. Does everything well. Was beaten to the inside once, but that was the only mistake I saw him make all night. Does not have elite footwork in pass pro. But it is good enough for the QB's "aware side". Never looked tired. GRADE: Very positive
Tony Hunt 26 6' 2.0" 219 4.60 HB 2007: Tony will run over anybody in the country but the UM front seven. Power back who caught well too.
Needs to add some bulk for the next level, and if that 4.60 is all he can do, he will not be drafted, but should make a club anyway because of his toughness. Reminds me a little of Mike Bell. GRADE: Slightly positive
Jay Alford 13 6' 3.0" 288 5.05 DT 2007: Best player in the game in the first quarter. Looked like he was setting up to have a monster game and was in the backfield a ton early. Levelled off late in the second quarter, and then looked good again in the third (after the halftime rest). Makes you wonder a bit about stamina, but he definitely has what it takes at the elite IAA level. I worry about 288-pound DTs at the next level though, and he doesn't look capable of being a 3-4 end...maybe a 4-3? Better player than I thought he was coming into tonight. Drew double teams all night and still busted about half of them against a very good UM line. GRADE: Slightly positive
Dan Connor 40 6' 3.0" 220 4.70 LB 2008: Penn State's best player again. He's been doing that all year. Needs to get bigger, but he has almost everything else you want in an OLB. Tackling machine tonight. Wonder if he will get engulfed at the next level. Wanted to see him in a fight for the ball with a TE, but it never happened. Run game is never going to be a question with him, especially if he lands in a 3-4 where the backers stay off the LOS. GRADE: Positive
Tim Shaw 20 6' 1.0" 233 4.70 LB 2007: Very disruptive as a DE tonight. Will never play DE at the next level though, and we need to figure out how to assess this guy. Had a PBD and a big TFL late. Was beating the ROT consistently off the snap, but he better be doing that at 233 pounds. GRADE: Neutral
Other note: WR Adrian Arrington is a better WR than Breaston and proved that tonight in Mannigham's absence.
Adam, What exaclty is the deal with Ecker? He really looked like a budding star at times last year. TIA...