This was an exciting game between two of the best Big 10 teams this season. Illinois has a young team with tremendous talent and Michigan seems to have righted things after the much-ballyhooed loss to Division 1-AA Appalachian State to open the season. Michael Hart was in street clothes for this one and he watched Chad Henne show some real toughness as he battled an injured hand to lead the Wolverines to victory.


College: Illinois Conference: Big 10 Columnist: Adam Davis
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

J Leman 47 6' 1.5" 241 4.75 LB 2008 Leman played a decent game. He was in on a lot of tackles, but didn’t seem to be a difference maker tonight. He drops back in coverage a lot better than he did a year ago, but isn’t making the big plays we’ve grown accustomed to.

Akim Millington 69 6' 6.0" 310 5.20 OT 2008 Millington struggled a bit tonight. The team tried to run behind him a few times but was unable to get anything going as Millington wasn’t getting much of a push. He was fairly effective in pass protection, but he gets by with athleticism more than strength.

Rashard Mendenhall 5 5' 11.0" 215 4.45 HB 2009 [i]Mendenhall had a subpar day by his own standards, but the Michigan defense played pretty tough in this one. Mendenhall has the speed to turn the corner and outrun people, but tonight he was pounding everything up the middle. He was consistently getting 4-5 yards a carry and was carrying defenders the whole time. He doesn’t go down on first contact and shows a lot of strength and balance for a guy with such an amazing burst and quickness.

Others to watch: Vontae Davis is probably the best sophomore CB in the nation, and he’s a heckuva returner too, returning the opening kickoff 67 yards to set up a quick TD by the Illinois offense. David Lindquist looked pretty good as well. He was able to get some penetration on the tough Michigan line with his quickness and notched a pair of sacks and another assisted tackle behind the LOS. He’s a bit on the light side and relies on his athleticism. Aurelius Benn is just a freshman, but he’s showing flashes that will have him in the sights of every NFL team in a couple years.


College: Michigan Conference: Big 10 Columnist: Adam Davis
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Jake Long 77 6' 7.0" 330 5.30 OT 2008 Long looked like he was off his game tonight. He was step slow when trying to get to the edge rushers and allowed himself to be walked back to the QB a few times when bull-rushed. He was markedly better as a run blocker and was able to get some push there as the Wolverines repeatedly made positive yardage rushing behind Long.

Chad Henne 7 6' 2.0" 226 5.00 QB 2008 Henne got his hand banged pretty hard in the first quarter and had to come out of the games a couple times because of the injury. His replacement, Ryan Mallett, was ineffective and Henne returned twice and played an outstanding game. He showed some real toughness and continued to take big hits in order to make plays. Although sometimes he should just unload the ball instead of taking the hit. He showed a good arm and made some pretty impressive throws. He may slide a bit on draft day because of his injuries, but someone will get a tough QB who looks like he could succeed in the NFL.

Mike Hart 20 5' 9.0" 193 4.60 HB 2008 Hart did not play in the game due to an ankle injury. But he still showed me something from the sidelines as he was working hard to motivate and inspire his teammates.

Jamar Adams 22 6' 2.0" 212 4.58 S 2008 Adams and his teammates were supposed to be susceptible to the spread offense Illinois runs, but they really came through in a big way to keep Illinois from doing anything offensively. Adams was consistently in the middle of the defense, bringing Rashard Mendenhall down once he burst through the line. Adams doesn’t seem as confident in pass coverage though.

Mario Manningham 14 5' 11.8" 189 4.42 WR 2009 Mario Manningham really stepped it up and was clutch when it counted. He found the end zone a couple times including the game-winner in the fourth quarter on a pass from fellow wideout Adrian Arrington. Manningham appeared to care tonight and put some effort into the game. If he’d do that consistently, he’d be an outstanding receiver.

Shawn Crable 2 6' 5.0" 245 4.55 LB 2008 Shawn Crable is one of the best LBs that no one is talking about this fall. He’s a playmaker, pure and simple. He’s too big and powerful for the smaller blockers that often draw the assignment of taking him on. He’s most impressive when rushing the passer. He came close a couple times tonight, but didn’t record a sack. He was able to make a couple stops behind the LOS though. The biggest flaw I saw was that Crable needs to play a bit more disciplined as he gets himself out of position too often.

Adam Kraus 57 6' 6.0" 297 5.10 OG 2008 Kraus moved around very well and showed some nice athleticism and footwork. He looks a little lean for the position, and could stand to add some muscle mass to deal with the big uglies on the other side of the ball. He seems to be a little more effective in space than he does in close quarters. Technically sound player who needs to get stronger.

Alex Mitchell 73 6' 5.0" 313 5.20 OG 2008 I didn’t take notice of him at all. He wasn’t in the lineup whenever I looked to the right side of the line.

Others to watch: Adrian Arrington was a key part of the victory tonight, catching a TD pass and then throwing the game-winner on a reverse. Sure, he’s got the red flags in his past, but he’s also got great athleticism and playmaking ability if a team thinks his youthful indiscretions are behind him. Corey Graham did quite a bit from the weakside LB position tonight. He was able to get into the backfield and be disruptive and also drop into coverage.

Love Mendenhall! He is the real deal.

Arrington is going to be a better pro than Manningham IMO, just cause he can make all the catches. Character has been an issue for him, most UM guys don't get into trouble.

I don't care as much for Crable the pass rusher as opposed to Crable the run stopper, but he's good at both. He's had to play end alot cause they have a pitiful pass rush.

Illinois is really on the way up.

Crable Reminds me of Matt Blair though he's not quite as high cut, I think among the UM seniors he'll be the 2nd best pro and not as far behind Long as others might think. Arrington is the best WR prospect since Edwards and looks a little quicker. He just needs to be school/football focused and the rest will handle itself.
U of I- Mendenhall has many of the qualities that made Curtis Martin special, it remains to see if he is as determined and has that high a football IQ. Juice is good but Eddie has A CHANCE TO GREAT! Benn=Larry Fitzgerald

You guys might want to add Illinois' JR. LT Xavier Fulton to the system...

I just saw a re-run of the Illinois-Ohio State game...

WOW

Adam? What sayest thou?

I've scouted the first half of that game, I will look for him again. He hasn't stood out, but Ill zone in on him. I spend most of my time looking at tackle Akim Millington.