Team 133 is currently hard at work with summer conditioning and doing all the little things required for the Michigan Wolverines to win a Big Ten Championship in football. Everybody is expecting big things from Denard Robinson and players like Taylor Lewan, Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jake Ryan. Who are some players that might emerge this year, like Fitz Toussaint did last year? Here are 7 players that fit the bill as breakout candidates.
Brennen Beyer
1. Brennen Beyer - Sophomore DE - The coaches love Beyer, he has good size, 6-3, 225, and a high football IQ. He appeared in 9 games and tallied 11 tackles as a true freshman. At the conclusion of spring practice he had the edge over Frank Clark for the starting gig at rush end.
[Michigan to continue with alternate uniforms in 2012]
2. Frank Clark – Sophomore DE – He is competing with Beyer for the same rush end position. Expect both players to get significant playing time. Clark has elite athleticism and showcased his playmaking ability in the Sugar Bowl.
3. Jerald Robinson - Redshirt Sophomore WR – Robinson appeared in 2 games as a back up wide receiver last year and contributed on special teams in 11 games. He has yet to haul in his first career reception, but that is something the 6-foot-1, 206 pound WR should remedy early in the 2012 season.
4. Nathan Brink - Redshirt Junior DT – Brink was the talk of fall camp last year. He played in 11 games last year, started once (against Purdue) and registered 1 tackle which was a 4 yard TFL against Minnesota. He is recovering from a broken leg suffered in practice leading up to the Sugar Bowl. The coaches rave about his technique and he is bulking up to his ideal playing weight. Brink is currently listed at 6-5, 265 and they hope to pack another 10 pounds on this summer.
5. Joe Bolden - Freshman LB – Bolden was an early enrollee which means he was able to participate in spring practice and get a head start on his college career. He has good size, 6-3/230, and speed. He is an instinctive linebacker who should force his way onto the field similar to the way Desmond Morgan did last year.
6. William Campbell – Senior DT - Under the tutelage of Brady Hoke, Greg Mattison, and Jerry Montgomery, Campbell started to realize his immense potential last season. He is on the threshold of a monster season and could easily double his career tackles total of 15. With his size, 6-5/320, and athleticism a strong senior season should vault him into the early rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft.
7. Michael Schofield – Redshirt Junior OL - He started 10 games at left guard last year and has the inside track at the starting right tackle job this year. Schofield has the size, 6-7/300, and skills to elevate himself to All-Big Ten status this year.
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Did I miss somebody? If so let me know in the comments below. You can follow me on Twitter @isportsRob
About Rob White
What about Blake Countess Freshman Starter at CB from Our Lady of Good Counsel, MD. He has an opportunity to be all BIG 10.
Good point on Countess. I guess I didn’t consider him for this list because he kind of had a breakout season last year, but he could easily be on this list.
Looks good. Not thrilled Campbell’s potential breakout will come as a senior but whatever, we’ll take what we can get.
I’d like to see Countess build on last year and break into stardom in 2012.