Mailbag question: What freshmen play and who red-shirts

Okay, we had seven players enrolled early and a couple (Forcier and Vlad) may be thrust into starting roles. My question is how many of the seven will get a red-shirted?

My guess is two -- LaLota and Jones or Hawthorne.

One more question: Of those enrolling in the fall, which are most likely to see the field?

My guesses are Robinson, Witty, FT, Turner and Roh.

Heb1966

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Thanks for the question.

Well we will discuss everybody who we believe will play or red-shirt. Now this is a tough deal, especially discussing the defensive players because of the depth issues. So they might use more kids on special teams that will likely be on the two deep on the depth chart.

Likely to play this year:

Offense:
Tate Forcier, Denard Robinson, Vincent Smith, Jeremy Gallon, Quinton Washington.

Defense:
Vlad Emilien, Will Campbell, Adrian Witty, Justin Turner.

Special Teams:
Brandin Hawthorne, Mike Jones,

Red-shirt:
Anthony LaLota, Craig Roh, Je’Ron Stokes, Taylor Lewan, Cameron Gordon, Brendan Gibbons, Thomas Gordon, Michael Schofield, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Isaiah Bell, Teric Jones.

Reasons why they play or red-shirt:

Offense:
Tate Forcier: Already in the starting line-up with the first group.

Denard Robinson: Will see snaps at quarterback this fall no matter what happens to Tate, and he might even see time elsewhere such as at slot receiver.

Vincent Smith: Will probably play. Of course, that might depend on Shaw more than anything, as well as injury issues. He is the fourth running back right now (IMO), but could easily move up to number three.

Jeremy Gallon: Probably will play because of depth issues, assuming he qualifies.

Quinton Washington: He is a wildcard because the coaches are very high on him. A lot might depend on kids ahead of him and injuries that may occur, but he could be could get some snaps. Also think, after talking with the coaches, he is a starter in 2010.

Defense:
Vlad Emilien: Already in the starting line-up with the first group.

Justin Turner: He will be in the two-deep when he arrives.

Adrian Witty: Sounds like he will play, especially after talking to Coach Gibson about him.

Will Campbell: Would love to see him red-shirt, but we bet he plays some snaps because of outside pressure to get him on the field.

Brandin Hawthorne: Will probably see action on special teams, and because of depth issues on defense, he might be forced to play there.

Mike Jones: See Brandin Hawthorne.

Red-shirts:
Not sure how Coach Rod wants to use the red-shirt rule yet, but if he wants to build some depth for the future, red shirting a lot of kids would be a good thing. I can see some of these kids getting on special teams, but not sure if it is worth wasting a year just to play special teams. We want to see how they use the kids.

Anthony LaLota: Was with the third group, and out of all the incoming players, he is the last player that would see action. We know other places have him higher in their recruiting rankings, but out of the seven players that came in, we would rate him seventh.

Craig Roh: Saw him at one of the practices and he needs a lot of weight / strength and do not see it on him by this fall.

Fitzgerald Toussaint: Just not sure. There would be a reason to use him at running back if injuries hit, and of course if he gets in. He could sneak in there, but either he or Smith will red-shirt unless we have injuries at running back and right now have to give the edge to Smith because he is already here.

Isaiah Bell: Could be another player that plays special teams because of depth issues, but hopefully he red-shirts. He has the same qualifying issues as a few others that we are concerned about this year.

Je’Ron Stokes: Could be a freshman that plays, but it might depend more on players ahead of him at his position. Might be better off to red-shirt him if he is not going to make an impact. He could play slot receiver and have a better chance of playing. So he is on the fence and probably play.

Brendan Gibbons: Might all depend on how Jason Olesnavage does. If he keeps kicking well there might not be a need to waste a year and let Brendan build into the role. Again he might get used, but depends on the player ahead of him. He could just flat out kick Olesnavage as well.

Taylor Lewan: No reason to play him this year.

Cameron Gordon: No reason to play him this year.

Thomas Gordon: No reason to play him this year.

Michael Schofield: No reason to play him this year.

Teric Jones: No reason to play him unless injuries happen or some do not make it in to Michigan.

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