Commentary
Marcus Ray on defensive commits
Former Wolverines safety sees a deep class with help across the board
Updated: September 28, 2011, 2:34 AM ET
By
Tom VanHaaren | WolverineNation
Former Michigan quarterback Drew Henson gave us a look at how he feels about Michigan's current offensive commits. Now former Wolverines safety Marcus Ray gives us a glimpse of how he believes the defensive recruits will fare under Greg Mattison.
OLB Royce Jenkins-Stone (Detroit/Cass Tech)
He will fit in well with Mattison's 4-3 defense. He fits the mold of a stand-up, 9-technique Sam linebacker in an under front against a tight end. ... He will need to bulk up if he plays the Sam. ... He runs to the ball and can make plays in space, and a Mattison Sam linebacker needs to be able to do that. ... Mattison might put Royce at the Will (weakside) linebacker and protect him with a 3-technique defensive tackle, so he can run around and use his speed. ... He fits the type of zone-blitzing LB Mattison looks for. ... Traditional Michigan linebackers represent toughness, and this kid is tough. If he becomes a student of the game and dedicates himself in the weight room, he will have a promising career.CB Terry Richardson
(Detroit/Cass Tech)
He will be a star in Mattison's defense. He probably will be a field corner, meaning he will line up to the wide side. ... He is fairly polished as a high school cornerback. The fact he can cover zone or man makes him a good fit. ... He will tackle, which is a requirement for Mattison. His ball skills alone will guarantee some huge plays for the Michigan defense. Mattison loves playmakers and high-energy guys. ... Richardson is fundamentally sound and goes after the ball like it belongs to him every time it is in the air. ... With Mattison liking to attack out of the 4-3, he needs cover corners, and with so much cover 2 in his plans, he needs run support corners like Richardson. ILB Kaleb Ringer (Clayton, Ohio/Northmont)
He will be a Mike (middle) linebacker and a beast between the tackles for Mattison. ... Ringer is sideline-to-sideline, downhill, tough, and physical kid. He has a presence and fits the mold of Michigan middle linebackers. He has a nose for the ball, and he puts his face on people. ... Seems like a natural leader by example on the field, the Ray Lewis type, which Mattison loves.
He will fit in well with Mattison's 4-3 defense. He fits the mold of a stand-up, 9-technique Sam linebacker in an under front against a tight end. ... He will need to bulk up if he plays the Sam. ... He runs to the ball and can make plays in space, and a Mattison Sam linebacker needs to be able to do that. ... Mattison might put Royce at the Will (weakside) linebacker and protect him with a 3-technique defensive tackle, so he can run around and use his speed. ... He fits the type of zone-blitzing LB Mattison looks for. ... Traditional Michigan linebackers represent toughness, and this kid is tough. If he becomes a student of the game and dedicates himself in the weight room, he will have a promising career.
(Detroit/Cass Tech)
He will be a star in Mattison's defense. He probably will be a field corner, meaning he will line up to the wide side. ... He is fairly polished as a high school cornerback. The fact he can cover zone or man makes him a good fit. ... He will tackle, which is a requirement for Mattison. His ball skills alone will guarantee some huge plays for the Michigan defense. Mattison loves playmakers and high-energy guys. ... Richardson is fundamentally sound and goes after the ball like it belongs to him every time it is in the air. ... With Mattison liking to attack out of the 4-3, he needs cover corners, and with so much cover 2 in his plans, he needs run support corners like Richardson. ILB Kaleb Ringer (Clayton, Ohio/Northmont)
He will be a Mike (middle) linebacker and a beast between the tackles for Mattison. ... Ringer is sideline-to-sideline, downhill, tough, and physical kid. He has a presence and fits the mold of Michigan middle linebackers. He has a nose for the ball, and he puts his face on people. ... Seems like a natural leader by example on the field, the Ray Lewis type, which Mattison loves.
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