Your All-Decade Michigan Football Team
The Athletic is doing a ton of "All-Decade" content right now and will be releasing their All-Decade Michigan Football Team. So I thought it would be fun to share mine to start a discussion of who is on your all-decade list. Please note I did not want to put one player at two different positions so that takes Jabrill out of the returner category. Here's mine with my other candidates in parentheses:
Offense:
QB: Denard Robinson (Devin Gardner, Jake Rudock, Wilton Speight, Shea Patterson)
RB: Karan Higdon (Fitzgerald Toussaint, Deveon Smith)
WR: Jeremy Gallon, Amara Darboh, Nico Collins (Devin Funchess, Roy Roundtree, Drew Dileo)
TE: Jake Butt (Zach Gentry, Kevin Koger)
OT: Taylor Lewan, Michael Schofield (Ben Braden, Erik Magnuson)
OG: Mason Cole, Ben Bredeson (Graham Glasgow Michael Onwenwu, Patrick Omameh)
C: David Molk (Caesar Ruiz)
Defense:
DE: Chase Winovich, Taco Charlton (Chris Wormley, Rashan Gary, Ryan Van Bergen, Frank Clark)
DT: Maurice Hurst, Mike Martin (Ryan Glasgow, Willie Henry, Will Campbell)
LB: Devin Bush, Jabrill Peppers, Jake Ryan (Kenny Demens, James Ross, Joe Bolden)
CB: Jourdan Lewis, Lavert Hill (David Long, Channing Stribling, Ramon Taylor)
S: Jarrod Wilson, Delano Hill (Jordan Kovacs, Thomas Gordon, Josh Metellus, Tyree Kinnel)
Special Teams:
K: Kenny Allen (Brendan Gibbons, Matt Wile,
P: Will Hart (Will Hagerup, Blake O'Neill)
PR: Donovan Peoples-Jones (Dennis Northfleet)
KR: Giles Jackson (Jourdan Lewis, Dennis Northfleet, Jehu Chesson, Ambry Thomas)
What does your list look like? Who would you have changed from mine?
November 26th, 2019 at 10:23 AM ^
David Long over Lavert Hill. Aside from that, I cannot argue with any of those picks.
I would say that, with limited sample size (two or three games I think), I would consider Devin Gardner at QB with Denard at running back.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:29 AM ^
Gardner with Denard at RB out of that list? Really?
November 26th, 2019 at 10:33 AM ^
Jake Rudock would definitely quarterback my all-decade team.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:37 AM ^
I mean, nothing against Gardner, nice guy who basically got sabotaged by a program in shambles, but... as a QB, don't even think he makes the top 3. Think I'd go with Rudock as well.
November 26th, 2019 at 11:50 AM ^
I agree. Never have understood the Gardner love. Seemingly good guy, I'm sure true blue. But it's time for everyone to stop blaming the program for his mediocrity. He was a highly touted recruit, went to national camps (Manning's) for training, who underperformed. Many QBs have gone to lessor programs, became leaders and excelled.
November 26th, 2019 at 2:25 PM ^
Go back and watch a replay of the beating Gardner took against MSU for instance and try to tell me that the state of the program did not largely contribute to it. It is no concidence Gardner's stats his first two years were good to decent, 32 passing tds to go with 18 rushing tds, and they didn't go completely in the tank until the next year when the offensive line went to complete shambles. And I would like to point out Gardner put together the best OSU game performance any UM QB has ever had on a broken foot in that second year.
November 26th, 2019 at 12:49 PM ^
The Band Geek is right... stick with Rudock!
November 26th, 2019 at 10:39 AM ^
I mean, it isn't like our QBs and RBs on that list are a whos-who list of All Americans. And it was pretty effective for the first time it was used when Denard came back from injury. Would I pick that set up given the options available? Probably not. But I don't think it is crazy.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:49 AM ^
It was effective the first time, until everyone figured out on the second play that Denard on the field meant a run play. If not for his pure talent, it would have gotten stuffed every time instead of just most of the time.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:56 AM ^
Yeah, but he had that talent. He was drafted into the NFL as a running back and had several 100 yard games. There is no reason he could not have caught passes out of the backfield as well. I think it would have been interesting to see that be able to develop for a full season.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:58 AM ^
Didn't he not really catch passes because of the limitations to his arm? That weird staph infection or whatever was the only reason he switched to RB, after all...
November 26th, 2019 at 11:01 AM ^
We are in the weeds now. I thought he just switched to RB permanently when he came back from being injured in the Nebraska debacle. I think I have successfully blocked part of that season from my mind.
November 26th, 2019 at 11:31 AM ^
Nope, never got better. If I remember right it was his ulner nerve and he couldn't really grip anything at all with his right hand.
November 26th, 2019 at 11:37 AM ^
Honestly, that speaks volumes for the last decade. Not very many All-Americas on these teams. Compare this list to the teams we haven't been beating and it's pretty obvious why.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:37 AM ^
Are you mixing your medications?
November 26th, 2019 at 10:46 AM ^
Is there anybody who doesn't?
November 26th, 2019 at 10:44 AM ^
Not commenting on QB/RB, but definitely agree with David Long over Lavert Hill.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:55 AM ^
Jehu Chesson should be listed with the WRs and probably above Darboh IMO. Also no love for Junior Hemingway if you are going to have Drew Dileo on this list?
November 26th, 2019 at 11:54 AM ^
If you are going to through in Dileo might as well throw in Ronnie Bell
November 26th, 2019 at 10:57 AM ^
I think whether to use career vs best season would change a lot of our picks. The OP gave no guidance there.
To use best game or two or potential that wasn't realized can be your choice instead. What are your picks if you did that consistently?
November 26th, 2019 at 9:42 PM ^
Hey, if you adjust for staff competency, Gardner definitely deserves some 1st place votes.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:29 AM ^
You forgot Garrett Moores as the holder.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:32 AM ^
I honestly considered adding him in there. Then I would have to add Jareth Glanda as the long snapper with his Sugar Bowl game catch.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:31 AM ^
3-star Higdon starting at RB is kind of shocking for a program of Michigan's caliber, but I can't argue.
I don't think Darboh should be a starting WR. Nico and Gallon are far and away the top two options. I'd probably put Funchess third.
Taco Charlton... does not belong. Even as a reserve. I'd go Wormley.
What an amazing group of LBs.
Ramon Taylor doesn't seem like he belongs.
I think Kovacs needs to start over our other boring safety options.
I thought Blake O'Neill was great except for... that one time.
I don't know the rules of this game, but if special teams can be players otherwise on the team, Peppers has to be PR.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:34 AM ^
Taco was crazy efficient and effective in 2016 which is where that came from. Kovacs is a nice story, but I also opted for Jarrod Wilson and Delano Hill because of their boringness. And yeah I noted that if a player was in another position, I wouldn't put them in for Kick Returner or Punt Returner.
November 26th, 2019 at 11:06 AM ^
Taco missed the first 2 or 3 games his senior year and still put up 10 sacks. Wormley was never the pass rusher he was. By the end of 2016 Taco was playing so well he went in the 1st round. Wormley was a great anchor though.
I'd take college Darboh over college Funchess. Darboh went for 750 and 870 as junior and senior. Funchess never got over 750 plus he had drop problems.
Funchess as the #2 TE over Gentry. Easily. He had 700 yards as a sophomore before he switched to WR full time.
Kovacs was great in the role he played under Hoke, but was not a great true Safety. When he was around the LOS he was awesome, but coverage wise he was iffy. I'm surprised Thomas isn't on there yet Kinnel is. Thomas had some "exciting" Safety moments but he also saved Michigan's butt a lot with his speed and athleticism.
I'd take Countess over Taylor.
November 26th, 2019 at 11:39 AM ^
Derrick Green and Kareem Walker do not like that comment
November 26th, 2019 at 11:41 AM ^
Huh? Taco Charlton was absolutely hellacious throughout 2016. I would take him over Gary in a heartbeat and even Chase as great as he was last yr.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:43 AM ^
It's been a dark decade.
November 26th, 2019 at 11:02 AM ^
True; yet, strange as this may seem, this decade has a chance to be ending with four ten-win seasons out of the past five. Considering how this season began, that would be a pretty good way to end the decade. Go Blue!
November 26th, 2019 at 11:17 AM ^
The 10-win benchmark is arbitrary and significance decreased once the NCAA moved to 12-game seasons in 2006.
The problem is this decade has no Big Ten championships or even a B1G Championship Game appearance. One shared division title last year. 1-8 vs OSU with the one win over an interim Luke Fickell. 4-6 vs MSU. 2-6 in bowl games.
Taylor Lewan is the only NFL Pro Bowl/All-Pro level player from the decade, although Devin Bush looks promising. Michigan only had 5 NFL 1st Round picks from this decade so far. Maybe Josh Uche or Lavert Hill can add to this, but I have my doubts for the 1st Round.
November 26th, 2019 at 11:22 AM ^
Thanks, everyone forgot.
November 26th, 2019 at 11:24 AM ^
I'm sorry man. This thread has just brought back bad memories looking at the talent level during this decade.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:47 AM ^
My first impression is that most of Michigan's elite players over the past decade have been on the defensive side of the field
November 26th, 2019 at 10:48 AM ^
The D on this list is pretty nice. The O is kind of depressing in context to other teams. I'd also put Khaleke above Peppers, if we're not including special teams.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:58 AM ^
What ? Do you not remember what Peppers could do on defense ?
November 26th, 2019 at 11:03 AM ^
The way people deliberately memory-hole Peppers is insane. The man was incredible, and he fulfilled every bit of promise his recruiting profile suggested he would.
November 26th, 2019 at 12:20 PM ^
Sorry to both of you, forgot I couldn't have an opinion.
November 26th, 2019 at 12:34 PM ^
If you compare Khaleke and Jabrill's SOPH & JR years as starters, Khaleke has more tackles, tackles for loss, interceptions, and sacks. Plus we got an extra year from Hudson, and 2 bowl games and counting. I remember just fine.
November 26th, 2019 at 10:49 AM ^
Couple of changes I would make would be:
QB: Really there isn't too much separation with anyone on your list. I would go with Rudock or maybe Shea.
RB: Higdon without a doubt
You left out FB which is a tough choice: I would go Houma then followed by K. Hill, Mason, and Kerridge
WR: DPJ should be in there over Dileo & Roundtree
OG: Glasgow could be put in here over Cole seeing as in he did play G for a bit in college.
DT: Toss up between R. Glasgow, Henry, and Martin for the 2nd best DT next to Hurst
LB: McCray (and to some extent Gedeon) should be in the mix over Bolden & Ross
CB: D. Long over L. Hill
November 26th, 2019 at 11:40 AM ^
Denard was certainly the best of those QBs and could’ve been even better had he not gotten hurt in 2012, I think DPJ needs to put up another season to pass Roundtree/Dileo, he’s more talented but I don’t think he’s produced more, and back in the day when we still had signatures mine was “Joe Kerridge is my boy” so he’d have to be my FB option.
November 26th, 2019 at 11:02 AM ^
Now do Ohio State, then cry
November 26th, 2019 at 11:49 AM ^
I was thinking the same thing. OSU's would be filled with NFL starters while most of these guys on offense couldn't even get on an nfl field.
November 26th, 2019 at 11:02 AM ^
Ask again after Saturday.
Seriously. I think a win is less probable than a loss, but I’ll want to build statues of guys if they win, particularly on offense where the pickings aren’t all that great.
November 26th, 2019 at 11:04 AM ^
QB- Denard
RB-Fitz (Higgy, Smith)
TE- Butt (Koger, Gentry)
WR- Chesson, Funchess, Darboh, Gallon (Nico, DPJ, Hemmingway)
OT- Lewan, Runyan ( Mags)
OG- Glasgow, Bredeson (Pat, Big Mike)
C- Cole (Molk, Ruiz)
DE- Frank Clark, Winovich (Gary, Worm)
DT- Mike Martin, Hurst (Glasgow, Henry)
LB- Peppers, Bush, Jake Ryan (Gedeon, McCray)
DB- Long, Lewis (Hill, Stribs)
S- Wilson, D. Hill (D. Thomas, Metellus)
PR- Peppers
KR-Chesson
P-Hart
November 26th, 2019 at 11:09 AM ^
I'd drop Brendan Gibbons from the list. Expelled rapists don't get honors. Besides, he was very inconsistent at the start and end of his career. (Which, oddly enough, coincides with when the University was investigating whether he raped somebody.)
November 26th, 2019 at 11:16 AM ^
Dileo had seasons of 1,9,20 and 16 receptions. Was a very serviceable slot receiver, but all decade list? Methinks no
November 26th, 2019 at 12:15 PM ^
Let's throw Oliver Martin in there at the slot then
November 26th, 2019 at 11:24 AM ^
While he was undoubtedly a great kicker, I would personally exclude Gibbons from the list for obvious reasons.
November 26th, 2019 at 11:25 AM ^
Mine would be literally exactly the same as yours. Position for position. The only exception would be Peppers at PR instead of DPJ. Not sure if you didn't want to double-up though.