Spring Football - Who will surprise us?

Submitted by Mineral King on
Big game tonight, but with Spring practice starting tomorrow I was curious who everyone predicts as being a surprise player for the team? Meaning, who has not gotten a lot of hype, is young and unproven, or been a disappointment so far, but you think is going to turn heads and prove they have potential to be a key contributor for us this year. I will take Crawford on offense and Paye on defense.

wesq

March 22nd, 2018 at 11:40 AM ^

The McCaffrey buzz will be loud this spring, Remains to be seen whether he can take it over to games but he will push for the starters spot based on how he will practice and prepare.

DrMantisToboggan

March 22nd, 2018 at 10:41 AM ^

 - Not exactly a bold prediction but Ross is going to be good. He'll take McCray's spot with ease and play well.

 - I think Dwumfour puts it together.

 - Perry isn't full go so Oliver Martin will have a nice spring.

 - Gentry is an established weapon but I think he's going to be a legit Mackey candidate this year, so I'm sure he'll have his best spring in his last one.

 

Not a lot of bold predictions to be made on a team that returns everyone. I think Vilain might grab the #2 Anchor spot, especially if the coaches are serious about moving Kemp inside. Have to eventually get both Vilain and Paye on the field at once.

A2toGVSU

March 22nd, 2018 at 10:54 AM ^

I agree he'll win McCray's spot, but it won't be easy. Devin Gil played well early last season in that spot, and Ross' classmates (Anthony and Singleton) will have something to say about that. Noah Furbush will get a look there, as well.

I like the Dwumfour pick a lot. That first step is lethal.

I know Gentry has the measurables, but I think McKeon is the best of the bunch at TE. Both should improve a lot this year. Looking forward to it.

DrMantisToboggan

March 22nd, 2018 at 11:09 AM ^

It'll just be Gil and Ross at WILL. I think Gil got the nod last year based on experience, not talent. Ross still played a lot of STs and has more natural ability than Gil.

 

Furbush will remain a SAM. Singleton will rep mostly at SAM and MIKE. Anthony the same. 

A2toGVSU

March 22nd, 2018 at 11:49 AM ^

However, I think LB is a position group where you want to get your best guys on the field and let the more specific positions sort themselves out. If we are talking positional fit, I think Ross is more suited for the MIKE and Anthony is more suited to WILL. I think that's where they'll end up by the end of their careers, but the best player of that bunch will play WILL this year.

DrMantisToboggan

March 22nd, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^

I'm just telling you where they have all been taking reps to this point and where the coaches plan to play them going forward. Ross is a WILL, Anthony is a MIKE, and Singleton is a SAM, but will get some run at WILL as well. I think Anthony's truly a MIKE because of his stature, Ross' length makes him a better WILL, though he could also be a MIKE, but like you said you want to get your best guys on the field. I always thought Singleton would be a WILL, but I think the coaches saw him in the mold of Furbush given his size and running ability.

 

I think you'll have DBJ and Ross on the field first against ND, with Khaleke at Viper obviously. Next up will be Anthony and Singleton with Glasgow at Viper. Gil's athletic ceiling should push him out of the two deep by fall camp. Then Furbush and Singleton will be your two deep at SAM when we use it.

Dillon

March 22nd, 2018 at 12:16 PM ^

1. Sean Mckeon had the lowest YPC average out of top 8 receivers, and he's running the route he supposed to run. it's not like he was saying I'm not running 15 yards down field, I'm only going to run 5 because I want to. 

2. He led the team in receptions and also drops. 

3. He had 31 rec and 301 yards, Gentry had 17 for 303. 

4. McKeon cannot catch in traffic, see drops against Wisky and MSU that were key. 

5. Gentry is the guy who comes up clutch in these situations. See back shoulder seem route against Purdue when we needed a play. That was a much more diffcult catch than anything McKeon did all year. 

6. Go to twitter and type in "McKeon drop" and let me know what you find. 

McKeon is still a good player, but he has BAD drops, in what always felt like key moments.