September 1st, Game of the Day: (14) Michigan @ Notre Dame NFL Draft Prospect Preview
As college football fans across the country ready themselves for the first week of a full slate of games in the 2018 season, perhaps no matchup will be paid more attention to than that between Notre Dame and Michigan set to be played under the lights in South Bend at 7:30.
Representing two of the most recognizable programs in the sport, the Fighting Irish and Wolverines will resume a rivalry that has seen plenty of players from both sides establish themselves as some of the best college football has seen before going onto bright careers in the NFL. Countless number of players have earned various accolades and accomplishments while playing for each university and both have had their share of success throughout its history that has long-ago established them amongst the prestigious programs in college football.
Having last met in 2014 when Notre Dame shutout Michigan 31-0, the two teams will go head-to-head for the 43rd time in history with the Wolverines leading the series 24-16-1 (Notre Dame had victory from 2012 vacated by NCAA). While the last matchup, now four years ago, ended up in a lopsided result, four of the previous five contests have ended in the game being decided by one score.
The success of players while wearing the maize and blue of Michigan and donning the golden dome of Notre Dame has translated to countless alumni of both programs displaying the different uniforms of teams across the NFL. Currently, the two elites of college football have a combined total of 73 players —Michigan 38, Notre Dame 35 — on rosters across the league with one week left before the start of the NFL season. Michigan stands as the only school to have had at least one player taken in each NFL Draft — 80 years in running.
Head coaches Jim Harbaugh and Brian Kelly, both have a proven track record in developing and sending players off to the NFL since assuming the reigns of Michigan and Notre Dame, respectively. In his three seasons in coaching the Wolverines Harbaugh has had 14 players taken in the NFL Draft and 22 in total who've appeared on rosters. 33 players have been taken in the NFL Draft under Brian Kelly in his nine seasons, with an additional 22 players earning their shot as undrafted free agent signings.
Six players, between the two teams, were taken in the most recent, 2018 NFL Draft, as top ten picks of Notre Dame offensive linemen Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson, were joined by teammates tight end Durham Smythe and wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown. While the Wolverines saw two of it's players in offensive lineman Mason Cole and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, Jr. continue their career as the most recent Michigan men to be taken in the NFL Draft.
Numerous future NFL players will be on display when Michigan and Notre Dame kick-off at 7:30 p.m., with a handful of individuals considered amongst the top prospects at their position for this upcoming draft class.
Notre Dame
Having to replace two top ten selections from the left side of it's offensive line in tackle Mike McGlinchey and guard Quenton Nelson, the onus of making sure the group remains amongst the elite in the country are a couple of fifth-year seniors in center Sam Mustipher and guard Alex Bars. Both return having started 25 consecutive games each and are captains for the Fighting Irish.
Mustipher has established himself as one of the best and perhaps most consistent centers in the country, during his career. Now a third-year starter, he enters the 2018 season voted Preseason 2nd team All-American by the Associated Press and named to the Rimington and Outland Trophy Watch List. The 6'3, 306 pound lineman uses refined technique and quickness over power and strength to execute blocks. He's at his best when completing combo-blocks and reaching up to the second level keeping linebackers from making plays.
Having started all 13 games at right guard in 2017, Alex Bars will take over the void at left guard in the absence of Quenton Nelson. With 27 career starts under his belt the 6'6, 315 pound upperclassmen returns as one of the more experienced offensive lineman in the country and is versatile as well, having started games at both guard spots and at right tackle before.
Also voted a Preseason 2nd team All-American and Outland Trophy Watch List member, Bars is an adept blocker capable of executing multiple types of blocking concepts. Including being able to pull around the line and identify potential defenders trying to make a play, as well as reaching defensive lineman who are positioned outside of him to create creases in the run game.
Dual-threat quarterback Brandon Wimbush will look to benefit from their protection and giving him time to make plays, especially with his legs, as he did in 2017 when he set a school-records for the quarterback position in rushing for 803 yards and 14 touchdowns. Now entering his second season as the Notre Dame starting quarterback, the 6'2, 222 pound athlete will look to improve the consistency in his accuracy as a passer after completing 49% last season and throwing for 1,870 yards with 16 touchdown passes and 6 interceptions.
He'll begin 2018 in a unique situation as he was replaced in his last game by backup Ian Book in the Citrus Bowl against LSU, but has caught the attention of people across the country with his ability to elude defenders and find different ways to make plays. A redshirt junior, Wimbush has been named to the Camp, Manning, Maxwell, and Unitas Award Wacth List.
Despite losing two of his primary pass catchers to the NFL, Wimbush will retain three big targets in 6'4 wide receivers Miles Boykin and Chase Claypool, plus 6'5 tight end Alize Mack.
Boykin had 12 receptions for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns during the 2017 season, for a team-high 21.1 yards per catch. A physical presence at 228 pounds he had a breakout game in the Citrus Bowl against LSU, receiving his first start he made 3 reception for 102 yards. Tough to bring down once the ball in his hands, Boykin's 55 yards catch and run for touchdown gave Notre Dame a 21-17 lead over LSU with 1:28, proving to be the game-winning score.
The leading returning receiver for the Fighting Irish, Claypool made 29 catches for 402 yards and 2 touchdowns while starting in 8 of the 12 games he played during the 2017 season. Now a junior, the 227 pound pass catcher comes back as the likely primary target for Brandon Wimbush, as he's shown he can use his size well to be counted upon as a reliable possession receiver.
With Durham Smythe now in the NFL, Alize Mack will assume the responsibility of Notre Dame's top tight end after having shared the spot with Smythe last season. Starting in 6 of the 10 games he played in 2017, Mack compiled 19 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown while providing a security blanket as a secondary option in the intermediate part of the field.
The 253 pound prospect will be tasked with improving his balance as a pass catcher and blocker, effectively serving as an extension of the offensive line to help create room for Notre Dame backs to run —duties Smythe primarily handled in 2017. He begins his redshirt junior season on the Mackey Award Watch List for the second straight year.
Defensively Notre Dame will be in good hands from front to back as they return a number of experienced and talented true NFL draft prospects in defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, linebackers Te'von Coney and Drue Tranquill, and cornerback Julian Love.
Tillery returns as one of more talented defensive lineman in the country, named to the Bednarik, Nagurski, and Outland Trophy Wacth List. A physical force at 6'7, 305 pounds he possess athletic attributes that are rare for a guy that plays up front and is capable of lining anywhere across the defensive line and being effective. Becoming a starter towards the end of his freshman season, the now-senior started all 13 games in 2017, establishing himself as Notre Dame's best d-lineman as he totaled 56 tackles, 9 for loss, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble — all career-highs.
Tillery is very disruptive to an offensive attack, using both his ample length and strength to cause difficulty for offensive lineman to keep him in check. Once in motion the rangy defensive tackle has the ability to make a play lining up over the center and tracking down ball carriers to either side of him, often extending outside the tackle box.
Behind Tiillery, stands two linebackers who are always ready to make a stop if the ball carrier is able to get past his enormous wingspan. One of them being Te'von Coney, who stepped into a starting spot last season — getting the nod with the first 11 in seven games — and responded with a team-leading 116 tackles, 13 for loss, 3 sacks,1 forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Always active, the 6'1, 240 pound backer has the lateral agility to make plays sideline-to-sideline and packs power, making an impact when meeting a ball carrier coming downhill.
Coney is joined by captain Drue Tranquill who now lines up alongside him, after beginning his career at safety. Now entering his second year at the position, the 6'2, 235 pound backer set career-highs in 2017 with 85 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries, also adding an interception.
A redshirt senior he comes into the 2018 season having played plenty of snaps and is on the Butkus Award Watch List. Serving as a competent compliment to Coney in the Fighting Irish linebacker group, provides another quality athlete at the second level that flows to the ball well both against the run and the pass.
While seniors dominate the front seven of Notre Dame's defense, junior Julian Love stands out as the primary playmaker in their secondary. After becoming a starter midway through his freshman year, Love not only solidified his spot, but showed signs of a star-shutdown cornerback as a sophomore. Setting a new school-record with 20 pass breakups in 2017, which ranked second in the country, the 5'11, 193 pound prospect exhibited that he has the speed to stick with receivers and remain in position to make plays, which allowed him to be aggressive when the ball was thrown his way and utilize his plus ball-skills.
Adding 68 tackles (45 solo) and 3 interceptions, totaling 153 yards in returns, including two pick-6 (interception return for touchdown), Love had one of the most complete seasons in 2017 by a cornerback. He begins his junior year as a potential early draft entree given another season of positive performance, for which he has plenty of expectations to do so, voted a consensus Preseason All-American and on the Thorpe and Nagurski Award Watch List.
Mustipher has established himself as one of the best and perhaps most consistent centers in the country, during his career. Now a third-year starter, he enters the 2018 season voted Preseason 2nd team All-American by the Associated Press and named to the Rimington and Outland Trophy Watch List. The 6'3, 306 pound lineman uses refined technique and quickness over power and strength to execute blocks. He's at his best when completing combo-blocks and reaching up to the second level keeping linebackers from making plays.
Having started all 13 games at right guard in 2017, Alex Bars will take over the void at left guard in the absence of Quenton Nelson. With 27 career starts under his belt the 6'6, 315 pound upperclassmen returns as one of the more experienced offensive lineman in the country and is versatile as well, having started games at both guard spots and at right tackle before.
Also voted a Preseason 2nd team All-American and Outland Trophy Watch List member, Bars is an adept blocker capable of executing multiple types of blocking concepts. Including being able to pull around the line and identify potential defenders trying to make a play, as well as reaching defensive lineman who are positioned outside of him to create creases in the run game.
Dual-threat quarterback Brandon Wimbush will look to benefit from their protection and giving him time to make plays, especially with his legs, as he did in 2017 when he set a school-records for the quarterback position in rushing for 803 yards and 14 touchdowns. Now entering his second season as the Notre Dame starting quarterback, the 6'2, 222 pound athlete will look to improve the consistency in his accuracy as a passer after completing 49% last season and throwing for 1,870 yards with 16 touchdown passes and 6 interceptions.
He'll begin 2018 in a unique situation as he was replaced in his last game by backup Ian Book in the Citrus Bowl against LSU, but has caught the attention of people across the country with his ability to elude defenders and find different ways to make plays. A redshirt junior, Wimbush has been named to the Camp, Manning, Maxwell, and Unitas Award Wacth List.
Despite losing two of his primary pass catchers to the NFL, Wimbush will retain three big targets in 6'4 wide receivers Miles Boykin and Chase Claypool, plus 6'5 tight end Alize Mack.
Boykin had 12 receptions for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns during the 2017 season, for a team-high 21.1 yards per catch. A physical presence at 228 pounds he had a breakout game in the Citrus Bowl against LSU, receiving his first start he made 3 reception for 102 yards. Tough to bring down once the ball in his hands, Boykin's 55 yards catch and run for touchdown gave Notre Dame a 21-17 lead over LSU with 1:28, proving to be the game-winning score.
The leading returning receiver for the Fighting Irish, Claypool made 29 catches for 402 yards and 2 touchdowns while starting in 8 of the 12 games he played during the 2017 season. Now a junior, the 227 pound pass catcher comes back as the likely primary target for Brandon Wimbush, as he's shown he can use his size well to be counted upon as a reliable possession receiver.
With Durham Smythe now in the NFL, Alize Mack will assume the responsibility of Notre Dame's top tight end after having shared the spot with Smythe last season. Starting in 6 of the 10 games he played in 2017, Mack compiled 19 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown while providing a security blanket as a secondary option in the intermediate part of the field.
The 253 pound prospect will be tasked with improving his balance as a pass catcher and blocker, effectively serving as an extension of the offensive line to help create room for Notre Dame backs to run —duties Smythe primarily handled in 2017. He begins his redshirt junior season on the Mackey Award Watch List for the second straight year.
Defensively Notre Dame will be in good hands from front to back as they return a number of experienced and talented true NFL draft prospects in defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, linebackers Te'von Coney and Drue Tranquill, and cornerback Julian Love.
Tillery returns as one of more talented defensive lineman in the country, named to the Bednarik, Nagurski, and Outland Trophy Wacth List. A physical force at 6'7, 305 pounds he possess athletic attributes that are rare for a guy that plays up front and is capable of lining anywhere across the defensive line and being effective. Becoming a starter towards the end of his freshman season, the now-senior started all 13 games in 2017, establishing himself as Notre Dame's best d-lineman as he totaled 56 tackles, 9 for loss, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble — all career-highs.
Tillery is very disruptive to an offensive attack, using both his ample length and strength to cause difficulty for offensive lineman to keep him in check. Once in motion the rangy defensive tackle has the ability to make a play lining up over the center and tracking down ball carriers to either side of him, often extending outside the tackle box.
Behind Tiillery, stands two linebackers who are always ready to make a stop if the ball carrier is able to get past his enormous wingspan. One of them being Te'von Coney, who stepped into a starting spot last season — getting the nod with the first 11 in seven games — and responded with a team-leading 116 tackles, 13 for loss, 3 sacks,1 forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Always active, the 6'1, 240 pound backer has the lateral agility to make plays sideline-to-sideline and packs power, making an impact when meeting a ball carrier coming downhill.
Coney is joined by captain Drue Tranquill who now lines up alongside him, after beginning his career at safety. Now entering his second year at the position, the 6'2, 235 pound backer set career-highs in 2017 with 85 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble, and 3 fumble recoveries, also adding an interception.
A redshirt senior he comes into the 2018 season having played plenty of snaps and is on the Butkus Award Watch List. Serving as a competent compliment to Coney in the Fighting Irish linebacker group, provides another quality athlete at the second level that flows to the ball well both against the run and the pass.
While seniors dominate the front seven of Notre Dame's defense, junior Julian Love stands out as the primary playmaker in their secondary. After becoming a starter midway through his freshman year, Love not only solidified his spot, but showed signs of a star-shutdown cornerback as a sophomore. Setting a new school-record with 20 pass breakups in 2017, which ranked second in the country, the 5'11, 193 pound prospect exhibited that he has the speed to stick with receivers and remain in position to make plays, which allowed him to be aggressive when the ball was thrown his way and utilize his plus ball-skills.
Adding 68 tackles (45 solo) and 3 interceptions, totaling 153 yards in returns, including two pick-6 (interception return for touchdown), Love had one of the most complete seasons in 2017 by a cornerback. He begins his junior year as a potential early draft entree given another season of positive performance, for which he has plenty of expectations to do so, voted a consensus Preseason All-American and on the Thorpe and Nagurski Award Watch List.
Michigan
With 9 starters returning from a unit that ranked 3rd in the NCAA in total defense, Michigan will begin the 2018 season with a handful of players on that side of the ball that have legitimate NFL potential. Though the talent is distributed throughout each level of the Wolverine defense, the focus of offenses, fans, and NFL teams begins with junior defensive lineman Rashan Gary.
Gary entered Michigan rated the top overall recruit in the country in 2016 and has progressed since that time into one of the best defensive lineman in college football and a top prospect for the 2019 NFL Draft. After contributing as a key reserve on a defensive line that has four members currently in the NFL, during his freshman year, Gary established himself as a dominant defensive lineman as a sophomore.
Finishing with 66 tackles, 12 for loss, 6 sacks, and a forced fumble he earned All-Big Ten honors in 2017. Achieving those numbers despite often facing double-teams and added attention from offense's that often schemed around running opposite where he was aligned. Considered a freak athlete, the 6'5, 283 pound prospect, who runs a 4.5 forty, begins the 2018 season with plenty of expectations as he appears on the Bednarik, Camp, Hendricks, and Nagurski Watch List, while being named a consensus Preseason All-American.
Lining up on other end of Michigan's defensive front is Chase Winovich, who also enjoyed a standout season as a first-year starter in 2017. Also a part of the deep Wolverine defensive line group as a reserve in 2016, when he tallied 35 tackles, 9.5 for loss, and 5 sacks, Winovich elevated his game as a starter with 79 tackles, 18 for loss, and 8 sacks.
Standing 6'3, 255 pounds the redshirt senior plays with a relentless motor that allows him to wreak havoc on offenses consistently, opposite Gary. After being named an All-Big Ten selection in 2017, the edge rusher begins the 2018 season on the Bednarik, Hendricks, and Nagurski Watch List.
Standing 6'3, 255 pounds the redshirt senior plays with a relentless motor that allows him to wreak havoc on offenses consistently, opposite Gary. After being named an All-Big Ten selection in 2017, the edge rusher begins the 2018 season on the Bednarik, Hendricks, and Nagurski Watch List.
Another first-year starter for the Wolverines in 2017, Devin Bush immediately established himself as one of the best linebackers in the country, leading the team with 102 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 5 sacks, 1 interception, and 9 pass breakups. For his performance he was a finalist for the Butkus Award, was an All-Big Ten selection and voted 3rd team All-American by the Associate Press.
Considered somewhat undersized Bush put on over 10 pounds since last season, carrying 233 pounds to his 5'11 height. Defensive coordinator Don Brown's blitz-happy defense allows his star linebacker to play to his strengths, using his speed and quickness to avoid blocks and consistently create pressure in the backfield. The consensus Preseason All-American enters 2018 as the third highest linebacker in pressures from 2017 and having missed on only three tackle attempts all season, finding himself of the Bednarik, Butkus, Camp, and Nagurski Award Watch List.
Considered somewhat undersized Bush put on over 10 pounds since last season, carrying 233 pounds to his 5'11 height. Defensive coordinator Don Brown's blitz-happy defense allows his star linebacker to play to his strengths, using his speed and quickness to avoid blocks and consistently create pressure in the backfield. The consensus Preseason All-American enters 2018 as the third highest linebacker in pressures from 2017 and having missed on only three tackle attempts all season, finding himself of the Bednarik, Butkus, Camp, and Nagurski Award Watch List.
If there weren't enough players from the Wolverines defense finding their way into opponent's backfields Khaleke Hudson only made offensive coordinator's jobs even more difficult. Replacing Heisman Trophy candidate and NFL first round pick Jabrill Peppers at the hybrid safety/linebacker "viper" position in Michigan's defense — another one of Michigan's first year starters in 2017 — he led the team with 18.5 tackles for loss and tied with Winovich for the high in sacks, with 8.
More than likely than most versatile player on Michigan's defense, Hudson has the ball skills of a defensive back, plays with the physicality of a linebacker, and operates in and through traffic like a defensive lineman. In addition to getting into the backfield with regularity, the 6'0, 220 pound defensive playmaker recorded 2 interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and forced 2 fumbles, while collecting 83 tackles in total.
Hudson tied an NCAA game record with 8 tackles for loss against Minnesota, earning All-Big Ten honors at season's end. The kick-off of 2018 has him entering with even higher regard as a Preseason All-American selection and on the Bednarik, Butkus, and Nagurski Watch List.
Hudson tied an NCAA game record with 8 tackles for loss against Minnesota, earning All-Big Ten honors at season's end. The kick-off of 2018 has him entering with even higher regard as a Preseason All-American selection and on the Bednarik, Butkus, and Nagurski Watch List.
With all the pressure the Wolverines bring with their different blitz packages it often calls for the players in their secondary to play in man coverage. After having the number one passing defense in the country during 2016 a new trio of starters stepped into the Michigan secondary and met the standard once again in 2017. Safety Tyree Kinnel and cornerbacks Lavert Hill and David Long, replaced Delano Hill (Lavert's brother), Jourdan Lewis, and Channing Stribling, all of whom went to the NFL.
Kinnel earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten totaling 70 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 9 pass breakups in 2017, while serving as the last line of defense for the Wolverines. The 5'11, 215 pound senior captain is a leader on the defense who displays adroit instincts at the safety position and makes plays when back in coverage and coming up to play the run.
Stepping into the two cornerback spots as sophomores in 2017, Lavert Hill and David Long established themselves as quite possibly the best corner duo in the country. Hill recorded a pass breakup or interception on 25.8% of all passes targeting him in coverage, the second highest of all returning cornerbacks in the country. Long, quite possibly one of the most underrated players at his position, returns as having the best passer rating for cornerbacks when targeted in coverage in the country.
Both 5'11, Hill weighs a slight 181 pounds, having the natural speed to stay with receivers and finds ways to get his hands on the ball when given the opportunity. Long, a little bit bigger at 198 pounds, is strong in press coverage and flashes solid technique to keep in phase with receivers, doing so often without any safety help over the top. In the 2017 season he recorded 21 tackles, 2 for loss, half a sack, 2 interceptions, and 8 pass breakups, being named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten. Opposite him Hill tallied 25 tackles, 5 for loss, 2 interceptions, and 9 pass breakups, selected as an All-Big Ten honoree and beginning 2018 on Nagurski and Thorpe Watch List.
While the defense dominated once again Michigan's offense had some struggles in 2017 with three different quarterbacks starting throughout the year. Shea Patterson, a transfer from Ole Miss, should be the answer for the starting spot, with the potential to steady the offense. Spending his first two years in the SEC, the 6'2, 205 pound signal caller started 10 games in his career before suffering a season-ending injury in his sophomore season. In those 10 games played Patterson collected seven 300 yard passing games, with a total of 3,139 yards and 23 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
Coming from Ole Miss spread-offense attack to Jim Harbaugh and Michigan's fullback and tight end oriented offense, it'll be interesting to watch how soon he acclimates himself and transitions to the new scheme. A member of the Maxwell Award Watch List, Patterson is capable of extending plays with his feet and making splash-plays with deep passes downfield.
As Brandon Wimpish has twin 6'4 receivers to count on, Patterson will have a couple of proven tight end targets that he can go to in Zach Gentry and Sean McKeon. Both on the Mackey Award Watch List to begin the 2018 season, they return after having started 10 and 11 games, often featured together in the Wolverines multi-tight end sets.
Gentry is a large target at 6'8, 262 pounds, having began his career as a prized quarterback recruit in Jim Harbaugh's first recruiting class at Michigan. An adept athlete, he's transitioned well to the tight end position with prime physical traits that allow him to stretch the seam with his long stride and go up to high point the ball in the air over defenders. Named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 2017, the current redshirt junior caught 17 passes for 303 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Supplementing Gentry's skills well, McKeon is also a sound tight end prospect with his own set of unique abilities. A sure handed receiver who operates well over the intermediate part of the field, McKeon made 31 receptions totaling 301 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2017, also receiving Honorable Mention All-Big Ten. An improved blocker throughout his career, the 6'5, 251 pound junior graded out as the third best run-blocker on Michigan last season —including offensive lineman.
Together, Gentry and McKeon give Michigan a dangerous tight end tandem that may see their numbers improve with Shea Patterson at quarterback.
Lining up in the backfield with Patterson will be senior captain Karan Higdon, who'll lead what is usually a rotation of running backs employed by Jim Harbaugh. Rushing for a team-high 994 yards (6 yards per attempt) and 11 touchdowns, he was voted 3rd team All-Big Ten, also adding 8 receptions for 131 yards. Assuming the starting spot midway through the season from two other backs who rushed for 500+ yards, the 5'10, 202 pound all-purpose back has shown some elusiveness with two 200 yards rushing games, but also possess the ability to run between the tackles and gain tough yards.
Hidgon will count on his other offensive captain Ben Bredeson to open holes for him up front to run through. The top returning lineman for Michigan, now with Mason Cole onto the NFL, Bredeson enters his junior year poised to become a third-year starter. Earning 2016 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten as a freshman, the left guard was a 2nd team all-conference selection as a sophomore in 2017.
An agile offensive lineman, he's does well of getting up and out to the second level, specifically on screens. Entering 2018 as a watch list member of the Outland Trophy, Bredeson wil play a large role in trying to keep Jerry Tillery off of quarterback Shea Patterson, as Michigan finished 110th in the country in sacks allowed last season.
An agile offensive lineman, he's does well of getting up and out to the second level, specifically on screens. Entering 2018 as a watch list member of the Outland Trophy, Bredeson wil play a large role in trying to keep Jerry Tillery off of quarterback Shea Patterson, as Michigan finished 110th in the country in sacks allowed last season.
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