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GoBlueWolverine.com
Posted Apr 17, 2005
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Every year there are high school football prospects who say they "want to commit to Michigan." It seems like most of the time the feeling is not mutual, and nothing comes of it.
This year it is happening again. Is commitment #2 actually on the way this time?
Plus: some post 'spring game' notes and interviews: Steve Breaston, Gabe Watson, Prescott Burgess.
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First off: will 'jumbo athlete' Dedrick Epps (6-4, 227 lbs.) from Richmond, Vir., Huguenot (David Terrell's alma mater) be Michigan commitment #2? There have been reports that Jim S' #33 LB plans to commit to the Wolverines when he makes an unofficial visit in May.
Remember, every year there are high school football prospects who say they "want to commit to Michigan." But, remember Hivera Green and Sam Williams last year? Often as not it turns out that the feeling is not mutual, and nothing comes of it.
Is the feeling really mutual in this case? Does Dedrick Epps have a Michigan offer? A real offer? Meaning U-M would go ahead and accept a commitment from him?
In this case, GoBlueWolverine has good reason to believe, the answers to these questions are yes, Yes, and YES.
So, unless something happens in the next couple weeks to change his mind, Dedrick Epps will be Michigan commitment #2 when he makes his visit to U-M (he was not a U-M camper last summer) in the next few weeks.
And, by the way, look for Epps to be a future Wolverine tight end.
GoBlueWolverine will have more on this soon.
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Moving on to spring game items. Some of the critical Wolverine questions for the 2005 seasosn, in our view, are:
-- On Offense: the status of Steve Breaston's foot, coming off a slow-healing stress fracture suffered almost a year and a half ago ... is he ready to step in for Braylon Edwards and be the next dominating U-M wideout?
-- On Defense: Gabe Watson's attitude toward conditioning ... is he determined to work hard on conditioning during this summer's offseason, and,
-- Prescott Burgess ... is he ready to step up and be the player he was counted upon to be coming out of high school (when he was a concensus top 30 National prospect).
From watching Steve Breaston in the final spring practice, it LOOKED like he was running freely on his foot once again. And afterwards he confirmed this with GBW, saying, "It's finally 100%. The foot is not a factor at all anymore. The injury is past history." That is great news for Michigan fans. Remember how effective Breaston was in the Rose Bowl, breaking a short crossing-parttern pass for a touchdown, and returning numerous kickoffs to midfield? Well, that was still not the 100% Breaston -- shortly before the game he told GBW, "The foot will be 100% whenever it is 100% ... I try not to think about it, but it's not all the way back yet." A fully healthy Steve Breaston could be as exciting in 2005 as Braylon Edwards in 2004. Breaston is not the same kind of receiver as Braylon -- whereas the deep jump-ball pass was Braylon's forte, the crossing pattern pass with YAK (yards after the catch) could be Breaston's bread and butter in '05. And one other note on Breaston -- he finally no longer looks like a skinny high school playing with college guys ... he has filled out and gained muscle and strength, which will hopefully help him avoid the injuries of the past.
After the practice, Gabe Watson said to a couple reporters, including GBW, who were chatting with him, "I think I did wear down in the last couple games last season. And I do think it comes down to conditioning. Last summer I took a few weeks off and went to New Orleans ... I just took a summer vacation, you know? But I didn't let the team know what I was doing or where I was, so when I got back as you may know I was suspended for a little while. Coach Carr acted mad at me, but I know he was just getting a message across ..." The easy-going Gabe grinned and added, "This summer I think I'm sticking around and doing all the summer workouts."
Prescott Burgess told GBW after practice, "Moving over to the SAM linebacker spot (strong linebacker, on the tight end side of the field) is definitely going to help me this season. My reads are simpler than in the middle -- I can basically make one read and just let loose." He broke into a grin and added, "I'm looking forward to it." Burgess also said, "Chris Graham is really holding his own out there. Chris is fast -- you'll see a lot more tacklers getting to the ball this year ... you'll see more gang tackling than just one guy having to make the tackle like last year."
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