Tues. Practice Reports: Eugene, Mustain Back!

Here are the highlights of Tuesday's East and West practices. Jai Eugene bounced back from his late injury on Monday to have an extremely strong day. Mitch Mustain shows why he's rated where he is. Michigan commitment, Parade All-American, and USA Today All-American Brandon Graham really came to the fore as well -- and fellow U-M pledge and Parade All-American Steve Brown hung in there. And .. much more.

West Practice Report

1. Jai Eugene was injured late in the day on Monday, and it looked like a leg. However, he told us as the West Team was walking onto the field Tuesday, that, "It was just the heat that got to me (afternoon temps pushed 90 deg. Monday, and passed 90 on Tuesday). I cramped up pretty bad right at the end and got sick as well. But I'm fine today -- no problem." No problem is correct! The West coaches were really 'on' him to do better and better on this second day of practice -- and he really responded. Eugene had a great day, blanketing Adron Tennell, Terrence Austin and the other West wideouts on this day. He moved from the No. 4 cornerback and on the second unit to the West's top CB - and solidly on the first unit. Eugene is not the fastest corner on the team, nor the most agile, or the strongest -- but he has a knack to completely blanket a receiver without interfering with him. His cover skills on this day were outstanding, play after play without exception.

2. Mitch Mustain. On this day he showed why he is considered one of the top 2-3 quarterbacks in the country. After a shaky Monday, on this day his throws were on the money, long or short, throw after throw. QB Jovan Snead had a second-consecutive good day as well -- but today Mustain was more accurate on the deep balls.

3. Stafon Johnson. On this day he played safety, not running back. The best West RB of the day -- Demarco Murray. However, it looks like the West is getting ready to air the ball out on game day, and most of the RB action was catching the ball on screens -- and the open field Demarco's game ... he's fast but not that strong and has a thin frame.

4. S Jonas Mouton and another solid day at safety on the first unit. Mouton is a natural leader as well. It is interesting that West LB Allen Bradford is faster than Mouton, and is expected to announce for USC - which is recruiting him as a safety - at the game Saturday.

By the way, if the West goes to a passing attack, their O-line will spend most of its time pass blocking -- which is not Steve Schilling's forte ... his Bellevue team was a running team.

East Practice Report

1. Steve Brown. Brown was limping noticeably on his bad ankle on this day -- but he ran with the first unit in the afternoon -- at cornerback. When it was time to make a play -- he just did it. The kid is a gamer. Will his ankle last till Saturday? That's the question. Maybe they figure that 'working our the ankle' is what is needed at this point. He spent a lot of dead-ball time stretching the ankle laterally. By the way - this is NOT a re-injury situation, but a rehab in progress.

2. Michigan commitment Brandon Graham. On this day his game really came alive. He found his home at weakside linebacker on the first unit, and chased, caught, and brought down ball carriers all over the field. Brandon was THE MAN today, the West's best tackler. He also is the starting fullback -- but the East offense never used a two-back lineup on this day. Best of all -- Brandon's big 'glad-to-be-here' smile has still never left his face.

3. Michigan offensive guard commitment Justin Boren had another good day on the first unit -- and right tackle Sam Young and left tackle Andre Smith were a little less supermen on this day. The East offensive line overall looks to be a team strength, especially in the running game -- and the East offensive attack may just be more of a running/rollout attack.

4. Chris Wells -- the REASON the East offensive attack may just be more of a running/rollout attack. Also a little bit less of a Superman on this day, but still ...

5. Tim Tebow. He had a bit more success with his passing game than on Monday, and stayed in the pocket a bit more. Still, the rollout seems to be his basic play.

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Plays of the Day

There were fewer earth-shaking plays on this day than on Monday. The most impressive thing to us was watching West QB's Mitch Mustain and Jevan Snead hitting the West wideouts with deep pass after deep pass ... Long Beach Poly's Terrence Austin has home run speed, and David Ausberry is a huge wideout at 6-foot-5 ... both Austin and Ausberry are announcing at the game.

Here are links to GoBlueWolverine.com's complete coverage of Tuesday's events, including photos. You'll need a premium subscription to access all the latest and most accurate information on:

Cornerback Jai Eugene.

Linebacker and Michigan commitment Brandon Graham.

Defensive back and U-M commitment Steve Brown.

And photos from:

The West team practice.

The East team practice.