UA Notebook: Practice Day One

The first day of practice from Orlando is in the books, and the Under Armour All-America Game is shaping up to be a good one. Notes from the first day of action.

The U-M pledge that had the best day was Hartland (Wisc.) Arrowhead offensive lineman Ben Bredeson. He’s playing right tackle for Team Highlight, and although his college future is at left guard, he stood up well on the edge against some of the most talented players he’s faced in his high school career. While he has been a brick wall at tackle for his high school team, the likes of five-stars Rashan Gary and Marlon Davidson (both on his own team for practices) are a different animal, and he stood up well. He looks to have slimmed down just a bit, which will help him stay on the edge for this game, and be ready to pack on the right type of weight to move inside when he arrives in Ann Arbor in June.

Pembroke Pines (Fla.) Flanagan linebacker Devin Bush Jr. had a nice day as well, but coming from South Florida, the expectation is that he’s more used to seeing top talent day-in and day-out. He doesn’t look the part physically, just because he’s shorter than the other linebackers, but when drills go live, he immediately displays that size isn’t everything. He’s quicker than everybody else, and moves well. He was in the backfield a couple times during team drills, and one of his biggest assets – hitting like a ton of bricks – wasn’t on display with the practice not at full-speed.

The final Michigan commit in attendance, Wayne (N.J.) DePaul Catholic running back Kareem Walker, didn’t have many opportunities to shine. With the focuses of practice being offensive install and the passing game, he only had a few carries. That the Team Armour offensive line really looks weak made his few opportunities to carry the rock dead in the water before they got going. He did fumble one time, and was running very tentatively (something that he had no issues with earlier in his high school career) and the hope is that more comfort over the course of the week opens his game up a bit.

Miami (Fla.) Gulliver Prep wide receiver Dionte Mullins and Cocoa (Fla.) defensive back Chauncey Gardner – committed to Miami and Florida, respectively – had two of the nicest opening days among the prospects in attendance. While Michigan was not really a factor for either of them, their performances were strong enough to be noted.

Michigan target Rashan Gary, out of Paramus (N.J.) Catholic, didn’t do anything to lose his mantle as the top player in the country, but will have to be a little more dominant later in the week to ensure that he’s not bumped off the top. Fortunately for him, none of the players within striking distance (including Ole Miss offensive line commit Greg Little, No. 4 in the nation, who really struggled) did anything to pull that spot away.

Mesquite (Texas) North Mesquite offensive lineman Jean Delance was part of the Team Armour offensive line that really struggled, and while it’s unfair to point to any specific player when the failings were so comprehensive, he’ll have to step it up during the rest of the week. He’s a very slender offensive lineman, which hurts him a bit with power (though he’ll build up by the time he gets to college).

Tampa (Fla.) Berkley Prep tight end Jacob Mathis was a late addition to the game, and it’s clear he’s not comfortable playing with a hand in the dirt. He mostly splits wide for his high school team, and it was a rude awakening Tuesday in having to get in a three-point stance and drive-block.

Mathis includes Michigan among his finalists, but seems to be trending away form the Maize and Blue. U-M is still seeking a second tight end, but if (as expected) five-star Isaac Nauta ends up picking Georgia, Mathis isn’t looking as likely a backup option.

Delance has “a feeling” of who he’ll pick between finalists Michigan, LSU, and Texas, but won’t make his final choice until Thursday night, when he’ll sit down with his mother and make the final call. LSU seems to be running third, and the battle will be a matter of his comfort with a coaching staff’s stability (Michigan) versus a desire to not venture too far from home (Texas).

Gary will take his official visit to USC in January, but the way he talks about the Trojans, it seems more like a recreational trip (one that he’s always wanted to take, and may not have the opportunity to again until he’s in the NFL) than one that could be the deciding factor in his recruitment. A possible visit to Ann Arbor to see U-M early enrollees Walker and Bush could seal the deal if that happens. Otherwise, a host of SEC schools – none in particular standing out among the others right now – will try to catch up to Michigan.

The momentum remains behind Maryland for Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic offensive lineman Terrance Davis. Michigan may finish second, though if they close on Delance, it won’t be too damaging.