I was kind of hoping someone with some good knowledge (cough Grunkie or MV cough) of the program could put together a little summary of this years Freshman, detailing strength/weakness and when they might potentially see the field. Like last fall, we might have seen something like this:
Hageman - Easily the biggest incoming freshman. Will likely redshirt as he switches from Tight End to Defensive End. Will immediately push for playing time next year
I think people would like reading something like this.
There's been stuff like that in smaller doses all over. I'm no MV but I can sum up some things I've heard. All of this can be prefaced with 'supposedly' as well
QB
Parish - staff likes his potential, will definitely RS
Pride - impressed Weber with mental aptitude in the summer, is a QB for now but will very likely switch positions at some point, will RS
RB
Edwards - been injured a bit, is the most physically ready frosh RB, already the biggest back on the team. Haven't heard much from him out of camp
Wright - fastest back on the team, also the slightest, did some nice things in the scrimmage but likely will RS
Kirkwood - my personal favorite back, was said to look a little on the doughy side and shorter than listed. Seemed to fall into the pack when practice started but once the pads went on he began to seperate himself from the other frosh backs. Had a good scrimmage and has been named by the staff as the guy that's impressed. I expect him to be the 3rd back/short yardage back at this point. Runs very hard, good feet, not fast but not slow, either. Kid is a thumper
WR
- haven't heard a peep from anyone yet here
OL
Gjere - has been talked about. Great frame and feet, not strong enough yet to play guard in the B10 as most frosh aren't. Coaches really like the kid though. Should RS
Lienkewitz - impressed when thrown in there at Center, Brewster seems to think he'll be a player
Epping - has also been mentioned as a guy that's played well and impressed but he'll RS as well
DL
Perry - has randomly come on and been seen taking 1st team snaps a few times. Apparently he's shown good speed off the edge. Surprising because I don't think any outside folks expected anything from him this year, if ever. Still a likely RS, though
Simpson - actually a soph but a transfer. He's impressed as well coming off the edge and may get some PT this year. Also a guy nobody expected anything from, but the kid is more talented than given credit for. He would've been a fairly well sought after JUCO guy but we offered him the chance to come this year, after just 1 year of JUCO (he was a full qualifier out of HS and went JUCO to get some exposure to get to a D1 program. Kid didn't play until his junior year and flew a bit under the radar).
Fergusen - looks the part, really have no clue about his play at this point, but he'll likely have to play some
Legania - has been mentioned as a kid that could play this year. Has good size and looks like he can add a few more pounds to his frame. Always good to have a frosh DT at 6'4" 303
Tauafa - apparently he's shown good hustle. That's all I've got. Wasn't impressed with him as a prospect but only had one highlight video to go off of but he just seemed like a big, strong kid and little else
LB
Haven't heard a thing about any of the frosh, but Tatum was going to take a while to develop but he had a good frame and good speed but is about 20lbs too small right now. Mitchell is a decent prospect too.
DB
Manuel - been raved about all summer by players, coaches, and players' dads, lol. Dude looks like a senior and apparently has gotten better by the hour to the point where he's seriously in the mix for PT (even a starting spot) despite us having 2 senior returning starters (when they're ready) and Watkins (who has looked good) and Lewis playing there too. Said to have good speed, great size, and has been a 'student of the game'. I expect him to at least play ST this year
Vereen - like Manuel, has been hailed all summer as he's physically ready to play B10 ball. Has shown good hip flexibility (has been able to turn and run with WRs) and above average speed. Wasn't really highly recruited out of HS but Cal wanted him and the kid is actually a year young (only 17 and I think only recently turned 17) so he managed to stand out in Cali playing a year up. I'm 90% sure he'll see the field this year at CB at some point. Probably in line to be the nickel right now unless they move Lewis back to CB
Bouie - haven't heard much other than he looks slight and definitely needs to RS