DT TARGETS FOR 2013

     Will Campbell........Richard Ash.........Quinton Washington.......These three players make up the depth chart for Michigan's NG position currently.  Come August,  Ondre Pipkins will join these three, adding one more 300lber to the bill.  This is a very important position and one of the most talked about especially when it comes to recruiting.  A devastating NG is your run stuffer, space eater and the difference between a goodnight sleep or  miserable existence for opposing coaches the night before the big game.  With just a short list of high quality DT's in the class of 2013,  Michigan may be headed for plan B at this position.  Let's look at some realistic options.


 Henry Poggi - DT 6'4" 265lbs, Baltimore , MD

http://youtu.be/dIExCICyzEM

  Here is the deal with Poggi, he's not a NG, he's a 3 tech or SDE.  He would have to gain 40-50 lbs to become the horse in the middle.  He is quite a player though, great hands and pursuit.  Hopefully he will find Ann Arbor as exciting as all the other 2013 recruits.


  This is where plan B comes in.  With all the top NG's becoming a long shot, I think Kenton Gibbs and Poet Thomas are the realistic options.  I think Michigan could possibly land both of them if they recruited them hard enough, but one of these two seem most likely to become part of the class unless one of the top guys make a surprise commitment.

 Poet Thomas - DT 6'6" 285lbs, Detroit Country Day


http://youtu.be/VKjcl_S080w

 Am I not suppose to like this kids potential because he is not a top tier ranked player?  Actually, I think he is a good DT, and with plenty of time to gain good weight, he could become that pillar in the middle.  He is absolutely massive and isn't a slobby 285 by any means.  Watch his hands at the :30, and 1:19 mark, he simply throws kids aside.  Not that he could do that at the college level but it's great potential.  He's not a great athlete but he looks unstoppable when he wants.  6'6" is a bit tall for a NG but playing at pad level erases that myth, he shows signs of being capable of doing that.


Kenton Gibbs - DT 6'2" 285lbs  Cass Tech

http://youtu.be/qPg3ldn9q8k

 Gibbs looks like a better athlete than Thomas but 285lbs may be a few extra than what he really is.  He's a good DT but a true NG? I don't know.  He makes plenty of plays in the backfield and gets down the line really well but doesn't face the double teams Thomas was facing. 
Thomas may be the best plan B if Michigan wants to recruit and mold a true NG.