Class of 2015 Preferred Walk-ons

Saline (MI) Saline running back Kevin Gross

Saline (MI) Saline running back Kevin Gross recently posted on Twitter that he would be walking on to Michigan's football team, giving Michigan at least seven preferred walk-ons for the fall. Sometimes walk-ons never contribute, sometimes they play special teams, and sometimes they play significantly. For whatever reason(s), these past few seasons have featured several walk-ons in prominent roles: Jordan Kovacs, Graham Glasgow, and Ryan Glasgow, among others.

The Glasgows were the preferred kind, which means they were guaranteed a spot on the team in fall camp. In addition to the 85 scholarship players, 20 more (for a total of 105) can begin fall camp and practice with the team from day one. More players can join the team after the first day of classes, but these players will be there learning and earning their shot from day one. Kovacs, on the other hand, was a student body walk-on, meaning basically that the coaches had no idea who he was before he showed up for a tryout in the middle of the year.

Hit the jump for the profiles and highlights of the seven walk-ons.

John Andrysiak - LB - Flint (MI) Powers Catholic: Andrysiak, a 6'1" and 205 lb. linebacker, is the son of former Notre Dame quarterback Terry Andrysiak. As a senior in 2014, he made 100 tackles, 7 sacks, and 1 interception. He also rushed for 391 yards and 16 touchdowns as a fullback, and he claims a 4.7 forty. Andrysiak is a solidly built inside linebacker type who lacks great size and athleticism, but he could be a special teams coverage guy on punt or kickoff. (MLive article)

Jack Dunaway - DE - Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice: Dunaway is 6'3", 212 lbs. and the son of a former Michigan tight end. He's also the teammate of two incoming scholarship freshmen, quarterback Alex Malzone (who technically enrolled early in January) and wide receiver Grant Perry. And to top it off, he's the older brother of 2017 tight end Carter Dunaway, who was offered a scholarship by Michigan recently. In his own right, Jack made 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 4 pass breakups from his defensive end spot this past season. Dunaway has some explosiveness as a defensive end and the bloodlines to potentially develop into a player, although he does not have great measurables.

Jordan Glasgow - S - Marmion (IL) Marmion Academy: Glasgow is a 6'0", 205 lb. player who was a running back and safety in high school. He is the younger brother of Graham and Ryan Glasgow, a fifth year senior center and a redshirt junior defensive tackle, respectively. As for Jordan himself, he is a thickly built defensive back who will probably be limited to special teams duty and a chance to play some strong safety, though he lacks the speed to play much in space. (Kane County Chronicle article)

Kevin Gross - RB - Saline (MI) Saline: The 5'11", 195 lb. Gross was accepted to Michigan's engineering program. From nearby Saline High School, he suffered a broken leg during his junior year that limited his playing time and ability. As a senior he rushed for 662 yards and 15 touchdowns, caught 20 passes for 422 yards and 6 touchdowns, and even threw a touchdown for good measure. (MLive article)


Cheyenn Robertson - DE - Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter's Prep: Robertson is a 6'4", 220 lb. player who played against new recruiting coordinator Chris Partridge's Paramus (NJ) Catholic team this past season. St. Peter's Prep went on to win the state championship. Robertson is a decent sized kid who does not look like a quick-twitch athlete. While he has the size of an outside linebacker, he probably lacks the quickness, and he might be best served by builking up and playing end. (NJ.com article)

Chris Terech - LB - Saline (MI) Saline: Another walk-on from Saline, Terech is a 6'2", 220 lb. linebacker who led the state in tackles during his senior season. He finished the year with 151 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. Terech lacks the measurables of an elite linebacker, but he has a good nose for the ball and packs a punch once he arrives. (MLive article)

Ryan Tice - K/P - Saline (MI) Saline: Yet another Saline Hornet, Tice graduated in December, enrolled at Michigan in January, and participated in spring football this past semester. He's listed as a 6'1", 177 lb. kicker/punter. Both of Michigan's kicking specialists graduated after last season, so the jobs are open.

Who is the most likely to contribute?