Name: Jerome Nichols
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 224 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Renaissance
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #50
Last year: I ranked Nichols #98 and said he would be a backup linebacker (LINK). He did not play in any games.
TTB Rating: N/A
Nichols is a walk-on linebacker at a position that is lacking proven depth. While Junior Colson is virtually guaranteed to be a starter this season, the backup inside linebackers will probably be some combination of Nikhai Hill-Green, Mike Barrett, and Kalel Mullings. There appears to be a chance that Mullings will spend some time playing running back this fall, and the coaching staff does not seem to think Barrett is a good fit on the inside unless it comes to an emergency.
So inside linebacker is a thin position, and the backup ranks will have to come from unproven scholarship players like Jimmy Rolder, Jaydon Hood, Tyler McLaurin, and Joey Velazquez; or from walk-ons. I doubt Nichols will burst onto the scene but he could start to work his way onto the field as a special teams player.
Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer
Just wondering: are you on board with the fan movement (and a particular sports writer) that JJ McCarthy should start?
ReplyDeleteI say "Don't fix it if it ain't broke." I think Cade McNamara should get a chance to continue his winning ways from last year.
DeleteI don't think the Georgia loss was on McNamara. They didn't run the ball well at all, until, as you pointed out in the week after the game, it was already pretty much over. Whereas, they had been killing it with the run all year.
DeleteThe way the schedule lays out is a factor IMO. Michigan doesn't start with many tough games so there's a chance for fool's gold. And then the first real game of the year is at Kinnick. This is a spot where you want a vet who can avoid mistakes.
DeleteI know everyone wants to talk QB battle but right now Michigan is in a perfect place with an established senior at starter and young talent trying to push him from behind. I guess it's fun to speculate but how about just simply expecting about the same thing as last year.
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Always interesting to see the walk-on options because Michigan has done well with them and seems to have high quality contributors every year, not to mention special teams and soaking up mop up snaps.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I'd be surprised if we saw meaningful ILB snaps this year. Barrett may not be first choice but he is probably still an option ahead of walk-ons who haven't play and freshman who aren't ready.
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I think Barrett's athleticism would make him a better option than Nichols, even if Barrett doesn't have ideal size. But there are other options, too, such as Jimmy Rolder, Tyler McLaurin, Jaydon Hood, etc. It's just that they're all unproven.
DeleteI agree. Chances are there's at least one unproven player who will pop well enough to be a backup ILB. But Barrett's still an option and is too good not to have a role, though what/where is TBD.
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