75. QB Jadyn Davis (RS Fr.): Davis was the #112 overall prospect in the class of 2024, but going into his second year at Michigan, he still has a lot of mechanical things to improve, particularly his long delivery. I would have ranked him higher in this year's countdown if not for the late arrival of Jake Garcia, but I think Garcia's college experience will push him ahead. My guess is that Davis will be #4 on the depth chart behind Bryce Underwood, Mikey Keene, and Garcia. Last year's rank: #97.
74. TE Deakon Tonielli (RS So.): Well, I overshot Last year on Tonielli, ranking him #45 and thinking he would be essentially the #3 tight end behind Colston Loveland and Marlin Klein. Instead, Hogan Hansen took that role while Tonielli earned Scout Team Player of the Week honors twice. This year it seems like the tight end role will be diminished a little bit, and also there has been an emergence of Jalen Hoffman at the H-back position. I would also like to see Tonielli a little heavier on the fall roster, because he was 6'5", 238 lbs. on the spring roster. Last year's rank: #45.
73. CB Jeremiah Lowe (RS Fr.): Lowe didn't play at all in 2024, taking a redshirt. This spring he was listed at 5'11" and 177 lbs. and was sort of an afterthought with the arrival of early enrollee Shamari Earls and a couple transfers in the defensive backfield. Lowe then made 2 interceptions in the spring game to put himself on the radar. I'm not ready to buy into him being a heavy contributor in Michigan's defense, but there were plays to be made in the spring game and he made them. (He also had another nice pass breakup that was almost an interception.) Perhaps we'll see him play a backup role in the hopes of becoming a bigger contributor in 2026. Last year's rank: #107.
72. OT Ty Haywood (Fr.): Haywood is just a freshman, and it's tough to get on the field as a freshman offensive lineman. However, he was #39 overall in the 247 Composite and flipped from Alabama. He's a legit player but might need some time to develop after enrolling over the summer (unlike classmate Andrew Babalola who arrived in January). I don't expect Haywood to compete for a starting job in 2025, but he could have an Andrew Sprague-like freshman year where he shows up late and then vies for a starting job in 2026.
71. RB C.J. Hester (RS Jr.): Hester is a transfer from UMass and led the Minutemen in rushing attempts in 2024, running 119 times for 529 yards and 4 touchdowns. At 5'11" and 195 pounds, he's an adequate back but not particularly fast, elusive, or powerful. Michigan has a deep but largely unproven backfield this season, and Hester will probably be a relatively minor contributor behind Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes.
Yep I know everyone is concerned about Davis because of various limitations, mechanics and inexperience but man...if it plays out this way where he is behind Keene as well as Garcia as a sophomore that would not be a great sign for such a highly rated recruit. Underwood you can understand, Keene too, but Garcia has been...not good!
ReplyDeleteHester -- throw him in a big pile of options for RB3
Haywood - well apparently they are seriously considering starting freshman on this OL. I wouldn't rule out a big money blue chip recruit, even if Babaloa is a better bet right now it seems like the competition is wide open. Could be a case like Preiskorn/Hogan last year where you assume one guy is ahead of the other based on rankings/pedigree but the uncertainty band is wide with high school guys.
Tonielli - getting late early for the junior. Hopefully for him he emerges as a contributor of some kind.
I have very low expectations for Davis after last season and then spring. Back in the day a program could wait. But with the Portal, I expect both MICHIGAN and the young man to start looking around
ReplyDeleteWho knows with RB3 other than someone will get snaps, even if late in the year