95. DT Manuel Beigel (RS Fr.): Beigel is a 6'5", 300 lb. German native who spent one season playing football in America as a senior in the fall of 2023 and then took a redshirt in 2024 after playing in just one game. We haven't heard much about him since he arrived at Michigan, but scouts raved about his athleticism when he was a recruit. If we're judging from other international prospects like Luiji Vilain (Canada), Julius Welschof (Germany), and Aymeric Koumba (France), it will take some time before Beigel is ready to contribute. With the depth on Michigan's defensive line, I don't expect Beigel to play much of a role in 2025. Last year's rank: #128.
94. RB Donovan Johnson (Fr.): Johnson (3-star, #39 RB, #477 overall) has had some injury issues in the past, which deflated his recruitment. He ran just 48 times for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns in seven games as a senior after missing his junior season due to injury. Now up to a listed 6'0", 213 lbs. on MGoBlue.com, he's going to be swimming upstream against a pretty deep backfield. Aside from surefire contributors Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes, the Wolverines brought in C.J. Hester from UMass and John Volker from Princeton. It always seems like a freshman sneaks in for a pretty sizable backup role, but that will be a tall task in 2025.
93. OT Daniel Taraboi (RS Jr.): The 6'7", 328 lb. mammoth former walk-on played in one game last year, making an appearance on special teams against Northwestern. That's probably his best opportunity for playing time, where being a big body can help on a field goal protection unit without being super mobile. Last year's rank: #101.
92. DE Devon Baxter (RS Fr.): Baxter is listed at 6'6" and 240 pounds on the roster, which is still rather lean for an edge rusher. He has probably added some weight to that frame this off-season, but he has not been mentioned much in the discussion for playing time. The top four edges are expected to be Derrick Moore, T.J. Guy, Cam Brandt, and Dominic Nichols. I really like his athletic potential, but he's probably at least a year away from significant playing time. Last year's rank: #109.
91. S Elijah Dotson (Fr.): Dotson (4-star, #11 S, #131 overall) was a late flip from Pitt to Michigan, having committed to the Wolverines toward the end of November. He was followed shortly by #1 overall player Bryce Underwood, also from Belleville High. Dotson could potentially play wide receiver, where he also starred in high school, but he's starting out at safety in college. He seems to have flown under the radar a little bit, especially for a player who ranked #131 overall in the 247 Composite. That being said, Michigan has a pretty deep defensive backfield, so Dotson will probably have to bide his time on the sideline this fall.
Agree at Fr RB getting onfield ea year, but this one looks like an exception. DJ's injuries the last two years likely requires some acclimation to big boy football. One of the two walkons should complete with Kaapana for RB3 touches
ReplyDeleteYep Michigan has great depth at RB once again and it will be fun to see how things shake out with so many options.
ReplyDeleteThat said -- I would not put it past Johnson to make a mark in 2025. Could see a higher ranking here.
RB is a spot where talent can see the field right away. I agree he's not in the conversation for being #1 or #2 going into the season but if/once one of those guys go down midseason say, or Haynes is skipping a bowl game or whatever to prepare for the NFL, Johnson might be next. Young talented RBs sometimes emerge as kick returners as well though that's another spot where it's hard to make an impact.
We just saw a pretty good example with Marshall being irrelevant until November. Would not be shocked if Johnson had a similar arc.
I'd probably put him a bit higher lumped with a bunch of others (who I will probably say should be lower, later in the countdown) because of the uncertainty and overlap at the RB position.