Name: T.J. Metcalf
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Birmingham (AL) Pinson Valley
Position: Safety
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #7
Last year: Metcalf played for Arkansas. He started eleven games and made 57 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 7 pass breakups.
TTB Rating: N/A
T.J. Metcalf was a free agent transfer from Arkansas who fit in immediately upon arriving in Ann Arbor. A starter at safety in 2024 who played in 24 total games for the Razorbacks, he's a good-sized player who apparently has a football mind. Sam Webb recently stated that Metcalf said he learned Michigan's defense in about a week this spring, and that's good news, because the defense is thought to be rather complicated since it's an NFL system.
His Arkansas career included three interceptions last season, two of which came against former Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne, who decided to move south to throw his interceptions in an Auburn uniform instead.
Now that he's in Ann Arbor, he seems likely to play the nickel position formerly inhabited by Mike Sainristil, Zeke Berry, and Makari Paige. Fifth year senior Rod Moore could be an option at nickel, too, but Moore is coming back from an injury. To start the year, I think it makes the most sense to have Moore at nickel, Jaden Mangham and Brandyn Hillman at safety, and then Zeke Berry and Jyaire Hill at cornerback. Sherrone Moore was quoted over the summer as saying Metcalf could be one of the best players not only on the team, but in the Big Ten.
Prediction: Starting nickel; 60 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions
Lots of hype on Metcalf the elder. I'm a bit doubtful, but hope he pans out
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