 |
| Reuben Jones (image via Lake Gibson Football) |
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 225 lbs.
High school: Lakeland (FL) Lake Gibson
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #4
Last year: Jones was a senior in high school, where he had 71 tackles and 10 sacks. He was a 247 Composite 3-star, the #44 strongside end, and #784 overall.
Final TTB Rating: 67
Jones is a one-time Nebraska commit who chose to play for the Wolverines after having a bit of a falling out with the Cornhuskers. He appears to be a high-effort guy and is very aggressive, but he lacks some technique and is not a freak athlete. Especially if the Wolverines go to more of a 3-4 look, they should have the opportunity to redshirt a guy like Jones. However, Michigan is pretty thin at defensive end. One of the true freshmen will probably have to play (my Monopoly money is on Shelton Johnson), but an injury or two could force the other to burn his redshirt, too.
Prediction: Redshirt if possible, backup defensive end if not
I don't know why, but we have been pretty thin at DL for a long time now. I really hope we get Rashan Gary (a 5-star guy who's very very good) and a few more guys to fill up the chart. And I hope R Jones gets his redshirt.
ReplyDeleteDid you mean to say "DE" instead of "DL?" I hope so. We're pretty well covered on the interior at the moment.
DeleteMeanwhile Sparty is signing up 6' 5" 260 lbs DE's. If this plays, we're in a world of hurt.
ReplyDeleteDon't fret so much. Michigan State signed 6'4", 230 lb. Justice Alexander and 6'6", 215 lb. Mufi Hunt to play defensive end in the 2015 class. You have to look at the big picture, not just one or two recruits here or there.
DeletePlus, in a couple years they will all be about the same weight or at a different position. If they are 260 in HS, they may be destined for DT.
DeleteJones has a legit chance to play. I think he is pretty close to his physical ceiling, and his motor could help him get on the field. Have a feeling JH and Durkin will like him.
ReplyDeletePrediction -- no redshirt. Said the same about Marshall last year, but Clark stepped up to play well and Ojemudia and Charlton and Beyer were all around.
ReplyDeleteI don't see a lot of reason to red-shirt a kid like Jones if he can make any contribution (even just special teams).
Furthermore, Ojemudia graduates next year, so they'll need a new starter. I think they won't hold anything back from Marshall, Johnson and Jones.
I think the only way he doesn't get every opportunity to play is if he comes in physically unprepared AND RJS is a fulltime RLB AND Shelton Johnson or Marshall is clearly better.
Michigan needs at least 3 guys at RLB and I think that they'll throw both Johnson and Jones out there to see who brings it on the edge. In my view, either one has a good chance of being more valuable than RJS for example (although if you made me bet on it, I'd bet RJS plays more meaningful snaps, there's just a chance that one of them is a starter and impact player whereas that chance for RJS is miniscule.)
I'd put Jones about 15-20 spots higher.