2021 Recruiting: Early Signing Day Grades, Defense

 

Junior Colson (image via Freep)

Check out last night's post for the offensive side of the ball (LINK).

DEFENSIVE TACKLE: D-
Need: 2
Signed: 1
Michigan only signed one player at a position of need. That player is Dominick Giudice (3-star, #102 WDE, #2007 overall). No offense to the young man, but he was so far off 247's radar that they left him ranked as a weakside end despite the fact that he's already 6'4" and 260 lbs. Michigan should be able to land higher-profile recruits at the position. There were several defensive tackles that Michigan just seemed to stop recruiting (Victory Vaka, Anthony Hundley, Tywone Malone, etc.). Of course, insiders will often say that some players aren't a fit for the Wolverines, but you know what else doesn't suit the culture in Ann Arbor? Losing. Michigan still has a shot to sign Rayshaun Benny (verbally committed to MSU but not signed) or George Rooks (reportedly leaning toward PSU), but the staff may need to look to the transfer portal to shore up the interior.

Hit the jump for more.

DEFENSIVE END: B-
Need: 2
Signed: 2
Kechaun Bennett (4-star, #22 SDE, #349) and T.J. Guy (3-star, #50 WDE, #927) both signed with Michigan. Again, I don't even agree with the positions for those guys, so I don't agree with the rankings, either. But Michigan's best pass rusher was going to be Branden Jennings, who flipped to Maryland on signing day. Michigan has had some dynamic pass rushers in recent years, from Frank Clark to Taco Charlton to Chase Winovich to Josh Uche. But aside from Uche, the current staff has struggled to identify the next dynamic edge guy. Bennett and Guy both have potential to be good players, but they missed a year of development since Connecticut and Massachusetts both canceled football season due to COVID. So any extra improvements they would have made in the 2020 season will have to wait until college, putting them a year behind.

LINEBACKER: A
Need: 3
Signed: 3
The 6'2", 228 lb. Junior Colson (4-star, #5 OLB, #95) is Michigan's highest rated defensive player, and he has a chance to be outstanding. He can rush the passer, but he also played receiver and kick returner, so that indicates some versatility. Floridian Jaydon Hood (4-star, #14 ILB, #246 overall) was rumored to be waffling and pulled a signing day surprise by inking with the Wolverines instead of pushing his signing until February. He reportedly struggled a little bit to adjust to the defense at St. Thomas Aquinas after transferring there this past fall, but I do trust in Hood's athletic skills. He might take some time to learn whatever system Michigan runs in 2021, but if he sticks it out, I think he will be a good player. Tyler McLaurin (3-star, #30 OLB, #493) could be a SAM linebacker or perhaps an eventual defensive end. I don't see him as a standout athlete, but work ethic and the weight room could get him somewhere.

CORNERBACK: C-
Need: 2
Signed: 1
Ja'Den McBurrows (3-star, #43 CB, #549) was the only signee at a position that needs talent. I think he's a little undervalued, perhaps because of his listed 5'10", 165 lb. size. But he has good quickness, isn't afraid to be physical, and is always around the ball. Michigan does not lose any corners to graduation aside from Ambry Thomas, who opted out of the 2020 season anyway, but they need an influx of talent. It would be nice to see the small-ish McBurrows paired with a taller corner.. There's still a chance with Ceyair Wright, who is planning to sign in February.

SAFETY: B+
Need: 1
Signed: 1
Rod Moore (3-star, #37 S, #499) is a player with good coverage ability who could probably play corner if that's what Michigan needed. I think those types of players have been missing at Michigan over the years. You can teach a guy to tackle or bulk him up, but it's hard to teach speed and instincts in the passing game. Michigan didn't need a ton at safety after taking a huge group of safeties in the 2019 and 2020 classes, so the staff didn't really push for anyone else at the position.