Name: Andrel Anthony
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 180 lbs.
High school: East Lansing (MI) East Lansing
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #1
Last year: Anthony was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 26 catches for 474 yards and 4 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 73
Anthony was also a standout high school basketball player who was considering a career on the hardcourt at one point. Instead, he decided to focus on football and the Wolverines kept him away from the hometown Michigan State Spartans. He ended up ranked as a 3-star, the #81 wide receiver, #525 overall, and #13 in-state.
I originally gave Anthony a TTB Rating of 67, but I'm bumping him up approximately half a notch because some big competition at his position ditched Michigan in favor of Texas. Without Xavier Worthy in his class, I think that will open up more opportunities for Anthony. He also reportedly had a good spring and is the most likely freshman receiver to see significant playing time, though he is expected to be down the depth chart.
Prediction: Backup wide receiver
You can contrast the positive buzz for Anthony with some other recruits. Nothing this early means anything necessarily, and there was a time when it was EXPECTED that you hear nothing about freshman, and today it's almost a disappointment when you don't - at least at skill positions where guys should pop.
ReplyDeleteAdd to the 4 games list, which is where I put most freshman except maybe some linemen who almost surely wont be ready and anyone who is hurt. I don't know why you would NOT throw a guy out there a bit and let him get his feet wet in otherwise meaningless situations unless it would just be clearly the wrong thing to play him ahead of walk-on types.
-LANK
We lack size on the outside. If he can block, I expect to see him more often (even if not as true threat)
ReplyDeleteHe's probably going to be the #1 WR in a couple years. He can handle being covered by #1 DBs. The only question is, will he be under utilized like Nico Collins? I think Matt Weiss is going to change that area of Michigan football. I don't think the pattern of the last 4 years, of under utilizing the best WRs, is going to continue under him.
ReplyDeleteI hope the same for RBs will be true with Mike Hart. It's inexplicable how little Zach Charbonnet and Chris Evans were used. Here's to hoping Blake Corum gets lots of carries.