2021 Season Countdown: #36a J.J. McCarthy

 

J.J. McCarthy

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Name: J.J. McCarthy
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Position: Quarterback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #9
Last year: McCarthy was a senior in high school (LINK). He completed 92/165 passes for 1,392 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.
TTB Rating: 89

McCarthy was Michigan's second commitment in the 2021 class after only offensive lineman Giovanni El-Hadi. McCarthy was a standout player early in his career at La Grange Park (IL) Nazareth Academy before finishing his career at IMG Academy in Florida. The decision to transfer came when football in the state of Illinois came into question during the pandemic.

McCarthy is known as a great leader with a rocket arm and solid mobility. He's not the biggest or fastest quarterback, but he's in the range of a lot of mobile quarterbacks who are taking college and NFL quarterbacking by storm. At 6'2" and 195 lbs., he looks more like Mac Jones (6'2", 180 in high school), Baker Mayfield (6'1", 190), Sam Howell (6'0", 225), etc. than the 6'5" statue quarterbacks of yesteryear. I think his size, athleticism, and skills match the offense better than anyone Michigan has had since Jake Rudock in 2015.

Will he take over in 2021? That is the huge question. McCarthy graduated in December and participated in spring practice, but Jim Harbaugh came out of the spring naming Cade McNamara the starter. At Big Ten Media Days, Harbaugh reiterated that McNamara was #1, McCarthy was #2, Dan Villari was #3, and transfer newcomer Alan Bowman would slot in there somewhere, depending on how August practice goes.

Right now my guess is that McNamara is truly #1, and Bowman would be the second-best quarterback option to start the year. But I think it's important for McCarthy to get snaps this season and prepare for the future. He has more upside than McNamara or Bowman, and the offense can be more dynamic with him, since he can push the ball downfield better and he moves better than both. I also think it's important for the state of the program right now to get a 5-star player to come in and perform like a 5-star, because fans and possibly recruits might be wondering at this point whether Michigan can develop its offensive skill players to the level they should. Shea Patterson, Dylan McCaffrey, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Zach Charbonnet are all recent high-level recruits who have somewhat fizzled during their time in a winged helmet.

Prediction: Backup quarterback

2021 Season Countdown: #36b Donovan Edwards

 

Donovan Edwards

Name: Donovan Edwards
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 190 lbs.
High school: West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield
Position: Running back
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #7
Last year: Edwards was a senior in high school (LINK). He rushes for 1,021 yards and 17 touchdowns, adding 153 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 90

Edwards had long been considered "The One" within the state, the guy that Michigan needed to land in 2021. There was a lot of pressure for the staff to sign him, and he made everyone sweat until National Signing Day in December. After flirting with Georgia, Michigan State, and Oklahoma, among others, he finally signed with the good guys. Considered to be a borderline 5-star prospect (247 Composite 4-star and #41 overall) at a position of need, Michigan fans let out a big sigh of relief.

I debated for a long time about how high to place Edwards in the countdown. Michigan needs help at running back after Zach Charbonnet (UCLA) and Christian Turner (Wake Forest) transferred, and while Charbonnet had one of the best freshman years for a running back a couple years ago, it can be a tough transition from high school to college. Edwards has good physical skills, but he also has some bad habits, such as carrying the ball too loosely and celebrating a little too early and too much on some of his big plays.

Michigan rotates heavily at running back, and Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum appear to be 1-2 at the position. The Wolverines only have four scholarship running backs (Haskins, Corum, Edwards, and Tavierre Dunlap), and they don't even have quasi-running backs like Ben Mason and Ben VanSumeren anymore to fill in for a spell if necessary. The last time Michigan had a full season in 2019, Tru Wilson and Christian Turner tied for #3 on the team in carries with 44 each. I'm not sure that Michigan will be able to redshirt Dunlap, but if they tried, that might mean 60+ carries for Edwards. Michigan also sold Edwards on a plan to use him in the passing game, although I'll buy into that when I see it.

Overall, Edwards will certainly play quite a bit and he will probably make some flashy plays when he does. But Haskins is reliable and steady, and Corum is a weight room warrior with some quickness. When it gets down to crunch time, Haskins and Corum will probably be on the field.

Prediction: Backup running back

2021 Season Countdown: #37 Joel Honigford

 

Joel Honigford (#59, image via Maizenbrew)

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Name: Joel Honigford
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 305 lbs.
High school: Sugarcreek (OH) Garaway
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #85
Last year: I ranked Honigford #50 and said he would be a backup offensive guard (LINK). He played tight end and on special teams in six games.
TTB Rating: 84

Honigford has had a bit of an odd career over his four-plus years at Michigan. I thought he would develop into a starting offensive tackle by the time his career ended, but instead, he has floated around from tackle to guard to tight end in 2020. After spending his first three years at offensive line exclusively, he changed his number from 59 to 85 and played as a tight end (basically an extra offensive lineman). Jim Harbaugh has done that kind of thing numerous times over his career.

The most surprising part to me is that Honigford is returning for a fifth year. With no clear path to playing offensive line, Honigford is the type of player who would normally take a grad transfer exception to go play somewhere else. I think it's pretty obvious that he could go play offensive tackle in the MAC or elsewhere, probably start for a year or two, and then see what happens. Maybe he just loves Michigan or thinks he can beat out someone for playing time, but most guys don't stick around for five years to play his role.

What is that role? Well, starting tight end Nick Eubanks and starting fullback/H-back Ben Mason are gone, which sort of bumps everyone else up a notch or two. While junior Erick All will presumably take Eubanks's role, it's unclear how Michigan will use personnel to replace Mason or fill in for the roles that All and Luke Schoonmaker held. Redshirt freshman Matt Hibner and true freshman Louis Hansen are also in the mix to play, but I have to think Honigford will reprise and perhaps expand upon his role as a blocking tight end in 2021.

Prediction: Backup tight end

Davonte Miles, Ex-Wolverine

 

River Rouge (MI) River Rouge defensive tackle Davonte Miles (image via SI)

River Rouge (MI) River Rouge defensive tackle Davonte Miles decommitted from Michigan on Thursday. He had been committed to Michigan since mid-December of 2020 (LINK).

Miles is listed at 6'5", 275 lbs. and is a 3-star, the #127 defensive lineman, and #960 overall.

I did not view Miles as an impact player at the next level, but his commitment was important because Michigan needs interior defensive linemen. While Michigan does not have any other defensive tackle commitments, they are pursuing numerous others and Miles seemed to have been forgotten. With a new defensive staff in place, it's quite possible that Mike Macdonald and Co. just didn't see Miles fitting into their scheme.

Michigan has now lost two defensive tackle commits in the 2022 class, Miles and Alex VanSumeren. 

2021 Season Countdown: #38 Gabe Newburg

 

Gabe Newburg (image via Twitter)

Name: Gabe Newburg
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 265 lbs.
High school: Clayton (OH) Northmont
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #99
Last year: I ranked Newburg #60 and said he would be a backup defensive end (LINK). He made 3 tackles.
TTB Rating: 72

Newburg redshirted in 2019 and spent the first two games of 2020 on the bench before moving into the rotation for the final four games. That playing time coincided with the injury to Aidan Hutchinson, who left early in game three against Indiana and did not return for the remainder of the season. Newburg looked physically underdeveloped to be playing the role he was, but that seemed to be the case with a number of players who were thrown into the fire too early due to injuries, opt-outs, etc.

With the new defensive system brought by Mike Macdonald and the graduation of Kwity Paye, I expect Newburg to move up in the pecking order a little bit this year. There is stiff competition for playing time in the front seven, but other guys would need to leapfrog him, at least with respect to last year's depth chart. Hopefully with another year of lifting under his belt, he's a little more physically ready. He is an adequate defensive lineman with limited upside who should be a solid backup.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

2021 Season Countdown: #39 Anthony Solomon

 

Anthony Solomon (image via Wolverines Wire)

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Name: Anthony Solomon
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 212 lbs.
High school: Fort Lauderdale (FL) Saint Thomas Aquinas
Position: Linebacker
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #10
Last year: I ranked Solomon #37 and said he would be a backup linebacker (LINK). He made 5 tackles.
TTB Rating: 84

Going into the 2020 season, Solomon was considered to be the top backup at two different linebacker positions: WILL and Viper. I always thought he was too light to play an inside linebacker position like WILL, and he never got on the field there. But still, I think it was significant that he was thought to be the do-everything linebacker, which seems to be a sign that the coaches see a future for him.

Now that the 2021 season is almost here, I'm not sure where Solomon fits, if at all. He has struggled to put on weight, and if Michigan is going to play a 3-4, the inside linebackers need to be pretty stout. At the same time, the outside linebackers probably need to be taller and longer. This might be a Frankenstein year for the defense as the coaching staff takes disparate pieces to try to mold what they want, so while I don't think Solomon will start, he must be capable of doing some things that would keep him near the top of the depth chart. Considering the injury potential at linebacker (Cam McGrone, Josh Ross, and Devin Bush have each suffered season-ending injuries the past three years), Solomon may be forced into a bigger role as the year goes along.

Prediction: Backup linebacker

2021 Season Countdown: #40 Kalel Mullings

 

Kalel Mullings (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Kalel Mullings
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 233 lbs.
High school: West Roxbury (MA) Milton Academy
Position: Linebacker
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #26
Last year: I ranked Mullings #61 and said he would be a backup inside linebacker (LINK). He made 1 tackle and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: 78

Mullings was an Army All-American who played both running back and linebacker in high school. A good athlete whose linebacker skills were perhaps a little in question, he was not expected to be an immediate impact player. He played in all six games, mostly on special teams. Michigan did not rotate inside linebacker very much under former defensive coordinator Don Brown, and when Cam McGrone got hurt, it was walk-on Adam Shibley who stepped in to play rather than some of the younger players.

Now Shibley is gone to Notre Dame, and some of the other young players have transferred. The two inside linebacker positions seem to be pretty well solidified with Josh Ross and Michael Barrett, and Mullings is the next most experienced guy. If that were the whole story, I would probably have ranked the #3 inside 'backer higher in the countdown. But word out of practice makes it sound like classmate Nikhai Hill-Green has been earning more buzz this off-season. Hopefully Ross and Barrett stay healthy, but it will be interesting to see whether it's Mullings or Hill-Green who steps in as the main backup. Regardless, I think Mullings is a better athlete and can help more on special teams.

Prediction: Backup inside linebacker

2021 Season Countdown: #41a Alan Bowman

 

Alan Bowman

Name: Alan Bowman
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 215 lbs.
High school: Grapevine (TX) Grapevine
Position: Quarterback
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Bowman completed 150/232 passes for 1,602 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions at Texas Tech.
TTB Rating: N/A

Bowman has an interesting history. He marched into Texas Tech, completed a lot of passes, got injured some, and then felt like he was probably going to get replaced. So he decided to transfer, and he signed with Michigan. That's an abbreviated history, but the point is that he is by far the most experienced option at quarterback for the Wolverines. He has thrown 33 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and 713 total passes in his college career. Compare that to Michigan's lone quarterback with college experience, Cade McNamara, who has 5 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and 71 pass attempts - literally 10% of the attempts that Bowman has.

Because that's the case, one would think that Bowman would be a shoo-in for the starter's job. In the words of Lee Corso: not so fast, my friend.

I believe Bowman is a decent quarterback, but McNamara has spent the past two years in this offensive system and working with these receivers. Jim Harbaugh recently said McNamara is the clear #1 quarterback going into fall camp. Could things change between now and September 4? Sure. Will they? I honestly don't have any idea.

You might also notice that I have not yet ranked second-stringer J.J. McCarthy, so why is the third quarterback so high here at #41a?

Well, McNamara didn't last long during his redshirt freshman season, hurting his shoulder almost immediately after usurping the starting job from Joe Milton. And McCarthy is a true freshman. Not only does Bowman provide a veteran presence and competition to the quarterback room, but he could find himself thrust into a prominent role even if he's technically the third-stringer. Another injury to McNamara and/or some bumpy spots for a freshman could see Bowman taking snaps in Michigan Stadium.

The quarterback situation is perhaps the most intriguing story of the 2021 season for Michigan, outside of Jim Harbaugh's job security. Bowman could be a Jake Rudock and start the entire season, or he might end up like John O'Korn and never really find his footing.

Prediction: Backup quarterback

2021 Season Countdown: #41b Daylen Baldwin

 

Daylen Baldwin (image via Twitter)

Name: Daylen Baldwin
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 210 lbs.
High school: Waterford (MI) Mott
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #85
Last year: Baldwin caught 27 passes for 540 yards and 7 touchdowns at Jackson State.
TTB Rating: N/A

NOTE: The transfers and whatnot have thrown off the countdown a little bit, so there will be some A/B situations.

Baldwin transferred to Michigan after a spring season in which he caught 27 passes for 540 yards and 7 touchdowns for a Deion Sanders-led Jackson State program. He led the team in receiving yardage, receiving touchdowns, and yards per catch, and he was tied for #2 on the team in receptions. Originally coming from the metro Detroit area, he played at Morgan State and then Jackson State, so this is his third stop.

I know some Michigan fans got very excited when a 6'3", 210-pounder committed to the team, but I have some concerns about how well he will fit into the plan for 2021. Two quarterbacks (Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy) spent the spring learning the playbook and getting their timing with the already established receivers, and there were no departures from the young receiving crew from 2020. Meanwhile, Baldwin arrived in Ann Arbor after his own spring season, and he has to compete against other talented wideouts now where his combination of size and speed won't necessarily always win the day. I think Baldwin will get a fair number of snaps this season, but I do not think he will be one of the top three guys.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2021 Season Countdown: #42 Junior Colson

 

Junior Colson (image via Freep)

Name: Junior Colson
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 230 lbs.
High school: Brentwood (TN) Ravenwood
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #25
Last year: Colson was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 59 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries.
TTB Rating: 89

After being adopted out of Haiti, Colson had long been a Michigan fan, so the offer from the Wolverines was an easy one to accept. His picking of the Wolverines was a huge one for the staff, as they needed an impact player at linebacker following the departure of Devin Bush a couple seasons ago and Josh Uche following the 2019 campaign. Colson played a variety of roles in high school, including wide receiver, outside linebacker, middle linebacker, and kick returner. Ravenwood is a strong program in Tennessee, one that also is the home of 2022 Michigan cornerback commit Myles Pollard.

Colson is listed at 6'2" and 230 lbs., and he looks like he runs in the 4.6 range. I think he could play outside linebacker or inside linebacker at Michigan. Reports coming out of practice have been very positive about him, but it's tough to play linebacker as a true freshman. I think he will play a backup role this season, but he could very well step into a starting position in 2022 once someone like Josh Ross departs.

Prediction: Backup linebacker

Visitors: 2021 BBQ at the Big House

 

Josh Conerly (image via Twitter)

2022

Aaron Alexander - LB - Belleville (MI) Belleville: Alexander is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Josh Conerly - OT - Seattle (CA) Rainier Beach: Conerly is a 6'5", 275 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas, among others. He's a 5-star, the #4 offensive tackle, and #20 overall. He worked out in front of Michigan's coaches at a satellite camp in Washington, and he also plans to return for an official visit in the fall.

Isaiah Hastings - DT - Clearwater (FL) International Academy: Hastings is a 6'4", 290-pounder with offers from Miami, Michigan, and Tennessee, among others. He's a 3-star, the #89 defensive lineman, and #617 overall. He is originally from Canada.

Hit the jump for more.

2021 Season Countdown: #43 David Ojabo

 

David Ojabo (image via 247 Sports)

Name: David Ojabo
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 250 lbs.
High school: Blairstown (NJ) Blair Academy
Position: Outside linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #55
Last year: I ranked Ojabo #59 and said he would be a backup defensive end (LINK). He made 1 tackle.
TTB Rating: 85

Michigan brought in Ojabo as a project in the 2019 class. He seemed like a guy who could play defensive end in their system, outside linebacker in a 3-4, or maybe even 3-tech in a 4-3 once his body fully developed. It seemed like nobody could get a bead on him because he was a relatively recent convert to American football, having been born in Nigeria and raised in Scotland. Michigan played him at the SAM linebacker position in 2020, a spot that had been vacated by Josh Uche, but Ojabo was not nearly as effective.

Ojabo remains at outside linebacker in 2021 and has a chance to start. He still looked very raw in 2020, and I'm in "wait-and-see" mode. I have heard talk that he could potentially start. I have my doubts and think Michigan has better players, but then again, the learning curve might come into play here. If he was a blank canvas coming in, maybe the picture is starting to take shape. At the very least, I know Aidan Hutchinson will be ahead of him, and I think Taylor Upshaw will be, too. Meanwhile, Braiden McGregor, Jaylen Harrell, and others are waiting in the wings for their opportunity, too.

Prediction: Backup outside linebacker

2021 Season Countdown: #44 Nikhai Hill-Green

 

Nikhai Hill-Green (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Nikhai Hill-Green
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 225 lbs.
High school: Baltimore (MD) St. Frances
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #41
Last year: I ranked Hill-Green #68 and said he would be a backup linebacker (LINK). He played in three games and made 1 tackle.
TTB Rating: 81

Hill-Green has seen a meteoric rise in his prospects over the past year or so. Michigan at one time seemed well stocked at linebacker, with a lot of moving parts between inside linebacker, Viper, and SAM. Here are a few things that happened at linebacker since Hill-Green signed:

• High school teammate Osman Savage transferred to Alabama A&M
• Charles Thomas entered the transfer portal
• Cam McGrone had an underwhelming 2020 but entered the draft, anyway
• Ben VanSumeren transferred to Michigan State
• William Mohan transferred to Tennessee
• Cornell Wheeler transferred to Kansas

Savage, Thomas, McGrone, and Wheeler were all inside linebackers like Hill-Green.

There are still obstacles in the way at inside linebacker, but practice reports have been good about Hill-Green. He seems to be in line for playing time, but last year's staff was higher on Kalel Mullings, and Anthony Solomon has an advantage on both in on-field experience. That's not to mention that Josh Ross and Michael Barrett are incumbent starters.

Prediction: Backup inside linebacker

2021 Season Countdown: #45 Braiden McGregor

 

Braiden McGregor (image via Twitter)

Name: Braiden McGregor
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 260 lbs.
High school: Port Huron (MI) Northern
Position: Outside linebacker
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #17
Last year: I ranked McGregor #42 and said he would be a backup defensive end (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: 87

McGregor suffered a terrible knee injury as a senior in high school during the 2019 season. With medical science the way it is, I thought he would be ready to play in 2020, but that turned out not to be the case.

Word out of practice is that McGregor is folliwing in Aidan Hutchinson's footsteps as a strong player. The coaching staff is using the two in similar ways. Chris Hutchinson, Aidan's dad, recently said that Aidan would be a standup outside linebacker on first and second downs before getting into a three-point stance to rush the passer on third down. Will McGregor be the #2 guy at outside linebacker? That remains to be seen. But I have heard good things about him, and I think McGregor is probably one of the top three most talented pass rushers on the team, along with Hutchinson and Jaylen Harrell. I hope the coaching staff is grooming him to replace Hutchinson in 2022.

Prediction: Backup outside linebacker

2021 Season Countdown: #46 Louis Hansen

 

Louis Hansen

Name: Louis Hansen
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 251 lbs.
High school: Needham (MA) St. Sebastian's
Position: Tight end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #81
Last year: Hansen was a senior in high school (LINK). His season was canceled due to COVID.
TTB Rating: 84

Hansen ended up ranked as a 4-star, the #11 tight end, and #274 overall. He played a lot of wide receiver in high school, as St. Sebastian's figured he was the best athlete around, so they might as well put him out in space. He outjumped and outmuscled defensive backs regularly. He caught 39 passes for 548 yards and 8 touchdowns as a junior in 2019, but his senior season was canceled due to COVID.

If Michigan's offense is anything like it has been for the past several years, Michigan needs a contributor at tight end. The Wolverines have lost Sean McKeon and Nick Eubanks to graduation over the past couple seasons, and that production has not really been replaced. Presumed starter Erick All has the body and athletic skills to take over, but he was plagued by drops in 2020. Fifth year senior Joel Honigford is just a blocker, and Luke Schoonmaker has been so-so as a blocker and receiver.

The most interesting change is with Ben Mason's departure. Mason was basically a fullback, but he was listed as a tight end. Will Michigan get rid of that position and those formations because they no longer have a fullback-like guy? Or will they do similar things with a different guy? The #3 tight end only had 2 catches each of the past two seasons (Mason in 2020, Schoonmaker in 2019), but those players got plenty of snaps on the field as blockers, route runners, etc.

Hansen will see the field in 2021. He probably won't catch a ton of balls, but he should get a few looks and has reportedly bulked up to over 250 pounds in order to get physically ready to take on Big Ten defenders.

Prediction: Backup tight end

2021 Season Countdown: #47 Jaylen Harrell

 

Jaylen Harrell (image via Twitter)

Name: Jaylen Harrell
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 235 lbs.
High school: Tampa (FL) Berkeley Prep
Position: Outside linebacker
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #32
Last year: I ranked Harrell #73 and said he would be a backup outside linebacker (LINK). He played in four games and made 2 tackles.
TTB Rating: 84

Pop question: Did Jaylen Harrell get on the field in 2020?

Pop answer: If you don't know the answer, you didn't read the info above.

Harrell was a question mark going into 2020. I was not concerned about his athletic ability, but I did wonder if a staff that seemed to really appreciate veterans would put him on the field. As it turns out, the defensive staff didn't really see a need to put him on the field, but the special teams coaches did.

If you're playing special teams as a freshman, I think the coaching staff probably sees a bright future. Additionally, I think Harrell brings an element of size and athleticism to the outside linebacker position that not many others on the team possess. There are bigger guys, but they aren't as quick. Nor can they dip their shoulders and turn the corner like I think Harrell can, or at least will be able to do down the road. He's probably not developed enough to start, but I would expect defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to start sprinkling him in as a situational pass rusher in 2021.

Prediction: Backup outside linebacker

2021 Season Countdown: #48 Mike Morris

 

Mike Morris (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Mike Morris
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 276 lbs.
High school: Belle Glade (FL) American Heritage
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #90
Last year: I ranked Morris #76 and said he would be a backup defensive end (LINK). He played in one game and made 1 tackle.
TTB Rating: 81

I have to admit that I'm going out on a limb here with my ranking of Morris at #48. With Michigan's new defensive staff taking over, I have to think that someone in the front seven will come out of nowhere to become a solid rotation player, and I'm going with Morris as one of those candidates. He only played in one game last season and looked pretty thin, as though he hasn't fully matured. With another off-season under his belt, I think he has the length and athleticism to be a guy who can play the 4i or a 5-tech and help contribute. Michigan needs players to step up on game day or at least provide competition. With proper development I still think Morris could be a good player down the road.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

2021 Season Countdown: #49 Jess Speight

 

Jess Speight

Name: Jess Speight
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 290 lbs.
High school: Richmond (VA) Collegiate
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #67
Last year: I ranked Speight #45 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle (LINK). He made 2 tackles.
TTB Rating: N/A

I want to take a walk down memory lane to Speight's first appearance in the countdown (LINK):

Speight, who is the brother of former Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight, is the rare walk-on offensive lineman who actually got me excited a little bit. . . . Speight’s time won’t come this year, but he’s one to keep an eye on in the coming years.

When the Michigan program took Wilton's "little brother" as a preferred walk-on, I thought he was a guy who could eventually work his way into the starting center position, post-Cesar Ruiz. Obviously, Speight made the transition to defensive tackle, so I'm no Nostradamus. But he did start one game in 2019 and has played in a total of thirteen games, making 7 total tackles.

Entering his final year on campus, I think Speight will probably end up playing one of the defensive end (4i) positions as a backup. I don't think he's strong enough to play nose tackle and stand up to double teams as an interior guy, but he might be able to handle some single blocks from offensive tackles. He's not going to turn into a star overnight, but for a team lacking experienced bulk on the defensive line, he should be back in the rotation once again in 2021.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

2021 Season Countdown: #50 German Green

 

German Green (image via MGoBlue)

Name: German Green
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 181 lbs.
High school: DeSoto (TX) DeSoto
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #33
Last year: I ranked Green #62 and said he would be a backup safety (LINK). He played in six games and made 1 tackle.
TTB Rating: 59

German and his brother Gemon are so twin-like that they're both listed at 6'2" and 181 lbs. on Michigan's roster. Unfortunately for German, their playing time has not been quite as equal. While Gemon started all six games at cornerback last season and led the team in pass breakups, German saw the field almost exclusively on special teams. He did play one game as a backup corner, and that's reportedly where he remains in 2021 after spending his first two years on campus at safety.

German has special teams upside as well as a little bit of defensive experience at multiple positions. He has not been talked about as a possible starter opposite his brother, even though Vincent Gray and others really struggled in 2020. I would not expect him to factor into the prime-time rotation at corner this season, but it's nice to have a veteran backup.

I'm interested to see how things might play out for the twins going forward. Would German spend five seasons as a backup in Ann Arbor while Gemon gets starting reps for two or three years? Or would German break apart from his brother as perhaps a grad transfer to try to strike out on his own and get playing time elsewhere?

Prediction: Backup cornerback

2021 Season Countdown: #51 Reece Atteberry

 

Reece Atteberry (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Reece Atteberry
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 284 lbs.
High school: Aurora (CO) Eaglecrest
Position: Center
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #74
Last year: I ranked Atteberry #103 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 74

Atteberry surprised me a little bit last season. He was the lowest-ranked scholarship player in the countdown, but he ended up playing in one game on special teams against Minnesota. Usually you want big, beefy guys on the field goal protection unit, and at 284 pounds, Atteberry was not one of the biggest or beefiest guys available. But he got on the field, so good for him. That probably means the coaches were pleased with what they saw out of him in summer/fall practice.

This off-season Atteberry has been mixed in the talk about the center position. At one point I heard a rumor that he was a possible starter, but I found that to be very surprising. As the spring and summer have progressed, there has been more talk about Zak Zinter playing center. With Andrew Vastardis, Raheem Anderson II, Greg Crippen, and Nolan Rumler all also available, there's no shortage of bodies. My guess is that it will be Zinter at #1, Vastardis as the primary backup, and then other guys filling in at center and/or guard on occasion to give them playing experience for when Vastardis graduates or for when a guard spot opens up, perhaps allowing Zinter to slide one way or the other.

Prediction: Backup center

2021 Season Countdown: #52 R.J. Moten

 

R.J. Moten (image via 247 Sports)

Name: R.J. Moten
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 213 lbs.
High school: Delran (NJ) Delran
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #6
Last year: I ranked Moten #88 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: 68

Moten was a do-everything player in high school who was recruited, like many others, to play the ballyhooed Viper position. I thought he was pretty raw, especially on defense, in high school, so I expected him to redshirt last year. He essentially did, playing in one game on special teams.

But then the off-season came, and the Viper position disappeared. Of all the freshman and redshirt freshman safeties in the class, the most buzz was coming out about Moten. I have heard more talk about Moten than the guy who actually saw the field a bunch in 2020, Makari Paige. It's always tough to gauge practice rumors, and I don't really trust them a ton here, other than to think Moten could be in line to be the fourth safety, behind Daxton Hill, Brad Hawkins, and Paige. There are still other guys to wonder about - Jordan Morant, Sammy Faustin, German Green, Quinten Johnson, etc. - and frankly there are too many on the roster to expect them all to stay too much longer. But Moten has a shot to start earning some playing time this season and stake his claim for a starting position when Hawkins and perhaps Hill are gone in 2022.

Prediction: Backup safety, special teamer

2021 Season Countdown: #53 Jalen Perry

 

Jalen Perry (image via Michigan Daily)

Name: Jalen Perry
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Dacula (GA) Dacula
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #16
Last year: I ranked Perry #51 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He played in three games and made 1 tackle.
TTB Rating: 88

Perry had a rough introduction to college football in 2020. When Michigan's corners were completely ineffective and getting abused against Michigan State, he was one of the items thrown against the wall to see what sticks - and he was promptly called for pass interference on the first play of his career:

Unfortunately, it got worse from there.

With no personal insight into the psyche of Jalen Perry, I have no idea how much that series of events in his college debut has affected him going forward. I thought he would be a pretty good college player, but he has yet to show that will be the case. He was never an athlete that had wow-level physical skills, so the weight room and his technique are going to be important.

Word out of spring camp was that Perry had moved to safety, which I think he can also play. He could be a serious option to play there in 2022, but right now the Wolverines have two players who are probably in their final year of college (Brad Hawkins, Daxton Hill). Perry would be fighting for backup reps with the likes of Makari Paige, R.J. Moten, and others to potentially replace Hawkins and Hill next year.

Prediction: Backup safety, special teamer

2021 Season Countdown: #54 Sammy Faustin

 

Sammy Faustin (image via MLive)

Name: Sammy Faustin
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Naples (FL) Naples
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #9
Last year: I ranked Faustin #39 and said he would be a backup safety (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 76

Through three seasons on Michigan's campus, Faustin has played in a total of ten games, including just 3 on defense. He has two tackles to show for it. He has practiced at safety and a little bit at corner, just to try to shore up the latter position, but so far he has not been able to establish himself at either position.

This year he's in a tough spot with a couple established safeties ahead of him in Brad Hawkins and Daxton Hill. And while Faustin is a more veteran backup option, freshman Makari Paige played more in 2020 and his classmate, R.J. Moten, has earned quite a bit of practice hype. Faustin was a steady special teams contributor in 2019, so he has the ability to get on the field, but he's running out of time to help much on defense.

Prediction: Backup safety, special teamer

2021 Season Countdown: #55 Andre Seldon, Jr.

 

Andre Seldon

Name: Andre Seldon, Jr.
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 172 lbs.
High school: Belleville (MI) Belleville
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #0
Last year: I ranked Seldon #32 and said he would start at nickel corner (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 83

Seldon was an Under Armour All-American and seemed destined for early playing time in a Michigan uniform, especially for a team lacking corners.

Then 2020 rolled around, and he almost never played.

That can be partially explained by the fact that Seldon suffered an injury, but he supposedly got healthy partway through the season and still was kept off the field.

I still think Seldon could be an excellent nickel corner because of his quickness, man coverage, and willingness to come up and stop the run, despite his diminutive stature. It remains to be seen how this staff will use a player in that mold. Talk is that safety Daxton Hill could move to the nickel spot when that position is necessary, but I would think that would be dependent on who's available to play in the slot.

If the extra safety is better, move Hill to nickel. If the extra corner is better, keep Hill at safety.

I don't know how much Seldon will play in 2021, but I do think he's one of the top five most talented defensive backs.

Prediction: Backup cornerback

2021 Season Countdown: #56 Jordan Morant

 

Jordan Morant (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Jordan Morant
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 207 lbs.
High school: Oradell (NJ) Bergen Catholic
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #31
Last year: I ranked Morant #100 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: 87

Morant suffered a potential career-threatening injury in high school, which caused him to miss not only his senior year of high school, but also spring ball when he enrolled at Michigan in January 2020. That setback probably cost him his freshman year of college, too, meaning he lost time while classmates or slightly older guys were able to gain an edge.

Morant is well built and was a standout recruit. Another one brought in to player Viper, he will have to find a role at safety. If he or any other safeties can build the staff's confidence, that may allow another safety to be inserted for Daxton Hill, who could potentially play a nickel role and cover more one-on-one. Morant is more physically ready to play than some of the other young safeties (Morant is almost the exact size as Baltimore Ravens starting strong safety Chuck Clark, who is 6'0" and 208), but he hasn't played much competitive football over the past two years. So what he does this year is a complete mystery.

Prediction: Backup safety, special teamer

2021 Season Countdown: #57 Quinten Johnson

 

Quinten Johnson

Name: Quinten Johnson
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Washington (DC) St. John's
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #14
Last year: I ranked Johnson #52 and said he would be a backup safety (LINK). He played in two games on special teams.
TTB Rating: 79

Johnson is a player who has had a fair amount of adversity in his career, especially for someone who has only played in two games for his career. He suffered a knee injury as a freshman, causing him to miss the entire year. Brought in to be a Viper in Don Brown's defense, he bounced back and forth between Viper and safety. And now with an entirely new defensive staff that doesn't employ a Viper-type player, he has to re-invent himself as a safety only.

The outlook for 2021 doesn't look great for Johnson, although the transfer of frequently used backup Hunter Reynolds (Utah State) does open up a small window. Daxton Hill and Brad Hawkins return as starters at safety, but the primary backup in 2020 was Makari Paige, who also returns. Add in Sammy Faustin, Jalen Perry, R.J. Moten, Jordan Morant, and others, and there's a lot of competition to get on the field. Johnson will have a tough time getting on the field on defense, but I do believe he has the skill set to be used on special teams a fair amount.

Prediction: Backup safety, special teamer

2021 Season Countdown: #58 Darion Green-Warren

 

Darion Green-Warren (image via SI)

Name: Darion Green-Warren
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 180 lbs.
High school: Harbor City (CA) Narbonne
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #28
Last year: I ranked Green-Warren #49 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: 78

Green-Warren was a highly touted recruit and played in the All-American Bowl back in January of 2020. He was a 4-star and the #190 overall prospect in the class. I thought last year he would step in and play a backup role for a team that really needed help at corner. Unfortunately, even though Michigan's corners were pretty terrible overall, Green-Warren never sniffed the field.

I have always had questions about Green-Warren's overall speed and athleticism, but he's feisty and has good technique. Unfortunately for him, Michigan is pretty much in the same spot they were in 2020 when Ambry Thomas opted out. Vincent Gray and Gemon Green both got torched for a big chunk of the season, and the backups who got a shot to play were immediately shredded, too. Thomas has moved on the NFL, and both Gray and Green return. Reportedly, D.J. Turner II is vying for playing time. At no point have I heard that Green-Warren is in the mix to play, but you never know what could happen with a new defensive coaching staff.

Prediction: Backup cornerback

2021 Season Countdown: #59 Nolan Rumler

 

Nolan Rumler

NOTE: I skipped from #61 to #59 because William Mohan (who transferred to Tennessee) was at #60.

Name: Nolan Rumler
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 328 lbs.
High school: Akron (OH) Hoban
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #70
Last year: I ranked Rumler #55 and said he would be a backup offensive guard and special teamer (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 87

Rumler has spent two surprisingly quiet seasons on the bench to start his career. He came in as the #174 overall prospect in the 2019 class, which hinted that he had potential to be pretty good. He also did not need to add much weight or strength to get college-ready, since he competed in weightlifting competitions and was 300+ pounds to start. So with just one game under his belt - and that coming on the field goal protection unit - it's getting a little bit surprising that he hasn't generated much practice hype.

On the plus size, rumors are that he has hit it off with new offensive line coach Sherrone Moore better than he did with the departed Ed Warinner. And this spring there started to be a few trickles out of camp that Rumler was making strides. He won't make enough strides to beat out the guys ahead of him for a starting job, but he could compete for a backup role until the likes of Andrew Stueber, Andrew Vastardis, and Chuck Filiaga move on. Rumler has repped at both guard and center over the past couple seasons, so he has some positional versatility. I do expect him to be a big body up front on protection units, too.

Prediction: Backup offensive guard, special teamer

2021 Season Countdown: #61 Andrel Anthony

 

Andrel Anthony (image via Twitter)

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

2021 Season Countdown: #62 Raheem Anderson

 

Raheem Anderson (image via Twitter)

Name: Raheem Anderson
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 298 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Anderson was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: 83

Anderson was a good prospect when he committed to Michigan in April of 2020. I had some criticisms of him, especially in his pass protection, but they were fixable things.

And I think he fixed a lot of them. I thought his senior film was much cleaner and showed that he continued to improve. He keeps a wider base and moves his feet better laterally. I think Michigan got a really good player here.

As for the 2021 season, Sam Webb has been beating the drum that Anderson could potentially be the starting center for Michigan. I find that outcome difficult to picture, especially when Michigan has more experienced and bigger guys vying for playing time at center, from Andrew Vastardis to Zak Zinter to Nolan Rumler to Reece Atteberry. I think Michigan has enough talented bodies to keep Anderson from being that important of a piece this fall, but I could definitely see him earning some playing time to groom him for 2022, when there will be a couple spots open.

Prediction: Backup center/guard

2021 Season Countdown: #63 Joey Velazquez

 

Joey Velazquez (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Joey Velazquez
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 224 lbs.
High school: Columbus (OH) St. Francis De Sales
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #29
Last year: I ranked Velazquez #78 and said he would be a backup linebacker and special teamer (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 82

Velazquez has developed roughly in the manner I expected so far during his career. After starting off his career at Viper in 2019, he moved to inside linebacker in 2020. That was a better fit for him, especially considering all the players Michigan had been bringing in at the hybrid Viper position. The one opportunity he got to see the field in 2020 was on special teams against Michigan State.

Now with the defensive coaching change, it's unclear exactly what the defense will look like in 2021. Velazquez is still a little light at 224 lbs., and his baseball training probably holds him back from realizing his full potential in football. (He hit .174 with 7 RBI and 1 double this spring.) It's very tough to play two sports in college, and I would not be surprised to see him make a choice sometime in the next year about which sport to choose to play full-time. There were some positive things being said about him this off-season, but at best, he appears to be at least the fifth-best inside linebacker going into year three.

Prediction: Backup linebacker, special teamer

2021 Season Countdown: #64 Rayshaun Benny

 

NOTE: I'm skipping from #66 Cristian Dixon to #64 Rayshaun Benny because Cornell Wheeler, who is transferring to Kansas, was at #65.

Name: Rayshaun Benny
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 275 lbs.
High school: Oak Park (MI) Oak Park
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Benny was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 32 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks in five games.
TTB Rating: 81

Benny went through a meandering process to get to Michigan. A two-way lineman - who I think has more upside on offense - Benny seemed destined to sign with Michigan. Then a little bit out of the blue, he verbally committed to Michigan State. Rumors kept popping up that he would flip to the Wolverines, but he batted those rumors away and insisted that he would be a Spartan . . . except he didn't sign in the December early signing period. As things moved along toward February, it seemed more and more likely that he would end up signing with Michigan, which he eventually did.

Michigan made a run on defensive tackles at the end of the recruiting cycle, and they also landed transfer Jordan Whittley from Oregon State. It's hard to pin any single one of those freshmen or transfers down as being ready to contribute this fall, because they're all unknowns at this point. Michigan has enough guys at defensive tackle this year to potentially plaster Benny to the bench, but the staff can't really afford to redshirt every big defensive lineman in the class. Benny's combination of size and athleticism seem to make him the most likely to play, but his strength and conditioning will probably place him in a backup role this season.

Prediction: Backup defensive tackle

2021 Season Countdown: #66 Cristian Dixon

 

Cristian Dixon (image via SI)

Name: Cristian Dixon
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 187 lbs.
High school: Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Dixon was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: 75

Dixon had a nice list of offers coming out of high school, picking Michigan over the likes of LSU, Notre Dame, and Oregon. He had been a teammate of now sophomore cornerback Darion Green-Warren, and like all Californians, his season was postponed to the spring. So instead of playing a senior year, he enrolled early at Michigan and went through spring ball.

Buzz about him coming out of practice was pretty much non-existent. And that's not too surprising, considering that instead of playing a season and going through spring ball to develop even further, his playing experience over the past year was halved. If you then add in that Michigan landed transfer receiver Daylen Baldwin, I think Dixon's chances of making an impact in 2021 are pretty slim. I expect him to play some, because Michigan should see some departures going into 2022 that might open some doors for playing time, but Dixon will probably not be used much.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

Scouting Report: 2022 OL/DL Deone Walker

 

Deone Walker (image via SI)

Name: Deone Walker
High school: Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 340 lbs.
Position: Offensive lineman/defensive tackle
Class: 2022
Offers: Akron, Arizona State, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Ball State, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kent State, Kentucky, Liberty, Louisville, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Penn State, Pitt, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas, Toledo, Virginia Tech
Commitment: Uncommitted

Notes: Rivals 4-star, 5.8 grade, #23 DT, #8 in MI...247 Sports 3-star, 88 grade, #66 DL, #14 in MI...Unranked by ESPN...Played for former Michigan RB Thomas Wilcher at Cass Tech, though Wilcher was recently hired by Michigan State...Announced a top five of Arizona State, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, and Missouri

Hit the jump for more.

Way Too Early 2022 Depth Chart: July 2021

 

Daxton Hill (image via Rivals)

The following depth chart has removed the following players from the 2021 depth chart for various reasons:

• WR Ronnie Bell (graduation)
• OL Chuck Filiaga (graduation)
• S Brad Hawkins (graduation)
• OL Joel Honigford (graduation)
• DE Aidan Hutchinson (graduation)
• DT Donovan Jeter (graduation)
• K Jake Moody (graduation)
• P Brad Robbins (graduation)
• LB Josh Ross (graduation)
• DT Jess Speight (graduation)
• OL Andrew Stueber (graduation)
• OL Andrew Vastardis (graduation)

It also assumes that every currently rostered player and every currently committed prospect will be here in 2022, which is obviously not true.

Hit the jump for the depth chart.

Micah Pollard, Wolverine

 

Micah Pollard

Jacksonville (FL) Bartram Trail linebacker Micah Pollard committed to Michigan on Monday. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Penn State, and Virginia Tech, among others.

Pollard is listed at 6'3" and 200 lbs. He made 69 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and 1 interception as a junior in 2020.

RANKINGS
ESPN: 3-star, 77 grade, #61 OLB
Rivals: 3-star, 5.7 grade, #39 OLB
247 Sports: 3-star, 87 grade, #66 LB

Hit the jump for more.

2021 Season Countdown: #67 Caden Kolesar

 

Caden Kolesar

Name: Caden Kolesar
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 196 lbs.
High school: Lakewood (OH) St. Edward
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #35
Last year: I ranked Kolesar #90 and said he would be a backup safety and special teamer (LINK). He made 1 tackle.
TTB Rating: N/A

Kolesar, the son of former Michigan wide receiver John Kolesar, enters his third year of playing for the Wolverines. Playing, as in actually getting on the field. He played in three games on special teams in 2019 and then all six games in 2020, making 1 tackle against Minnesota in the season opener.

Michigan returns both its starting safeties, and there are some young scholarship guys who have been getting positive reviews in practice. While Kolesar appears to be pretty far down the depth chart at safety, he should see the field quite a bit once again on special teams.

Prediction: Backup safety, special teamer

2021 Season Countdown: #68 Jaydon Hood

 

Jaydon Hood (image via Twitter)

Name: Jaydon Hood
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 215 lbs.
High school: Fort Lauderdale (FL) Saint Thomas Aquinas
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Hood was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: 72

Hood has had a bit of a strange path to Michigan. After transferring to Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas prior to his senior year, he struggled a little bit with the transition to a new defense. That led some analysts to downgrade him, and it also is a bit of a concern. If he struggles to transition to yet another new defensive scheme, might he get frustrated? Hood's signing was also a little bit of a circus, because he was going to skip the early signing period in favor of signing in February . . . but then he signed on December 16 at the last minute, anyway.

Normally, I would project Hood to be a clear redshirt due to a lack of size and the above mentioned questions about how quickly he can adapt to a new scheme, but the mass exodus of linebackers in recent months might speed up his timeline. Aside from Josh Ross and Michael Barrett, Michigan's linebackers are completely unproven. Linebackers are also often heavy contributors on special teams, and that's a place where I think Hood could excel early in his career.

Prediction: Backup linebacker, special teamer

2021 Season Countdown: #70 Carter Selzer

 

Carter Selzer (image via Freep)

Name: Carter Selzer
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 240 lbs.
High school: Kansas City (MO) Rockhurst
Position: Tight end
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #89
Last year: I did not rank Selzer. He played in six games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Selzer has played in ten career games so far, mostly on special teams.

You problem never noticed him until one fateful day on Halloween 2020.

On that particular day, Michigan was coming off a blowout win over Minnesota and went into the game against Michigan State full of unfounded confidence. So, too, did offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. So much confidence that he thought he could do anything and beat the Spartans.

So he put in a Wildcat pass for Hassan Haskins to throw the ball to the 6'8" Selzer on the goal line. It went poorly, MSU linebacker Antjuan Simmons batted the ball away, Michigan wasted a scoring opportunity, and they lost by 3 points.

Part of the reason they threw the ball to Selzer was because nobody expected them to throw the ball to Selzer, and going into 2021, I once again do not expect them to throw the ball to Selzer. But he is worth noting because of his role on special teams, and obviously, the coaches feel he's talented enough to be involved in a tight rivalry game.

Prediction: Backup tight end, special teamer