Brentwood (TN) Ravenwood cornerback Myles Pollard committed to Michigan on Wednesday afternoon. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma, and Oregon, among others.
Pollard is listed at 6'2", 185 lbs.
RATINGS
ESPN: 3-star, 78 grade, #51 CB
Rivals: 4-star, 5.8 grade, #34 CB
247 Sports: 3-star, 87 grade, #59 CB
Hit the jump for more.
Pollard was a high school teammate of Michigan freshman linebacker Junior Colson. When Maurice Linguist was hired this past off-season to be Michigan's co-defensive coordinator, he put Michigan on Pollard's radar with an offer. Then when Linguist left Ann Arbor, Jim Harbaugh hired Steve Clinkscale - who happened to have a positive relationship with Pollard. The lanky corner took an official visit in June and was a prime target of the coaching staff, also hitting it off with 5-star cornerback commit Will Johnson.
Pollard is on the taller end of cornerbacks, and usually that comes along with some stiffness and a lack of change-of-direction skills. Luckily, that does not seem to be a big concern with Pollard. Despite his height, he has really quick feet and an ability to plant his foot and change direction quickly. That helps him come up and stop the run or tackle on short completions, even if he happens not to be in great position. His backpedal is smooth and he has the ability to flip his hips. He is also a physical run-stopper, can deliver an occasional big hit, and will compete for jump balls.
I have two concerns with Pollard. One is a lack of blazing speed, though I think his length will make up for some of that. The other is that on occasion in man coverage, he will guess wrong, opening up his hips a little bit early. I think that can be overcome with more training and film work.
Overall, Pollard is another prospect that I believe to be underrated as a 3-star and the #466 overall player in the 247 Composite. I think Rivals is closest with a 4-star ranking and putting him as the #34 corner, but I'm surprised that there are 33 corners in the country who are better than him. He reminds me of current Michigan cornerback Gemon Green, and while I think Michigan fans might be down on him after an abysmal overall season for the Wolverines in 2020, I think Gemon is a good player who just went through some growing pains in his first couple weeks of significant action.
I think Pollard will be relatively ready to plug and play when he gets to college, perhaps spending a year learning the craft. But I would be mildly surprised if he's not ready to contribute as a sophomore.
TTB Rating: 83
Nice write up. Agree on speed being a concern, but shouldn't be too big with his other attributes, and Will Johnson on the other side (Green could have used an Ambry to handle #1s)
ReplyDeleteGood to see the program recover reasonably well from missing out on Domani Jackson. With two promising big CBs leading the class, DB recruiting looks strong overall. Especially if they are able to close on a couple more athletes to add in for safety and nickel.
ReplyDeleteAfter the last few years of poor CB recruiting - IMO the biggest recruiting failing above DT or QB - it's encouraging to see this. And for a staff that presumably hangs it hat on recruiting elite talent, absolutely critical.
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Is Channing Stribling another comp?
ReplyDeletePollard is significantly bigger (20 pounds) and had a more impressive offer list. But rankings are fairly similar otherwise and both listed at 6'2.
Stribling had an excellent college career despite not having the speed to thrive in the NFL. He has bounced around CFL, XFL, NFL practice squads, etc with some success.
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Mgoblog Seth brought up Stribling a lot. I like the Green comp as well, especially since he came from a big HS powerhouse. Pollard isn't quite as highly ranked but is a bit bigger.
DeleteEssentially the same scouting report on all 3 coming out of HS. Hopefully Green continues to advance and he and Pollard follow in Stribling's footsteps.
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Pollard is bigger/stronger/tougher than Stribling. That's why I don't quite agree with that comparison.
DeleteMakes sense. FWIW Green and Stribling both listed at 165 on recruit profiles. Pollard 20 pounds on both at the same point. All 6'2.
DeleteRemains to be seen if these are differences in body type or just different phases of development. Green and Stribling have gotten up to 180. Pollard could stay where he is at or keep getting bigger.
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Is he going ro be a safety?
ReplyDeleteI think he can stick at corner.
DeleteIs Ja'Kobi Albert coming to Michigan?
ReplyDeleteI don't know the answer to that. From what I heard, Michigan was still playing from behind on Albert. But I hope I'm wrong. I really like that kid.
DeleteIs Michigan suddenly in the running for Keon Sabb? Is it true Steve Clinkscale has made him a highest priority?
ReplyDeleteYes, Clinkscale has made him a high priority, and Michigan got an official visit from him. Anyone who takes an official pretty much has to have you in their top five, at least at that particular moment. So there's at least a possibility.
DeleteThanks
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