2021 Season Countdown: #16 Donovan Jeter

 

Donovan Jeter

Name: Donovan Jeter
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 325 lbs.
High school: Beaver Falls (PA) Beaver Falls
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #95
Last year: I ranked Jeter #29 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle (LINK). He made 11 tackles, 1 pass breakup, and 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown.
TTB Rating: 78

In some ways Jeter has been a much maligned figure over the past four years. He was listed as a strongside defensive end as a recruit, but everybody knew he was headed for defensive tackle. Fans expected him to take a couple years to develop, but that never seemed to happen. As he enters his fifth year on campus, he has not yet registered a single sack or tackle for loss. Far and away, the biggest highlight of his career was last year against Minnesota, when a big hit by a blitzing Michael Barrett popped the ball up into the air, where it happened to land in Jeter's arms and he ran a few yards into the endzone. Otherwise, the soundtrack of Jeter's career is filled with crickets.

Here we are in 2021 in Jeter's last chance (maybe) to make an impact. Jim Harbaugh has said this was Jeter's best off-season, but big talk from coaches doesn't always translate onto the field. It's possible that Jeter could return in 2022 since last season didn't count for eligibility, but that doesn't make much sense. If he performs well in 2021, he should probably try to parlay that into an NFL career. If he doesn't perform well, then why waste another year in Ann Arbor where Shaun Nua obviously hasn't been able to figure out how to develop your skills?

I think Michigan's scheme change should benefit Jeter. He's not athletic enough to play a 5-tech regularly, and he doesn't stay low enough to play in the interior. Playing a tackle position on the inside shoulder of the offensive tackle should be a good spot. He won't have to take on endless double-teams, and he won't have to hold the edge. If he can occupy the B-gap while allowing Michigan's outside linebackers to get to the quarterback and set the edge, Jeter will have done his job. I'm beyond predicting a breakout for Jeter and expect him to have a pretty ho-hum end to his career in a winged helmet, but this should still be his best year.

Prediction: Starting defensive tackle; 18 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack