Name: Reece Atteberry
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 315 lbs.
High school: Aurora (CO) Eaglecrest
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #74
Last year: I ranked Atteberry #47 and said he would be a backup offensive guard (LINK). He played in three games.
TTB Rating: 74
Atteberry came in with a plan to play center, and that shifted to guard over the past couple seasons. He seems like someone the coaches like, but who can't quite make his way onto the field consistently. After playing in one game as a freshman and preserving his redshirt - though it was a COVID year so it didn't really count - he played in eight games in 2021 and then just three in 2022.
The outlook doesn't look much better for playing time in 2023. Michigan has numerous starting-caliber offensive linemen, but the names bandied about don't include Atteberry. That's because both starting guards - Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan - return, while players with guard experience also exist, such as Karsen Barnhart and Arizona State transfer La'Darius Henderson. It may be a big year for Atteberry to establish himself in practice as a front-runner to play in 2024, but for now, he probably won't see a ton of playing time except for during blowouts.
Prediction: Backup offensive guard
He's a senior who has been talked about positively for a few years now. He has to be one of the best 3rd string OLmen in the country.
ReplyDeleteHopefully he'll get his shot at a big role next year after the depth chart turns over substantially this offseason. I can't disagree with the ranking for 2023.
Sucks for him. Size & ability, but he needs reps in order to reach potential ... probably not happening much this year either
ReplyDeleteI would guess he's not getting the playing time he envisioned 2 or 3 years ago, but on the other hand he's made 2 playoffs in a row, beaten OSU twice (undefeated in his career) and he'll (presumably) graduate with a Michigan degree in a matter of months. Not a bad ride.
DeleteIf he doesn't see the opportunity at Michigan in 2024 he can look elsewhere. By my estimation he would have 2 seasons left after this year since he should be a senior with sophomore eligibility. 2020 doesn't count, 2021 was 10 games played, but 2022 was just 3 so an automatic red-shirt if he wants it.
As with Crippen, the staff made a deliberate choice to get an extra year option during the 2022 season (via red-shirt). An unusual move for guys that had bigger roles in 2021, but one that seems mutually beneficial. Both guys can reassess where the roster is at at end of the season and either hang in to compete or move on for better opportunities. It seems obvious to me that the staff very much like Atteberry and Crippen, both. It's more a matter of if they are needed here than if they are capable.