Site News: What's Going On?

 

If you're still visiting TTB, you're most likely a loyal reader. And I appreciate it.

For the past few weeks, I have been producing less on the blog than I probably ever have. And there's a reason for that. It's not just a coincidence.

I don't want to go into too many details, but unfortunately, I have a close family member who has an addiction problem that has created a great deal of personal and financial woes. I'm somebody who tries to learn about problems and fix things, which has led me to dive deep into researching, reading, watching videos, listening to podcasts, etc. about addiction.

I was already stretched pretty thin because I've had my primary job while always juggling coaching, side gigs, writing, etc. The blog has always been my third- or fourth-biggest source of income, so I have to treat it as the third- or fourth-biggest professional priority.

I'm still updating the recruiting boards and watching film, but to be honest, it's tough to focus on the more elaborate pieces that I used to enjoy putting together so much - the scouting reports, the film breakdowns, the hypothetical scenarios, etc.

Go Blue.

Visitors: June 13-15, 2025

 

Tony Alford and Savion Hiter (image via X)

2026

Ben Boulware - DT - Winston Salem (NC) Oak Grove: Boulware is a 6'5", 305 lb. tackle prospect with this Michigan visit as the only official visit on his schedule, but he also has offers from the likes of Georgia, South Carolina, USC, and lots of others. He's a 3-star, the #57 defensive lineman, and #501 overall.

Chace Calicut - S - Houston (TX) North Shore: Calicut is a 6'3", 190-pounder with Georgia, Ole Miss, and Texas official visits, along with this official to Michigan. He's a 4-star, the #13 safety, and #162 overall. There are three crystal balls in place and they're all for Texas.

Andre Clarke - CB - Richmond (VA) Hermitage: Clarke is a 6'1", 175 lb. player who's listed as a cornerback in some places and as a safety in others. He's a 4-star, the #16 safety, and #177 overall. He has already taken official visits to SMU and Kentucky, and he has one coming up to Miami. This is an official visit.

Hit the jump for more.

Visitors: June 6-8, 2025

 

Mansfield (TX) Lake Ridge OT Felix Ojo (image via X)

2026

Nick Abrams II - LB - Owings Mills (MD) McDonough: Abrams is a 6'2", 215 lb. prospect with official visits set for Alabama and Oregon, and he has already visited Georgia. He's a 4-star, the #17 linebacker, and #251 overall. This is an official visit.

Khary Adams - CB - Towson (MD) Loyola Blakefield: Adams is a 6'2", 175-pounder with official visits to Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, and South Carolina, along with Michigan. He's a 4-star, the #9 cornerback, and #75 overall. This is an official visit.

McHale Blade - DE - Chicago (IL) Simeon: Blade is a 6'4", 245 lb. edge prospect with officials to Purdue and Wisconsin under his belt, and this is his last scheduled official visit for the time being. He's a 4-star, the #21 defensive lineman, and #169 overall. He attends the alma mater of Chris Bryant, Michigan's Director of High School Relations. This is an official visit.

Hit the jump for more.

2025 Season Countdown: #106 Avery Gach

 

Avery Gach

Name: Avery Gach
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 287 lbs.
High school: Franklin (MI) Groves
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #74
Last year: Gach was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: 77

Gach committed to Michigan despite being a Michigan State legacy, and that not only takes some intelligence, but also some guts. I guess it should be pretty obvious that the Wolverines are the better choice given both options, but some people aren't able to grasp it. Michigan pursued Gach because he's tough and aggressive, envisioning a return to the physical offensive lines that led the way for Michigan's rushing offense from 2021-2023, and Gach has the mindset to be able to play for a line like that.

Gach is rated in the 247 Composite as an interior offensive lineman (4-star, #15 IOL, #279 overall) but some sites rank him as a tackle. I think his feet are too slow laterally to make tackle an option, so he's likely limited to guard or perhaps center. But he definitely has the tenacity to be a physical finisher on the interior as a run blocker. He did some good things in the spring game as an early enrollee, but he still needs to learn some technique, play lower, and add some weight to his 287 lb. frame. He is likely headed for a redshirt, but if one of the early season games turns into a blowout, I could see him getting a few snaps to prepare him for the future.

Prediction: Redshirt

2025 Season Countdown: #107 Julius Holly

 

Julius Holly

Name: Julius Holly
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 224 lbs.
High school: Alpharetta (GA) Alpharetta
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #37
Last year: Holly was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 9 tackles and 1 tackle for loss while playing in just two games due to injury.
TTB Rating: 76

Holly has flown somewhat under the radar as a recruit even though he's a 4-star (#36 edge, #403 overall) in the 247 Composite. He took official visits to Georgia, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M before committing to Michigan at the end of last July, so he was pursued by some heavy hitters. Various college coaches must have seen something in him.

Unfortunately, Holly's senior season was cut short by injury, so he was only able to play in two games. MGoBlue lists him at 6'4", 224 lbs. after he was listed at 6'3", 230 lbs. during his recruitment, so he comes in a little bit taller and leaner than expected. The height is welcome, but the light weight is something that registers as a red flag for any chance of contributing as a freshman. At the Big Ten level, guys who are 224 pounds would get tossed around, so Holly is a virtual lock to redshirt this season.

Prediction: Redshirt

2025 Season Countdown: #108 Chase Taylor

 

Chase Taylor

Name: Chase Taylor
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 213 lbs.
High school: Stockbridge (GA) Stockbridge
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #29
Last year: Taylor was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 62 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 pass breakups, and 3 quarterback hurries.
TTB Rating: 58

Taylor was recruited to Michigan to play inside linebacker, and he committed when he was listed at 201 pounds. It takes a lot of projection to see a 201 lb. player and think he'll be a Big Ten inside linebacker, where the normal playing weight is anywhere from 235-245 pounds. Sometimes long and lean players are 200 pounds and can project to tight end or outside linebacker because they're 6'5" or 6'6" and have a lot of room for growth, but at 6'2" there's not quite as much real estate to add beef.

A true senior highlight reel could not be found for Taylor for the 2024 season, so there are a few highlights from a handful of games. Based on what I saw in those clips, I still think Taylor has a long way to go, even though MGoBlue now lists him at 213 pounds. Taylor seems a little bit slow to make plays, and he doesn't always finish tackles the way I'd like to see for a future Big Ten inside linebacker. He can at times come downhill, lower his hips, and make a solid impact, but those plays just seem too few and far between. Based upon those senior clips, I lowered Taylor's TTB Rating from 69 to 58, and I think he's a pretty surefire redshirt in 2024 since he's so light.

Prediction: Redshirt

Mason Bonner, Wolverine

 

Denver (CO) Mullen TE Mason Bonner

Denver (CO) Mullen tight end Mason Bonner committed to Michigan on Thursday. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Colorado, Florida, Miami, Penn State, and several others.

Bonner is listed at 6'6" and 200 lbs.

RANKINGS
ESPN: 3-star, 79 grade, #17 TE-H
On3: 3-star, 89 grade, #21 TE
Rivals: 3-star, 5.6 grade, #44 TE
247 Sports: 3-star, 88 grade, #34 TE

Hit the jump for more.