2023 Season Countdown: #86 Connor Jones

 

Connor Jones (image via MGoBlue)

Name: Connor Jones
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 298 lbs.
High school: Monument (CO) Palmer Ridge
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #60 #76
Last year: I ranked Jones #99 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in two games.
TTB Rating: 65

Jones was an early enrollee in 2022 and earned playing time during the non-conference portion of the season. As most linemen should do, he was able to maintain his redshirt by playing in four games or fewer. Now going into his second year in the program, he has put on a little weight and changed jerseys from #60 to #76. Michigan is so deep on the offensive line that I don't think Jones will see much playing time this season.

Prediction: Backup offensive guard

2023 Season Countdown: #87 Joe Taylor

 

Joe Taylor (image via MLive)

Name: Joe Taylor
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Chelsea (MI) Chelsea
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #39
Last year: I did not rank Taylor. He returned 2 kickoffs for 34 yards and made 6 tackles.
TTB Rating: N/A

Taylor came out of nowhere in 2022 to earn a steady role on special teams. After playing in just one game at running back as a true freshman in 2021, he moved to wide receiver. Then he managed to win a role as a deep guy on kickoffs, the guy who might just catch the ball if the other team manages to pooch kick or directional kick the ball to the right (most right-footed kickers pull the ball to their left). Reportedly one of the faster guys on the team, Taylor returned 2 kicks for 34 yards while also working on coverage units.

I don't mean to diminish that accomplishment, but Taylor's role(s) can probably be filled by several other receivers, running backs, and perhaps defensive backs. It also seems like those special teams roles can swing wildly from season to season. Maybe Taylor will reprise his role on special teams, and maybe he will be usurped by Cole Cabana or Fredrick Moore or Tyler Morris or someone we're not even considering right now.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #88 Karmello English

 

Karmello English

Name: Karmello English
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Phenix City (AL) Central
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: English was a senior in high school (LINK). He caught 75 passes for 850 yards and 11 touchdowns, adding 2 rushing touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 82

English was a nice cherry on top for a 2023 class that was generally lacking pizzazz. It was a decent class, if underperforming based on Michigan's on-field success the past two years. But the lack of playmakers outside of local 4-star running back Cole Cabana was a bit concerning. In stepped English, who was ranked as a 4-star, the #26 wide receiver, and #181 overall. (Fun fact: English's high school coach was Patrick Nix, the former Auburn quarterback and the father of Auburn/Oregon quarterback Bo Nix.)

English is the highest ranked receiver in Michigan's class, and he might end up being the best one. But both Semaj Morgan and Fredrick Moore enrolled back in January and had spring practice to start to build a rapport with Michigan's quarterbacks. English is a summer enrollee who will be playing a little from behind. I think the team will have to use one or two freshman receivers on the field this season because of a little bit of a lack of depth, and English might be the odd man out for now.

Prediction: Redshirt

2023 Season Countdown: #89 Christian Boivin

 

(image via Ebay)

Name: Christian Boivin
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 217 lbs.
High school: Traverse City (MI) West
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #40
Last year: I ranked Boivin #113 and said he would be a backup running back (LINK). He transitioned to linebacker and played in eleven games on special teams, making 1 tackle.
TTB Rating: N/A

Here's what I had to say about Boivin in last year's preview:

"When Boivin came into college, I thought for sure he would be headed for the safety position. He runs a bit like a linebacker but doesn’t really have linebacker size."

Well, he played running back in year one, but last year he moved to linebacker despite being listed at 6'0" and 204 lbs., which is very light for a linebacker. He was named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week for the week leading up to UConn, and he was a regular special teams contributor all year long.

This year Boivin is listed at 217 lbs., which is a bit more reasonable for a linebacker. His chances of actually playing linebacker are still quite slim, but it's fair to expect him to maintain a sizable role on special teams.

Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer

Elias Rudolph, Wolverine

 

Elias Rudolph

Deerfield Beach (FL) Deerfield Beach defensive end Elias Rudolph committed to Michigan on Monday. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Penn State, and others.

Rudolph is listed at 6'4" and 205 lbs.

RANKINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 81 grade, #29 DE, #239 overall
On3: 3-star, 89 grade, #38 edge
Rivals: 4-star, 5.8 grade, #13 WDE, #219 overall
247 Sports: 4-star, 90 grade, #19 edge

Hit the jump for more.

2025 Recruiting Update: July 2, 2023

 

Chicago (IL) Simeon defensive end Christopher Burgess, Jr.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2025

Lehi (UT) Skyridge offensive guard Darius Afalava was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'5", 280 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona, Arizona State, LSU, Oregon, and Washington, among others. He's a 4-star, the #13 interior offensive lineman, and #274 overall.

Greenwich (CT) Brunswick offensive tackle Matty Augustine was offered by Michigan on a visit swing through the midwest. He's a 6'7", 280-pounder with offers from Kentucky, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Penn State, plus others.

Chicago (IL) Simeon defensive end Christopher Burgess, Jr. was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'4", 230 lb. edge player with offers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and more. He's a 4-star, the #19 edge, and #200 overall. Simeon is the alma mater of Michigan staffer Chris Bryant, who was a 4-star recruit whose career was cut short by injury. Burgess visited Michigan a couple weekends ago.

Hit the jump for more.

2023 Season Countdown: #91 Amir Herring

 

Amir Herring and Sherrone Moore

Name: Amir Herring
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 305 lbs.
High school: West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #56
Last year: Herring was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 85 pancake blocks.
TTB Rating: 73

Herring was a long-time Michigan lean who at one point seemed unlikely to end up in Michigan's class. How is that possible? Well, it seemed at times like Michigan was not pursuing Herring heavily, even though he was offered on July 1, 2020 (today's the three-year anniversary!). Pegged as a tackle early in his recruitment, his lack of height eventually led to him being ranked as an interior lineman. Word on the street was that Michigan wasn't really sold on taking him unless he was open to playing center, but once that was ironed out, he became a take.

Herring enrolled early back in January and participated in the spring game, where he started for one squad at right guard. He performed well, and he has a college-ready build at 6'3" and 305 lbs. Whether he can hold up at guard or will eventually have to slide over to center once a spot opens remains to be seen: Drake Nugent, Greg Crippen, and Raheem Anderson are all older with the ability to play center. For now Herring might be the most college ready offensive lineman in the class, but with the depth on the line, he may still be buried. My guess is that he plays in a few early-season games, but not enough to burn his redshirt.

Prediction: Redshirt