2019 Season Countdown: #71 David Ojabo

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16Jun 2019
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2019 Season Countdown: #71 David Ojabo

David Ojabo

Name: David Ojabo
Height:
6’5″
Weight:
252 lbs.
High school:
Blairstown (NJ) Blair Academy
Position:
Defensive end
Class:
Freshman
Jersey number:
#71
Last year:
Ojabo was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 33 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.
TTB Rating:
85

If you thought the recruitment of Julius Welschof in 2018 was a little bit odd, Michigan took it up a notch with Ojabo. Ojabo was born in 2000 in Nigeria. Not weird enough? Okay, he moved to Scotland in 2007. Not weird enough yet? Okay, then he moved to New Jersey. Crazy!

Now he’s moved to the New Jersey of the West, a.k.a. Ann Arbor.

Ojabo signed in December and enrolled at Michigan in January. He finished the recruiting cycle as a 4-star, the #19 strongside end, and #314 overall. A very difficult player to project, he didn’t play football until his junior year of high school (much like yesterday’s profiled guy, Taylor Upshaw) and not much film exists.

Based on the little film that exists, he almost reminds me of Jevon Kearse. Ojabo is freakishly fast and long-armed, but he has no idea how to play the game of football. Ojabo could play anywhere on the defensive line – from weakside end to nose tackle – depending on how his body develops. I love bib guys with freak athleticism, and the blank slate nature of his game suggests that while he may have a lot to learn, he’s likely willing to learn it, which is a big part of success. I expect big things from Ojabo down the road, but this year is going to be a tough transition time.

Prediction: Redshirt

16Jun 2019
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Visitors: June 14-16, 2019

Worcester (MA) St. John’s athlete Eamonn Dennis (image via Hudl)

Note: Some of these visits will be taking place during the week leading up to the 14th through 16th. Check back often for updates.

2020

Eamonn Dennis – RB – Worcester (MA) St. John’s: Dennis is a 5’10”, 173-pounder who has named a top three of Duke, Michigan, and Syracuse. He’s a 3-star, the #34 athlete, and #474 overall. He has named Michigan, which is recruiting him as a slot receiver, is his leader. This is an unofficial visit. UPDATE: Dennis had to reschedule his visit for next week, which will be an official visit.

Malcolm Greene – S – Highland Springs (VA) Highland Springs: Greene is a 5’10”, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Michigan, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #24 safety, and #297 overall. This is an unofficial visit.

Hit the jump for more.

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15Jun 2019
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2019 Season Countdown: #72 Taylor Upshaw

Taylor Upshaw (image via Wolverines Wire)

Name: Taylor Upshaw
Height:
6’4″
Weight:
246 lbs.
High school:
Bradenton (FL) Braden River
Position:
Defensive end
Class:
Redshirt freshman
Jersey number:
#91
Last year:
I ranked Upshaw #91 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He did not see game action.
TTB Rating:
73

This will be an interesting year for Upshaw. As a bit of a project coming out of high school (he didn’t play football until his junior year), I didn’t expect him to play as a true freshman. As the son of a former NFL player, the potential would seem to be there.

However, there has not been any buzz on him, and he’s still listed at 246 lbs., which is pretty light for a guy who’s headed for strongside end, or perhaps even 3-tech, by the time his career is done. I have him higher in the ranking than I probably should, but Michigan’s loss of so many defensive linemen from last year (Rashan Gary, Chase Winovich, Bryan Mone, Lawrence Marshall, Aubrey Solomon, Ron Johnson Jr.) might give someone like Upshaw more opportunities.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

15Jun 2019
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2019 Season Countdown: #73 Greg Robinson

Greg Robinson

Name: Greg Robinson
Height:
6’6″
Weight:
280 lbs.
High school:
Hudson (OH) Hudson
Position:
Offensive tackle
Class:
Redshirt junior
Jersey number:
#79
Last year:
I ranked Robinson #99 and said he would be a backup offensive tackle (LINK). He did not play in any games.
TTB Rating:
N/A

Robinson did not play in any games last year. He was named Scout Team Player of the Week leading up to the Rutgers game, so that’s great for him. Now for the next step: playing time in games. In his three years on campus so far, he has only played in one game, back in 2017.

There were some positive rumblings about Robinson during spring ball, and he was running with the twos at one point. He has a chance to be on the second team offensive line if/when a blowout occurs, which might allow the coaching staff to preserve redshirts for some of the younger guys. I don’t think Robinson will be in line to step in for major minutes, but at the end of a Rutgers blowout, have at it!

Prediction: Backup offensive tackle

14Jun 2019
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Nightly Roundup: June 14, 2019

Former Michigan defensive end Ron Johnson, Jr. is transferring to Rutgers. This has become an extremely common occurrence for Michigan players to transfer there: Johnson, Drew Singleton, Ahmir Mitchell, Ross Douglas, Anthony Lalota, and Marcus Witherspoon all come to mind off the top of my head.

Hit the jump for more.

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