The month of July is apparently a terrible time to miss a week of recruiting updates for the current class, because over 40 Michigan targets pledged to schools over the past two weeks. To break it up a little bit, I parceled the news into two separate posts: today’s offensive recruiting update and a defensive update coming tomorrow morning.
OFF THE BOARD
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Name: Semaj Bridgeman
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 225 lbs.
High school: Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Bridgeman was a senior in high school. He made 27 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 3 recovered fumbles (1 returned for a TD).
TTB Rating: N/A
Bridgeman is a thumping middle linebacker prospect who committed to Michigan just over a year ago, on July 1, 2022. He ended up ranked as a 4-star, the #26 linebacker, and #301 overall in the 247 Composite rankings. In many years we might be talking about him as an early contributor, but with the way things have played out at linebacker, he might be in line for a redshirt.
Bridgeman was not entirely happy when linebackers coach George Helow was replaced by Chris Partridge, and perhaps for good reason. Not only was Helow the guy who recruited Bridgeman, but Partridge has seemed to show in the 2024 class that he likes guys who can run, and Bridgeman doesn’t really fit that profile. Though he’s not slow, speed and quickness are not his strong suits. Elsewhere on the team, Michigan returns Junior Colson and Michael Barrett – both of whom have a lot of starting experience – and have added Nebraska’s Ernest Hausmann, not to mention the up-and-coming Jimmy Rolder, who played quite a bit as a freshman last season. That’s a pretty solid group of four linebackers to take most of the snaps this season, so breaking into any kind of meaningful rotation would require a couple of injuries. Bridgeman is probably headed for a redshirt, but 2024 could be a big year with Barrett gone and possibly Colson off to the NFL after his junior year.
Prediction: Redshirt
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
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
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