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2021 Season Countdown: #129 Peter Simmons III

Note: I skipped #130 because Willie Allen transferred (LINK) and I’m not going to bother posting about him later, so the countdown jumps from #131 to #129.

Name: Peter Simmons III
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 282 lbs.
High school: Fort Myers (FL) Bishop Verot
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Simmons was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: N/A

Simmons committed to Michigan as a preferred walk-on, despite some offers from smaller colleges, including FCS Butler. He’s rather limited when it comes to athleticism, and obviously, it’s tough to play offensive line as any kind of freshman, scholarship-level or walk-on. I full expect him to redshirt and play on the scout team.

Prediction: Redshirt

Willie Allen, Ex-Wolverine

Offensive tackle Willie Allen has entered the transfer portal after spending the winter at Michigan. He transferred from Louisiana Tech, after he transferred from Tyler Junior College, after he transferred from LSU. So wherever he ends up from here, it will be Allen’s fourth college.

Allen was expected to compete for an open offensive tackle job, but word out of Schembechler Hall was that he needed to put in plenty of work to get into playing shape at Michigan. After sitting out the 2020 season, it’s not too surprising that a guy who hasn’t played football in two years might be a little bit rusty.

I had a hard time seeing where Allen would fit in Michigan’s plans, though he was a nice insurance policy. Michigan has younger guys that seem like they’re on a good track to play at a high level.

2021 Season Countdown: #131 Noah Howes

Name: Noah Howes
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 250 lbs.
High school: Rochester (MI) Rochester Hills
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Howes was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: N/A

Howes recently committed to Michigan as a walk-on, spurring a scholarship offer from Navy. At 6’4″ and 250 lbs., it’s easy to see why the Midshipmen offered. They like athletic linemen who might not have the mammoth size that other schools prefer. The nice thing about a place like Michigan is that he would not be expected to contribute early, so he can join the program, add some weight, get in the weight room, and potentially be a contributor down the road.

I really appreciate how Howes plays, the way he finishes blocks and then hustles back to the huddle. That kind of effort, hustle, and enthusiasm can carry over to teammates, and if he works that way in the weight room, Michigan might have found a diamond in the rough.

Prediction: Redshirt

The 2021 Season Countdown is Coming!

If you’re a regular here at Touch the Banner, you probably know what the spring content entails. Every year since 2009, I have counted down from the least important player on that year’s roster to the most important player, including starters, scholarship players, preferred walk-ons, special teams players, student body walk-ons, and everyone in between.

In case you want a look back at last year’s countdown, here it is (LINK).

YEARLY DISCLAIMER: The countdown is by the player’s importance to the team, not his overall talent. A talented player at a deep position won’t necessarily be missed a lot if he gets injured, but an injury to a moderately talented player at a thin position could be devastating. For example, I had cornerback Ambry Thomas ranked at #2 last year because he was the team’s only proven cornerback. Naturally, he opted out of the season and the team as a whole was an unmitigated disaster. Meanwhile, projected first round pick Kwity Paye was #6 because more talent was returning on the defensive line.

I know times are tough, but now is a good time to suggest a Paypal donation if you appreciate the content here at TTB:

Be ready for the countdown to begin tomorrow, April 20.

Xavier Worthy, Ex-Wolverine

We learned a few days ago that Fresno (CA) Central East wide receiver Xavier Worthy would not be making good on his pledge to play for the Wolverines. Despite signing his National Letter of Intent, he requested out of it and will presumably be granted that request. In modern times it’s not worth the public relations hit to reject those requests.

Hit the jump for more.