Daylen Baldwin, Wolverine
Jackson State transfer Daylen Baldwin committed to Michigan on Monday afternoon. He picked the Wolverines over an offer from Ohio State (and others).
Baldwin is listed at 6’3″ and 210 lbs. During the shortened spring 2021 season, he caught 27 passes for 540 yards (20.0 yards/catch) and 7 touchdowns.
Baldwin bounced around a little bit in high school, going from Southfield to Waterford Mott. He signed with Morgan State in the 2017 class and spent two seasons there before transferring to Jackson State in 2019. After sitting out 2019 and playing in 2020, he decided once again to switch schools. He worked out while visiting Michigan last week, an offer ensued, and it was assumed shortly after that he would pick the Wolverines, with the biggest reason being an opening for immediate playing time.
I have perhaps an irrational affinity for receivers who are roughly 6’3″ and 210 lbs., because those have been some of the guys who have had the most success at Michigan, such as Marquise Walker, David Terrell, Adrian Arrington, etc. Michigan doesn’t have many of those long, rangy types on the roster in 2021, with just redshirt sophomore Cornelius Johnson and true freshman Cristian Dixon approaching that type of height and length.
Baldwin has some good film from the level of FCS Jackson State, catching deep balls and outjumping some smaller defensive backs. I have not seen evidence that he is an advanced route runner, but Michigan does not really require advanced route running from its outside receivers. The Wolverines mostly need a big receiver who can run fades and posts, allowing the slot guys to run the RPO’s over the middle.
Baldwin has a good chance to play immediately at Michigan. Cornelius Johnson will probably start on the outside, and he could somewhat have a breakout season. Ronnie Bell can play outside and inside, and then there are guys like Roman Wilson and A.J. Henning, who are a little smaller but faster than Baldwin. Personally, I think Baldwin is probably the fourth or fifth most talented receiver on the roster, but that should still get him on the field.
