2019 Season Countdown: #89 Joey Velazquez

2019 Season Countdown: #89 Joey Velazquez


May 29, 2019
Joey Velazquez (image via Eleven Warriors)

Name: Joey Velazquez
Height:
5’11”
Weight:
195 lbs.
High school:
Columbus (OH) St. Francis De Sales
Position:
Linebacker
Class:
Freshman
Jersey number:
N/A
Last year:
Velazquez was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 101 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 7 forced fumbles, and 6 pass breakups; he also ran for 817 yards and 13 touchdowns.
TTB Rating:
82

Velazquez is that rare kid who leaves the shadow of Buckeye Stadium to head north to Ann Arbor. That takes a special kind of kid, especially when there are other options. While he didn’t have an Ohio State offer, there were other schools in pursuit – in both football and baseball, the latter of which Velazquez will also play at Michigan.

This year will probably be a developmental year for Velazquez. Defensive coordinator Don Brown said he could play WILL linebacker, but he’s coming in as a Viper. Michigan has two senior Vipers (Khaleke Hudson and Jordan Glasgow) and a redshirt freshman they’re grooming (Michael Barrett), so Velazquez shouldn’t be needed this season. And while he was listed at 6’0″ and 205 lbs. as a senior, he’s listed by Michigan at 5’11”, 195 lbs., not big enough to play WILL yet. Velazquez has a shot to play some special teams, perhaps, but I full expect him to redshirt.

Prediction: Redshirt

11 comments

  1. Comments: 9
    Joined: 5/3/2016
    Qotho1
    May 29, 2019 at 12:54 PM

    What’s going on with the front page?

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      May 29, 2019 at 1:15 PM

      I have no idea how that happened, really. Umbig11’s account was the one that posted about 10 spam posts. I deleted them all, changed his password, and e-mailed him about it. I had no idea about it until you commented, so thanks.

  2. Comments: 1356
    Joined: 8/13/2015
    Roanman
    May 29, 2019 at 7:29 PM

    Im getting pretty consistent “Not Secure” messages in the address/search bar using Safari when I come here lately.

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      May 29, 2019 at 7:47 PM

      Tonight, too? I just updated some plugins a few hours ago.

      • Comments: 1356
        Joined: 8/13/2015
        Roanman
        May 30, 2019 at 6:16 AM

        Yes.

        • Comments: 3844
          Joined: 7/13/2015
          May 31, 2019 at 12:00 PM

          The issue should be resolved now. Thanks!

  3. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    May 30, 2019 at 10:40 PM

    New red-shirt rules make the red-shirt prediction a lot easier to see through.

    • Comments: 359
      Joined: 8/11/2015
      GKblue
      May 31, 2019 at 6:23 AM

      I really like the new red-shirt rules especially with the development of freshman. No more (or a lot less) fake injury requests.

      Sometimes a guy like Velazquez doesn’t have the measurable size wanted but makes up for it with a nose for the ball. He gets his shot and the coaches have greater flexibility with the roster.

      • Comments: 6285
        Joined: 8/11/2015
        Lanknows
        May 31, 2019 at 1:18 PM

        Yeah – fake injury reporting is never a good thing.

        I do think it benefits smaller schools more than powerhouses, since powerhouses are more likely to get high level freshman who don’t need a red-shirt and will still just spend the 4 years anyway.

        I also think it will exacerbate the complaints about ‘free agency’ for 5th year transfers now that so many more will qualify for red-shirts. Good for players but not for fans.

  4. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    May 30, 2019 at 10:42 PM

    Seems like he’s headed for ILB but we’ll see.

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      May 31, 2019 at 9:16 AM

      Yeah, I think he’ll eventually be a weakside linebacker.

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