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
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What’s going on with the front page?
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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.
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Im getting pretty consistent “Not Secure” messages in the address/search bar using Safari when I come here lately.
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Tonight, too? I just updated some plugins a few hours ago.
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Yes.
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The issue should be resolved now. Thanks!
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New red-shirt rules make the red-shirt prediction a lot easier to see through.
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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.
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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.
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Seems like he’s headed for ILB but we’ll see.
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Yeah, I think he’ll eventually be a weakside linebacker.
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