2020 Season Countdown: #81 Cornell Wheeler

2020 Season Countdown: #81 Cornell Wheeler


June 19, 2020
Cornell Wheeler

Name: Cornell Wheeler
Height:
6’1″
Weight:
220 lbs.
High school:
West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield
Position:
Linebacker
Class:
Freshman
Jersey number:
N/A
Last year:
Wheeler was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 130 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
TTB Rating:
73

Statistically, Wheeler had a standout season in 2019 with a whopping 130 tackles.

And yet that still paled in comparison to the 165 tackles he racked up in 2018.

My guess is those tackle numbers will drop considerably in 2020. Wheeler enters college as an inside linebacker for a team with an entrenched starter at middle linebacker (Cam McGrone) and an experienced probable starter at weakside linebacker (Josh Ross). Michigan normally rotates three inside linebackers and then just gives a smattering of snaps to anyone else. One thing to consider is if COVID-19 causes a player to be out for a couple weeks, so maybe we’ll see more players play and fewer redshirts in 2020. But aside from that possibility, I expect Wheeler to redshirt.

Prediction: Redshirt

Hit the jump for Wheeler’s senior highlights.

4 comments

  1. Comments: 1863
    Joined: 1/19/2016
    je93
    Jun 19, 2020 at 12:56 PM

    Nah. If we have players missing time across the country, especially big names/big programs, the season will get shut down

    “One thing to consider is if COVID-19 causes a player to be out for a couple weeks, so maybe we’ll see more players play and fewer redshirts in 2020”

    • Comments: 20
      Joined: 6/19/2020
      Blue
      Jun 19, 2020 at 2:45 PM

      85 scholarship athletes across 130 D1 football teams is 11050 football players. The odds they all avoid infection for the duration of the season are too small to even bother discussing.

      The fact is players are going to get infected. What will have to happen is they’ll get quarantined and life will go on without them for a few weeks.

  2. Comments: 1356
    Joined: 8/13/2015
    Roanman
    Jun 20, 2020 at 7:54 AM

    I wish this kid was quicker.

    But on the positive side, he goes straight to the football, and somehow mostly unimpeded.

    Not sure how he does that.

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      Jun 20, 2020 at 10:04 AM

      Ask Ray Lewis! West Bloomfield doesn’t have elite defensive tackles, but they sure do keep Wheeler clean so he can roam.

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