Name: Joey Velazquez
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 228 lbs.
High school: Columbus (OH) St. Frances DeSales
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #29
Last year: I ranked Velazquez #63 and said he would be a backup linebacker and special teamer (LINK). He played in eight games and made 2 tackles with 1 fumble recovery.
TTB Rating: 82
It’s been getting late early for Velazquez for a couple seasons now. It seems like forever ago now, but Velazquez was initially recruited to Michigan to play the “Viper” outside linebacker/safety hybrid position in Don Brown’s defense. Since that time Velazquez has played some baseball (he hit .277 with 5 homeruns and 21 RBI this past season), changed positions to inside linebacker, and played some special teams. But his impact on the field has been relatively minimal. So far he has played in nine games with 2 tackles and 1 fumble recovery during his three years on campus.
Now is the time for him to step up if he’s going to step up. Michigan has a solid two inside linebackers with Junior Colson and Nikhai Hill-Green, and then things get dicey. Part-time running back Kalel Mullings, position-fluid Mike Barrett, and redshirt freshman Jaydon Hood are all competing with Velazquez to be the next man in. So far I have not seen anything to make me think Velazquez will be that guy, but he’s a decent all-around athlete who should see an increased role on special teams, if nothing else. I think he’s getting to the point where he can be a solid veteran on specials, but I would be surprised if he’s more than a mop-up duty guy on defense.
Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer
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