Name: Jimmy Rolder
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 233 lbs.
High school: Orland Park (IL) Marist
Position: Linebacker
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #30
Last year: I ranked Rolder #81 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in thirteen games and made 14 tackles.
TTB Rating: 81
Rolder emerged last season, especially late, as a valuable piece of Michigan’s defense. With Nikhai Hill-Green out for the 2022 season with an injury, the team needed someone to step up at inside linebacker. Junior Colson and Mike Barrett manned the positions for the most part, but the third guy turned out to be Rolder, who made 14 tackles altogether. Listed at 220 lbs. last year, he looked a little thin and had a few tackling issues – which stood out more because Michigan tackles so well in general – but he played pretty well for a freshman.
This season Rolder might end up being the fourth linebacker. Colson and Barrett return, and Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann is also in the mix. Rolder has added thirteen pounds and might look less out of place, but the other three guys all have significant starting experience. There has been some talk that Colson could leap to the NFL in 2024, and Barrett will be out of eligibility, so Hausmann and Rolder could be getting groomed in 2023 to be the inside linebacker duo for next year. Regardless, there are always bumps and bruises at linebacker, so Rolder should get some decent playing time on defense as well as continue to be a special teams player.
Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer
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