Name: Jeffrey Persi
Height: 6’8″
Weight: 310 lbs.
High school: Mission Viejo (CA) Junipero Serra
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #79
Last year: I ranked Persi #44 and said he would be a backup offensive tackle (LINK). He played in fifteen games.
TTB Rating: 82
Persi had an opportunity in 2023 to stake his claim for 2024. With Michigan trying out Karsen Barnhart, Myles Hinton, Trente Jones, and La’Darius Henderson over the first couple weeks at tackle, Persi and Andrew Gentry were afterthoughts and never really in the discussion. Both Persi and Gentry did play on the offensive line throughout the year, and Persi fared better, according to Pro Football Focus. His best moments were in pass protection, where he had a 78.5 overall grade for the year; however, he managed just a 60.6 run blocking grade.
Those things may factor into playing time decisions for 2024. This is likely to be more of a run-oriented offense if Alex Orji wins the starting quarterback job, as most people expect. Persi still fared better than Gentry when it comes to PFF’s grades, but it was just a small difference in the run game. My eyes tell me that Persi is the superior player, but both will have to fend off redshirt freshman Evan Link. If I had to pick a starter, I would pick Persi, but the right tackle job seems like one of those spots where the competition may go into the season.
Prediction: Starting right tackle
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