Posts by: Thunder

2022 Season Countdown: #103 Mica Gelb

Name: Mica Gelb
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 292 lbs.
High school: Washington (DC) Woodrow Wilson
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #50
Last year: I ranked Gelb #105 and said he would be a backup offensive guard (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: N/A

Gelb is a walk-on lineman who spent his first two seasons mired on the bench before getting rewarded in 2021 with an appearance against Northern Illinois. With Michigan’s depth on the offensive line – and the requirement for developmental time – there typically isn’t much opportunity for walk-ons to play unless they’re starter-quality players, such as Andrew Vastardis. While different packages can bring in tight ends or offensive lineman, and while walk-on defensive backs or receivers can play a lot of special teams, a guy like Gelb won’t get much of a shot to get on the field on game days. But when it comes to practice time, someone like Gelb can be valuable on the scout team and keep some scholarship guys fresh.

Prediction: Backup offensive guard

2022 Season Countdown: #104 Mathew Harrison

Name: Mathew Harrison
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Ortonville (MI) Brandon
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #88
Last year: I ranked Harrison #111 and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: N/A

Harrison is yet another walk-on wide receiver who earned a little bit of playing time in 2021, along with everyone else against Northern Illinois. They’re all hanging out here in this sub-100 area because if there are 10 walk-on receivers, it’s difficult to separate one from another. The truth is that walk-on wideouts are only going to play in maybe two or three games, and mostly when the game has already been decided.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2022 Season Countdown: #105 Sam Staruch

Name: Sam Staruch
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 180 lbs.
High school: Lake Orion (MI) Lake Orion
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #84
Last year: I did not rank Staruch. He did not play in any games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Staruch was probably not on very many fans’ radar before the spring game, and maybe not even then. An unused walk-on receiver so far in his career, Staruch caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Alan Bowman toward the end of this year’s spring game. He was uncovered in the left flat, so Bowman got a quick snap and flung the ball out to the left, where Staruch easily side-stepped a flailing tackle attempt and walked into the endzone. I don’t think Staruch will see the field much, if at all, this fall but it was a nice moment for him to score a televised touchdown in front of some live fans.

Oh, and he was also the guy whose touchdown celebration was a keg stand, so there’s that.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2024 Recruiting Update: May 25, 2022

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2024

Omillio Agard – CB – Philadelphia (PA) St. Joseph’s: Agard is a 6’0″, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #6 cornerback, and #45 overall. St. Joseph’s is the alma mater of former Michigan offensive lineman Jon Runyan, Jr.

Shakir Collins – LB – Adelanto (CA) Adelanto: Collins is a 6’2″, 210-pounder with offers from Florida State, Texas A&M, and Washington, among others. He’s a 3-star, the #26 linebacker, and #360 overall.

KingJoseph Edwards – TE – Buford (GA) Buford: Edwards is a 6’5″, 242 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #7 athlete, and #58 overall. Buford is a powerhouse program that produces FBS talent on a yearly basis, including former Michigan running back Christian Turner (now at Wake Forest).

Hit the jump for more.

2022 Season Countdown: #106 Andy Maddox

Name: Andy Maddox
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 212 lbs.
High school: Prairie Village (KS) Shawnee Mission East
Position: Quarterback
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #14
Last year: I ranked Maddox #102 and said he would be a backup quarterback (LINK). He served as a student coach.
TTB Rating: N/A

Maddox is a decently talented quarterback prospect who has yet to see the field at Michigan. For unknown reasons (to me), he spent last season as a student coach. I won’t speculate on why that was, but it is likely that after missing a season of football, he is probably not much further along in his development than he was prior to that point. I like his talent and think he could be a valuable scout team option, but that’s probably his approximate ceiling for this year.

Prediction: Backup quarterback