Michigan has shared jersey numbers, heights, and weights for the freshmen.
Here’s a rundown of the jerseys and just the noteworthy heights/weights:
#0: CB Andre Seldon, Jr. – 5’8″, 172 lbs.
Last worn by…nobody. This is the first year #0 is allowed. Wide receiver Giles Jackson will reportedly also wear #0.
Hit the jump for more.
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Name: Hassan Haskins
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 220 lbs.
High school: Eureka (MO) Eureka
Position: Running back
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #25
Last year: I ranked Haskins #64 and said he would be a backup running back and special teamer (LINK). He ran 121 times for 622 yards and 4 touchdowns; he caught 6 passes for 40 yards; and he made 3 tackles on special teams.
TTB Rating: 74
Haskins was one of several breakout offensive players in 2019, along with Jalen Mayfield and Ronnie Bell. As a freshman in 2018, he bounced back and forth between running back and linebacker. Then with some injuries and the suspension of Chris Evans, he was suddenly thrust into the mix at running back once again and performed admirably. He topped the 100-yard mark twice (Illinois, Notre Dame), but he seemed to be pretty unstoppable against the Fighting Irish, a team many thought would be a difficult matchup for the Wolverines. In a rainstorm, he ran the ball 20 times for 149 yards (7.5 yards/carry) and 1 touchdown, also notching a season-high 49-yarder and leapfrogging a Notre Dame safety.
Despite the breakout season, I have Haskins down here at #40 when he was the primary backup last year. Why? Well, the aforementioned Chris Evans returns to the team after a one-year hiatus, and Evans is a little more versatile. Haskins can be slippery and powerful, but his big-play ability is lacking and he doesn’t present a mismatch for linebackers in the passing game since, well, he’s been a part-time linebacker himself.
I imagine Haskins will take a step down on the depth chart this year, leaving room for Evans and Zach Charbonnet to take the bulk of the snaps. He will probably be the third running back, but the #3 back in 2019, Tru Wilson, handled the ball fewer times (44) than in any of the five seasons since Jim Harbaugh arrived (previous low: Derrick Green’s 47 in 2015).
Prediction: Backup running back; 35 carries, 175 yards, 1 touchdown
I have previously broken down Dylan McCaffrey as I evaluate the 2020 quarterback battle (HERE and HERE).
Now here’s a look at Joe Milton’s performance against a few opponents in blowouts. It’s important to keep in mind that Milton was often working with backups, and practice reps for the #3 guy are limited.
As a reminder, I awarded grades on the following scale:
Click on the play number for the YouTube link.
PLAY 1: The line doesn’t do Milton any favors – especially right guard Griffin Korican, who allows pressure that prevents Milton from stepping up – but a quick throw on an arrow route gets batted down as Milton tries to throw it through the defensive end.
Milton grade: -1
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Name: A.J. Henning
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 183 lbs.
High school: Frankfort (IL) Lincoln-Way East
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Henning was a senior in high school (LINK). He caught 52 passes for 835 yards and 13 touchdowns, ran 121 times for 648 yards and 15 touchdowns; and returned 1 punt for a touchdown.
TTB Rating: 86
Henning was a big win for Michigan on the recruiting trail. The Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year finished the cycle as a 4-star, the #18 wide receiver, and #102 overall. Spending time at both running back and wide receiver, his speed and quickness were on display regularly. But when it came time to compete with other stars at the All-American Bowl, Henning did not stand out.
Michigan brought in some speedy players in the 2020 class, and I think Henning is the most likely freshman to contribute at wideout. Between Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black, Michigan loses 59 receptions from the 2019 season. Cornelius Johnson and Giles Jackson should see bigger roles, but I think Henning will be the 2020 version of Giles Jackson: a guy Michigan can line up in the backfield, in the slot, and maybe on special teams.
Prediction: Backup wide receiver; 7 catches, 90 yards, 1 touchdown
Hit the jump for his senior highlights.
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Name: Braiden McGregor
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 248 lbs.
High school: Port Huron (MI) Northern
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: McGregor was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 32 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.
TTB Rating: 90 87
McGregor lost some steam during the 2020 recruiting cycle after he played in the first seven games and then suffered a knee injury. He was in 5-star range at one point and ranked #28 overall when he committed, but those recruits often drop down a little bit, and the injury didn’t help. Not only did that perhaps dim some hopes for him, but he also wasn’t able to participate in any post-season All-American showcases.
I’m bumping McGregor down from a 90 to an 87 for one main reason: I rated Aidan Hutchinson an 88, and I think McGregor is a step behind him. Hutchinson is extremely technical, whereas McGregor is probably a little better overall athlete. I think McGregor will take a year to get up to speed with the college game, and then he should probably step in for Kwity Paye as a sophomore in 2021.
Prediction: Backup defensive end
Hit the jump for his junior highlights (no senior highlight reel exists, as far as I know).
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