Posts by: Thunder

2020 Season Countdown: #81 Cornell Wheeler

Name: Cornell Wheeler
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 220 lbs.
High school: West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Wheeler was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 130 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
TTB Rating: 73

Statistically, Wheeler had a standout season in 2019 with a whopping 130 tackles.

And yet that still paled in comparison to the 165 tackles he racked up in 2018.

My guess is those tackle numbers will drop considerably in 2020. Wheeler enters college as an inside linebacker for a team with an entrenched starter at middle linebacker (Cam McGrone) and an experienced probable starter at weakside linebacker (Josh Ross). Michigan normally rotates three inside linebackers and then just gives a smattering of snaps to anyone else. One thing to consider is if COVID-19 causes a player to be out for a couple weeks, so maybe we’ll see more players play and fewer redshirts in 2020. But aside from that possibility, I expect Wheeler to redshirt.

Prediction: Redshirt

Hit the jump for Wheeler’s senior highlights.

2020 Season Countdown: #82 Jack Stewart

Name: Jack Stewart
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 291 lbs.
High school: New Canaan (CT) New Canaan
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #70
Last year: I ranked Stewart #104 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: 74

When an offensive lineman is mired in the muck of the depth chart, there isn’t much to say. Stewart was a largely unheralded recruit coming out of high school, and he had the lowest TTB Rating. As someone who is probably a guard for his career, he has a lot of older or more talented guys ahead of him right now. He is probably looking at another redshirt year.

Prediction: Backup offensive lineman

Nightly Roundup: June 16, 2020

It’s time for some Zach Charbonnet highlights:

2️⃣4️⃣ burst onto the scene last year. 🔥

Highlights from his 2019 season. 👇#GoBlue 〽️🏈 pic.twitter.com/HxYKK11O9H

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 2, 2020

Hit the jump for more.

2020 Season Countdown: #83 Greg Robinson

Name: Greg Robinson
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 306 lbs.
High school: Hudson (OH) Hudson
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #79
Last year: I ranked Robinson #73 and said he would be a backup offensive tackle (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: N/A

Robinson – like everyone on the roster – got some playing time in the blowout of Rutgers last year. That was the first game action of his career.

This year chances of his getting much time are probably pretty slim, despite the fact that Michigan lost four starters on the offensive line. I do think Robinson has a decent amount of talent for a walk-on lineman, but Michigan’s recruiting has been good enough that they probably don’t need Robinson to be in the rotation. He could work in on the field goal protection unit or to prevent a true freshman from burning his redshirt.

Prediction: Backup offensive tackle

2020 Season Countdown: #84 Aaron Lewis, Jr.

Name: Aaron Lewis, Jr.
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 235 lbs.
High school: Williamstown (NJ) Williamstown
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Lewis was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 67 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 3 pass breakups.
TTB Rating: 86

Lewis is not a particularly heralded recruit (3-star, #17 SDE, #463 overall) despite having an offer list rife with teams that have produced quality defensive linemen, namely Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. He has enticing length and agility.

Unfortunately for now, that length is paired with inadequate all-around size. He’s listed at 235 pounds and looks very skinny on the football field. Added weight is a necessity for him to get on the field. At the very least, I think Lewis needs to be 255-260 pounds before he plays significant time. I think he can pretty good down the line if he sticks around long enough to allow it to happen.

Prediction: Redshirt

Hit the jump for his senior highlights.