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.
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