17Jun 2019
2022 Recruiting Update: June 17, 2019
Did you get a gift card for Father’s Day? Consider shopping at Amazon through the links here at TTB (LINK):
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Did you get a gift card for Father’s Day? Consider shopping at Amazon through the links here at TTB (LINK):
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Michigan baseball coach Eric Bakich was named the national coach of the year (LINK).
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Name: David Ojabo
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 252 lbs.
High school: Blairstown (NJ) Blair Academy
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #71
Last year: Ojabo was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 33 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.
TTB Rating: 85
If you thought the recruitment of Julius Welschof in 2018 was a little bit odd, Michigan took it up a notch with Ojabo. Ojabo was born in 2000 in Nigeria. Not weird enough? Okay, he moved to Scotland in 2007. Not weird enough yet? Okay, then he moved to New Jersey. Crazy!
Now he’s moved to the New Jersey of the West, a.k.a. Ann Arbor.
Ojabo signed in December and enrolled at Michigan in January. He finished the recruiting cycle as a 4-star, the #19 strongside end, and #314 overall. A very difficult player to project, he didn’t play football until his junior year of high school (much like yesterday’s profiled guy, Taylor Upshaw) and not much film exists.
Based on the little film that exists, he almost reminds me of Jevon Kearse. Ojabo is freakishly fast and long-armed, but he has no idea how to play the game of football. Ojabo could play anywhere on the defensive line – from weakside end to nose tackle – depending on how his body develops. I love bib guys with freak athleticism, and the blank slate nature of his game suggests that while he may have a lot to learn, he’s likely willing to learn it, which is a big part of success. I expect big things from Ojabo down the road, but this year is going to be a tough transition time.
Prediction: Redshirt
Note: Some of these visits will be taking place during the week leading up to the 14th through 16th. Check back often for updates.
2020
Eamonn Dennis – RB – Worcester (MA) St. John’s: Dennis is a 5’10”, 173-pounder who has named a top three of Duke, Michigan, and Syracuse. He’s a 3-star, the #34 athlete, and #474 overall. He has named Michigan, which is recruiting him as a slot receiver, is his leader. This is an unofficial visit. UPDATE: Dennis had to reschedule his visit for next week, which will be an official visit.
Malcolm Greene – S – Highland Springs (VA) Highland Springs: Greene is a 5’10”, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Michigan, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #24 safety, and #297 overall. This is an unofficial visit.
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Name: Taylor Upshaw
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 246 lbs.
High school: Bradenton (FL) Braden River
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #91
Last year: I ranked Upshaw #91 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He did not see game action.
TTB Rating: 73
This will be an interesting year for Upshaw. As a bit of a project coming out of high school (he didn’t play football until his junior year), I didn’t expect him to play as a true freshman. As the son of a former NFL player, the potential would seem to be there.
However, there has not been any buzz on him, and he’s still listed at 246 lbs., which is pretty light for a guy who’s headed for strongside end, or perhaps even 3-tech, by the time his career is done. I have him higher in the ranking than I probably should, but Michigan’s loss of so many defensive linemen from last year (Rashan Gary, Chase Winovich, Bryan Mone, Lawrence Marshall, Aubrey Solomon, Ron Johnson Jr.) might give someone like Upshaw more opportunities.
Prediction: Backup defensive end