Posts by: Thunder

2017 Big Man Camp

Emil Ekiyor with Jim Harbaugh (image via MLive)

Michigan’s 2017 Big Man Camp will take place on June 24, 2017. Here are some of the expected attendees:

2018

Emil Ekiyor – OG – Indianapolis (IN) Cathedral: Ekiyor is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Jalen Mayfield – OT – Grand Rapids (MI) Catholic Central: Mayfield is committed to Michigan (LINK).

2019

Spencer Brown – OT – Walled Lake (MI) Western: Brown is a 6’6″, 295 lb. prospect with offers from Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Miami, Michigan State, Minnesota, and Pitt, among others.

2017 Rivals100 5-star Challenge Roster

Aidan Hutchinson

The Rivals100 5-star Challenge is taking place this weekend. Less ballyhooed than Nike’s The Opening, it’s still a who’s-who of elite prospects across the country. Here are some players on Michigan’s radar to keep an eye on. All prospects are 2018 players unless otherwise noted.

Harrison Bailey – QB – GA**
Matt Corral – QB – CA (USC)
Grant Gunnell – QB – TX (Texas A&M)*
Trevor Lawrence – QB – GA (Clemson)
James Cook – RB – FL (Florida State)
Jaelen Gill – RB – OH (Ohio State)
Asa Martin – RB – AL
Jadon Haselwood – WR – GA (Georgia)*
Kearis Jackson – WR – GA
Elijah Moore – WR – FL
Trey Palmer – WR – LA*
Alontae Taylor – WR – TN
Amon-Ra St. Brown – WR – CA
Theo Wease – WR – TX*
Xavier Williams – WR – FL (Alabama)
Nana Asiedu – OT – VA (Penn State)
John Campbell – OT – FL
Pierce Quick – OT – AL (Alabama)
Penei Sewell – OT – UT
Rasheed Walker – OT – MD
Trey Hill – OG – GA
Keiondre Jones – OG – GA
Jowon Briggs – DT – OH*
Rick Sandidge – DT – NC
Michael Thompson – DT – MO
Aidan Hutchinson – DE – MI (Michigan)
K.J. Henry – DE – NC
Stephen Herron – DE – KY*
Ronnie Perkins – DE – MO
Tyreke Smith – DE – OH
De’Gabriel Floyd – LB – CA (USC)
Teradja Mitchell – LB – VA (Ohio State)
Alston Orji – LB – TX (Vanderbilt)
David Reese – LB – FL
Raymond Scott – LB – CA (USC)
Drake Thomas – LB – NC*
Solomon Tuliaupupu – LB – CA
Al Blades – CB – FL
Anthony Cook – CB – TX
Kalon Gervin – CB – MI
D’Shawn Jamison – CB – TX
Christopher Smith – CB – GA (Georgia)
Isaac Taylor-Stuart – CB – CA
Derrik Allen – S – GA (Notre Dame)
Trey Dean – S – GA
Josh Proctor – S – OK (Oklahoma State)
Jamien Sherwood – S – FL
Jaiden Woodbey – S – CA (Ohio State)

*2019 prospect
**2020 prospect

2017 Season Countdown: #75b Brad Hawkins, Jr.

Brad Hawkins, Jr. (image via Scout)

Note: I did a silly thing and left a guy off the countdown who’s up the list a bit, so I’ll have a 75A and a 75B.

Name: Brad Hawkins, Jr.
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Suffield (CT) Suffield Academy
Position: Safety
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: I ranked Hawkins #83 before we found out he was going to prep school.
TTB Rating: 79

Hawkins originally committed to Michigan in the summer of 2015 as a wide receiver prospect for the class of 2017. He was a teammate of Ron Johnson, Jr. at Camden (NJ) Camden, as well as center Cesar Ruiz before Ruiz transferred to Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy. Hawkins played on both sides of the ball, but I initially liked him more as a receiver. Then we found out that he was headed to prep school for a year, and he played receiver at Suffield Academy.

Ironically, I like him more now as a safety. I think he got a little more explosive since his original commitment, and his size and ball skills may lend themselves to playing the safety position well. Michigan doesn’t have much experience at safety – a true junior and a true sophomore, who have been backups until now, appear to be the starters – but there’s enough talent and depth to get Michigan through a season. I expect Hawkins to redshirt, especially after mainly focusing on wide receiver in 2016, but he has a chance to play a backup role.

Prediction: Redshirt

Video: Film Room – Taco Charlton

2017 Season Countdown: #76 Donovan Jeter

Donovan Jeter (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Donovan Jeter
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 260 lbs.
High school: Beaver Falls (PA) Beaver Falls
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #95
Last year: Jeter was a senior in high school. He made 76 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 3 pass breakups, and 1 fumble recovery.
TTB Rating: 78

Jeter enrolled early this past January, and he made a bit of a splash during spring practices. He earned some positive reviews, and he played a good deal in the spring game. Despite my previous assertions that he looked like a future defensive tackle, he played defensive end and looked rather svelte. I suspect that he will continue to bulk up, and I still think there’s a good chance that he will end up as a 3-tech defensive tackle. However, for now he appears to be a depth player on the edge. I don’t think he’s strong enough to hold up at the point of attack, and he doesn’t offer a great pass rush right now. He may play as a developmental guy this season, but I don’t think he will have a great impact on the field.

Prediction: Backup defensive end