Posts under: Blog

2021 Season Countdown: #98 Jerome Nichols

Name: Jerome Nichols
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 218 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Renaissance
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #50
Last year: I ranked Nichols #108 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: N/A

Nichols was a standout thumper at inside linebacker in high school. Unfortunately, thumpers in high school often don’t translate well to the college game, where players have to be able to run well, too. I do think Nichols has a little better chance of playing in Mike Macdonald’s system (more of a 3-4) than Don Brown’s (more of a 4-2), but the opportunities may still be limited due to the caliber and experience of some players ahead of him.

Prediction: Backup linebacker

Cornell Wheeler, Ex-Wolverine

Redshirt freshman linebacker Cornell Wheeler put his name into the transfer portal. Wheeler was a 3-star, the #22 inside linebacker, and #471 overall in the class of 2020.

Wheeler played for Ron Bellamy at West Bloomfield High School, so it surprises me a little bit that he would transfer before even spending one full season with Bellamy on the coaching staff. However, Bellamy coaches safeties, so their contact might be a bit limited. Regardless, this seems like a slightly odd development.

On the other hand, I always thought Wheeler was a bit of a project and would have his best chance to succeed only if he stuck around for a few years. Athletically, he did not jump off the screen on his highlights. I do think he has a chance to be a hard-hitting, solid inside linebacker at the college level, but I would not expect that from him until he’s been in school for three to five years.

Michigan signed five linebackers in the 2020 class, and the only two remaining on the roster are Nikhai Hill-Green and Kalel Mullings. Wheeler, William Mohan (Tennessee), and Osman Savage (Alabama A&M) have all decided to find greener pastures elsewhere.

2021 Season Countdown: #99 Isaiah Gash

Name: Isaiah Gash
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 172 lbs.
High school: Green Bay (WI) Bay Port
Position: Running back
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #41
Last year: I ranked Gash #102 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: N/A

Gash is the son of former NFL fullback Sam Gash. Listed at 5’10” and 185 pounds last year, he is now on the roster at 5’11” and 172 pounds. That’s just another reminder to never trust high school/recruiting site measurements. His former listed weight is too light for a Big Ten running back, let alone his current weight. I don’t think I’ve seen a running back that light at Michigan since 5’6″ walk-on Alijah Bradley (171 lbs.).

Chances are once again slim for Gash to get on the field. Not only is he particularly light, but he’s behind some very talented players, some of whom are already established. Even special teams might be a stretch. For now Gash is likely to be a scout team player.

Prediction: Backup running back

2021 Season Countdown: #100 Lucas Andrighetto

Name: Lucas Andrighetto
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 202 lbs.
High school: Mountain View (CA) St. Francis
Position: Running back
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #31
Last year: I ranked Andrighetto #99 and said he would be a backup running back (LINK). He missed the season due to injury.
TTB Rating: N/A

Andrighetto has had a rough couple years at Michigan. After redshirting in 2018, virtually every other running back was injured or suspended in 2019, leading Andrighetto to get a bunch of playing time in the spring. Then the season came around, and he didn’t get any snaps except a little time on special teams against Alabama in the bowl game. Then he tore his ACL in 2020 and missed the abbreviated season.

Michigan is once again pretty well stacked at running back, with returning starter Hassan Haskins, key backup Blake Corum, and blue chip recruit Donovan Edwards. Andrighetto is unlikely to crack the lineup anytime soon unless injuries once again befall the backfield.

2021 Season Countdown: #101 Elijah Pierre

Name: Elijah Pierre
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 297 lbs.
High school: Rockland (MA) Xaverian Brothers
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Sixth year senior
Jersey number: #72
Last year: I did not rank Pierre. He did not play.
TTB Rating: N/A

Pierre plays every Michigan fan’s favorite position: defensive tackle! This is exciting, right?

But some of you have never heard of Elijah Pierre, so let me back up. Pierre graduated from Xavier Brothers – home of Maurice Hurst, Jr. – in the class of 2016. He attended Brown University from 2016-2019 and used the graduate transfer rule to spend one more season playing college football at Michigan. Of course, the 2020 season did not go according to plan, and a 6’1″, 297 lb. tackle wasn’t going to solve the problem presented by a lack of size on the defensive line. Perhaps a couple games against MAC schools may have shown him some playing time, but those didn’t happen.

Moving into the 2021 season, Pierre is probably once against on the outside looking in. He doesn’t have great size for a team that is looking for beef on the interior. Plus Michigan nabbed four defensive tackles in the 2021 recruiting class. While he may have a weight advantage on a few of those guys, the coaches will probably try to develop young guys rather than find snaps for a player in his sixth year of college football. While it’s nice to have an experienced player available (Pierre made 26 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks at Brown), he will probably be watching from the sideline for most of the year.

Prediction: Backup defensive tackle