Posts under: Blog

Tyler Morris, Wolverine

Head on over to the Blogger version to discuss (LINK).

La Grange Park (IL) Nazareth Academy wide receiver Tyler Morris committed to Michigan last week. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Florida, Notre Dame, and Penn State, among others.

Morris is a 6’0″, 165 lb. prospect. He was a teammate of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy up through the 2019 season (McCarthy transferred to IMG Academy for the 2020 season).

RATINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 83 grade, #15 WR, #135 overall
Rivals: 4-star, 5.9 grade, #8 WR, #78 overall
247 Sports: 4-star, 94 grade, #9 WR, #77 overall

Hit the jump for more.

2021 Season Countdown: #129 Peter Simmons III

Note: I skipped #130 because Willie Allen transferred (LINK) and I’m not going to bother posting about him later, so the countdown jumps from #131 to #129.

Name: Peter Simmons III
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 282 lbs.
High school: Fort Myers (FL) Bishop Verot
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Simmons was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: N/A

Simmons committed to Michigan as a preferred walk-on, despite some offers from smaller colleges, including FCS Butler. He’s rather limited when it comes to athleticism, and obviously, it’s tough to play offensive line as any kind of freshman, scholarship-level or walk-on. I full expect him to redshirt and play on the scout team.

Prediction: Redshirt

Willie Allen, Ex-Wolverine

Offensive tackle Willie Allen has entered the transfer portal after spending the winter at Michigan. He transferred from Louisiana Tech, after he transferred from Tyler Junior College, after he transferred from LSU. So wherever he ends up from here, it will be Allen’s fourth college.

Allen was expected to compete for an open offensive tackle job, but word out of Schembechler Hall was that he needed to put in plenty of work to get into playing shape at Michigan. After sitting out the 2020 season, it’s not too surprising that a guy who hasn’t played football in two years might be a little bit rusty.

I had a hard time seeing where Allen would fit in Michigan’s plans, though he was a nice insurance policy. Michigan has younger guys that seem like they’re on a good track to play at a high level.

2021 Season Countdown: #131 Noah Howes

Name: Noah Howes
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 250 lbs.
High school: Rochester (MI) Rochester Hills
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Howes was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: N/A

Howes recently committed to Michigan as a walk-on, spurring a scholarship offer from Navy. At 6’4″ and 250 lbs., it’s easy to see why the Midshipmen offered. They like athletic linemen who might not have the mammoth size that other schools prefer. The nice thing about a place like Michigan is that he would not be expected to contribute early, so he can join the program, add some weight, get in the weight room, and potentially be a contributor down the road.

I really appreciate how Howes plays, the way he finishes blocks and then hustles back to the huddle. That kind of effort, hustle, and enthusiasm can carry over to teammates, and if he works that way in the weight room, Michigan might have found a diamond in the rough.

Prediction: Redshirt

Xavier Worthy, Ex-Wolverine

We learned a few days ago that Fresno (CA) Central East wide receiver Xavier Worthy would not be making good on his pledge to play for the Wolverines. Despite signing his National Letter of Intent, he requested out of it and will presumably be granted that request. In modern times it’s not worth the public relations hit to reject those requests.

Hit the jump for more.