Posts under: Blog

2023 Season Countdown: #37 Matt Hibner

Name: Matthew Hibner
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 254 lbs.
High school: Burke (VA) Lake Braddock
Position: Tight end
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #88
Last year: I did not rank Hibner. He made 2 catches for 15 yards, 3 tackles, and 1 fumble recovery.
TTB Rating: 72

How did you guys let me get away without ranking Hibner?!?!?! What in God’s name is wrong with you people?!?!?!

I legitimately don’t understand how I have not ranked Hibner in the countdown since his freshman year in 2020.

Okay, so let me recap his career so far since I haven’t discussed him since prior to his freshman year:

Hibner redshirted in 2020 and then has seen steady playing time increases over the past couple years. He played in eight games as a redshirt freshman in 2021, including five at tight end. I started to pick up some buzz about him prior to 2022, when there were suggestions that he was one of the freakiest all-around athletes on the team. He played in thirteen games last year, including eight at tight end, and started to make a bit of an impact with 2 receptions for 15 yards, 3 tackles, and 1 fumble recovery on special teams.

This past spring he had one of the more exciting offensive plays of the spring game with a long catch and run from Davis Warren, albeit finishing the play with a pretty embarrassing stumble:

Up until he got tripped up by the turf monster, though, he showed some nice acceleration and speed, and he was maybe on his way to outrunning the secondary for a touchdown.

This season the depth chart has cleared out for him. Erick All (Iowa), Joel Honigford (NFL), Luke Schoonmaker (NFL), Carter Selzer (graduation), and Louis Hansen (UConn) have all departed, and the only transfer replacement has been Indiana’s A.J. Barner. While Barner and Colston Loveland will probably get the majority of snaps, the #3 tight end spot is open and looks to be Hibner’s. Redshirt freshman Marlin Klein and redshirt sophomore Max Bredeson will also get snaps, but I’m guessing Hibner will be the third most used guy.

Prediction: Backup tight end

What I’ve Been Reading: Sea Stories

Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations by Admiral William H. McRaven. My dad was in the military, and I have tremendous respect for anyone who served or serves our country. So even though I have no idea what it’s like to be halfway around the world with my life on the line, I still feel like I can connect with the story. And I feel a little closer to my dad (and grandfather), who served in Vietnam (and World War II, respectively). McRaven is a Navy SEAL who finished out his career as the commander of all Special Forces and worked closely with a couple presidents, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama. This book goes all the way back to his childhood, growing up in a military family, and then through various points in his career. It climaxes with details about the hunt for Osama bin Laden, but what I found way more entertaining was the story of catching and interrogating Saddam Hussein. Overall, it’s an interesting and fairly easy read if you’re at all interested in the military.

2023 Season Countdown: #38 Kalel Mullings

Name: Kalel Mullings
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 239 lbs.
High school: West Roxbury (MA) Milton Academy
Position: Running back
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #20
Last year: I ranked Mullings #39 and said he would be a backup linebacker and special teamer (LINK). He made 12 tackles, ran the ball 14 times for 31 yards and 3 touchdowns, and completed 1/1 pass for 15 yards.
TTB Rating: 78

It’s not often that Michigan running backs average 2-point-something yards per carry, but when they do, it’s because they’re scoring touchdowns. Yes, Jim Harbaugh hearkened back to the old, old, old days of . . .

. . . 2016.

He made Khalid Hill the “Hammering Panda” by giving him the ball 25 times for 39 yards and 10 touchdowns. Hill scored 3 the next year and then left, only to be replaced by Ben Mason, who averaged 2.4 yards/carry on his way to scoring 7 touchdowns.

Those are unfair comparisons, because Mullings is speedier and more athletic than both of those guys. Mullings could probably be a starting tailback at a number of FBS schools, but at Michigan, he’s maybe the third-best guy.

The only reason Mullings got a chance to play running back last year is because Blake Corum hurt his knee and Donovan Edwards hurt his hand. Mullings didn’t notch any carries until the final three games, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that a 15th rushing opportunity was botched on the goal line against TCU, resulting in a fumble and then a 99-yard drive by the Horned Frogs that resulted in a touchdown. Michigan tried to surprise TCU with a handoff to Mullings, who was lined up at fullback with Edwards behind him, but Michigan surprised itself. Ouch.

To end last year’s recap on a high note, Mullings also lined up in a short yardage situation and then threw a halfback pass to Colston Loveland in the win against Ohio State, which was a little bit fun.

This year I have Mullings ranked here at #38 because I think Jim Harbaugh will be loyal to a guy who has stuck around for four years without any guarantees of a starting role. Whether it’s as a short yardage back or as a legitimate backup option, I think Mullings will play. There’s less need for a goal line back when the tough, slippery Corum is available, but Michigan may try to keep Corum healthy for the stretch run by taking some of the load off of him.

Prediction: Backup running back

2023 Season Countdown: #39 Jimmy Rolder

Name: Jimmy Rolder
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 233 lbs.
High school: Orland Park (IL) Marist
Position: Linebacker
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #30
Last year: I ranked Rolder #81 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in thirteen games and made 14 tackles.
TTB Rating: 81

Rolder emerged last season, especially late, as a valuable piece of Michigan’s defense. With Nikhai Hill-Green out for the 2022 season with an injury, the team needed someone to step up at inside linebacker. Junior Colson and Mike Barrett manned the positions for the most part, but the third guy turned out to be Rolder, who made 14 tackles altogether. Listed at 220 lbs. last year, he looked a little thin and had a few tackling issues – which stood out more because Michigan tackles so well in general – but he played pretty well for a freshman.

This season Rolder might end up being the fourth linebacker. Colson and Barrett return, and Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann is also in the mix. Rolder has added thirteen pounds and might look less out of place, but the other three guys all have significant starting experience. There has been some talk that Colson could leap to the NFL in 2024, and Barrett will be out of eligibility, so Hausmann and Rolder could be getting groomed in 2023 to be the inside linebacker duo for next year. Regardless, there are always bumps and bruises at linebacker, so Rolder should get some decent playing time on defense as well as continue to be a special teams player.

Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer

2024 Recruiting Update: August 7, 2023

COMMITMENT

Nappanee (IN) Northwood cornerback Jo’Ziah Edmond committed to Michigan (LINK).

OFF THE BOARD

Burley (ID) Burley wide receiver Gatlin Bair (4-star, #10 WR, #40 overall) committed to Boise State. This one stings a little bit because, you know, nobody chooses Boise State over Michigan when given the option. Unless you’re from Idaho and can be a hometown hero. Bair is one of the fastest recruits in the country, and he would have been exciting to see in a Michigan uniform. Or maybe he still will be. He will be going on his Mormon mission after high school and won’t get to college until 2026, so a lot can happen between August 2023 and January 2026.

West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield cornerback Jamir Benjamin (3-star, #45 CB, #501 overall) committed to UCLA. The poor guy was committed to Stanford before David Shaw resigned and then Northwestern until Pat Fitzgerald was fired, so hopefully for Benjamin’s sake, Chip Kelly doesn’t have anything dramatic happen.

Hit the jump for more.