Posts under: Blog

2018 Season Countdown: #83 Chuck Filiaga

Chuck Filiaga (image via Rivals)

Name: Chuck Filiaga
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 345 lbs.
High school: Aledo (TX) Aledo
Position: Offensive tackle/offensive guard
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #66
Last year: I ranked Filiaga #70 and said he would be a backup offensive tackle (LINK). He redshirted.

This is a rare occurrence for a highly ranked offensive lineman to actually drop down the chart in year two, but there is a reason, whether you agree or not. Filiaga was highly ranked coming out of high school in 2017, but he was always a guy who needed to a) refine his technique and b) reshape his body. Filiaga was hidden on the bench last season even when the offensive line was really struggling, and there was not much buzz filtering out of Schembechler Hall about him this off-season. He still has potential, but I don’t expect him to be a major factor this season, and he might be limited to offensive guard due to a lack of mobility. Meanwhile, freshmen Jalen Mayfield and Ryan Hayes are more athletic, and Hayes has the flexibility to be a blocking tight end this season.

Prediction: Backup offensive guard

Recruiting Update: June 18, 2018

Oakton (VA) Flint Hill RB Jordan Houston (image via Ultimate Recruit)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2019

Gastonia (NC) Hunter Huss cornerback Tony Davis, a Duke commit, was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 186 lb. prospect with offers from Duke, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #31 cornerback, and #355 overall. He committed to the Blue Devils in December of 2017, but two crystal ball picks have come in since that time that have him flipping to North Carolina.

Oakton (VA) Flint Hill running back Jordan Houston was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’9″, 190-pounder with offers from Maryland, Penn State, Pitt, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 3-star, the #7 all-purpose back, and #632 overall. As a junior in 2017, he had 1,971 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns, and he averaged 34.0 yards/catch on 10 receptions, adding 4 touchdowns. All eight crystal ball picks have him heading to Virginia Tech.

Hit the jump for several players who went off the board this week.

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2018 Season Countdown: #84 Gemon Green

Gemon Green (image via Hudl)

Name: Gemon Green
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 175 lbs.
High school: DeSoto (TX) DeSoto
Position: Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Green was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 24 tackles, 3 interceptions (1 TD), 1 fumble recovery, and 9 pass breakups.

Gemon is the twin brother of German Green, whom I profiled the other day (LINK). Gemon is the higher rated of the brothers, both by me and the recruiting sites: he’s a 3-star, the #35 cornerback, and #382 overall, which is six spots away from being a 4-star prospect in the 247 Composite rankings. On top of the rankings, he was also invited to USA Football’s International Bowl, where he made a diving interception (LINK).

I like Gemon’s senior film and think he will be successful at the next level, but Michigan isn’t really in need of defensive back help this season. The top four cornerbacks return (Lavert Hill, David Long, Ambry Thomas, Brandon Watson), and the top safeties do, too. Safety is the position that needs more of an upgrade, but the chances of a freshman cornerback taking over a significant role at safety are slim. He seems like a player who will probably play in the maximum of four games but end up redshirting to preserve his eligibility.

Prediction: Redshirt

2018 Season Countdown: #85 Joe Hewlett

Joe Hewlett

Name: Joe Hewlett
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Northville (MI) Northville
Position: Quarterback
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #27
Last year: I ranked Hewlett #87 and said he would be a backup running back with 1 carry for 3 yards (LINK). He made 4 tackles on special teams.

Hewlett showed his value last season when he played scout team quarterback during the week leading up to the Air Force game. MGoBlue.com says he took over 500 snaps in the week leading up to playing against Air Force’s triple option offense, which makes sense because Michigan doesn’t have any dual-threat quarterbacks. Hewlett was a high school QB who has played safety and running back during his time in Ann Arbor. The coaching staff did find some ways to get him on the field on special teams, where he made 4 tackles.

This year maybe Hewlett can factor in during the week leading up to the Nebraska game, where new head coach Scott Frost values a lot of option principles. But there’s no true triple option offense on the schedule, and his services might not be needed too much in that capacity. He will probably find his way onto the field on special teams at some point, which would be a good reward for a guy who has given five years and has an appreciable amount of talent for a walk-on skill player.

Prediction: Backup running back, special teamer

2018 Season Countdown: #86 Joel Honigford

Joel Honigford

Name: Joel Honigford
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 275 lbs.
High school: Sugarcreek (OH) Garaway
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #59
Last year: I ranked Honigford #92 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.

Honigford came out of high school at a pretty scrawny 6’6″ and 275 lbs., and so far that weight has not been changed on Michigan’s roster. He was destined for a redshirt last season, which is indeed what happened. Now with a full off-season under his belt, it seems like not much has changed. He has been practicing mostly at offensive guard, where there are a couple fairly entrenched starters in Ben Bredeson and Michael Onwenu. Even if one of those two players stumbles or gets injured, there are more experienced players ready to step in, such as Stephen Spanellis and Jon Runyan, Jr. If Honigford is limited to guard, nothing good happened for him on the roster over the winter, because Michigan’s only losses on the offensive line were center Patrick Kugler, left tackle Mason Cole, and freshman guard Ja’Raymond Hall, who was supposedly a step behind Honigford. I still think Honigford has potential for the future, but for now, he’s a backup.

Prediction: Backup offensive guard