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Te’Cory Couch, Ex-Wolverine

Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna CB Te’Cory Couch (image via LSU Football Report)

Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna cornerback Te’Cory Couch decommitted from Michigan on Saturday. He had originally committed to the Wolverines in mid-April (LINK). Couch was also committed to Tennessee at one point, so this idea isn’t new for him.

Couch is a 247 Composite 4-star, the #16 athlete, and #244 overall. He’s listed by 247 at 5’9.5″ and 148 lbs., though he’s reportedly bigger than that by now. There was some talk that he would end up playing safety at the next level, but it now looks like he will be doing that for Miami (or at least it looks like he will commit to Miami temporarily).

I think Couch is a pretty smooth athlete, although he does not look like a game-changing athlete as a defensive back. This hurts Michigan’s recruiting class from a perception standpoint, but the Wolverines should be able to find a suitable replacement. Michigan’s cornerbacks have performed at a very high level over the past few years, and other recruits surely see that. Georgia cornerback D.J. Turner is set to announce on June 25, and odds are that he will pick Michigan.

On the other hand, Chaminade-Madonna produces a ton of talented prospects, and Couch’s departure won’t help to grease the wheels to a solid program. Michigan is also recruiting wide receiver teammate John Dunmore, a 4-star prospect who was very high on the Wolverines following his April visit, too.

Michigan now has 10 commits remaining in the 2019 class.

Kekoa Crawford, Ex-Wolverine

Kekoa Crawford

Junior wide receiver Kekoa Crawford has decided to transfer out of Michigan. His future destination is unknown at this point.

Kekoa – once known as Dylan Crawford – committed to Michigan at the Army All-American Bowl in January of 2016 (LINK). He caught 4 passes for 47 yards and 1 touchdown as a true freshman in 2016, and then he moved up on the depth chart to become a starter in 2017. In his sophomore season, he was #4 in receptions (17) and #5 in yards (243); he was also second on the team in yards per catch (14.3), out of players with 10+ receptions. Despite being used more in 2017, the writing was on the wall that younger players like Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black had passed him.

This is a bit of a blow to Michigan’s receiving corps, considering Crawford was a potential starter somewhere on the field. The upcoming season will probably see Peoples-Jones and Black start on the outside, with junior Grant Perry in the slot. Crawford is physically capable of playing any of those spots, and as we saw last season, an injury like Black’s could thrust the next guy into the starting lineup for long periods of time. However, the Wolverines have recruited well at wide receiver – including backups Nico Collins and Oliver Martin – so Crawford’s departure may not be noticed too much in the long run.

Michigan is now down to 85 scholarship players for the 2018 season (LINK), which means nobody else needs to leave to get down to the limit.

Kareem Walker, Ex-Wolverine

Kareem Walker

Redshirt sophomore running back Kareem Walker has exited the program. Walker was a 2016 signee out of Wayne (NJ) De Paul Catholic, and I gave him a TTB Rating of 88 (LINK).

A one-time Ohio State commit, Michigan thought they pulled off quite a coup by getting a highly ranked running back from New Jersey and out of the clutches of the Buckeyes. Unfortunately, academic issues caused Walker to redshirt as a true freshman. Some thought he might not last at Michigan, but he hung around for the 2017 season, in which he ran 20 times for 68 yards (3.4 YPC) and 1 touchdown. His best game came against Rutgers when he ran 6 times for 34 yards and 1 score.

Ultimately, a combination of academics and injuries seem to have caused his departure. No destination has been named, but some school out there will get a chance to land a 6’1″, 211 lb. running back with a pretty solid recruiting pedigree. If he can get his body and habits right, he could still be a good back for someone out there.

Michigan is now down to the 85-man scholarship limit (LINK). Walker is one of eight players from the 2016 class to have departed already, joining TE Devin Asiasi, WR Kekoa Crawford, RB Kingston Davis, LB Dytarious Johnson, WR Nate Johnson, LB Elysee Mbem-Bosse, WR Ahmir Mitchell,

2018 Season Countdown: #93 Sammy Faustin

Sammy Faustin (image via Naples Talon)

Name: Sammy Faustin
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 190 lbs.
High school: Naples (FL) Naples
Position: Safety
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Faustin was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 36 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 pass breakups.

Faustin was a relatively unheralded recruit out of Florida whose 4.63 forty didn’t wow many observers. More impressively, he claimed a bench press of 305 lbs. and a squat of 385 lbs. What do those numbers represent? They seem to indicate a kid who can be physically imposing but who won’t make a ton of game-changing plays at the next level. Faustin has had some injury issues in high school, which have perhaps limited his production. Even so, the film makes him look like a safety, despite playing cornerback in high school.

Michigan needs reinforcements at safety, and those reinforcements could come in the form of Faustin. Physically, he’s close to being ready for college with his height, weight, and strength. The position change from corner to safety could take some time, and he will have to become proficient with his reads and technique to make up for some mediocre athleticism. The Wolverines have a few decent options at safety already, including senior Tyree Kinnel and junior Josh Metellus, plus Utah transfer Casey Hughes. I don’t see Faustin playing a key role this season, and I would expect him to redshirt, but there’s a chance for him to get some mop-up snaps or special teams duty.

Prediction: Redshirt

Report: Kekoa Crawford, Kareem Walker left football program

According to WTOL sports reporter Jordan Strack, junior wide receiver Kekoa Crawford and redshirt sophomore running back Kareem Walker have left the football program:

Jim Harbaugh referenced 2 players leaving Michigan yesterday…I’m told that internet speculation is true: Kareem Walker & Kekoa Crawford are transferring.

— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) June 5, 2018