Posts under: Blog

2023 Season Countdown: #81 Zack Marshall

Name: Zack Marshall
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 220 lbs.
High school: Carlsbad (CA) Carlsbad
Position: Tight end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #83
Last year: Marshall was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 23 catches for 284 yards and 5 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 58

Michigan landed Marshall last August, but I didn’t write a commitment post for him until the beginning of February. So I had a chance to view his senior film before writing up my post. He missed a third of his senior year due to transferring schools and having to sit out for four weeks, so his stats don’t represent a full season. But when I watch Marshall, he seems like just an adequate athlete to play tight end in the Big Ten. There’s nothing that really stands out about him, whether it’s his size, speed, hands, athleticism, blocking, etc.

Reports coming out of spring were positive in regards to Marshall. The coaches apparently like his attitude and toughness, so that’s good. But it’s tough to play tight end much as a freshman, especially as someone coming in at 220 pounds. Even though Michigan lost several tight ends last season, Colston Loveland and A.J. Barner should get a majority of the reps, with guys like Matt Hibner, Max Bredeson, and Marlin Klein also mixing in.

Prediction: Backup tight end

2023 Season Countdown: #82 Enow Etta

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Name: Enow Etta
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 270 lbs.
High school: Colleyville (TX) Covenant Christian Academy
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Etta was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 122 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 2 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 87

Etta was a big get for Michigan in the 2023 class, and the Wolverines were lucky to hold on to him, too. While bookend pass rusher Collins Acheampong decommitted from Michigan for the Miami Hurricanes’ money cannon, Etta held fast despite being recruited by Miami and Acheampong to join him in Coral Gables. Etta ended the cycle ranked as a 4-star, the #13 defensive lineman, and #120 overall.

When Etta arrives this summer, he will have some catching up to do. He was pretty much a big fish in a small pond at Covenant Christian Academy, which is a mid-sized private school in Texas, and the competition there is not great. He looked like a man among boys, running past offensive tackles who clearly had no business trying to block him. Things are going to look a little different in college when he’s trying to get past 6’5″, 310 lb. offensive tackles instead of 6’2″, 230 lb. kids. So there’s going to be an uptick in competition, and Michigan already has a pretty solid foursome of Jaylen Harrell, Braiden McGregor, Josaiah Stewart, and Derrick Moore to man the edge rusher positions, not to mention a couple other competitors vying for playing time. I think Etta will get some chances to show his stuff, but while Moore developed into a decent player last season, I think we’re going to have to wait until at least 2024 to see that from Etta.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

2023 Season Countdown: #83 Dominick Giudice

Name: Dominick Giudice
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 290 lbs.
High school: Freehold (NJ) Mater Dei
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #56
Last year: I ranked Giudice #85 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle (LINK). He played in three games.
TTB Rating: 58

Giudice is one of the biggest wild cards on Michigan’s roster. Recruited as a defensive lineman, he spent 2021 there and then moved to the offensive line a couple games into the 2022 season. Oddly, he played defensive line in the season opener on September 3 against Hawaii . . . and then by September 17, he was playing offensive guard against UConn. It’s not often that a player plays on the other side of the ball a week or two after switching.

Now Giudice is playing offensive guard, and I just don’t see where he fits in any kind of rotation. Michigan basically has two units with starting capabilities, and there’s a battle behind that group to be third-stringers. Giudice is part of that battle. He did play on the line on the PAT unit, so he will probably see the field in some capacity. But how valuable is he to the 2023 team? Perhaps 2024 will be a more meaningful year for him after several starters or starting-caliber players depart.

Prediction: Backup offensive guard

2024 Defensive Recruiting Update: July 10, 2023

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COMMITMENTS

Belleville (MI) Belleville linebacker Jeremiah Beasley committed to Michigan (LINK).

Deerfield Beach (FL) Deerfield Beach defensive end Elias Rudolph committed to Michigan (LINK).

OFF THE BOARD

Hit the jump for more.

2023 Season Countdown: #84 Leon Franklin

Name: Leon Franklin
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Southfield (MI) A&T
Position: Running back
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #40
Last year: I ranked Franklin #70 and said he would be a backup running back (LINK). He ran 4 times for 9 yards and caught 1 pass for a 20-yard touchdown.
TTB Rating: N/A

Franklin, a walk-on back, got a few opportunities again in 2022 during blowout situations to touch the ball, along with playing special teams in several games. His season was highlighted by the UConn game, where he caught a dump-off from a scrambling Alan Bowman and toted it in for a 20-yard touchdown. But his touches came behind other backups, like C.J. Stokes and Tavierre Dunlap.

I expect Franklin to move down the depth chart in 2023 with the arrival of Benjamin Hall and Cole Cabana. Michigan did not lose any running backs in the off-season to the NFL, graduation, or transfer, and both Hall and Cabana arrive fresh out of high school. Hall had an impressive spring game, and Cabana is a speedster who enrolled early but missed time in the spring due to injury. The coaching staff needs to develop one or two guys for 2024 after Blake Corum and possibly Donovan Edwards have left for the NFL, and the fifth-year senior Franklin won’t be in the mix. So while Franklin should still play on special teams and maybe get a couple touches, I think Hall and/or Cabana will make more meaningful contributions.

Prediction: Backup running back and special teamer