Nolan Rumler (image via 247 Sports)
Akron (OH) Hoban offensive guard Nolan Rumler committed to Michigan this morning. He chose the Wolverines over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, and Wisconsin, among others.
Rumler is 6’4″, 290 lbs.
RATINGS
ESPN: Unranked
Rivals: 4-star OG
247 Sports: 4-star, #15 OT, #123 overall
Hit the jump for more on Rumler’s commitment.
Brandon Watson (#28, image via GBMWolverine)
Name: Brandon Watson
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 203 lbs.
High school: Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #28
Last year: I ranked Watson #56 and said he would be a backup cornerback. He made 12 tackles.
TTB Rating: N/A
Watson has so far been strictly a backup cornerback, and no higher than fourth on the depth chart during his career. He has had a chance to take an open spot the past couple seasons, but he has not taken advantage of those opportunities. In two years of playing time, he has yet to make a play on the ball (no FF, FR, INT, or PBU); however, he made a great interception in the 2015 spring game, and he made a pick-six in this year’s spring game. While not very tall, he has long arms and plays receivers physically. He just lacks the quickness and speed to be an important cog in the defense. In addition to the pick-six, he also got outrun by Ty Isaac for a touchdown in the spring game.
Despite the uncertainty at the cornerback positions going into 2017, Watson isn’t thought to be a contender to start. He will almost certainly play a good deal as a nickel corner or backup safety. Lavert Hill, David Long, and Keith Washington look to be ahead of him, and Benjamin St-Juste (outside corner) and Ambry Thomas (slot corner) have a chance to pass him. Watson has value as a veteran presence, but his lack of athleticism makes him a liability against better passing offenses.
Prediction: Backup cornerback
Myles Sims (image via Twitter)
Michigan will be hosting numerous football prospects on July 29, 2017, for the BBQ at the Big House. Last year there were travel issues for many prospects, who were unable to visit in August after their high school teams’ practices started. This year the BBQ is a week earlier, which should make for fewer conflicts. Here’s an early look at several players who plan to attend:
Bryan Addison – S – Gardena (CA) Junipero Serra: Addison is a 6’4″, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #4 athlete, and #146 overall. Michigan does not have any Crystal Ball picks right now, with USC leading the way at 50%.
Eyabi Anoma – DE – Baltimore (MD) St. Frances: Anoma is a 6’5″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #3 weakside end, and #54 overall.
Jerome Carvin – OT – Cordova (TN) Cordova: Carvin is a 6’4″, 325 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Michigan, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 3-star, the #30 offensive tackle, and #368 overall.
Hit the jump for more 2018 and 2019 recruits who plan to attend the BBQ.
Chris Evans (image via 247 Sports)
Back in August of 2016, I took a look at how the depth chart might look in 2017 (LINK), and then I updated it in September (LINK), November (LINK), January (LINK), February (LINK), March (LINK), April (LINK), and May (LINK). Of course, things are always fluid, there will be early departures, there will be injuries, etc. Fall camp begins on Monday, and we are excited.
Hit the jump for a look at 2017.
Karan Higdon (image via 247 Sports)
Name: Karan Higdon
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 189 lbs.
High school: Sarasota (FL) Riverview
Position: Running back
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #22
Last year: I ranked Higdon #72 and said he would be a backup running back. He had 72 carries for 425 yards (5.9 YPC) and 6 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 73
Higdon was not very productive in limited time as a true freshman (1.7 YPC), so his 2016 season could be considered a bit of a breakout. He averaged 5.9 yards/carry and moved up the depth chart to #3, behind De’Veon Smith and Chris Evans. He had his first career 100-yard game against Rutgers (108 yards, 2 TDs), and followed that up with a 106-yard effort (1 TD) against Illinois the following week. In fact, in a string of three consecutive games in which he participated, he totaled 295 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns, with that third game coming against Penn State. Unfortunately, his production dropped off during the second half of the season, when he averaged just 2.2 yards/carry over the final six contests.
There have been rumblings that he was not 100% healthy going into the 2016 season, and maybe that explains the fact that he was lingering below 190 lbs. He showed an improved burst in 2016, but he still needs to break more tackles. With Smith graduated and Drake Johnson out of the picture, the depth chart seems to have cleared up a little bit and now it seems likely that Higdon will be the #2 guy going into the season. With Chris Evans slotted to be the starter, Higdon will be the second back in at times (with Ty Isaac likely rotating in regularly, too). If the offensive line can open holes for the running game, then Higdon has enough burst to make some chunk plays.
Prediction: Backup running back; 80 carries, 440 yards, 5 TDs