Posts under: Blog

2017 Season Countdown: #51 Joshua Uche

Joshua Uche (#35, image via MWolverine)

Name: Joshua Uche
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 217 lbs.
High school: Miami (FL) Columbus
Position: Linebacker
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #35
Last year: I ranked Uche #55 and said he would be a backup linebacker. He played in four games and made 3 tackles.
TTB Rating: 82

Uche entered last season as a linebacker/defensive end tweener, and his deployment in 2016 saw him playing linebacker almost exclusively. I was skeptical of that move coming into last season, because he was primarily a rush end at Miami (FL) Columbus. He didn’t do anything special and made a couple gaffes, which would be expected for a true freshman playing a relatively new position.

When Don Brown was talking to media members this spring, he said Michigan was going to do some special things with Uche. And when Don Brown says “special things,” I figure he plans to blitz Uche a ton when he’s out there, and that’s his specialty. Michigan lost some good pass rushers in the off-season, and a couple of their best rush guys (Chase Winovich, Maurice Hurst Jr.) may get worn down by increased roles this season. Uche might be a guy who can offer some pass rush in obvious throwing situations. The Wolverines might use Khaleke Hudson as a Viper instead of throwing the SAM linebacker out there a ton, but if Michigan goes to a three-man front or wants to sub out a linebacker, I expect to see Uche.

Prediction: Backup SAM linebacker

2017 Season Countdown: #52 Sean McKeon

Sean McKeon (image via GBMWolverine)

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Name: Sean McKeon
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 240 lbs.
High school: Dudley (MA) Shepherd Hill
Position: Tight end
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #84
Last year: I ranked McKeon #71 and said he would be a backup tight end. He played in four games, making 2 catches for 10 yards.
TTB Rating: 77

McKeon didn’t contribute a ton to the team in 2016, so nobody would have batted an eyelash if he had redshirted. On the other hand, he earned some quietly rave reviews for his overall play. People within the program are excited for his future, even if he’s not a freak athlete. There seems to be a belief within Schembechler Hall that he will be a solid, old-school tight end by the time he’s done in Ann Arbor.

Michigan isn’t in strong need of contributions from McKeon this year, but he could be the Wolverines’ third tight end behind Ian Bunting and Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. Both of those players figure to play quite a bit in double tight end sets, and McKeon would likely be the next guy in due to injury or perhaps heavy packages. He’s a nice piece to have, since he has the skill set to play in-line tight end, play an H-back role, or split out. I look for his role to increase each year for the next couple seasons before settling in as a starting tight end.

Prediction: Backup tight end

2017 Season Countdown: #53 Nolan Ulizio

Nolan Ulizio (image via Toledo Blade)

Name: Nolan Ulizio
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 291 lbs.
High school: West Chester (OH) Lakota West
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #70
Last year: I ranked Ulizio #47 and said he would be a backup offensive tackle. He played in four games.
TTB Rating: 65

Michigan stole Ulizio from UConn in the class of 2015, and things have been . . . on track since then? He redshirted in 2015, played in garbage time during four games in 2016, and now seems primed for a slightly increased role in 2017. The Wolverines lost three starters after the 2016 season, naturally bumping up the backups. Ulizio does not seem likely to claim one of those vacated starting positions, but he has reportedly had some success with reshaping his body and increasing his strength and flexibility. If nothing else, he should be a more viable option as a backup. I expect him to play in more than four games, but with the youth on the offensive line, he may be a career backup.

Prediction: Backup offensive tackle

Visitors: July 10-16, 2017

Stephen Herron, Jr. (image via Detroit News)

2019

Stephen Herron, Jr. – DE – Louisville (KY) Trinity: Herron is a 6’3″, 235 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, and Stanford, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #4 weakside end, and #35 overall. The Crystal Ball is 70% in favor of Ohio State, while the other 30% is for Michigan. He will be in Ann Arbor on July 14-15.

2017 Season Countdown: #54 J’Marick Woods

J’Marick Woods (image via MGoBlog)

Name: J’Marick Woods
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Florence (AL) Florence
Position: Safety
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #26
Last year: Woods was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: 80

Woods was a bit of an unknown when he suddenly popped up on Michigan’s radar, and he committed to the Wolverines just prior to the 2016 spring game. A large strong safety type, he was known more for his in-the-box play and run support than being wildly athletic. The Wolverines brought him in as an early enrollee in January, and that reputation continued in college. Reportedly referred to as “The Truth” for his hitting ability, there were some practice clips that popped up showing him supporting the run rather well. Unfortunately, an injury prevented him from playing in the spring game, so our chances to see him were limited.

This fall Michigan might need Woods, and they might not. Defensive back is not a particularly dangerous position group for severe injuries, so as long as you can find three safeties and about four cornerbacks, you should be pretty set with your rotation. The defense seems to be pretty set with Joshua Metellus and Tyree Kinnel as the starting safeties, and Jordan Glasgow appears to be the backup strong safety. Woods is probably the #3 strong safety at this point in time, but Glasgow also could play a fair amount of Viper if Khaleke Hudson falters or gets hurt. I do not see true freshman Jaylen Kelly-Powell as a viable option this year, so Woods should probably be viewed as the #4 overall safety. His size and tackling ability make him a potential contributor on special teams, and I think he will offer some value on kickoff coverage.

Prediction: Backup safety, special teamer