Posts under: Blog

2017 Season Countdown: #74 Ryan Tice

Ryan Tice (#41, image via MLive)

Name: Ryan Tice
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 170 lbs.
High school: Saline (MI) Saline
Position: Kicker/punter
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #41
Last year: I ranked Tice #88 and said he would be a backup punter. He was 0/1 on field goals and 7/7 on extra points.

Tice entered last year with a shot to a full-time something-or-other, but he didn’t earn any of the gigs. Kenny Allen pulled triple duty as the punter, placekicker, and kickoff specialist, but Michigan tried to save his energy by occasionally calling on other guys to do some duty. Tice drew in as a backup placekicker. He mostly played in blowouts, but he also missed a 40-yarder against Wisconsin.

Tice will probably continue to be a backup this season behind kicker Quinn Nordin and punter Brad Robbins. If either one struggles or gets hurt, Tice could outplay this ranking, but you never know with kickers. Tice is probably reliable as a backup, but he’s been inconsistent in practice.

Prediction: Backup placekicker

2017 Season Countdown: #75A Jared Wangler

Jared Wangler (image via MLive)

Name: Jared Wangler
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 229 lbs.
High school: Warren (MI) De La Salle
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #38
Last year: I ranked Wangler #77 and said he would be a backup linebacker and special teamer. He played in five games and made 3 tackles.
TTB Rating: 59

Wangler did not make much of an impact last season, but he did make three tackles against Rutgers in Michigan’s 78-0 win. That was a game where Michigan just threw everybody on the field at random positions like a pee-wee game. Michael Onwenu took some Wildcat quarterback snaps, and Jon Falk caught a screen pass for a TD from James Earl Jones.

So Wangler’s moving up in the world a little bit, but will it translate to serious playing time? That’s doubtful. He was playing weakside linebacker in the spring game, and the leader of the pack there is fifth-year senior Mike McCray II. Younger guys have and probably will continue to pass up Wangler, including an incoming freshman or two. The 2017 season may be his swan song at Michigan, since it looks like a fifth year is unlikely. Still, Wangler is a guy who can help out here or there on special teams or playing some late-game snaps.

Prediction: Backup linebacker, special teamer

2017 Big Man Camp

Emil Ekiyor with Jim Harbaugh (image via MLive)

Michigan’s 2017 Big Man Camp will take place on June 24, 2017. Here are some of the expected attendees:

2018

Emil Ekiyor – OG – Indianapolis (IN) Cathedral: Ekiyor is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Jalen Mayfield – OT – Grand Rapids (MI) Catholic Central: Mayfield is committed to Michigan (LINK).

2019

Spencer Brown – OT – Walled Lake (MI) Western: Brown is a 6’6″, 295 lb. prospect with offers from Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Miami, Michigan State, Minnesota, and Pitt, among others.

2017 Rivals100 5-star Challenge Roster

Aidan Hutchinson

The Rivals100 5-star Challenge is taking place this weekend. Less ballyhooed than Nike’s The Opening, it’s still a who’s-who of elite prospects across the country. Here are some players on Michigan’s radar to keep an eye on. All prospects are 2018 players unless otherwise noted.

Harrison Bailey – QB – GA**
Matt Corral – QB – CA (USC)
Grant Gunnell – QB – TX (Texas A&M)*
Trevor Lawrence – QB – GA (Clemson)
James Cook – RB – FL (Florida State)
Jaelen Gill – RB – OH (Ohio State)
Asa Martin – RB – AL
Jadon Haselwood – WR – GA (Georgia)*
Kearis Jackson – WR – GA
Elijah Moore – WR – FL
Trey Palmer – WR – LA*
Alontae Taylor – WR – TN
Amon-Ra St. Brown – WR – CA
Theo Wease – WR – TX*
Xavier Williams – WR – FL (Alabama)
Nana Asiedu – OT – VA (Penn State)
John Campbell – OT – FL
Pierce Quick – OT – AL (Alabama)
Penei Sewell – OT – UT
Rasheed Walker – OT – MD
Trey Hill – OG – GA
Keiondre Jones – OG – GA
Jowon Briggs – DT – OH*
Rick Sandidge – DT – NC
Michael Thompson – DT – MO
Aidan Hutchinson – DE – MI (Michigan)
K.J. Henry – DE – NC
Stephen Herron – DE – KY*
Ronnie Perkins – DE – MO
Tyreke Smith – DE – OH
De’Gabriel Floyd – LB – CA (USC)
Teradja Mitchell – LB – VA (Ohio State)
Alston Orji – LB – TX (Vanderbilt)
David Reese – LB – FL
Raymond Scott – LB – CA (USC)
Drake Thomas – LB – NC*
Solomon Tuliaupupu – LB – CA
Al Blades – CB – FL
Anthony Cook – CB – TX
Kalon Gervin – CB – MI
D’Shawn Jamison – CB – TX
Christopher Smith – CB – GA (Georgia)
Isaac Taylor-Stuart – CB – CA
Derrik Allen – S – GA (Notre Dame)
Trey Dean – S – GA
Josh Proctor – S – OK (Oklahoma State)
Jamien Sherwood – S – FL
Jaiden Woodbey – S – CA (Ohio State)

*2019 prospect
**2020 prospect

2017 Season Countdown: #75b Brad Hawkins, Jr.

Brad Hawkins, Jr. (image via Scout)

Note: I did a silly thing and left a guy off the countdown who’s up the list a bit, so I’ll have a 75A and a 75B.

Name: Brad Hawkins, Jr.
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Suffield (CT) Suffield Academy
Position: Safety
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: I ranked Hawkins #83 before we found out he was going to prep school.
TTB Rating: 79

Hawkins originally committed to Michigan in the summer of 2015 as a wide receiver prospect for the class of 2017. He was a teammate of Ron Johnson, Jr. at Camden (NJ) Camden, as well as center Cesar Ruiz before Ruiz transferred to Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy. Hawkins played on both sides of the ball, but I initially liked him more as a receiver. Then we found out that he was headed to prep school for a year, and he played receiver at Suffield Academy.

Ironically, I like him more now as a safety. I think he got a little more explosive since his original commitment, and his size and ball skills may lend themselves to playing the safety position well. Michigan doesn’t have much experience at safety – a true junior and a true sophomore, who have been backups until now, appear to be the starters – but there’s enough talent and depth to get Michigan through a season. I expect Hawkins to redshirt, especially after mainly focusing on wide receiver in 2016, but he has a chance to play a backup role.

Prediction: Redshirt