Posts under: Blog

2016 Season Countdown: #68 Michael Onwenu

Michael Onwenu (image via Rivals)

Name: Michael Onwenu
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 350 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Onwenu was a senior in high school (LINK).
Final TTB Rating: 78

Onwenu committed to Michigan in early June of 2015. He measured in at over 360 lbs. at one point, although MGoBlue now lists him at 350 lbs. I thought he looked more like a nose tackle, but Michigan apparently wants him on the offensive line, where he is expected to play guard. He played the position adequately in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and it’s not a bad idea because he’s pretty immovable at a squat 350 lbs., but he didn’t finish blocks in high school as much as I would have liked. This year it’s going to be tough for Onwenu to see much playing time. Not only is there a lot of experience returning on the offensive line, but Onwenu has work to do on his body and technique. However, the Wolverines need to groom at least three players to start in 2017, since Ben Braden, Kyle Kalis, and Erik Magnuson will all be graduating. With two of those players being guards, the coaches might want to get Onwenu some experience this season if they intend to start him next year.

Prediction: Backup offensive guard

What I’ve Been Reading: Dark Places

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, Sharp Objects) is another quasi murder mystery that plays with timelines. It’s the story of Libby Day, the survivor of a brutal multiple homicide when she was a little girl. Her mother and two sisters were killed, and the murderer put behind bars was her 15-year-old brother Ben. Libby survives and writes a book about her experience, but with money running out, she accepts an offer from a Kill Club that doesn’t believe her brother was guilty. In the ensuing investigation, all kinds of new information comes to light. The story is told mostly from the perspective of a modern Libby Day, but it also gives a look from Ben and his mother from the time of the murders in 1985. I thought this book started off slowly and picked up about a third of the way through, mostly because it’s hard to empathize with Libby Day. (I also found that to be the case with Sharp Objects, where the main female protagonist was a little strange.) Flynn writes about some women with strange views on life, but she’s almost like a female Chuck Palahniuk, who writes (mostly) about some screwed-up dudes.

Has anybody else read this book? Or seen the movie? I watched the trailer for the movie, and I think Charlize Theron is a pretty poor choice for the lead role.

Scout 300 for 2018 released

Otis Reese (image via Scout)

Scout released their top 100 prospects for 2018 a few days ago (LINK). Then on Friday, they released the rest of the top 300 (LINK). Michigan targets are listed below:

106. Austin Osborne – WR – CA
107. Artur Sitkowski – QB – NJ
112. Jermaine Eskridge – WR – FL
116. Brian Snead – RB – FL
124. Emil Ekiyor, Jr. – OG – IN
126. Thomas Booker – ATH – MD
138. Joshua Moore – WR – FL
143. Malcolm Epps – TE – TX (Alabama)
149. Barton Clement – OG – TX
155. Elijah Wade – DE – NV
158. Tyson Campbell – CB – FL
160. Christian Tutt – CB – GA
169. Kyler McMichael – S – GA
170. Amari Burney – ATH – FL
182. L’Christian Smith – WR – OH
192. Shabazz Dotson – DT – TX
193. Markese Stepp – RB – IN (Notre Dame)
194. Rick Sandidge – DT – NC
195. Dorian Hardy – DE – NJ
200. Quin Williams – LB – GA
203. Aidan Hutchinson – DE – MI
211. Jayson Ademilola – DE – NJ (Notre Dame)
213. Jack West – QB – AL
214. Jeremiah Martin – DE – CA
229. Otis Reese – S – GA (Michigan)
234. Kearis Jackson – WR – GA
235. Allan Walters – QB – NJ
236. Stephon Wynn – DT – SC
238. Ovie Oghoufo – LB – MI
247. Trenton Gillison – TE – OH
248. Will Mallory – WR – FL
259. Asante Samuel, Jr. – CB – FL
270. Elijah Moore – WR – FL
298. Kalon Gervin – CB – MI

2016 Season Countdown: #69 Michael Jocz

Michael Jocz (image via Michigan Daily)

Name: Michael Jocz
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 241 lbs.
High school: Novi (MI) Novi
Position: Tight end
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #81
Last year: I ranked Jocz #84 and said he would be a backup tight end (LINK). He played in one game.

In my yearly too-high tight end ranking, I present to you walk-on Michael Jocz. Michigan likes to use tight ends, and Jocz was used a fair amount in the spring as a blocking tight end. He might not be much of a receiving target, but I think he has a chance to carve out a role as a blocker for a team that doesn’t necessarily have many great blocking tight ends. With A.J. Williams moving on, Tyrone Wheatley may fill that role, but Jocz’s presence may be the difference between someone like Sean McKeon redshirting or not. He could also be useful on special teams as a blocker.

Prediction: Backup tight end

Recruiting from Tomorrow: July 1, 2016

Ovie Oghoufo with Greg Mattison (image via Today’s U )

COMMITMENT

Leesburg (GA) Lee County linebacker Otis Reese committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2018

Los Angeles (CA) Hawkins safety Aashari Crosswell was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Florida, Nebraska, Notre Dame, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #10 safety, and #103 overall. He camped at Michigan last week. He’s a teammate of 2018 wide receiver Jalen Hall and 2017 wide receiver Joseph Lewis, along with several other Michigan targets.

Knoxville (TN) Catholic offensive tackle Cade Mays, a Tennessee commit, was offered by Michigan a while ago but didn’t report it initially. He’s a Tennessee legacy who has been committed to the Volunteers since July of 2015. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #3 offensive tackle, and #29 overall, and already committed to play in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Hit the jump for some other new offers and a few guys who committed elsewhere.

read more