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2016 Season Countdown: #70 Chris Evans

Chris Evans

Name: Chris Evans
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 190 lbs.
High school: Indianapolis (IN) Ben Davis
Position: Running back
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Evans was a senior in high school (LINK). He ran 188 times for 1,115 yards and 15 TDs, while also catching 40 passes for 411 yards and 4 TDs.
Final TTB Rating: 68

Evans was offered in late May of last year, and he committed shortly afterward. Initially, he was wanted as a running back, but other ideas have been floated since: slot receiver, cornerback, safety, etc. The one school that could have thrown a wrench into his commitment was Ohio State, and they did eventually offer in early January. He scheduled a visit to Columbus, but before it happened, he canceled it and announced that he was solid to Michigan and essentially didn’t want to rock the boat.

I had a hard time placing Evans in this countdown. He’s a speedy “running back” without a clear position right now. He could be a big-play back. Or he could be a slot receiver, where his route running and understanding of the passing game might take some time. I don’t think he will move to defensive back this year, since the coaches recruited him for offense, but that’s a possibility down the road. Evans also has some upside as a kick returner. So where will he play this year? I don’t know. I think he might get a shot to return kicks, since Michigan depends so heavily on Jabrill Peppers, Jourdan Lewis, and Jehu Chesson for their primary positions. I also think Evans brings an element of speed to the running back position that might not be available elsewhere, so perhaps a couple screens and a few handoffs might be in order.

Prediction: Backup running back, kickoff returner

Joel Honigford, Wolverine

Sugarcreek (OH) Garaway offensive tackle Joel Honigford (image via 247 Sports)

Sugarcreek (OH) Garaway offensive tackle Joel Honigford committed to Michigan on Wednesday. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, TCU, Tennessee, and West Virginia, among others.

Honigford is 6’6″, 278 lbs. He claims a 5.1 forty, a 4.79 shuttle, a 240 lb. bench, a 330 lb. squat, and a 29″ vertical.

RATINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 86 grade, #26 OT, #199 overall
Rivals: 3-star, #46 OT
Scout: 3-star, #47 OT
247 Sports: 3-star, 86 grade, #73 OT, #692 overall

Hit the jump for more on the commitment.

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2016 Season Countdown: #71 Sean McKeon

Sean McKeon (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Sean McKeon
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 240 lbs.
High school: Dudley (MA) Shepherd
Position: Tight end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #84
Last year: McKeon was a senior in high school (LINK). He caught 23 passes for 334 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Final TTB Rating: 77

McKeon was a pretty good tight end in Massachusetts, a place that isn’t known for football. He was in a run-heavy offense, so he didn’t get a lot of chances to shine. But at about 6’5″, 230 lbs., he could line up at tight end, wide receiver, defensive end, or outside linebacker and succeed. He enrolled early in January and looked pretty good, though not quite as smooth and athletic as some of the other options.

I dropped McKeon down from a TTB Rating of 83 to 77, mostly because of other tight ends who signed with Michigan in February. I think Devin Asiasi will probably play this fall, along with all the tight ends who return from last year. A.J. Williams graduated, but redshirt freshman Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. might fill that role as a blocking tight end. Toss in position changer Zach Gentry, and it’s a very crowded position. I don’t see much of a need for McKeon to play this fall, but he has a decent skill set, some spring experience, and a coaching staff dedicated to using a lot of tight ends.

Prediction: Backup tight end

2016 Season Countdown: #72 Karan Higdon

Karan Higdon

Name: Karan Higdon
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 189 lbs.
High school: Sarasota (FL) Riverview
Position: Running back
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #22
Last year: I ranked Higdon #85 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in three games, carrying the ball 11 times for 19 yards (1.7 yards/carry) and catching 1 pass for 3 yards.

I thought Higdon would redshirt last season because of a good number of talented, experienced players ahead of him. Despite the presence of those guys, he played a bit. He wasn’t very effective, averaging 1.7 yards/carry. His “biggest” game was against Northwestern, in which he ran 8 times for 16 yards. This spring he missed some time due to injury, so the pecking order wasn’t clear now that Derrick Green is gone.

I don’t see much of a reason for Higdon to move very far up the depth chart this season. Even with Green’s absence, the starter will probably be De’Veon Smith, with Ty Isaac and Drake Johnson as very experienced backups. The Wolverines also brought in three freshman running backs (Kingston Davis, Chris Evans, Kareem Walker), and it would be odd to let all three of those guys redshirt. Davis, Evans, and/or Walker is virtually guaranteed to play, and Higdon is probably third or fourth on the depth chart, at best. He obviously earned the coaching staff’s confidence last season, so he probably won’t waste away on the bench, but his value is questionable right now.

Prediction: Backup running back

2016 Season Countdown: #73 Ron Johnson, Jr.

Ron Johnson, Jr. (image via Scout)

Name: Ron Johnson, Jr.
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 245 lbs.
High school: Camden (NJ) Camden
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Johnson was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 112 tackles and 3 sacks.
Final TTB Rating: 83

Johnson was one of a pair of Camden products who signed with Michigan in February, along with receiver Brad Hawkins, Jr. Johnson ended up as the #300 overall player and the #23 weakside end in the country. He didn’t have great production as a pass rusher during his senior year, but he was making plays all over the field and maintained his ranking, for the most part. He ended up playing in the Semper Fi All-American Bowl.

Michigan needs pass rushers, so maybe Johnson can help this season. He’s a true weakside end at this point, but Michigan has Taco Charlton to start there. Backing him up is Chase Winovich, and the Wolverines can also use Carlo Kemp or Joshua Uche as pass rushers. I think Johnson needs to get stronger to hold up against college offensive tackles, and he’s not quite as explosive as Uche to be a pure speed rusher, so that’s why I’m placing him below the other guys. If Michigan can stay healthy up front, I think Johnson should probably redshirt. But as we saw last year with Bryan Mone, Ryan Glasgow, and Mario Ojemudia, the injuries can really pile up on the defensive line.

Prediction: Redshirt if possible