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2021 Season Countdown: #124 Peyton O’Leary

Name: Peyton O’Leary
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 188 lbs.
High school: Byfield (MA) Governor’s Academy
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: O’Leary was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: N/A

O’Leary, a standout lacrosse player, chose to commit to the Wolverines as a preferred walk-on football player. His 2019 junior season saw him catch 17 passes for 403 yards and 5 touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was unable to play a season in 2020 due to the pandemic.

You can watch O’Leary’s highlights below, and they’re pretty impressive. He’s a long, lanky receiver who moves really well. I would not be surprised at all if he eventually factors into the rotation at Michigan, as we’ve seen less talented walk-on receivers (Jake McCurry, Nate Schoenle, etc.) get on the field. A walk-on receiver is unlikely to contribute as a freshman, but if O’Leary can add a little weight, maintain his speed, and improve his route-running, he could be a valuable member of the team.

2021 Season Countdown: #125 Christian Boivin

Name: Christian Boivin
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Traverse City (MI) West
Position: Safety
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Boivin was a senior in high school. He ran for 940 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also making 72 tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, and 2 blocked kicks.
TTB Rating: N/A

Boivin committed to Michigan as a preferred walk-on in the 2021 class. This came after an odd year where he transferred to Iowa before returning to Traverse City West once Michigan re-instituted the fall football season. He was a standout on both sides of the ball, rushing for 940 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also contributing 72 tackles and 3 interceptions on defense.

Boivin is headed for safety at the next level, but he’s a little bit stiff. His change-of-direction skills are not great, but he does have a little bit of burst. To me looks like a guy who could play on kickoff and punt coverage teams, but he would be limited on offense and defense.

Prediction: Redshirt

2021 Season Countdown: #126 Davis Warren

Name: Davis Warren
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Suffield (CT) Suffield Academy
Position: Quarterback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Warren was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: N/A

Warren was hurt by the COVID situation. Originally slated to graduate in 2020 from Los Angeles (CA) Loyola, he took a prep year and transferred to Suffield Academy, which has sent safety Brad Hawkins and defensive end Kechaun Bennett to Michigan in recent years. Connecticut then did not play football in the fall – though nor did California. So that extra prep year didn’t do much for him when it comes to QB development, exposure, etc.

I think Michigan got a bit of a steal here with Warren, who has some good athleticism and a live arm. Of course, he’s in the same class as 5-star recruit J.J. McCarthy, but down the road, Warren could be a guy who factors into the depth chart if he continues to build his body and work on his mechanics (which can be inconsistent). Either way, Warren is headed for a redshirt.

Prediction: Redshirt

2021 Season Countdown: #127 Max Bredeson

Name: Max Bredeson
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 225 lbs.
High school: Hartland (WI) Arrowhead
Position: Quarterback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Bredeson was a senior in high school. He had 822 passing yards, 711 rushing yards, and 14 total touchdowns.
TTB Rating: N/A

Bredeson is the younger brother of former Michigan offensive guard Ben Bredeson (now with the Baltimore Ravens) and Michigan baseball player Jack Bredeson. Despite being from Wisconsin, it’s a maize and blue family. So it was not a surprise that when Max was offered a preferred walk-on spot, he accepted.

Max Bredeson the player is a solid high school athlete, but he does not have outstanding arm strength or mobility. The chances of him turning into a major player at the FBS level are slim, but he could be a valuable scout team quarterback or backup down the road.

Prediction: Redshirt

2021 Season Countdown: #128 Alexander Lidback

Name: Alexander Lidback
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 215 lbs.
High school: Alpharetta (GA) Alpharetta
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Lidback was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: N/A

Lidback recently committed to Michigan as a preferred walk-on. He comes from a large high school in a strong football state, so the competition in his highlights below is pretty strong. Lidback manages not to look out of place playing inside linebacker and tight end. While he doesn’t have the explosive movements of an FBS athlete, he could be the type of “program guy” who sticks around the team for three to four years and eventually finds a short stretch of opportunity, similar to what happened with Adam Shibley in 2020.