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2022 Season Countdown: #101 Will Rolapp

Name: Will Rolapp
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 186 lbs.
High school: Darien (CT) Suffield Academy
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #30
Last year: I ranked Rolapp #123 and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He played in two games and caught 1 pass for 26 yards.
TTB Rating: N/A

Just like Andrew Russell, whom I posted about earlier today (LINK), we’re getting into the walk-ons that I think will play a role this fall. Rolapp does not have great size or speed, but he’s a smooth runner and pass catcher that I have watched a little bit whenever the opportunity arises. He made the travel squad to go to Maryland last year, which is where he got an opportunity to make a nice 26-yard catch from backup Alan Bowman in the blowout.

I don’t expect Rolapp to factor into the regular rotation this season, but he’s perfectly capable of taking some late game snaps.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2022 Season Countdown: #102 Andrew Russell

Name: Andrew Russell
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 191 lbs.
High school: Victor (NY) Victor
Position: Safety
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #43
Last year: I ranked Russell #120 and said he would be a backup safety (LINK). He played in three games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Okay, right here are #102 is where I started running into some difficulty. This is the demarcation line between walk-ons who probably won’t see the field (or will barely see the field) and some walk-ons and scholarship guys who may see the field for a few games or play special teams roles. Most walk-ons so far either didn’t play last year or played in just the blowout of Northern Illinois. Russell, however, played in the first three games of the season on special teams and also has decent size at 6’2″ and 191 lbs.

With the depth at safety, it’s going to be very difficult to crack the rotation on defense. However, playing special teams is always a possibility, and Russell could carve himself out a larger role with the experience he gained last year.

Prediction: Backup safety and special teamer

2022 Season Countdown: #103 Mica Gelb

Name: Mica Gelb
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 292 lbs.
High school: Washington (DC) Woodrow Wilson
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #50
Last year: I ranked Gelb #105 and said he would be a backup offensive guard (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: N/A

Gelb is a walk-on lineman who spent his first two seasons mired on the bench before getting rewarded in 2021 with an appearance against Northern Illinois. With Michigan’s depth on the offensive line – and the requirement for developmental time – there typically isn’t much opportunity for walk-ons to play unless they’re starter-quality players, such as Andrew Vastardis. While different packages can bring in tight ends or offensive lineman, and while walk-on defensive backs or receivers can play a lot of special teams, a guy like Gelb won’t get much of a shot to get on the field on game days. But when it comes to practice time, someone like Gelb can be valuable on the scout team and keep some scholarship guys fresh.

Prediction: Backup offensive guard

2022 Season Countdown: #104 Mathew Harrison

Name: Mathew Harrison
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Ortonville (MI) Brandon
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #88
Last year: I ranked Harrison #111 and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: N/A

Harrison is yet another walk-on wide receiver who earned a little bit of playing time in 2021, along with everyone else against Northern Illinois. They’re all hanging out here in this sub-100 area because if there are 10 walk-on receivers, it’s difficult to separate one from another. The truth is that walk-on wideouts are only going to play in maybe two or three games, and mostly when the game has already been decided.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2022 Season Countdown: #105 Sam Staruch

Name: Sam Staruch
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 180 lbs.
High school: Lake Orion (MI) Lake Orion
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #84
Last year: I did not rank Staruch. He did not play in any games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Staruch was probably not on very many fans’ radar before the spring game, and maybe not even then. An unused walk-on receiver so far in his career, Staruch caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Alan Bowman toward the end of this year’s spring game. He was uncovered in the left flat, so Bowman got a quick snap and flung the ball out to the left, where Staruch easily side-stepped a flailing tackle attempt and walked into the endzone. I don’t think Staruch will see the field much, if at all, this fall but it was a nice moment for him to score a televised touchdown in front of some live fans.

Oh, and he was also the guy whose touchdown celebration was a keg stand, so there’s that.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver