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2017 Season Countdown: #92 Joel Honigford

Joel Honigford (image via Rivals)

Name: Joel Honigford
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 278 lbs.
High school: Sugarcreek (OH) Garaway
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Honigford was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: 84

When Honigford committed to Michigan in late June of 2016, three of the four major recruiting sites had him ranked as a 3-star, with ESPN making him a 4-star. I initially gave him a TTB Rating of 82, which I eventually bumped up to 84 (LINK). I even went as far as making Honigford my modern poster boy for the “Scouting Guide: Offensive Tackle” post (LINK).

All this is to say: I like Honigford.

And now I have to explain why I’m ranking him in the 90’s of the countdown. I have heard that Honigford has bulked up already, but listed at 6’6″ and 278 lbs., I think there’s a lot of mass to add before he sees the field. And that’s not just weight, of course, but also muscle. Mason Cole played as an underweight offensive tackle a few seasons ago, but that’s not ideal, and Cole was more college-ready from a technique standpoint. So while I think Honigford has a great deal of potential, I believe he will redshirt this year unless a plague wipes out a few tackles. The other freshman linemen seem a tad more likely to play based on being slightly more developed at this point.

Prediction: Redshirt

2017 Season Countdown: #93 Jack Wangler

Which one is Jack Wangler, and does it really matter? (image via Detroit Free Press)

Name: Jack Wangler
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Warren (MI) De La Salle
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #16
Last year: I ranked Wangler #89 and said he would be a backup receiver. He played in one game.

Wangler is the son of former Michigan quarterback John Wangler, and he was a high school teammate of Shane Morris’s. Any hopes of a Morris-to-Wangler combination in college have long since disappeared, and Wangler enters his final year of eligibility with only a slim chance to see the field. Last year he saw some snaps in the season-opening blowout of Hawaii, and he didn’t get on the field after that. I expect more of the same this year, and the chances for a blowout are even slimmer. Add to that a few more receivers in the mix, and things are looking bleak. I imagine he’ll play in a game or two to reward him for five years of hard work.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

Speaking of the photo above, I offer you this:

Attractive Michigan Girl of the Week: Elle Johnson

Hit the jump for a good picture of Elle Johnson.

read more

2017 Season Countdown: #94 Michael Sessa

Michael Sessa (image via Chicago Tribune)

Name: Michael Sessa
Height: 6’8″
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Hinsdale (IL) Central
Position: Quarterback
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #6
Last year: I did not rank Sessa. He redshirted.

Michael Sessa is a name not many have heard, but he saw some extended playing time during the spring. Michigan’s top three quarterbacks are on campus, but with Alex Malzone reportedly heading out the door and Dylan McCaffrey still finishing up high school, there aren’t a ton of quarterbacks on Michigan’s roster. Sessa went to the same high school as tight end Ian Bunting and walked on to the program last fall.

Michigan only used three quarterbacks in 2016 (Wilton Speight, John O’Korn, and Shane Morris), and they only really needed to play Speight and O’Korn. Sessa probably won’t get much of a chance – if any – to play this fall, but he’ll help out with the scout team and might get some garbage time minutes.

Prediction: Backup quarterback

2017 Season Countdown: #95 Grant Newsome

(image via MLive)

Name: Grant Newsome
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 318 lbs.
High school: McLean (VA) Lawrenceville School
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #77
Last year: I ranked Newsome #25 and said he would start at left tackle. He started four games at left tackle.

Newsome came off a freshman season in 2015 when he was the sixth offensive lineman, and with Mason Cole moving to center for 2016, there was a spot open at left tackle. Newsome was recruited as a left tackle and had the best frame for the position, and he was a natural fit, even if he was a little bit raw. He played even better than I expected for the first four games as a starter. And then Wisconsin happened. Pulling for the left cornerback, the corner went low and took out Newsome’s knee – literally. He eventually walked off the field with help, but he spent 38 days in the hospital due to complications. He later admitted that he was close to having his leg amputated, and his life was somewhat in danger.

I kept Newsome on my 2017 depth charts for a while due to the uncertainty, even though rumors were floating that he wouldn’t return for the season. Jim Harbaugh was publicly saying that he expected Newsome to be ready for the season, but this spring, Harbaugh admitted that they’re probably aiming for a 2018 return. I would love for Newsome to be available this fall, but he needs the time to fully recover. He should sit out this season and be ready for his redshirt junior year in 2018.

Prediction: Redshirt