2May 2017
Attractive Michigan Girl of the Week: Elle Johnson
Hit the jump for a good picture of Elle Johnson.
Hit the jump for a good picture of Elle Johnson.
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
(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
Maurice Hurst, Jr. (image via MLive)
Michigan set a school record for the number of players chosen in the 2017 NFL Draft, and it’s almost impossible to replicate talent production like that in consecutive years. So the Wolverines are bound to have a less exciting draft weekend in 2018, but the cupboard isn’t totally bare.
Here’s a look at Michigan’s top NFL prospects for the 2018 class:
In case you’re wondering, what I’ve said about Michigan’s draftees back when they committed to Michigan, here are some links to their commitment posts. I do senior profiles for all players – drafted or not – so these will be linked elsewhere in the coming weeks, but here’s an early look back.
FIRST ROUND
THIRD ROUND
FOURTH ROUND
Ryan Glasgow (no commitment post, since he was a walk-on)
FIFTH ROUND
SIXTH ROUND