Tag: 2019 season countdown

2019 Season Countdown: #85 Nolan Rumler

Name: Nolan Rumler
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 310 lbs.
High school: Akron (OH) Hoban
Position: Center
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Rumler was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: N/A

Rumler was an Under Armour All-American who ended the 2019 recruiting cycle as a 4-star, the #10 offensive guard, and #174 overall. He was a heavy Michigan lean for years before he ended up committing.

I have Rumler as the most likely freshman lineman to play, but he’s still all the way down here at #85. Why? Because Michigan should have a pretty solid two-deep that won’t need much help from freshmen. There’s a possibility that an injury or two could force Rumler into the rotation, but I still think he’ll have at least a year on the sideline before playing. He’s probably headed for center eventually, and Michigan has both Cesar Ruiz and Stephen Spanellis as relatively experienced college players.

Prediction: Redshirt

2019 Season Countdown: #86 Zach Carpenter

Name: Zach Carpenter
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 316 lbs.
High school: Cincinnati (OH) Moeller
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Carpenter was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: 73

Carpenter was a recruit who largely seemed to fly under the radar. He committed to Michigan, stayed solid to Michigan, had a decent ranking (247 Composite 3-star, #33 OG, #555 overall), didn’t play in an All-America game, and just sort of…existed in the class.

Meanwhile, I have him down as the second most likely freshman offensive lineman to contribute this year. Why? At 6’5″ and 316 lbs., with his strength, he doesn’t need a ton of physical development to get on the field. Michigan shouldn’t need him this year, but any lineman with 300+ pounds on him already has a shot to see time, whether in a backup role or on special teams. I still expect him to redshirt, but a lack of size shouldn’t preclude him from seeing the field.

Prediction: Redshirt

2019 Season Countdown: #87 Matt Brown

Name: Matt Brown
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 232 lbs.
High school: Solon (OH) Solon
Position: Fullback
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #46
Last year: I ranked Brown #108 and said he would be a backup fullback (LINK). He played in four games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Brown came to Michigan as someone who looked like a classic middle linebacker type but found himself playing fullback in Michigan’s tight end- and fullback-heavy offense. As a redshirt freshman in 2018, he backed up Ben Mason and Jared Wangler, playing fullback in three blowout victories. The off-season transition to a new offense that de-emphasizes the fullback was one that I thought might see Brown move back to linebacker, but instead he remains listed as a fullback, where he will presumably be some sort of backup to Mason once again. I liked Brown’s film coming out of high school, but the position might not dictate that a fullback – let alone a backup – sees the field very much. Would you rather have Matt Brown on the field or one of numerous skilled wide receivers? I think Brown will get an opportunity to play this season, but not as much as he was probably hoping if Pep Hamilton had remained the offensive coordinator.

Prediction: Backup fullback, special teamer

2019 Season Countdown: #88 Gabe Newburg

Name: Gabe Newburg
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 237 lbs.
High school: Clayton (OH) Northmont
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #99
Last year: Newburg was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 44 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks.
TTB Rating: 72

Newburg was, unfortunately, hobbled by injury as a senior in high school, so it wasn’t the campaign that most wanted to see. But he was still fairly productive in limited action. Watching his junior and senior film both, it seems like he will need some time to add on to his frame. He’s listed by Michigan at 6’5″ and 237 lbs. after enrolling early, but he’s probably shorter and lighter, at least during the season. That size will only get you on the field if you’re extremely athletic, which Newburg isn’t. I do think he’s better than his senior film shows, and I still like him as a prospect, but a redshirt is almost certain.

Prediction: Redshirt

2019 Season Countdown: #89 Joey Velazquez

Name: Joey Velazquez
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Columbus (OH) St. Francis De Sales
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Velazquez was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 101 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 7 forced fumbles, and 6 pass breakups; he also ran for 817 yards and 13 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 82

Velazquez is that rare kid who leaves the shadow of Buckeye Stadium to head north to Ann Arbor. That takes a special kind of kid, especially when there are other options. While he didn’t have an Ohio State offer, there were other schools in pursuit – in both football and baseball, the latter of which Velazquez will also play at Michigan.

This year will probably be a developmental year for Velazquez. Defensive coordinator Don Brown said he could play WILL linebacker, but he’s coming in as a Viper. Michigan has two senior Vipers (Khaleke Hudson and Jordan Glasgow) and a redshirt freshman they’re grooming (Michael Barrett), so Velazquez shouldn’t be needed this season. And while he was listed at 6’0″ and 205 lbs. as a senior, he’s listed by Michigan at 5’11”, 195 lbs., not big enough to play WILL yet. Velazquez has a shot to play some special teams, perhaps, but I full expect him to redshirt.

Prediction: Redshirt