Tag: 2021 season countdown

2021 Season Countdown: #115 Christian Bartholomew

Name: Christian Bartholomew
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Galesburg (MI) Kalamazoo Central
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #27
Last year: I ranked Bartholomew #107 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: N/A

Bartholomew had two 1,000-yard receiving seasons in high school – as a sophomore and junior – before moving to quarterback as a senior. Though he played at a small school, those are still impressive numbers. Last year I did not expect much from him because he was a freshman walk-on.

I still like Bartholomew’s talent, but he continues to hang around here in the 100’s because of his status as a walk-on. I don’t think Josh Gattis is quite as likely to play walk-on receivers as former coaches like Pep Hamilton. There might be an opportunity if there are injuries or as Bartholomew gets older, but I think he’s a practice squad guy for now.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2021 Season Countdown: #116 Hunter Neff

Name: Hunter Neff
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 234 lbs.
High school: Chelsea (MI) Chelsea
Position: Tight end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #80
Last year: I did not rank Neff. He did not play.
TTB Rating: N/A

Neff is a 6’2″, 234 lb. tight end at Michigan. It’s not often that 6’2″ tight ends play at Michigan. (My mind goes back to Aaron Shea, who was listed at 6’5″ at Michigan and turned out to be 6’3″.)

If only Neff were 6’8″, the coaching staff would draw up Wildcat passes for him on the goal line.

Instead, Neff’s best chance for playing time is probably on special teams.

Prediction: Backup tight end

2021 Season Countdown: #117 Joshua Luther

Name: Joshua Luther
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 173 lbs.
High school: Clarkston (MI) Clarkston
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #44
Last year: I did not rank Luther. He did not play.
TTB Rating: N/A

Luther graduated in 2019 but did not join Michigan’s football program until 2020. He was a standout player on a couple state championship-level teams at Clarkston High School, serving as a receiver, defensive back, and returner. Luther’s chances of playing much at Michigan are pretty limited due to a lack of size and quickness, but he could play a bit on special teams.

Prediction: Backup defensive back

2021 Season Countdown: #118 Jake Thaw

Name: Jake Thaw
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Westport (CT) Staples
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #26
Last year: I did not rank Thaw. He redshirted.
TTB Rating: N/A

Michigan fans know that only elite players come from the state of Connecticut, and Jake Thaw is no exception. I avoided profiling him last year to help him fly under the radar, but the cat is out of the bag now that he’s been on the roster for a year. Jake Thaw might not be a household name today, but what Kwity Paye is to Rhode Island, Jake Thaw – a.k.a. the Winter Soldier – will be to Connecticut.

Will he play on special teams? Maybe.

Will he play at wide receiver? Possibly.

Will he be a first round draft pick in 2024? You never know.

2021 Season Countdown: #119 Sam Staruch

Name: Sam Staruch
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 182 lbs.
High school: Lake Orion (MI) Lake Orion
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #84
Last year: I ranked Staruch #106 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: N/A

Staruch had a very solid high school career and looks like a possible future contributor at wide receiver. Last year I had him at #106, but I think Michigan has brought in a few solid walk-on receivers, somewhat lessening the importance of any one individual guy. There may be an opportunity for playing time now that a couple occasional walk-on contributors – Jake McCurry and Nate Schoenle – have moved on, but offensive coordinator Josh Gattis seems a little less likely to take advantage of walk-ons than previous OCs at Michigan.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver