Tag: 2022 season countdown

2022 Season Countdown: #52 Rhett Andersen

Name: Rhett Andersen
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 172 lbs.
High school: Poquoson (VA) Poquoson
Position: Kicker
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #29
Last year: I did not rank Andersen. He did play in any games.
TTB Rating: N/A

This is probably the highest ranked player about whom readers will say, “Who?!”

Yes, Rhett Andersen is a backup kicker on Michigan’s roster. He transferred from Division III Hampden-Sydney prior to the 2021 season and spent last year watching other kickers do kicker things. He was successful on 15/20 field goals at Hampden-Sydney and 51/51 extra points. His average of 36.9 yards per punt at his previous stop does not instill me with confidence about his leg strength, but perhaps he’s just not very well practiced at punter.

Anyway, Michigan does not have many options at kicker behind Jake Moody. Tommy Doman was a kicker/punter combo guy coming out of high school, but it appears he’s focusing on punting and will be mostly backing up Brad Robbins in 2022. Andersen has a chance to win the job, especially as a short-term replacement. If a long-term replacement were needed, I have to believe Doman would work on becoming the primary kicker.

Prediction: Backup kicker

2022 Season Countdown: #53 Darrius Clemons

Name: Darrius Clemons
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Portland (OR) Westview
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #0
Last year: Clemons was a senior in high school (LINK). He scored 17 touchdowns and made 2 interceptions.
TTB Rating: 88

Clemons committed to Michigan in December, and he was a huge get for the Wolverines in more ways than one. Not only is he large – his listed height of 6’3″ seems low – but he brings some much needed offensive skill talent to a receiver group that is likely to lose a good chunk of talent after this season.

With the possibility that Ronnie Bell, Mike Sainristil, and Cornelius Johnson could all move on after 2022, Michigan will need some younger guys to step up in 2023. There are some players who have already made some big plays – such as A.J. Henning and Andrel Anthony – but Clemons could be a size and speed mismatch with his height and reported 4.3 forty time. Clemons also has a large catch radius and the ability to make some acrobatic, one-handed snags. I don’t think he will get targeted in volume this season, but he will get a chance to adjust to the speed of the college game, and I would expect him to make a nice impact as a sophomore.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2022 Season Countdown: #54 George Rooks

Name: George Rooks
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 270 lbs.
High school: Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter’s Prep
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #54
Last year: I ranked Rooks #84 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in three games.
TTB Rating: 80

Rooks joined Michigan’s program in 2021 with some questions about what position would he play. Would he remain relatively lean and play on the outside? Or would he bulk up some and play some defensive tackle? With the body of a tweener, it’s natural to assume that he might have to spend a year or two figuring out his physical development.

Rooks looked pretty solid in April’s spring game, and he should see an uptick in playing time this season. Michigan did lose a lot of production from last year’s defensive line – defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, outside linebacker David Ojabo, and defensive tackle Chris Hinton – but there are several experienced veterans returning. Rooks isn’t really in the discussion to be a starter, and while he could break into the two-deep, he’s more likely be a rotational guy around #3 on the depth chart.

Prediction: Backup defensive tackle

2022 Season Countdown: #55 Caden Kolesar

Name: Caden Kolesar
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 196 lbs.
High school: Lakewood (OH) St. Edward
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #35
Last year: I ranked Kolesar #67 and said he would be a backup safety and special teamer (LINK). He made 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 1 pass breakup, and 3 punt returns for 33 yards.
TTB Rating: N/A

When Kolesar first committed to Michigan, there was confusion about whether he was offered a scholarship or a preferred walk-on spot. (It was the latter.) So he has come pretty far for a walk-on and has done more than some scholarship safeties, including the guy one spot lower than him in the countdown (Quinten Johnson). A clean-up guy, he even made 1 interception in the Big Ten Championship Game against Iowa and was the primary backup to Ronnie Bell on punt returns after Bell tore his ACL in the season opener.

I may be proven wrong, but Kolesar seems to be one of those guys who’s good enough to make some people really root for the underdog, but he’s not quite talented enough to maintain a highly valued spot at a place like Michigan. He was the backup punt returner to start, but when the lights came on, he misjudged a couple balls and generally looked uncomfortable, which got him replaced. He’s pretty reliable as a coverage guy on special teams, but his size and speed are lacking for full-time duty. Overall, Kolesar is a good piece to have on the team, but he’s here in the range of special teams contributors rather than a little higher in the range of two-deep contributors.

Prediction: Backup safety, special teamer

2022 Season Countdown: #56 Quinten Johnson

Name: Quinten Johnson
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Washington (DC) St. John’s
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #14
Last year: I ranked Johnson #57 and said he would be a backup safety and special teamer (LINK). He made 3 tackles.
TTB Rating: 79

Johnson had a tough road to hoe for playing time in 2021. Behind starters Daxton Hill and Brad Hawkins, he was clawing for playing time with the likes of R.J. Moten, Makari Paige, and others. Eventually, true freshman Rod Moore moved into the starting lineup, too, and Johnson was still mostly playing special teams.

The year 2022 provides a big opportunity. Gone are Hill and Hawkins, meaning another safety or two need to step into starting roles. I feel very confident that Johnson will not be a starter, but if those new starters are Moore and Moten – which I expect – then Johnson could be alongside Paige to be the next guy in. He will need to fend off a good group of incoming freshman defensive backs, as well as walk-on Caden Kolesar. I think Johnson’s biggest contributions will continue to be on special teams, and if Johnson intends to earn a starting role, he may need to finish his career elsewhere in 2023 and/or 2024.

Prediction: Backup safety, special teamer