Tag: 2023 season countdown

2023 Season Countdown: #38 Kalel Mullings

Name: Kalel Mullings
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 239 lbs.
High school: West Roxbury (MA) Milton Academy
Position: Running back
Class: Senior
Jersey number: #20
Last year: I ranked Mullings #39 and said he would be a backup linebacker and special teamer (LINK). He made 12 tackles, ran the ball 14 times for 31 yards and 3 touchdowns, and completed 1/1 pass for 15 yards.
TTB Rating: 78

It’s not often that Michigan running backs average 2-point-something yards per carry, but when they do, it’s because they’re scoring touchdowns. Yes, Jim Harbaugh hearkened back to the old, old, old days of . . .

. . . 2016.

He made Khalid Hill the “Hammering Panda” by giving him the ball 25 times for 39 yards and 10 touchdowns. Hill scored 3 the next year and then left, only to be replaced by Ben Mason, who averaged 2.4 yards/carry on his way to scoring 7 touchdowns.

Those are unfair comparisons, because Mullings is speedier and more athletic than both of those guys. Mullings could probably be a starting tailback at a number of FBS schools, but at Michigan, he’s maybe the third-best guy.

The only reason Mullings got a chance to play running back last year is because Blake Corum hurt his knee and Donovan Edwards hurt his hand. Mullings didn’t notch any carries until the final three games, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that a 15th rushing opportunity was botched on the goal line against TCU, resulting in a fumble and then a 99-yard drive by the Horned Frogs that resulted in a touchdown. Michigan tried to surprise TCU with a handoff to Mullings, who was lined up at fullback with Edwards behind him, but Michigan surprised itself. Ouch.

To end last year’s recap on a high note, Mullings also lined up in a short yardage situation and then threw a halfback pass to Colston Loveland in the win against Ohio State, which was a little bit fun.

This year I have Mullings ranked here at #38 because I think Jim Harbaugh will be loyal to a guy who has stuck around for four years without any guarantees of a starting role. Whether it’s as a short yardage back or as a legitimate backup option, I think Mullings will play. There’s less need for a goal line back when the tough, slippery Corum is available, but Michigan may try to keep Corum healthy for the stretch run by taking some of the load off of him.

Prediction: Backup running back

2023 Season Countdown: #39 Jimmy Rolder

Name: Jimmy Rolder
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 233 lbs.
High school: Orland Park (IL) Marist
Position: Linebacker
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #30
Last year: I ranked Rolder #81 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in thirteen games and made 14 tackles.
TTB Rating: 81

Rolder emerged last season, especially late, as a valuable piece of Michigan’s defense. With Nikhai Hill-Green out for the 2022 season with an injury, the team needed someone to step up at inside linebacker. Junior Colson and Mike Barrett manned the positions for the most part, but the third guy turned out to be Rolder, who made 14 tackles altogether. Listed at 220 lbs. last year, he looked a little thin and had a few tackling issues – which stood out more because Michigan tackles so well in general – but he played pretty well for a freshman.

This season Rolder might end up being the fourth linebacker. Colson and Barrett return, and Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann is also in the mix. Rolder has added thirteen pounds and might look less out of place, but the other three guys all have significant starting experience. There has been some talk that Colson could leap to the NFL in 2024, and Barrett will be out of eligibility, so Hausmann and Rolder could be getting groomed in 2023 to be the inside linebacker duo for next year. Regardless, there are always bumps and bruises at linebacker, so Rolder should get some decent playing time on defense as well as continue to be a special teams player.

Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #40 Cam Goode

Name: Cam Goode
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 314 lbs.
High school: Washington (DC) St. John’s
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Sixth year senior
Jersey number: #99
Last year: I ranked Goode #32 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle (LINK). He made 8 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: N/A

When Goode decided to transfer from UCF to Michigan, there was a little bit of excitement about the quick nose tackle who might be able to generate some pass rush. But that excitement dwindled a little bit, or at least it was redirected to freshman Mason Graham, who had an outstanding freshman season. Goode played as a bench guy in nine games and made 8 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 pass breakup, but it was a pretty forgettable year overall.

The outlook is a little brighter for 2023, and while I obviously over-ranked him last season, reading the tea leaves for this year makes me think he’s in for some more significant contributions. First of all, starting nose tackle Mazi Smith is off to the NFL after being picked in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys. Second, Goode is returning for a sixth year of college football, and most guys don’t come back for a sixth year unless they know there’s a good chance of playing time. Third, Michigan could have plumbed the depths of the transfer portal to recruit over him, but they didn’t.

Michigan has a nice 1-2 punch at nose tackle with Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, but Graham can also play the 3-tech position. You need guys to rotate in on the defensive line, and Goode is nine pounds lighter than he was last year, perhaps by design for more stamina. (He’s also listed at 6’1″ after being 6’2″ last year, but whatever.) Goode should be a decent rotation piece at nose tackle.

Prediction: Backup nose tackle

2023 Season Countdown: #41 Ja’Den McBurrows

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Name: Ja’Den McBurrows
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Fort Lauderdale (FL) Saint Thomas Aquinas
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #1
Last year: I ranked McBurrows #51 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He did not play.
TTB Rating: 73

The year 2022 was probably one Ja’Den McBurrows wouldn’t mind forgetting, at least from a personal standpoint. He spent a good chunk of the year recovering from an injury, and then when he wasn’t injured, he was getting attacked by a bunch of idiot Michigan State players in the tunnel, along with Gemon Green. After playing four games in 2021, he didn’t see any action last year.

So this may be my biggest reach in the 2023 season countdown. It’s a player who has 2 tackles and 1 pass breakup in four career games, and now I have him at #41. What gives?

Well, the buzz for McBurrows has been steady for the past couple years. The coaching staff seems to like him, but health has been an issue. He was a turnover machine in high school, and hopefully he can continue some of that in college. Last year he was blocked by a pretty good trio of Gemon Green, Will Johnson, and D.J. Turner II, but Green and Turner are gone. Now he’s contending with Amorion Walker and UMass transfer Josh Wallace for a starting spot across from Johnson. McBurrows also has the skill set to play in the slot if something were to happen to Mike Sainristil. I don’t think McBurrows will win a starting spot, but he should be in the cornerback rotation.

Prediction: Backup cornerback

2023 Season Countdown: #42 Keon Sabb

Name: Keon Sabb
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 208 lbs.
High school: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #3
Last year: I ranked Sabb #71 and said he would be a backup safety and special teamer (LINK). He played in four games.
TTB Rating: 84

Sabb maintained his redshirt last season after playing in just four games as a freshman. For better or worse, the one play that sticks out in my mind was when Hawaii running back Tylan Hines broke off a 54-yard touchdown late in the blowout and Sabb couldn’t catch him. Hines is pretty speedy and quick at 5’7″ and 175 lbs., so it’s not a total disappointment that the 6’1″, 200 lb. freshman Sabb couldn’t keep pace, but it was a reminder that one of Sabb’s limitations is his speed.

As for his strengths, Sabb is bigger and more physical than classmate Zeke Berry, which is why I rank Sabb slightly higher in the countdown. Both of them should get some seasoning in 2023, both on defense and on special teams. Sabb should back up Makari Paige at strong safety this year, and Paige may have a choice to make after the year about whether to stay for a fifth and final year or to make a run at the NFL. Either way, Sabb has a chance this upcoming season to make an impact and try to gain a foothold to potentially start in 2024.

Prediction: Backup safety and special teamer