Tag: Cameron McGrone

Michigan vs. Rutgers Awards

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Donovan Peoples-Jones. Peoples-Jones played quite a bit on Saturday, but I just want to take this opportunity to express how important Peoples-Jones is to this offense. I really think his absence from the field hampered Michigan during the first few weeks of the season. The team was missing its best receiver and the only reliable punt returner. His 4 catches for 62 yards didn’t set the world on fire, but he offers a different element to the team than anyone else can provide.

Hit the jump for more.

Michigan 52, Rutgers 0

You can’t ask for much more. The last time Michigan scored at least 52 points, it was just over a year ago in a 56-10 win over Nebraska in year one of the Scott Frost era. The Wolverines needed to put together a complete game in all three phases of the game, and they did so. There were a few mistakes – as there always will be – but the offense was efficient, the defense put up a shutout, and special teams created a fumble while also finally getting a decent punt returner involved once again in Donovan Peoples-Jones. It was a good old-fashioned romp.

Hit the jump for more.

2019 Season Countdown: #47 Cameron McGrone

Name: Cam McGrone
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 228 lbs.
High school: Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence Central
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #44
Last year: I ranked McGrone #63 and said he would be a backup linebacker and special teamer (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 80

McGrone came in with a lot of hype in 2018 as a U.S. Army All-American. He’s known for his speed and blitzing ability, which seems to fit in perfectly with what Michigan wants in an inside linebacker. But the Wolverines are notably stingy when it comes to linebacker playing time, and if you’re not one of the top three inside ‘backers, you won’t see the field. The #4 inside linebacker last year was Jordan Anthony, and he only played in four games on defense.

This season Devin Bush, Jr. is departed, leaving Joshua Ross and Devin Gil as the best bets to start at MIKE and WILL, respectively. That leaves Anthony as the most experienced backup, who will likely slide into that #3 role that Ross occupied in 2018, and that Gil held in 2017, and that Bush himself had as a freshman in 2016. McGrone was earning some buzz this spring, so there’s a chance for him to play more, but he looks like the fourth guy who might be ready for a more significant role in 2020 if a spot opens. Since no linebackers are scheduled to graduate after the 2019 season, there’s a bit of a logjam at the position. In the meantime, I think McGrone can be a good special teams guy with his speed and mentality.

Prediction: Backup linebacker, special teamer

Final TTB Ratings for 2018

Aidan Hutchinson (image via Hudl)

Thanks to Bryan and Keith for the recent, generous donations through Paypal!

It’s been a long time coming because I’ve been so busy, but here are the final TTB Ratings for the class of 2018.

A note on the ratings: These are Michigan-specific ratings, so a guy who would be an instant starter at Eastern Michigan might not be quite so much of an individual standout playing against Michigan’s opponents . . . and he might even have a hard time getting on the field over some other Wolverines. It’s tricky trying to determine how the depth chart will shake out over the next three to five years, but I’m here for the heavy lifting. For more of an explanation, check out this page here (LINK).

Hit the jump for the final rankings.

read more

2018 Season Countdown: #63 Cameron McGrone

Cameron McGrone (image via 247 Sports)

Name: Cameron McGrone
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 225 lbs.
High school: Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence Central
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: McGrone was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 84 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks.
TTB Rating: 80

McGrone tore his ACL as a junior, but in just a few months, he was basically back to full speed and wowing college coaches. He played his senior year and tallied all of the above statistics in just seven games. He parlayed that into a U.S. Army All-American Bowl invitation, a game in which he played pretty well and was named by some as one of the top performers. He showed off his sideline-to-sideline speed and came downhill, too. In fact, he was so good that 247 Sports bumped him up to a 5-star, the #1 outside linebacker, and the #24 overall player in the 2018 class. (The 247 Composite has him as a 4-star, the #7 OLB, and #114 overall.)

McGrone is a talent like Devin Bush, Jr., whom Michigan was unable to keep off the field as a freshman. McGrone isn’t quite so stout, but he might be a little more athletic, especially now that he’ll be almost two full years removed from his ACL surgery. Last year Michigan played Joshua Ross in a bit role to help prepare him for playing time in 2018, when he’ll battle Devin Gil and others for the WILL position. Now that Mike McCray II is graduated, Michigan might follow suit with McGrone, who could potentially replace Bush in 2019 if Bush jumps to the NFL after his junior year. Either way, I think McGrone will see the field this season, whether it’s on defense or special teams.

Prediction: Backup linebacker, special teamer