Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Josh Metellus

Tag: D.J. Turner II


17Oct 2023
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Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Josh Metellus

Josh Metellus

Minnesota Vikings captain and safety Josh Metellus had one of his best games as a professional, totaling 8 tackles with 1 sack and 1 forced fumble in a 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears. That fumble was returned for a touchdown. Unfortunately, it was on rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent out of Shepherd University and not Ohio State product Justin Fields, who is expected to be out for a few weeks with a dislocated thumb.

HONORABLE MENTION

  • RB Zach Charbonnet (Seahawks): Charbonnet ran the ball 9 times for 46 yards in a 37-27 win over the Panthers.
  • WR Nico Collins (Texans): Collins caught 4 passes, including three for first downs, and 80 yards in a 20-13 win over the Saints.
  • DE Brandon Graham (Eagles): Graham made 2 tackles and 0.5 sacks in a 20-14 loss to the Jets.
  • S Dax Hill (Bengals): Hill made 8 tackles and 2 pass breakups in a 17-13 win over the Seahawks.
  • LB Khaleke Hudson (Commanders): Hudson made 3 tackles in a 24-16 win over the Falcons.
  • DT Maurice Hurst, Jr.: Hurst made 2 tackles and 1 tackle for loss in the Browns’ 27-3 victory over the Titans.
  • DE Aidan Hutchinson (Lions): Hutchinson made 3 tackles in a 20-6 win over the Buccaneers.
  • CB Jourdan Lewis (Cowboys): Lewis made 3 tackles in a 20-17 win over the Chargers.
  • S Jabrill Peppers (Patriots): Peppers made 7 tackles and 2 pass breakups in a 21-17 loss to the Raiders.
  • TE Luke Schoonmaker (Cowboys): Schoonmaker made his first professional catch for 1 yard. Unfortunately, he was targeted six times and reeled in just the one catch, but a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
  • CB D.J. Turner II (Bengals): Turner made 4 stops in a 17-13 win over the Seahawks.
30Apr 2023
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2023 NFL Draft Results: Michigan

Mazi Smith is now a Dallas Cowboy

Here are the results of the 2023 NFL Draft for Michigan:

1st round: Mazi Smith – DT – Dallas Cowboys (#26 overall)
2nd round: Luke Schoonmaker – TE – Dallas Cowboys (#58)
2nd round: D.J. Turner II – CB – Cincinnati Bengals (#60)
3rd round: Jake Moody – K – San Francisco 49ers (#99)
5th round: Mike Morris – DE – Seattle Seahawks (#151)
5th round: Olu Oluwatimi – C – Seattle Seahawks (#154)
6th round: Brad Robbins – P – Cincinnati Bengals (#217)
7th round: Ryan Hayes – OT – Miami Dolphins (#238)
7th round: Ronnie Bell – WR – San Francisco 49ers (#253)

CB Gemon Green was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants and TE Joel Honigford was signed by the Arizona Cardinals.

Below are some former Wolverines who were drafted or signed as undrafted free agents:

2nd round: Zach Charbonnet – RB – Seattle Seahawks (#52 overall)
UDFA: Chuck Filiaga – OG – New York Giants
UDFA: Hunter Reynolds – S – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The following player, Eric Gray, was committed to Michigan at one point but signed with Tennessee before transferring to Oklahoma:

5th round: Eric Gray – RB – New York Giants (#172)

26Apr 2023
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2023 NFL Draft Preview: Michigan

D.J. Turner II is fast!

With the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft coming up on Thursday night, here’s a look at how things might play out for several former Wolverines:

CB D.J. Turner II: Turner wowed people at the Combine by running a 4.26 in the forty, which seems to have launched him from maybe a mid-round pick to the lower end of the 1st round. Personally, I do not view him as a 1st round talent and I do not think he’s physical enough at 5’11” and 178 lbs. to play up to those expectations. But it sure seems like a lot of people are convinced he’s going to go in the mid- to late 20s on Thursday night.
Prediction: 1st round

DT Mazi Smith: Smith was the #1 freak on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” last year, but that athleticism wasn’t enough to turn him into a surefire 1st round selection in 2023. In fact, some early optimism about being a high 1st round pick has fizzled to the point where many think he’s a 2nd rounder. At 6’3″ and 323 lbs., he has good size but isn’t an outlier in that area. I think he could slip into the last few picks of the 1st round, but more likely he’ll have to wait until Friday.
Prediction: 2nd round

Hit the jump for more.

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4Mar 2023
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2023 NFL Combine Results

D.J. Turner II (image via ESPN)

Cornerback D.J. Turner II was one of the standouts, posting the fastest 40-yard dash time out of all players so far with a 4.26. It’s the fourth fastest time since 2003, according to ESPN. He’s 5’11”, 178 lbs. with 30 3/4″ arms and 9 5/8″ hands. He had a 38.5″ vertical jump and a 10’11” broad jump.

Meanwhile, defensive tackle Mazi Smith was a strength standout with the top bench press number so far (34 reps at 225 lbs.). He measured in at 6’3″, 327 lbs. with 33 3/4″ arms and 9 3/4″ hands.

Defensive end Mike Morris is 6’5″ and 275 lbs. with 33 1/2″ arms and 10″ hands. He ran a 4.95 forty with a 28.5″ vertical, a 9’2″ broad jump, and 22 reps on the bench press.

Still left to test are wide receiver Ronnie Bell, center Olu Oluwatimi, offensive tackle Ryan Hayes, kicker Jake Moody, punter Brad Robbins, and tight end Luke Schoonmaker.

3Mar 2023
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2023 NFL Combine Invitees

Mazi Smith

Michigan has nine players participating in the NFL Combine this week/weekend.

And if you’re like me, you’re dying to see the bench press and vertical jump numbers for Brad Robbins.

Here is the full list of participants:

  • WR Ronnie Bell
  • OT Ryan Hayes
  • K Jake Moody
  • DE Mike Morris
  • C Olu Oluwatimi
  • P Brad Robbins
  • TE Luke Schoonmaker
  • DT Mazi Smith
  • CB D.J. Turner II

Both defensive tackle Mazi Smith and cornerback D.J. Turner II were on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” prior to the 2022 season. Smith bench pressed 325 for a total of 20 reps in the off-season, and some think Turner might be able to run in the high 4.2s in the 40-yard dash.