Tag: D.J. Turner II

2021 Season Predictions

Look below for my bold, sure-to-be-100%-correct predictions for 2021.

LEADING RUSHER
It doesn’t get any bolder than picking the guy who has finished #1 or #2 in rushing the past two seasons (and the #1 guy from 2019 is playing for UCLA now). Yes, you guessed it. I’m picking Hassan Haskins. Haskins was a ho-hum recruit who has become a very dependable runner, if lacking great breakaway speed. Last season he took a stranglehold on the job, running 61 times for 375 yards (6.2 yards/carry) and 6 touchdowns. Sophomore Blake Corum should also get a good chunk of carries, but in crunch time, I expect Haskins to be the primary back.
Prediction: Hassan Haskins, 900 yards

Hit the jump for the rest of the prognostications.

2021 Season Countdown: #18 D.J. Turner II

Name: D.J. Turner II
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 181 lbs.
High school: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #5
Last year: I ranked Turner #33 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He played in four games.
TTB Rating: 82

Turner was thought by some to be in line for more playing time going into 2020, so I am reticent to put him this high. Injuries have been an issue at times, but Sam Webb talked to Turner’s trainer (former NFL cornerback Ray Buchanan) and some of those injury problems had been corrected. So when Michigan rode the duo of Gemon Green and Vincent Gray, the latter of whom struggled mightily week after week, it was surprising that Turner or others didn’t get more of an opportunity. Turner’s only appearance on defense came in the blowout loss to Wisconsin.

But I’m putting my faith on insiders this year who say Turner has claimed one of the two cornerback spots, opposite Green. Gray has reportedly been demoted but will still play. Turner is a better athlete than Gray but a little shorter and obviously not as experienced. Things almost literally can’t get worse than 2020, because that was Michigan’s second-worst scoring defense in school history. The corners should benefit from an improved pass rush, and new cornerbacks coach Steve Clinkscale has a solid track record of developing players.

Prediction: Starting cornerback; 20 tackles, 1 interception

2020 Season Predictions

It’s 2020 and nobody knows anything, so here are my wild guesses for what we’ll see this year.

LEADING RUSHER
Zach Charbonnet led the team in rushing as a true freshman last year with 729 yards. I do think Chris Evans will steal some of his carry share from last year, with Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum lurking, but Charbonnet should get the plurality of the opportunities.
Prediction: Zach Charbonnet, 498 yards

Hit the jump for the rest of the prognostications.

2020 Season Countdown: #33 D.J. Turner II

Name: D.J. Turner II
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 182 lbs.
High school: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #5
Last year: I ranked Turner #70 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in four games, preserving his redshirt.
TTB Rating: 82

Turner came into his freshman year after spending a somewhat uninspiring senior year at IMG Academy. However, he had the physicality that can help Michigan defenders be successful. Michigan stayed pretty healthy at defensive back in 2019, which allowed someone like Turner to play in a few select games. After playing in three during the regular season, he was able to play on special teams in the bowl game and still keep his redshirt.

Off-season hype has ticked up for Turner, placing him above all the other outside corners in the countdown. The expectation is for Vincent Gray to start opposite Ambry Thomas, and the #3 corner gets a fair amount of playing time. Turner is reportedly in the mix as the fastest guy on the team. Sam Webb discussed this spring that Turner had been dealing with a lower body injury for a couple years, and Michigan’s training staff seems to have finally worked it out. So now Turner should be operating at a higher level than where he’s been, and he could very well be starting opposite Gray in the fall of 2021.

Prediction: Backup cornerback

Final TTB Ratings for 2019

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I know it’s a little bit late in the game, but back in the spring, I didn’t have time to review all the senior film for Michigan’s 2019 signees and give them updated TTB Ratings. I did that during the 2019 Season Countdown, so here are the final TTB Ratings for the class of 2019.

S Daxton Hill: 100
He’s the best safety in the class, though it’s an unimpressive safety class overall.

RB Zach Charbonnet: 83 90
As long as he can get/stay healthy, Charbonnet has the potential to be a high draft pick in the future.

DT Chris Hinton, Jr.: 90
He should be an early contributor with high long-term upside.

Hit the jump for more.