Tag: Eamonn Dennis

2022 Season Countdown: #76 Eamonn Dennis

Name: Eamonn Dennis
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 175 lbs.
High school: Worcester (MA) St. John’s
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #37
Last year: I ranked Dennis #75 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He played in three games on special teams.
TTB Rating: 79

Dennis was a standout all-around player in high school who has yet to gain his footing at Michigan. Despite being a three-way superstar, Michigan can’t seem to find a place for him. After redshirting as a freshman, he played in the first three games last season on special teams and was never heard from again.

It’s going to be tough to break in at cornerback in 2022, also, with both D.J. Turner II and Gemon Green returning with starting experience, as well as 5-star freshman Will Johnson now on the roster. Things could potentially open up in 2023 for some more contributors when Green and Turner will likely be gone, but for this season, Dennis’s best chance to play is probably to expand his role on special teams.

Prediction: Backup cornerback and special teamer

2021 Season Countdown: #75 Eamonn Dennis

Name: Eamonn Dennis
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 180 lbs.
High school: Worcester (MA) St. John’s
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: Redshirt freshman
Last year: I ranked Dennis #71 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: 79

When Dennis committed to Michigan, he was the classic “athlete” whose positional destination constantly seemed to be up in the air. He played some running back in high school, but it was clear he would be playing wide receiver in college . . . or cornerback . . . or wideout. Or corner. Eventually, former defensive coordinator Don Brown won out, and Dennis ended up on that side of the ball. As a good athlete with no real home, it seemed like an obvious conclusion that he would redshirt unless there were a bunch of injuries.

Dennis once again appears to be headed for a bench role in 2021. With Gemon Green, Vincent Gray, and D.J. Turner appearing to be jockeying for starting roles at corner, all the other corners – including Dennis, Andre Seldon, and Darion Green-Warren – will probably be fighting for scraps of playing time. I still like Dennis’s potential, but he’s a player who probably has to be in college for three or four years until he fully blossoms.

Prediction: Backup cornerback

2020 Season Countdown: #71 Eamonn Dennis

Name: Eamonn Dennis
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 173 lbs.
High school: Worcester (MA) St. John’s
Position: Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Dennis was a senior in high school (LINK). He ran 39 times for 448 yards and 9 touchdowns and also caught 30 passes for 751 yards and 7 touchdowns, while returning 3 kickoffs for touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 72 79

As I look at Dennis’s stats for his senior season, my first thought is this . . . how did this guy get only 69 offensive touches during his senior year?

Anyway, Dennis blew away the competition while playing running back, receiver, special teams, and defensive back. He runs away from people, makes people miss, and shows great vision with the ball in his hands.

There were rumors that Dennis would play cornerback at Michigan, and at one point, he seemed to shoot those down, saying he wanted to play wide receiver. Based on the latest intel, he is indeed headed for corner to start his career.

Dennis is in No Man’s Land here at #71 because of positional uncertainty, a lack of experience at the position, and a healthy dose of tantalizing athleticism. Michigan does not have great depth at cornerback, and at least one guy ahead of him, senior Ambry Thomas, will be gone after 2020. The other corner spot probably belongs to Vincent Gray for the next couple seasons, but Dennis might have a shot in 2021 while battling Darion Green-Warren, Jalen Perry, Andre Seldon, and others. I think the coaching staff should try to get Dennis’s feet wet this fall, even if he plays four or fewer games to preserve his redshirt.

Prediction: Redshirt

How does the 2020 class match up with Michigan’s all-time recruits?

Michigan wrapped up a decent recruiting class earlier in February. There are no 5-star recruits, but the Wolverines got a fair share of 4-star guys. For a historical perspective on where they match up with recruits from the past, here’s a look at where they slot in all-time, according to the 247 Composite.

A.J. Henning – WR – Frankfort (IL) Lincoln-Way East
2020 ranking: #101
Historical ranking: #80 all-time at Michigan
Flanked by: RB Kareem Walker (#100 in 2016) and DT Will Johnson (#105 in 2004)
Closest positional comparisons: Toney Clemons (#96 in 2007) and Adrian Arrington (#115 in 2004)

Braiden McGregor – DE – Port Huron (MI) Northern
2020 ranking: #122
Historical ranking: #103
Tied with: WR Tarik Black (#122 in 2017)
Closest positional comparisons: Aidan Hutchinson (#112 in 2018) and Chris Wormley (#129 in 2012)

Hit the jump for more.

Afternoon Roundup: December 28, 2019

The holidays are busy. I hope you all are doing well and enjoying Washington State vs. Air Force highlights!

A couple wrap-up items from recent days on players with decisions to make:

• Nick Eubanks is returning for a fifth year at tight end, which is good because I don’t think he would get drafted in 2020.
• Kwity Paye is returning for his senior year at defensive end, which is also good because I don’t think his draft stock would be very high.
• It sounds like Ambry Thomas is coming back, although he hasn’t come out with that decision as definitively as the first two.

Hit the jump for more.