Tag: Giovanni El-Hadi

Michigan vs. Hawaii Awards

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Roman Wilson. It’s only on three total receptions, but this guy has 107 yards and 2 touchdowns. One touchdown was a 61-yard catch-and-run bubble screen against Colorado State, and the other was a 42-yard bomb against Hawaii. Good things happen when you run a 4.37 forty and have ball skills. He’s already playing quite a bit, but the speed and big play ability are really enticing.

Hit the jump for more.

2022 Season Countdown: #58 Giovanni El-Hadi

Name: Giovanni El-Hadi
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 318 lbs.
High school: Sterling Heights (MI) Stevenson
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #58
Last year: I ranked El-Hadi #92 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 84

El-Hadi came into Michigan in 2021 with a need to improve some of his technique and get his body right. He had some bad weight even at last year’s listed weight of 305, and though he’s now listed at 318 pounds, I’m guessing he looks better now. Luckily, Michigan didn’t really need any true freshmen to contribute much on the line last season, so any experience they got – and El-Hadi did play against Northern Illinois – was a chance to get them live reps and experience.

Michigan returns its interior linemen in 2022, except for center Andrew Vastardis – who was replaced by transfer Olu Oluwatimi – and backup guard Nolan Rumler. So there’s not much room to move up the depth chart in 2022, but El-Hadi was a top-100 prospect whom I have high hopes for in the future. Coincidentally, his placement in the countdown coincides with his jersey number. At #58 he won’t be a key piece of this year’s offensive line, but he should see some reps in a few games and may be a guy that can work into the field goal/extra point unit, too.

Prediction: Backup offensive guard

2021 Season Countdown: #92 Giovanni El-Hadi

Name: Giovanni El-Hadi
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 305 lbs.
High school: Sterling Heights (MI) Stevenson
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #58
Last year: El-Hadi was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: 84

El-Hadi committed to Michigan over two years ago now, and he’s finally wearing a Michigan uniform. He was selected for the Under Armour All-American Game (even though it was never played due to COVID) and finished as a top-100 player (#87 overall) in the 247 Composite rankings. I did not give him a TTB Rating because he committed so early, but after watching him as a senior, I gave him an 84.

El-Hadi has a good frame, is powerful, and finishes blocks. I think he is most likely to play offensive guard at the next level because he lacks a little bit of length and can get his feet crossed up while trying to move laterally. He also needs to work on his hand placement. All of these things can be improved, but they show that he’s probably not ready to play immediately. I like him as a prospect but he needs to clean some things up with more reps and some college-level coaching.

Prediction: Redshirt

Class of 2021: Historical Recruiting Comparisons

In case you’re not aware, I have a list of every Michigan recruit going back 20+ years and their rankings (LINK).

Below you will find each 2021 recruit and his closest ranked comparison by position in Michigan history. This might help boost – or temper – some expectations for what we will see from the class.

Hit the jump for the comparisons.

If I Had My Druthers…2021 Class: Offense

Michigan has been throwing out offers left and right over the past few years, which makes recruiting hard to track. I have always enjoyed evaluating players and watching film, so this is an attempt to put together the best possible class for Michigan.

These are not necessarily realistic, but rather than just saying, “I want every 5-star!”, I want to put together a somewhat attainable list of players that have impressed me.

This exercise assumes that Michigan will land 25 players in the 2021 class.

QUARTERBACK: J.J. McCarthy – La Grange Park (IL) Nazareth Academy
Ranking (247 Composite): 5-star, #2 pro-style QB, #16 overall
Scoop: McCarthy is already committed to Michigan (LINK).
Highlights: See above link

QUARTERBACK: Shedeur Sanders – Cedar Hill (TX) Trinity Christian
Ranking: 4-star, #14 pro-style QB, #238 overall
Scoop: Though he’s ranked as a pro-style quarterback, Sanders has the physical ability to be a dual-threat guy or play other skill positions. Don’t get me wrong – he’s not as blindingly fast as his dad, Deion Sanders, but he can still run well. I also like the idea of taking two quarterbacks, especially when other quarterbacks on the roster might transfer or switch positions. It would also be nice to have some of Prime Time’s star power hanging around the program.
Highlights: LINK

Hit the jump for more.