Tag: Ja'Den McBurrows

Thoughts on 2023 Spring Game

Okay, it’s time to put some thoughts about the spring game on paper.

QUARTERBACK: We know what J.J. McCarthy brings to the table, and Michigan was never going to let him factor into the run game, so whatever. This comes down to thoughts on the backups. After watching Michigan have a good 1-2 punch the past two years with McCarthy and Cade McNamara, there is a big question mark at the #2 quarterback spot in 2023. I thought redshirt sophomore Davis Warren once again outplayed the competition, which comes from Alex Orji and Indiana transfer Jack Tuttle. Tuttle had a couple decent throws and showed some decent athleticism on the run, but Warren is more accurate and probably a better decision maker, despite the fact that Tuttle is a sixth-year player. Orji has decent arm strength but leaves something to be desired when it comes to his timing and accuracy; running is the best part of his game, and he’s a change-up guy. I would put him at #4 on the depth chart.

Hit the jump for more.

2022 Season Countdown: #51 Ja’Den McBurrows

Name: Ja’Den McBurrows
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 197 lbs.
High school: Fort Lauderdale (FL) Saint Thomas Aquinas
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #1
Last year: I ranked McBurrows #72 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in four games and made 2 tackles with 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: 73

McBurrows got hyped up by some insiders going into the 2021 season as a guy who could make an immediate contribution. Fortunately for Michigan, he was not needed in a very large capacity because the Wolverines got good performances from Vincent Gray and D.J. Turner II. But it was probably a good sign that he played in four games, which is more than a lot of freshman corners – including more than Gray or Turner played in their freshman years. Unfortunately for McBurrows, he ended the season by having knee surgery and missed some time to develop.

The 2022 season might be a pivotal one for McBurrows. If he carves out notable playing time with the guys around him, that probably bodes well for his talent and his future. If he falls behind freshmen like Will Johnson, Myles Pollard, and/or Kody Jones, that could spell trouble for him going forward. I’ve heard enough buzz about McBurrows that I think he can play at this level, but it will be a good battle for playing time over the next couple years.

Prediction: Backup cornerback

2021 Season Countdown: #72 Ja’Den McBurrows

NOTE: To discuss this post, head on over to the Blogger version.

Name: Ja’Den McBurrows
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 165 lbs.
High school: Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas
Position: Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #1
Last year: McBurrows was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: 73

Michigan offered McBurrows, who attended a powerhouse high school, in January of 2020. Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began, he committed to Michigan without having seen campus. He did end up visiting unofficially for the Wisconsin game – which went poorly for Michigan – and there were rumors that Miami and others were still pushing hard to get him to flip. But the Wolverines hung on and got him to sign in December.

McBurrows is a playmaker, making 4 interceptions in 2020 and returning 2 of those for touchdowns. According to Sam Webb, he was St. Thomas Aquinas’s #1 corner even though it’s a team full of star players headed to Division I schools. McBurrows is feisty but fairly small, similar to Andre Seldon, Jr. He always seems to be around the ball, and he’s not afraid to mix it up with bigger players. That may not turn into immediate playing time, but after the first couple guys on the depth chart (Vincent Gray, Gemon Green), there’s a total lack of experience among Seldon, D.J. Turner II, Jalen Perry, German Green, Darion Green-Warren, etc. McBurrows is unlikely to leapfrog all those guys, but aside from Turner seeming to be in the top three, it’s anyone’s guess how that depth chart plays out. (Side note: Rumors say that Perry has moved to safety and German Green has moved to corner.)

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.

2021 Recruiting: Early Signing Day Primer

Remember to support TTB by making your Amazon purchases through the links here (LINK):

SOLID COMMITS

Michigan has 21 commits in the class of 2021, and the following players are expected to sign with Michigan during the early signing period, which starts tomorrow (December 16):

• QB J.J. McCarthy
• RB Tavierre Dunlap (early enrollee)
• WR Andrel Anthony
• WR Cristian Dixon (early enrollee)
• TE Louis Hansen
• OL Raheem Anderson II
• OL Tristan Bounds
• OL Greg Crippen
• OL Giovanni El-Hadi
• DE Kechaun Bennett
• DE Dominick Giudice
• DE T.J. Guy
• DE Quintin Somerville
• LB Junior Colson (early enrollee)
• LB Tyler McLaurin
• S Rod Moore
• P Tommy Doman

Hit the jump for more.