Tag: Ja'Den McBurrows

Michigan 49, Michigan State 0

Emotional edge FTW. Going into this game, I felt like Michigan had more of a reason to win this game. I mean, aside from the fact that Michigan State sucks and surely really wanted to win because sucking isn’t fun, Michigan should have had more of a reason. This stems mostly from the fact that Gemon Green and Ja’den McBurrows were viciously attacked in the tunnel last year. But this past week’s cheating allegations probably cheesed off the Wolverines quite a bit since their accomplishments were considered to be tainted by some. But it seems like emotion sometimes forces players and/or coaches to press. So in my game preview, I predicted a 34-10 victory. I thought Michigan might come out a little slow, might get caught by a trick play, etc. But it turns out Michigan didn’t have any trick plays up their sleeve. They didn’t really have much of anything up their sleeve.

Hit the jump for more.

2023 Season Countdown: #41 Ja’Den McBurrows

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Name: Ja’Den McBurrows
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Fort Lauderdale (FL) Saint Thomas Aquinas
Position: Cornerback
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #1
Last year: I ranked McBurrows #51 and said he would be a backup cornerback (LINK). He did not play.
TTB Rating: 73

The year 2022 was probably one Ja’Den McBurrows wouldn’t mind forgetting, at least from a personal standpoint. He spent a good chunk of the year recovering from an injury, and then when he wasn’t injured, he was getting attacked by a bunch of idiot Michigan State players in the tunnel, along with Gemon Green. After playing four games in 2021, he didn’t see any action last year.

So this may be my biggest reach in the 2023 season countdown. It’s a player who has 2 tackles and 1 pass breakup in four career games, and now I have him at #41. What gives?

Well, the buzz for McBurrows has been steady for the past couple years. The coaching staff seems to like him, but health has been an issue. He was a turnover machine in high school, and hopefully he can continue some of that in college. Last year he was blocked by a pretty good trio of Gemon Green, Will Johnson, and D.J. Turner II, but Green and Turner are gone. Now he’s contending with Amorion Walker and UMass transfer Josh Wallace for a starting spot across from Johnson. McBurrows also has the skill set to play in the slot if something were to happen to Mike Sainristil. I don’t think McBurrows will win a starting spot, but he should be in the cornerback rotation.

Prediction: Backup cornerback

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

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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