Tag: Jake Thaw

Michigan 35, UNLV 7

Defensive Tackle U. Michigan is putting together a nice crew of defensive tackles, and the least heralded one is the guy making plays most consistently, it seems. Sophomore Mason Graham made 5 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks against UNLV, eating up the interior offensive line repeatedly. The Rebels ended the game with 61 rushing yards on 31 attempts, which includes sacks, but still . . . the middle was stuffed up all day. Kris Jenkins made 5 tackles and 0.5 sacks and Kenneth Grant made 4 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 1 pass breakup. The title of this section is a little facetious, but the defensive tackle play has been terrific.

Hit the jump for more.

2023 Season Countdown: #95 Jake Thaw

Name: Jake Thaw
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190 lbs.
High school: Westport (CT) Staples
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #26
Last year: I ranked Thaw #107 and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He played in two games and make 1 punt return for 10 yards.
TTB Rating: N/A

Thaw finally broke into some playing time in 2022, his third year in the program. He played in a couple blowout games, and he was actually called upon to return a punt against Colorado State. There was a little bit of excitement on his 20-yard return, but it was taken back 10 yards due to a penalty. He also caught a touchdown on a whip route in the 2023 spring game.

My opinion of Thaw is bolstered most by the fact that the coaches trusted him to catch a punt, even though it was late in a blowout win. Obviously, the staff trusts him not to go out there and look like a dolt and turn over the ball. Alas, Michigan has some good receivers returning (Cornelius Johnson, Roman Wilson) and some talented youngsters vying for playing time (Darrius Clemons, Fredrick Moore, etc.), not to mention walk-on Peyton O’Leary, who was the star of the spring game overall. I expect to see Thaw on the field a little bit this fall, but probably not in crunch time.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver and special teamer

2022 Season Countdown: #107 Jake Thaw

Name: Jake Thaw
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 190 lbs.
High school: Westport (CT) Staples
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #26
Last year: I ranked Thaw #118 and said he would be a backup wide receiver (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: N/A

Thaw is yet another solidly talented walk-on wide receiver. Since he has yet to play a down at Michigan, I want to take this opportunity to test out a theory. Is there a chance that walk-ons could be phased out of playing time at big-time programs? For example, if NIL deals are now running the sport, a 4-star receiver is not going to want to lose out on playing time to a 0-star walk-on when that could be a chance to make a big play, score a touchdown, and increase his visibility. Late in a 40-point blowout, a freshman like Darrius Clemons might be able to establish himself for a future NIL deal by scoring a 70-yard touchdown, but if the coaches empty the bench to play someone like Thaw, that could affect Clemons’s bottom line.

This is not specific to Thaw and Clemons (they’re just examples), but I wonder if coaches might start making on-field and depth chart decisions based on NIL.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver

2021 Season Countdown: #118 Jake Thaw

Name: Jake Thaw
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Westport (CT) Staples
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #26
Last year: I did not rank Thaw. He redshirted.
TTB Rating: N/A

Michigan fans know that only elite players come from the state of Connecticut, and Jake Thaw is no exception. I avoided profiling him last year to help him fly under the radar, but the cat is out of the bag now that he’s been on the roster for a year. Jake Thaw might not be a household name today, but what Kwity Paye is to Rhode Island, Jake Thaw – a.k.a. the Winter Soldier – will be to Connecticut.

Will he play on special teams? Maybe.

Will he play at wide receiver? Possibly.

Will he be a first round draft pick in 2024? You never know.