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.
Name: Jaydon Hood Height: 6’1″ Weight: 212 lbs. High school: Fort Lauderdale (FL) Saint Thomas Aquinas Position: Linebacker Class: Redshirt freshman Jersey number: #34 Last year: I ranked Hood #68 and said he would be a backup linebacker and special teamer (LINK). He played in one game. TTB Rating: 72
Hood came to Michigan last year looking a little too undersized to be a linebacker. His height has always been a bit of a question mark, but a lack of height needs to be supplemented by bulk (he was only listed at 215) and/or excellent quickness (which is yet to be determined). Hood obviously didn’t display enough of those traits to get on the field much, which was acceptable in 2021 when considering his youth and the presence of Josh Ross, Nikhai Hill-Green, Junior Colson, Kalel Mullings, and others.
However, 2022 is a different story. Ross is gone and Mullings is dabbling at running back, meaning that #3 linebacker spot is open for the taking. It could be Mullings or Mike Barrett or Joey Velazquez or a freshman, but there’s a chance for everyone. I’ve heard mildly positive things about Hood to make me think he might still be another year away. Unfortunately, his listed weight dropped from 215 last year to 212 this year, but 2022 should see him take on an increased role on special teams and perhaps a few snaps at inside linebacker.
Name: Jaydon Hood Height: 6’1″ Weight: 215 lbs. High school: Fort Lauderdale (FL) Saint Thomas Aquinas Position: Linebacker Class: Freshman Jersey number: N/A Last year: Hood was a senior in high school (LINK). TTB Rating: 72
Hood has had a bit of a strange path to Michigan. After transferring to Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas prior to his senior year, he struggled a little bit with the transition to a new defense. That led some analysts to downgrade him, and it also is a bit of a concern. If he struggles to transition to yet another new defensive scheme, might he get frustrated? Hood’s signing was also a little bit of a circus, because he was going to skip the early signing period in favor of signing in February . . . but then he signed on December 16 at the last minute, anyway.
Normally, I would project Hood to be a clear redshirt due to a lack of size and the above mentioned questions about how quickly he can adapt to a new scheme, but the mass exodus of linebackers in recent months might speed up his timeline. Aside from Josh Ross and Michael Barrett, Michigan’s linebackers are completely unproven. Linebackers are also often heavy contributors on special teams, and that’s a place where I think Hood could excel early in his career.
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.
West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield RB Donovan Edwards (image via Freep)
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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):
