Tag: Jaylen Harrell

What to Watch in the Spring Game

The spring game will be shown on the Big Ten Network on Saturday, April 2, at 12:00 p.m.

Here are a few things I’ll be curious to watch:

WHO TAKES OVER FOR HASSAN HASKINS?
Michigan needs to replace its leading rusher and toughest back in Hassan Haskins, a 6’1″, 220-pounder who is off to the NFL after rushing for 1,327 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2021. The Wolverines have two very talented running backs left, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, but neither one has proven to be a bruiser or short yardage back. They have home run speed but were listed at 200 and 202 pounds, respectively, last season. Redshirt freshman Tavierre Dunlap (6’0″, 222) might be able to step into the role as a big back, but does he have the instincts and power that Haskins showed? Michigan doesn’t need a leading rusher – that will be Corum or Edwards – but they need someone who can pound the ball inside.

Hit the jump for more.

Big Ten Championship: Michigan 42, Iowa 3

BIG TEN CHAMPS!!! A lot of people doubted this Michigan team – including yours truly – but they’re right where almost everyone wishes they could be. They beat the brakes off Ohio State and then the Big Ten West opponent, and now they’re headed to the playoffs. I thought they would be 8-4, so I certainly didn’t think they would be 12-1 and in this spot, but I also never lost faith in Jim Harbaugh’s ability to coach. That 2-4 season in 2020 made a lot of people forget that this guy turned around two other college programs, returned the 49ers to the Super Bowl, and made a 5-7 team into a 10-3 team immediately upon arriving in Michigan. He now averages 9.8 wins per season at Michigan if you give him a full year.

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2021 Michigan vs. Michigan State Awards

Let’s see more of this guy . . . Andrel Anthony. Anthony pulled a Ricky White and came out of nowhere to have a huge game. He caught 6 passes for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns. Both touchdowns were spectacular, with one 93-yard catch-and-run and a Moss-ing.

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2021 Season Countdown: #47 Jaylen Harrell

Name: Jaylen Harrell
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 235 lbs.
High school: Tampa (FL) Berkeley Prep
Position: Outside linebacker
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #32
Last year: I ranked Harrell #73 and said he would be a backup outside linebacker (LINK). He played in four games and made 2 tackles.
TTB Rating: 84

Pop question: Did Jaylen Harrell get on the field in 2020?

Pop answer: If you don’t know the answer, you didn’t read the info above.

Harrell was a question mark going into 2020. I was not concerned about his athletic ability, but I did wonder if a staff that seemed to really appreciate veterans would put him on the field. As it turns out, the defensive staff didn’t really see a need to put him on the field, but the special teams coaches did.

If you’re playing special teams as a freshman, I think the coaching staff probably sees a bright future. Additionally, I think Harrell brings an element of size and athleticism to the outside linebacker position that not many others on the team possess. There are bigger guys, but they aren’t as quick. Nor can they dip their shoulders and turn the corner like I think Harrell can, or at least will be able to do down the road. He’s probably not developed enough to start, but I would expect defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to start sprinkling him in as a situational pass rusher in 2021.

Prediction: Backup outside linebacker

2020 Season Countdown: #73 Jaylen Harrell

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Name: Jaylen Harrell
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 235 lbs.
High school: Tampa (FL) Berkeley Prep
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Harrell was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 58 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks.
TTB Rating: 84

Harrell was a big pickup for Michigan late in the recruiting cycle. He was an early big-time recruit who seemed to slide in the rankings, and other teams seemed to fall off in their recruitment of him. But Michigan kept plugging away and finally reeled him in.

There’s a legitimate opportunity for a talented pass rusher to step in and play this fall. Outside linebacker Josh Uche went to the Patriots, and hybrid linebacker Khaleke Hudson went to the Redskins; they combined for 28 sacks in their careers. I have a hard time believing a true freshman will take over that role full-time, but Harrell could contribute if he’s talented enough. Other players vying for that pass rusher role are rumored to include David Ojabo and Michael Barrett, though I don’t see Barrett being too much of a threat as a pass rusher. Harrell could also play weakside end, but that might be a year or two away.

Prediction: Backup outside linebacker