Tag: Jeffrey Persi

2021 Season Countdown: #82 Jeffrey Persi

Name: Jeffrey Persi
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 302 lbs.
High school: Mission Viejo (CA) Junipero Serra
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #79
Last year: I ranked Persi #96 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: 82

I labeled Persi last year as a giant boom-or-bust prospect, and the jury is still out on him. There was very little buzz about him last season and during the off-season, even when Michigan suffered a bunch of offensive line injuries last fall. Persi was a tight end early in his high school career, so it makes sense that he was not ready to play in the Big Ten as a true freshman.

Persi presumably remains unready going into 2021. Michigan returns starter Ryan Hayes at left tackle. The right tackle position is a little uncertain, but Persi does not appear to be in the mix to replace Jalen Mayfield. It could be Andrew Stueber, Trente Jones, or Karsen Barnhart, but no one seems to think it will be Persi out there at right tackle on September 4 against Western Michigan.

Prediction: Backup offensive tackle

2020 Season Countdown: #96 Jeffrey Persi

Name: Jeffrey Persi
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 275 lbs.
High school: Mission Viejo (CA) JSerra Catholic
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Persi was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: 65 82

I have to admit that Persi is the biggest boom-or-bust prospect in the 2020 class in my mind. I really don’t know what to do with him when it comes to TTB Ratings. He’s very athletic and the coaches love him, so what’s the matter? I have heard multiple coaches and Matt Dudek use Persi as an example of someone the rankings don’t love but the coaches do. So is he kind of a sleeper?

Persi is the kind of guy (long and athletic) I normally love at tackle, but he has a raw quality that makes me wonder. He was a tight end to begin high school, and he has only played tackle during his final two years. So that explains part of the disconnect. When I watch him on film, he does the right thing initially. If you were doing a drill tape against air where you want a guy to kick slide, down block, etc., Persi would be a great candidate.

But then when you watch him react to defenders, he’s a split second late. It’s almost like he’s so preoccupied with performing the correct technique that he forgets to think a step ahead. I also came away from his senior film with the same criticisms I had of his junior film: his feet get too narrow, and he comes up too high. He also does not finish blocks as well as he should, and he can get overpowered.

So as you can see, Persi is a mixed bag. He’s athletic with good bend and initial technique, but he needs to get stronger and doesn’t react well to the changing pictures in front of him. I’m going to go ahead and believe that Ed Warinner can work his magic on Persi, but I think it’s going to take some time.

Prediction: Redshirt

Hit the jump for some of his senior clips.

How does the 2020 class match up with Michigan’s all-time recruits?

Michigan wrapped up a decent recruiting class earlier in February. There are no 5-star recruits, but the Wolverines got a fair share of 4-star guys. For a historical perspective on where they match up with recruits from the past, here’s a look at where they slot in all-time, according to the 247 Composite.

A.J. Henning – WR – Frankfort (IL) Lincoln-Way East
2020 ranking: #101
Historical ranking: #80 all-time at Michigan
Flanked by: RB Kareem Walker (#100 in 2016) and DT Will Johnson (#105 in 2004)
Closest positional comparisons: Toney Clemons (#96 in 2007) and Adrian Arrington (#115 in 2004)

Braiden McGregor – DE – Port Huron (MI) Northern
2020 ranking: #122
Historical ranking: #103
Tied with: WR Tarik Black (#122 in 2017)
Closest positional comparisons: Aidan Hutchinson (#112 in 2018) and Chris Wormley (#129 in 2012)

Hit the jump for more.

Visitors: Michigan vs. Ohio State

2020

Reece Atteberry – C – Aurora (CO) Eaglecrest: Atteberry is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Elijah Gaines – S – Alexandria (VA) Episcopal: At one time Gaines had set up an official visit to Michigan for this game, but he committed to Penn State in the meantime.

Darion Green-Warren – CB – Harbor City (CA) Narbonne: Green-Warren is a 6’0″, 187-pounder with offers from Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, and USC, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #13 cornerback, and #209 overall. His crystal ball is 88% in favor of USC and 0% for Michigan right now. UPDATE: Green-Warren is visiting in December.

Jaylen Harrell – DE – Tampa (FL) Berkeley Prep: Harrell is a 6’4″, 235 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, and Miami, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #14 weakside end, and #301 overall. This is an official visit.

Nikhai Hill-Green – LB – Baltimore (MD) St. Frances: Hill-Green is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Myles Hinton – OT – Norcross (GA) Greater Atlanta Christian: Hinton is a 6’6″, 308-pounder who is committed to Stanford. His brother Chris is a Michigan defensive tackle, and Myles has visited several times this year, largely to see his brother. There’s an outside chance that Michigan can flip him.

Kris Jenkins, Jr. – DE – Olney (MD) Good Counsel: Jenkins is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Jayson Jones – DT – Calera (AL) Calera: Jones is a 6’6″, 340 lb. prospect who has been committed to Alabama since June of 2018. He has long insisted that he would take a visit to Michigan, even though some have doubted whether it would happen or not. He’s a 4-star, the #18 defensive tackle, and #174 overall.

Hit the jump for more visitors.

Jeffrey Persi, Wolverine

San Juan Capistrano (CA) Junipero Serra offensive tackle Jeffrey Persi publicly committed to Michigan on Monday night, or Sunday morning if you’re on Eastern Standard Time. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Oklahoma, UCLA, and USC, among others.

Persi is listed at 6’7″ and 265 lbs. He claims a 5.36 forty, a 4.75 shuttle, and a 24″ vertical.

RATINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 80 grade, #33 OT
Rivals: 4-star, 5.8 grade, #35 OT
247 Sports: 3-star, 87 grade, #43 OT, #539 overall

Hit the jump for more on Persi.