Tag: Jess Speight

2021 Season Countdown: #49 Jess Speight

Name: Jess Speight
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 290 lbs.
High school: Richmond (VA) Collegiate
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt senior
Jersey number: #67
Last year: I ranked Speight #45 and said he would be a backup defensive tackle (LINK). He made 2 tackles.
TTB Rating: N/A

I want to take a walk down memory lane to Speight’s first appearance in the countdown (LINK):

Speight, who is the brother of former Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight, is the rare walk-on offensive lineman who actually got me excited a little bit. . . . Speight’s time won’t come this year, but he’s one to keep an eye on in the coming years.

When the Michigan program took Wilton’s “little brother” as a preferred walk-on, I thought he was a guy who could eventually work his way into the starting center position, post-Cesar Ruiz. Obviously, Speight made the transition to defensive tackle, so I’m no Nostradamus. But he did start one game in 2019 and has played in a total of thirteen games, making 7 total tackles.

Entering his final year on campus, I think Speight will probably end up playing one of the defensive end (4i) positions as a backup. I don’t think he’s strong enough to play nose tackle and stand up to double teams as an interior guy, but he might be able to handle some single blocks from offensive tackles. He’s not going to turn into a star overnight, but for a team lacking experienced bulk on the defensive line, he should be back in the rotation once again in 2021.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

2020 Season Countdown: #45 Jess Speight

Name: Jess Speight
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 288 lbs.
High school: Richmond (VA) Collegiate
Position: Center
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #67
Last year: I ranked Speight #90 and said he would be a backup center (LINK). He played in seven games and made 7 tackles.
TTB Rating: N/A

Speight has slowly climbed the ranks of Michigan football over the past few years. He came in as a preferred walk-on and the brother of quarterback Wilton Speight, who transferred from Michigan to UCLA. I liked him as a recruit and thought he might be able to work his way onto the field on the offensive line. After spending his first couple seasons on campus playing center, he switched to defensive tackle last fall when there was a need for depth. By the end of the season, he was playing some key minutes.

While Speight is not expected to start in 2020, there is once again an opportunity for him to play. Part-time starter Michael Dwumfour transferred to Rutgers, but sophomore Chris Hinton is expected to step into the starting lineup alongside nose tackle Carlo Kemp. Other players involved in the competition include Speight, Donovan Jeter, and Mazi Smith, among others. Hinton’s parents have been pretty vocal about being opposed to playing due to COVID-19, so there’s a chance that he will opt out of the season. That could elevate Speight’s importance for 2020, but I’m operating under the assumption that Hinton will play (NOTE: No Michigan players have opted out for 2020 as of this writing). I don’t think Speight will be a difference maker, but he’s an okay role player.

Prediction: Backup defensive tackle

Morning Roundup: September 5, 2019

Defensive tackle Jess Speight and offensive guard Andrew Vastardis were both given scholarships for the 2019 season. That’s because Michigan is under the scholarship limit after some guys transferred (LINK).

Hit the jump for more.

2019 Season Countdown: #90 Jess Speight

Name: Jess Speight
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 302 lbs.
High school: Richmond (VA) Collegiate
Position: Center
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #67
Last year: I ranked Speight # (LINK). He played in one game and was named Co-Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year.
TTB Rating: N/A

Jess Speight is best known for being the younger brother of former Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight. But Michigan fans should start to get to know the younger Speight, because I think he might be a contributor later in his career. I liked his film coming out of high school, and being named Co-Scout Team Player of the Year on offense is confirmation that the kid can play. Michigan has Cesar Ruiz for at least one more year, and Stephen Spanellis for two, but Speight could be in line to play if there are injuries or unexpected departures. I wouldn’t expect him to play much this year, but 2020 or 2021 could be breakout campaigns for him.

Prediction: Backup center

2018 Season Countdown: #102 Jess Speight

Jess Speight

Name: Jess Speight
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 289 lbs.
High school: Richmond (VA) Collegiate
Position: Center
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #67
Last year: I did not rank Speight. He redshirted.

Speight, who is the brother of former Michigan quarterback Wilton Speight, is the rare walk-on offensive lineman who actually got me excited a little bit. He has some decent talent and quickness, though he’s probably a little bit light still if the 289 lbs. on the roster is accurate. There’s also the problem of sophomore super-recruit and center Cesar Ruiz, who some have labeled already as Michigan’s best lineman, and who plays the same position as Jess Speight. I wouldn’t put it outside the realm of possibility for Speight to become Michigan’s starting center if he sticks around long enough, but that will probably have to be after Ruiz moves on to the NFL in a few years. For now Michigan also has the option of Stephen Spanellis, who has practiced at center and played there in the bowl game against South Carolina. Speight’s time won’t come this year, but he’s one to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Prediction: Backup offensive lineman