Tag: Joel Metzger

2024 Season Countdown: #84 Joel Metzger

Name: Joel Metzger
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 226 lbs.
High school: Battle Creek (MI) Lakeview
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #54
Last year: I ranked Metzger #114 and said he would be a backup linebacker (LINK). He played in two games on special teams.
TTB Rating: N/A

Metzger redshirted in 2022 but had a pretty decent couple years for a redshirt freshman walk-on. Not only did he play in two games last year, but he was named Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year in 2022. That seems to be a good upward trajectory for a young player, going from scout team player of the year to getting in two games. One would expect him to play even more in 2024. I still don’t think he’ll be a factor in the linebacker rotation, but he seems to be developing into a solid player. We’ll see if new special teams coach J.B. Brown thinks of him in the same way as the departed Jay Harbaugh.

Prediction: Backup linebacker, special teamer

2023 Season Countdown: #114 Joel Metzger

Name: Joel Metzger
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 218 lbs.
High school: Battle Creek (MI) Lakeview
Position: Linebacker
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #54
Last year: I did not rank Metzger. He did not play in any games.
TTB Rating: N/A

Metzger is a student body walk-on who joined the team in 2022. He made enough of an impact on special teams in practice to be named the team’s Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year, so that’s something. This is not meant to be an insult, but watching his film can make you realize that effort and toughness can go a long way. He’s not the biggest or fastest guy – and he has certainly grown since high school – but he must be doing some impressive things in practice to earn the aforementioned honor.

Maybe special teams on Saturdays is in the cards for this fall, but maybe not. I don’t foresee him factoring into the linebacker rotation anytime soon, but if he can play on coverage units, good for him.

Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teamer