Tag: Joey Klunder

2024 Season Countdown: #76 Joey Klunder

Name: Joey Klunder
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 276 lbs.
High school: Grosse Pointe (MI) South
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #93
Last year: I ranked Klunder #119 and said he would be a backup defensive end (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: N/A

Klunder was a preferred walk-on from South a couple seasons ago and has yet to make a big impact in the football program. This is projecting a pretty big jump for Klunder, all the way from #119 last year to #76 this season. Michigan has some questionable depth on the defensive line; there are bodies but not a ton of experience, and Michigan tried to find a defensive tackle or two in the portal, unsuccessfully.

A starting job is out of reach for Klunder at this point, but he’s put on a considerable amount of weight during his time in college – up 23 pounds since last year – and may be able to absorb some snaps that might otherwise go to freshmen trying to retain their redshirts, such as Ted Hammond. It’s possible that Klunder might be ahead of some second-year players, too, such as Brooks Bahr. Either way, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Klunder get on the field for a few games this season.

Prediction: Backup defensive lineman

2023 Season Countdown: #119 Joey Klunder

Name: Joey Klunder
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 253 lbs.
High school: Grosse Pointe (MI) South
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #93
Last year: I ranked Klunder #130 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.
TTB Rating: N/A

Klunder had some military academy and FCS offers coming out of high school, but he decided to become a preferred walk-on at Michigan. After being listed at 6’4″ and 230 pounds as a freshman, he’s now down to 6’3″ . . . and up to 253. While MGoBlue.com’s website lists him as an EDGE, Klunder’s own Twitter profile says he’s a “DT.”

I don’t know where Klunder will end up, and it appears I’m not alone. But either way, 253 pounds is probably too light to play defensive tackle . . . and he’s not quick enough to be an edge pass rusher . . . and he’s probably still too light to play a 5-tech defensive end role. So for now, I think it will be another year watching from the sideline for Klunder.

Prediction: Backup defensive end

2022 Season Countdown: #130 Joey Klunder

Name: Joey Klunder
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 230 lbs.
High school: Grosse Pointe (MI) South
Position: Defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Klunder was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: N/A

Klunder eschewed offers from Air Force, Army, and a variety of FCS schools in order to become a preferred walk-on at Michigan. He ended up ranked as a 247 Composite 3-star, the #209 defensive lineman, and #1772 overall.

Klunder is most likely just a practice squad player for this season, and he will have considerable talent to compete with for the remainder of his career at Michigan. But it’s nice to get a walk-on who had other FCS offers.