2024 Season Countdown: #78 Jo’Ziah Edmond
Name: Jo’Ziah Edmond
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 180 lbs.
High school: Indianapolis (IN) Northwood
Position: Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Edmond was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 64 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble; he caught 65 passes for 505 yards and 7 touchdowns; and he ran 26 times for 204 yards and 4 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 82
Michigan really needed cornerbacks in the 2024 class. When they were recruiting for 2024, they probably didn’t even realize how badly they needed corners. Because at one time D.J. Waller and Cam Calhoun looked like they might be Michigan’s cornerbacks of the future, as long as they could hold off classmate Jyaire Hill. But now that Waller and Calhoun will be suiting up for Kentucky and Utah, respectively, in the fall of 2024, the future at the position is very murky.
Luckily, Purdue is no match for Michigan on the recruiting trail, so the Wolverines were able to flip Edmond. He could be “next” after Will Johnson graduates, but Michigan also brought in transfers Aamir Hall (Albany) and Ricky Johnson (UNLV) to help at the position. At one time it seemed like Edmond might be forced into early action – just like Jacob Oden at safety – but now Michigan has options at the position. With Will Johnson locking down one side, the other corner probably comes down to Hill or Hall; then comes the battle for the #4 spot, and Edmond could be that guy. If Michigan envisions Edmond as the heir apparent for Johnson’s spot, then I would expect him to get some snaps this year. Luckily, Michigan does have other potential contributors at that spot, such as Kody Jones and Myles Pollard.
Prediction: Backup cornerback