Tag: Kody Jones

2023 Season Countdown: #67 Kody Jones

Name: Kody Jones
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 193 lbs.
High school: Memphis (TN) Germantown
Position: Safety
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #12
Last year: I ranked Jones #84 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He made 5 tackles and played in four games.
TTB Rating: 80

Jones was a little bit small as a true freshman. Combined with the fact that Michigan had good depth in the defensive backfield, he was always unlikely to play a major role. The good news is that the coaches pushed his playing time to the brink while still maintaining his redshirt, so he played in four games, and that was it.

This year things are looking a little brighter for Jones, but maybe not much. While the depth chart ahead of him has thinned out, he’s still not really in the discussion for a starting position. He was recruited as a safety, but he played some cornerback. His best bet for playing time might be if the coaching staff plays Mike Sainristil at cornerback, opening up the nickel spot for someone like Jones, though he might still be battling with Keshaun Harris or Ja’den McBurrows. No matter how it’s sliced, there’s a good deal of competition and a lot of moving parts in the defensive backfield.

Prediction: Backup defensive back and special teamer

2022 Season Countdown: #84 Kody Jones

Name: Kody Jones
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 175 lbs.
High school: Memphis (TN) Germantown
Position: Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #12
Last year: Jones was a senior in high school (LINK).
TTB Rating: 80

There were some tense moments as Michigan tried to hold onto the 4-star, #13 athlete, and #311 overall player in the country, according to the 247 Composite. Despite a steady push from the home state Tennessee Volunteers, Jones chose the Wolverines and eventually decided to stick with the Wolverines. Despite being recruited as a defensive player, Jones played a lot of offense in 2021 as he stepped in to be a dynamic running back.

Jones could play a few positions in college. Originally thought to be a safety, Michigan employed him as a cornerback during the spring after he enrolled early. Jones held up fairly well, and unlike fellow freshman corner Myles Pollard, he did not look overmatched as an athlete. Jones will need to get bigger and work on his technique, but he looks like a young Blake Countess to me. Jones may need to wait a bit to get on the field, and he’s probably not ready as a true freshman. I could see him getting his feet wet this season and maybe playing in just a few games to maintain his redshirt.

Prediction: Redshirt

How Does the 2022 Class Match Up with Michigan’s All-Time Recruits?

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As much as we like to get excited about every single Michigan recruit, it’s important to keep perspective and realize that not every one of these players will be destined for stardom. This exercise can give us a range of what to expect from some of these players, even though star rankings can be very wrong.

Will Johnson – CB – Grosse Pointe (MI) South
2022 ranking: #14
Historical ranking: tied for #9 all-time at Michigan
Tied with: S Daxton Hill (2019) and DE LaMarr Woodley (2003)
Closest positional comparisons: Jabrill Peppers (#3 in 2014) and Donovan Warren (#27 in 2007)

Derrick Moore – DE – Baltimore (MD) St. Francis
2022 ranking: #49
Historical ranking: tied for #37 all-time at Michigan
Tied with: OG Kyle Kalis (2012) and RB Ty Isaac (2013)
Closest positional comparisons: Pierre Woods (#43 in 2001) and Luiji Vilain (#56 in 2017)

Keon Sabb – S – Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
2022 ranking: #84
Historical ranking: #64 all-time at Michigan
Flanked by: OT Cory Zirbel (#83 in 2005) and #87 Kyle Bosch (2013)
Closest positional comparisons: Michael Williams (#72 in 2007) and Demar Dorsey (#87 in 2010)

Hit the jump for more.

2022 Spring Roster Notes

Even though jersey numbers don’t matter much – there is plenty of time for them to change – it’s always interesting to see what jerseys the freshmen wear. Here’s a rundown of the newcomers:

• #0: WR Darrius Clemons
• #2: CB Will Johnson (I saw a rumor that he switched to #4, but #2 is on the roster)
• #3: S Keon Sabb
• #4: WR Amorion Walker
• #8: DE Derrick Moore
• #10: QB Alex Orji
• #12: S Kody Jones
• #13: WR Tyler Morris
• #16: QB Jayden Denegal
• #24: CB Myles Pollard
• #55: DT Mason Graham
• #55: C Olu Oluwatimi
• #60: OL Connor Jones

On another note, Eamonn Dennis has officially switched from cornerback to wide receiver on the roster. Meanwhile, Mike Sainristil is still listed at wide receiver even though he’s getting practice reps at nickel corner.

Visitors: Michigan vs. Ohio State

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Here is an early list of players who are planning to head to Ann Arbor for The Game.

2022

Zeke Berry – S – Concord (CA) De La Salle: Berry is a 6’0″, 185-pounder with offers from Michigan, Oregon, and UCLA; he decommitted from Arizona. He’s a 4-star, the #19 safety, and #227 overall. This is an official visit.

Ethan Burke – DE – Austin (TX) Westlake: Burke is a 6’7″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Baylor, Kansas State, Michigan, and Texas Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 3-star and the #40 edge player. This is an official visit.

Joshua Conerly – OT – Seattle (WA) Rainier Beach: Conerly is a 6’5″, 275-pounder with offers from Michigan, Oregon, and USC, among others. He’s a 5-star, the #3 offensive tackle, and #19 overall. He already took an official visit to Michigan – and an unofficial – so this will be his third trip to Ann Arbor. UPDATE: Conerly is no longer planning to visit.

Kiyaunta Goodwin – OT – Charlestown (IN) Charlestown: Goodwin is a 6’8″, 340 lb. prospect who’s committed to Kentucky. He also has offers from Alabama and Michigan, among others. He’s a 5-star, the #5 offensive tackle, and #30 overall.

Kenneth Grant – DT – Merrillville (IN) Merrillville: Grant is committed to Michigan.

Kevonte Henry – LB – Lawndale (CA) Leuzinger: Henry is committed to Michigan (LINK).

Domani Jackson – CB – Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei: Jackson is a 6’1″, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama and Michigan, along with a bunch of others. He also just decommitted from USC last week. He’s a 5-star, the #2 cornerback, and #6 overall. He has developed a good relationship with Michigan commit Will Johnson (see below), who has been a big positive in Jackson’s recruitment. Jackson took an official visit back in September, so this is an unofficial.

Hit the jump for more.