2017 Season Countdown: #53 Nolan Ulizio

Tag: Nolan Ulizio


10Jul 2017
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2017 Season Countdown: #53 Nolan Ulizio

Nolan Ulizio (image via Toledo Blade)

Name: Nolan Ulizio
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 291 lbs.
High school: West Chester (OH) Lakota West
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #70
Last year: I ranked Ulizio #47 and said he would be a backup offensive tackle. He played in four games.
TTB Rating: 65

Michigan stole Ulizio from UConn in the class of 2015, and things have been . . . on track since then? He redshirted in 2015, played in garbage time during four games in 2016, and now seems primed for a slightly increased role in 2017. The Wolverines lost three starters after the 2016 season, naturally bumping up the backups. Ulizio does not seem likely to claim one of those vacated starting positions, but he has reportedly had some success with reshaping his body and increasing his strength and flexibility. If nothing else, he should be a more viable option as a backup. I expect him to play in more than four games, but with the youth on the offensive line, he may be a career backup.

Prediction: Backup offensive tackle

26Jul 2016
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2016 Season Countdown: #47 Nolan Ulizio

Nolan Ulizio (image via Journal-News)

Name: Nolan Ulizio
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 291 lbs.
High school: West Chester (OH) Lakota West
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #70
Last year: I ranked Ulizio #88 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He redshirted.

Ulizio was a late addition to the class of 2015 when Michigan stole him away from UConn. He was bound to redshirt with so many experienced players ahead of him, so it was no surprise that he spent his first year watching from the sideline. But this spring he gave a decent showing in practice and in the spring game, acquitting himself fairly well against some good defensive linemen. As a right tackle, he could sub in this year and be fine during mop-up time. The starter is Erik Magnuson, who could himself move to left tackle or offensive guard if injuries occur. If the Wolverines decide to use a sixth offensive lineman at times, like they have in the past, it’s usually an offensive tackle. So even if Patrick Kugler backs up at center and David Dawson fills in occasionally at guard, Ulizio might carve out a unique role on his own. And with few offensive tackles in the pipeline, he has a chance to establish himself for a potential starting role in 2017.

Prediction: Backup offensive tackle

26Feb 2016
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Spring Football Preview: Offensive Line

Mason Cole 934x

Mason Cole

Projected starters: LT Grant Newsome (So.), LG Ben Braden (RS Sr.), C Mason Cole (Jr.), RG Kyle Kalis (RS Sr.), RT Erik Magnuson (RS Sr.). Newsome was the sixth lineman by the end of the season. Jim Harbaugh said recently that Cole would start getting snaps at center as soon as spring practices starts, those two developments seem to be related. Braden, Kalis, and Magnuson all started at those respective positions for the entirety of 2015.

Hit the jump for the rest of the offensive line preview.

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3Jun 2015
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2015 Season Countdown: #88 Nolan Ulizio



Name: Nolan Ulizio
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 293 lbs.
High school: West Chester (OH) Lakota West
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Ulizio was a senior in high school (LINK). He was a 247 Composite 3-star, the #137 offensive tackle, and #1274 overall.
TTB Rating: 65

Ulizio was a late flip from UConn after Jim Harbaugh was hired. D.J. Durkin, who was newly hired from Florida, had some previous relationships in the state of Ohio, and he was sent in to attempt to reap some late rewards. Ulizio was a 2-star recruit to some sites, and he had not even been evaluated by ESPN until after he switched his commitment to Michigan. Michigan’s coaching staff identified him as a late bloomer who hit a growth spurt, which helped him turn into an FBS recruit.

I have my concerns about Ulizio because of his lack of athleticism, but the kid is tenacious and has some decent technique. As he puts on muscle and continues to grow into his body, he could be an asset down the road. That will take some time, however. He looks like a fit at right tackle or offensive guard, and Michigan has some more experienced depth at those positions. I expect him to redshirt this season, and I don’t see him really factoring into the rotation until 2017 unless there are several departures.

Prediction: Redshirt