Tag: UNLV

Ricky Johnson, Wolverine

UNLV transfer Ricky Johnson has committed to Michigan after a midweek visit. He was previously committed to Washington State.

Johnson is a 6’1″, 180 lb. player who is entering his fifth year of college football. Originally out of Houston (TX) Cypress Falls in the class of 2020, he played in four games that first year that didn’t count against his eligibility. He also suffered an injury in 2022 that limited him to three games, meaning he would get an injury redshirt for that season. So he has only used up two years of eligibility and should have two remaining for the 2024 and 2025 seasons if he wishes to use both.

Johnson was ranked as a 3-star, the #151 safety, and #1951 overall in 2020 and has been a starter for UNLV since his second year on campus, but injuries have limited his time on the field. Altogether, he has played in 27 games, making 78 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, and 10 pass breakups. He did not play in the 2023 game against Michigan due to injury.

Johnson and fellow transfer portal commitment Aamir Hall give Michigan a couple good options to fight for playing time across from Will Johnson. Johnson has a ton of impressive plays on his highlight reel, but his PFF grades are mediocre; he grades out better as a run defender and tackler than in pass coverage. He appears to be more of a third or fourth corner, and I would not expect him to start this fall.

Here are some clips of his time at UNLV:

Here are some highlights from his high school days:

Michigan 35, UNLV 7

Defensive Tackle U. Michigan is putting together a nice crew of defensive tackles, and the least heralded one is the guy making plays most consistently, it seems. Sophomore Mason Graham made 5 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks against UNLV, eating up the interior offensive line repeatedly. The Rebels ended the game with 61 rushing yards on 31 attempts, which includes sacks, but still . . . the middle was stuffed up all day. Kris Jenkins made 5 tackles and 0.5 sacks and Kenneth Grant made 4 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 1 pass breakup. The title of this section is a little facetious, but the defensive tackle play has been terrific.

Hit the jump for more.

Preview: Michigan vs. UNLV

RUSH OFFENSE vs. UNLV RUSH DEFENSE
Michigan had a disappointing week against East Carolina with 31 carries for 122 yards, which was just 3.9 yards per carry. There were too many plays allowed in the backfield, and that fell on both the blockers and the running backs. We all know Blake Corum (10 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD) and Donovan Edwards (12 carries, 37 yards) are stars, but the more interesting aspect will be how Michigan’s tackles look. Last week Michigan started Karsen Barnhart on the left and Myles Hinton on the right, but the belief is that La’Darius Henderson and Trente Jones will start at those positions, respectively. UNLV ranks #106 nationally in rushing defense (179 yards allowed in one game), but that might be a bit misleading. The Runnin’ Rebels allowed just 19 yards on 8 carries before things got out of hand against Bryant. UNLV’s leading tackler is 6’3″, 230 lb. Arkansas transfer Jackson Woodard, who had 12 stops last week. Cornerback Thomas Andersen (6’1″, 185) was second on the team in tackles with 8. Nickelback Jerrae Williams (5’10”, 185) had an impressive 3.0 tackles for loss last week alone in UNLV’s 4-2-5 defense.
Advantage: Michigan

Hit the jump for more.

Highlights: Michigan 28, UNLV 7

Michigan vs. UNLV Awards

Jourdan Lewis

Let’s see more of this guy on offense . . . Ty Isaac. This is not a new refrain for me, but it’s worth repeating. I think Isaac is the most talented back on the roster, and while his best career game did come against UNLV – which is not a quality opponent – it’s important to note that starter De’Veon Smith didn’t perform very well, either (13 carries, 33 yards). Meanwhile, Isaac had 8 carries for 114 yards and 1 score. Take away his 76-yard touchdown run, and he still ran 7 times for 38 yards (5.4 yards/carry). As things stand right now, Smith is averaging 3.9 yards/carry and Isaac is at 8.9, while Derrick Green sits at 3.5 and Drake Johnson has 5.2. Yards per carry is not the only measurement of a running back, but his primary job is to gain yards on the ground. Smith has 53 attempts this year, while Isaac has only 18. That’s too much of an imbalance.

Hit the jump for the rest of the awards for this week.
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