Could Quinten Johnson be returning after all?
Title pretty much says it...I suppose you can withdraw from the draft if you haven't hired an agent?
However, Michigan football could be getting a key piece back in the secondary and that's Quinten Johnson. This might be confusing since he declared for the NFL draft, but Chris Balas of The Wolverine reports that a return is in the works.
It's unclear if Johnson would need a waiver or if a final decision has been made, but his return would be huge for the Michigan Wolverines secondary.
Que sera sera, I won’t get my hopes up.
Right. A waiver implies a break or exception from the NCAA towards Michigan. What are the odds.
Attention Trente Jones! This could be you as well. Come back for a full year as the starter and your draft stock will soar.
March 10th, 2024 at 11:16 AM ^
Correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression that Trente graded out quite well at the combine and consequently improved his draft position considerably.
Also, this, from his draft bio:
In 2023 as a senior Jones saw action in 14 games and played a total of 336 snaps for the Wolverines. He allowed just one QB hurry, no QB hits, and no sacks while playing the majority of his snaps at tight tackle, and the rest at left tackle.
No QB hits/sacks against OSU, Iowa, Alabama and Washington. That is likely enough data/sample size, especially considering the competition.
March 10th, 2024 at 11:53 AM ^
Jones graded out well. 6.12 at the combine which is Good backup could develop into a starter grade.
The biggest criticism they noted was why did he not have more starts question.
Barnhart for example was 5.64 combine which is bottom of the roster or practice squad.
Jones is getting drafted but there is an argument he could boost his stock and make himself more money by coming back and having a productive year.
Johnson may be seeing more playing time opportunity with Sabb gone.
March 10th, 2024 at 12:35 PM ^
Barnhart was always better at guard than tackle but playing with zinter and Keegan both clearly being superior at the guards position, he was kicked outside.
It was quite obvious that trente was a better tackle than Barnhart from in game reps, specifically as the season wore on.
The line actually looked better in pass pro post Zinter injury, and ran well too (besides Iowa) in the small sample size. I believe this was because of Trente being a better individual talent than Barnhart at tackle.
My guess was with Nugent being new, Barnhart was starting initially due to overall better communication and cohesiveness across the line (familiarity with zinter, Keegan, the offense in general), but definitely thought Trente would have taken over by mid season. Once the season progressed, it felt like a “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” situation, and with UM playing 6 OL so often, Trente ended up sacrificing for the team, being that “6th man” and getting some snaps, but less than he probably deserved.
Trente’s selflessness, a guy that probably starts at 75-80% of D1 schools, but never sulking and not transferring when zinter/keegan returned, was really the perfect example of how together and selfless the team was.
Barnhart did play better at Guard. It almost seemed like the entire OL played better with him at Guard and Jones at Tackle.
It did seem that way, in spite of Jones having been a turnstile in pass protection in previous seasons. It was a nice surprise.
Who graded out better over the season, Johnson or Sabb?
March 10th, 2024 at 12:18 PM ^
He did start the last three games after Zinter went down, but only played one quarter against OSU. His other stats were mostly as the 6th lineman so lack of sacks, etc. is not really relevant for those. Also, he was exclusively at Right Tackle in his three starts.
I was on Brian's "Play Trente Jones!!" train from Spring training on, so I think he is an excellent talent, but a season of starting would look very good on his draft resume AND I'd would love to have him anchoring a brand new starting five.
March 10th, 2024 at 10:08 AM ^
Tuttle's waiver was granted.
March 10th, 2024 at 11:06 AM ^
As was Shea’s back in the day
March 10th, 2024 at 11:49 AM ^
Yes but Shea was the golf caddy of the NCAA commissioner, so that helped...
March 10th, 2024 at 12:14 PM ^
My money is on Tuttle to start and if he is not I think that’s a good sign for whoever wins the job.
I am not sold at all on Orji as the full time solution unless we suddenly see him develop passing skills that we have not been able to see maybe due to play calling. One dimensional offenses don’t have sustained success, or win Championships.
March 10th, 2024 at 12:22 PM ^
That's why I think it could be Denegal as the game 1 starter.
Denegal could be really good. He has a nice arm and looked accurate In limited snaps. Big body. Davis Warren looked good but then stumbled in limited snaps. Could Jadyn Davis make the jump as a true frosh? Tough to do. He is getting the he is a quick study talk. Tuttle’s experience to bridge the gap
It is just so wide open and interesting this year. I get the upside Orji could bring but not if we become one dimensional.
This team is built to win big now with good QB play. Our defense is loaded.
I am on this belief as well, and I believe Denegal could play well enough to be the starter all season. I think Michigan will lose 3 games this coming up season, but dmDenegal will get the experience to be a valuable starter in 2025.
I think we win 1 of Texas, Oregon, OSU. We might shock and win 2.
I could see UM beating Texas early in the season and upsetting OSU in a shit weather game where it is all defense and run game. Despite OSU's avenger roster, the same O-line and D-line holes exist, creating performance variance, and therefore will be very beatable on a given Saturday. Oregon is deep, but breaks in a new QB and I'm not sure they are ready for a B1G run game.
I think we make the playoff and become "the team nobody wants to play", specifically because we will have an absolutely filthy defense and probably the best D-line (at least starting 4) in the country.
Would not be surprised to see UM - UGA in a semifinal or the final depending how the brackets and matchups play out. Don't think we can beat UGA with their experienced QB and depth and talent all over the field next year. OSU super team probably loses to UGA, Bama, LSU, or UM because still not elite up front.
March 10th, 2024 at 10:55 AM ^
Well Harbaugh seemed to be their main target, so it would seem that with him gone now we would be on a more level playing field with other schools when it comes to NCAA rules enforcement.
March 10th, 2024 at 11:53 AM ^
If you sued that miserable organization and included a TRO, I'd bet you would win.
A kid wants to go back to college and get better educated while playing for another year.
How Awufl!
I could write a long list of things that could be worse.
The NCAA is a dumpster fire that needs to meet a quick demise.
NCAA would have a hard time keeping him out. Should get the waiver.
The "hiring an agent" rule died with NIL, I believe. Lots of players have agents as freshmen if not earlier.
Makes sense. I'm always surprised you don't hear more of borderline-draftable players getting cold feet and going back to school for another year...
March 10th, 2024 at 11:09 AM ^
A player who isn’t getting drafted after 4 or 5 seasons likely won’t be getting drafted after returning for a 5th or 6th year either. Some guys just want to start the next stage of their lives and get their non football careers started.
March 10th, 2024 at 11:55 AM ^
He might make more in NIL next year at Michigan than the next stage of life job.
March 10th, 2024 at 11:55 AM ^
This is one of many instances where I wonder how much money would be available to the 5th/6th-year player. I could see hanging out for an extra year even as non-starter if the $ makes sense.
I hope he comes back because it'll be the better decision for him. Without Sabb he's the clear #3 safety and will get a lot of snaps, along with being a prime candidate in the running for nickel. Another season of growth, like last year, puts him in a much better light for the draft next year.
March 10th, 2024 at 10:22 AM ^
Does it though? Man is about to turn 24 this summer at a listed 5’11. I’m not sure the NFL is going to like him either way. Now, I’ll take him back as a Michigan fan and could be good to finish his grad degree if he hasn’t. But unsure if this is a needle mover for the NFL.
Valid points. I think it’s hard as a guy who isn’t an “NFL-prototype” at your position to get people to pay attention when you are a backup. I wonder if he comes back it’s because Moore is taking over at nickel and he’s going to get “starter snaps” at the position. Could put enough on tape this year on another elite defense and then try to show out at the combine to overcome current concerns. No guarantee but may be his best shot
March 11th, 2024 at 10:43 AM ^
That's exactly why coming back for a modest NIL deal is smart. Camp invite money will be there in a year regardless, and he wasn't draftable in all likelihood.
I believe Sam alluded to QJo coming back in the Roundtable discussion this week.
We all saw how good Sabb was at the end when Johnson was hurt. They clearly preferred Johnson all year as the third safety, who played a ton…and played very well. This would be huge. Maybe they put Rod at nickel and have Johnson as full time safety.
God no, I hope they find someone else as a starter. He has a known floor he can give you in case none of the younger kids can get it together. It's a long season, even low ceiling-high floor guys can be important.
March 13th, 2024 at 12:33 PM ^
Have some respect dude.
The coaches thought Quentin Johnson was essentially near on-par with the other 2 safeties and a level above Keon Sabb. Johnson got more snaps than Paige against Alabama. Johnson took all of Sabb's snaps against Ohio State
We are talking about one of the best pass defenses in college football history, and QJ was a starter-equivalent on it.
The Quint-essential boring safety with some big play ability. Love to have him back.
March 10th, 2024 at 10:13 AM ^
Would be huge to get Big Johnson back
March 10th, 2024 at 10:22 AM ^
Not what I would call a boring safety, he would make a couple of small but noticeable mistakes, then make a small but noticeable good play, and then come up with a great pivotal play. All that happening while playing limited snaps as a backup. Anything but boring.
March 10th, 2024 at 12:00 PM ^
Yea, he made a couple of the biggest, most pivotal plays of our entire season. Dude is not boring.
QJ had the huge 3rd down hit/PB on Egbuka & caused the fumble on Milroe. Definitely want him back!
Those big plays offset some definite big plays the other way for him. He's a great backup and been a good soldier. Be nice to have him back.
Would love to see him back. F **k the NCAA!
I’m not listening to Chris Balas
March 10th, 2024 at 10:29 AM ^
Balas' customer acquisition strategy: start a rumor, cover both sides, and then hit'em with a paywalled article.
I don't see anything in the GBMWolverine article that speaks any substance other than "Balas said it's in the works."
Yep, sure Balas, I'll take your word for it.
March 10th, 2024 at 12:57 PM ^
I have long asserted that balas was/is umbig11 - a guy who proclaims inside info (often inaccurately) who needs tons of credit for everything he does. No one has even attempted to rebut this assertion.
March 10th, 2024 at 11:31 AM ^
FWIW, Sam Webb has been saying Michigan has been working to get Quinten to return since Sabb left.
While I don’t think this mean IT’S HAPPENING as Sam gets things wrong too, I don’t think Sam would bother to talk about it unless it was being heavily considered. While you can quibble over Sam’s assertions around recruits ( though I think he’s more credible than most) he tends not to say things about existing players unless there real smoke there
Doesn't one of the top picks not have an agent ? I think it's Williams. If so, does that mean he could go back to USC?
March 10th, 2024 at 10:16 AM ^
Blake Corum was under Drew Rosenhaus the last two years.
My buddy who is in memorabilia dealt with Blake and his dad directly until Rosenhaus took over.
March 10th, 2024 at 10:04 AM ^
This seems like the safety version of Donovan Jeter a couple of years ago.
I'm good either way here, and optimistic about Berry and Hillman.
March 10th, 2024 at 10:33 AM ^
Hillman was lost a little in coverage in his few snaps but his closing speed and tackling looked akin to freshman Rod Moore. And we all know how that turned out. Zeke Berry also was one of the highest rated players in his class. We will be good at safety in 2025 and beyond. I wouldn’t mind Q-Jo though. Kid was a PTP with his play vs OSU and the fumble forcing in the Rose Bowl (honestly that play probably saved the game).