Freshmen Participation Tracker after 5 games
According to mgoblue.com, here are the participation figures after Iowa.
- Freshmen Redshirts burned on 8 players.
- All freshmen who had played in the first four games played in the Iowa game except Amorion Walker and CJ Stokes.
- No freshmen who had played in 3 or fewer games played against Iowa.
On to Indiana and,
Go Blue
October 4th, 2022 at 12:25 PM ^
Hmmm didn’t notice Grant out there the last couple games.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:31 PM ^
I've seen him on the kicking unit early on so I assume he was still out there against Iowa.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:30 PM ^
I have a feeling CJ Stokes has been grounded and will stay in his room thinking about ball security for the remainder of the season. His PlayStatiom has also been relocated to the basement…
October 4th, 2022 at 12:40 PM ^
I imagine we will see him this week against Indiana and he will regain the 3rd running back spot but it will be a diminished role in comparison to RB3 the last few years.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:46 PM ^
No need to play RB3 against the #1 defense in the nation, especially at their barn. He probably spent a few days working his way out of the doghouse after a game fumble, too. Hopefully, he's out and back in good standing. But fumbling is bad, mmmkay...
October 4th, 2022 at 1:09 PM ^
I'm hopeful this game will get out of hand and Stokes will get around 10 carries. We'll need him for a small number of key carries at some point, so we need to get him back in a groove.
October 4th, 2022 at 1:08 PM ^
We can't roll with just two RBs all season, and although our deep bench had some moments against the tomato cans of the schedule, we're not going to be running Isaiah Gash against OSU.
In addition, a part of redshirt decisions in today's college football is politics. CJ isn't from Michigan, and if Harbaugh banishes him from the field, he might just decide to head home. Even if he made some mistakes this year, we need him to continue to progress and see the field in the near future.
October 4th, 2022 at 2:39 PM ^
Tell Ohio State that. It seems they are rolling with just 1 running back right now and seem to be doing just fine.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:36 PM ^
not a ton of impact freshman. Moore, Graham.. anyone else? Not a criticism, but just seems like there's not a ton of impact from these folks. I heard Rolder's name last week.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:39 PM ^
Graham, Moore, Rolder, Johnson, Loveland and Clemons are all "rotation" guys. With Moore and Graham seeing significant time. Through five games as true freshman, I wouldn't say six contributors is all that bad.
Edit: Stokes until "the fumble" would be on this list too. And honestly, he probably should be even after. I bet he's given another shot or two down the line. The dog house isn't a forever prison. Also Pollard.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:53 PM ^
Yup. Again, not a criticism, and possibly a compliment to our depth in some positions.
I like to look for the high impact guys because of how they can help a program ascend.
I think Mason Graham is a future first round pick. Especially if he keeps growing
October 4th, 2022 at 3:25 PM ^
There is another sizable group of guys (6-9) with the physical tools to contribute significant minutes, but the existing depth and complexity of the system make playing time a luxury in tight games. So anywhere from 12-15 frosh are close to ready right now. Maybe 2-3 more with injuries. That is a very big group at this point.
WR - Walker, Morris have the athleticism now and could play if needed, but a little below standard in physical stature so give them 1 yr in S&C
TE - Klein has the tools but needs seasoning
OT - Gentry just needs to return to FB shape and seasoning
QB - Orji needs to find a role/home and maybe become the power RB
DB - Johnson, Sabb, Jones, Berry just need reps to get comfortable
October 4th, 2022 at 12:39 PM ^
Isn't that a good thing? Will Johnson will be better by the end of the year.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:48 PM ^
Will J would most likely be a starter if the two corners weren't already studtastic...
October 4th, 2022 at 2:42 PM ^
If there is one impact freshman, I would say we are lucky and Graham has been not only serviceable but turning into a gold star before our eyes. We haven’t even had to see how good W. Johnson is going to be because of the stellar play of our DBs and the emergence of Sainristill. I think this freshman class is going to be just fine and there will be multiple stars leading into next season.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:38 PM ^
So it seems the staff thinks Kenneth Grant, Derrick Moore, Colston Loveland, Jimmy Rolder and Micah Pollard are gonna be too good to stay for a 5th year? I can absolutely see that with Moore and Grant (and Mason Graham obviously). And Loveland will be playing a lot the next 3 years with Schoonmaker and All leaving (if All leaves now, I guess).
I wonder if CJ Stokes keeps his redshirt or if he ends up being needed as the 3rd string back too much to keep on the bench
October 4th, 2022 at 12:41 PM ^
I will be surprised if Stokes doesn't play. They need someone else. Gash may be the answer but Stokes is a different talent.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:44 PM ^
Grant, Moore, Graham, Clemmons and Loveland because the staff thinks they are too talented to keep off the field all year.
I think Stokes will lose his redshirt this week against Indiana.
I think Rolder and Pollard, while talented, are a result of our desperate need for LB depth.
A little surprised Dent has not seen any time.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:48 PM ^
A little surprised Dent has not seen any time.
Pretty sure someone said his fall camp injury is lingering a bit. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong here)
October 4th, 2022 at 12:50 PM ^
I thought he was out for the season?
October 4th, 2022 at 1:01 PM ^
You'd have to think pretty much all of the DNPs are injured, especially the scholarship guys (Lorenzetti was the only other name that jumped out as one in addition to Dent). With the rule allowing guys to play in four games without burning their redshirt, there's no reason those guys wouldn't have gotten at least a few snaps against CSU/Hawaii/UConn unless they were physically unable to go, especially since we emptied the bench with 90-100+ players getting in each game.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:53 PM ^
or they just want them ready to potentially step into big roles next year.
the LBs arent even close to ready but theyre light at that spot and need guys ramping up
October 4th, 2022 at 12:58 PM ^
We need to have a viable 3rd RB.RBs take the most hits and CJ Stokes has looked good for the most part. As for the mental aspect, I don't think the staff wants his last carry of the year to be a fumble.
October 4th, 2022 at 1:49 PM ^
I don't think redshirts are as big of a deal as they used to be. Players are leaving for the NFL as soon as they get even a sniff of positivity regarding their draft chances, especially if they were 4 stars or higher coming out of high school. Plus the transfer portal is a bigger deal than it ever was and guys need playing time to stick around. Other than Micah Pollard I have no gripes with any of the freshman who have already burned their redshirts. I haven't read Seth's defensive UFR the last couple weeks so I don't know how much he's contributing.
As much as I'd love to redshirt Stokes since he's not a great NFL talent, he brings size and decent speed to the running back room and is a wonderful 3rd option.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:57 PM ^
One thing to remember is - this Saturday's game is "away". The travel squad is smaller than the available roster for home games - so, it will be interesting to see which of these players will travel this weekend.
My guess - those 8 first year players will make the trip to Bloomington.
The next two home games will provide very interesting environments for the roster.
October 4th, 2022 at 12:59 PM ^
It surprises me that we've burned the redshirts on Colston Loveland and Darrius Clemons, given our depth at their positions. I also would have liked to see Micah Pollard, Jimmy Rolder, and Kenneth Grant continue to redshirt, but I understand activating them because our depth at LB and DT isn't great.
October 4th, 2022 at 1:22 PM ^
I think Loveland, Clemons, and Grant are "too good" to keep of the field and the LB have to be bloodied now because of our shaky depth. Loveland is probably the most surprising unless you consider the insane hype he got all offseason.
October 4th, 2022 at 1:24 PM ^
- Loveland may have been determined once All got hurt. They may have tried to keep him at 4 games but now with their love of TEs he's the 4th guy and thus is playing (and looking solid).
- Rolder is because NHG is still hurt and we are so thin at LB. They also put LB on special teams a lot, which is likely why Pollard is burned. That one surprises me more because he seems further away from actual rotation snaps. But beggars can't be choosers right now at this spot.
- Grant has been good enough to keep playing - though I thought they might try to keep his shirt since they suddenly have enough competent DTs that can rotate (Smith, Jenkins, Graham, Rooks, Benny, Goode). But three of those guys are probably gone after this year and Grant is probably not a 5-year player anyway.
- Clemons surprises me. I figured they'd keep him at 4 but see how the season goes.
- Stokes is probably going to get his 5th game one of these coming weeks once he's out of the dog house just because he seems like our 3rd best RB.
- Walker feels like the one guy with 4 that they would like to keep there. He's really far down the depth chart, skinny, and likely not needed. Give Morris his 4th game as your deep bench WR, play Dixon and Dennis if you want, save both these guys.
October 4th, 2022 at 1:05 PM ^
Mason Graham really doesn't seem like a freshman.
October 4th, 2022 at 10:14 PM ^
He is a blessing in disguise. The young man is such a great talent.
Most DL take a year or two to develop. He will be killing it by the end of the year.
October 4th, 2022 at 1:11 PM ^
Random encounter from 2026 UM Grad (my freshman daughter)...and low-key CSB....
She was on a crowded elevator with Lorenzetti. She said he's a big guy and was using a scooter because of a leg injury...so he took up a lot of space on the elevator.
He was apparently talking to people and making jokes.
I'm enjoying having my daughter up in Ann Arbor, as she is much more observant than my son (2023 UM Grad).
Also received a text from her a few weeks ago when she was on an elevator with a bunch of the hockey players.
She also met Kelly Ripa's son, who is a wrestler. He came up to her at a party, and she said, "You look familiar. Are you 'Reepa?'" A very proud moment as a parent. Using the wrong last name while also mispronouncing it.
October 4th, 2022 at 2:39 PM ^
CJ Stokes needs to play but not playing at Iowa was the right call.
I hope we'll see 5-10 runs with him and some carries for Gash. Get them ready for next season and to be a change of pace back with fresh legs in some games coming up.
October 4th, 2022 at 3:53 PM ^
I anticipate both Corum and Edwards will return next year.
October 4th, 2022 at 7:07 PM ^
Edward's has to unless he transfers. I I imagine Corum only returns if he is getting insane NIL deals.
October 4th, 2022 at 2:41 PM ^
The expected value of a red shirt has gone down with the rise of the transfer portal. Getting guys on the field keeps them happy and less likely to transfer. Playing out your eligibility here in four is a better outcome than our development being used against us elsewhere.
October 4th, 2022 at 3:49 PM ^
Looks like Mason Graham is on the top of the heap right now.