Previously: Last year’s profiles, K Adam Samaha, K James Turner (Tr), S Brandyn Hillman, CB DJ Waller, CB Cameron Calhoun, CB Jyaire Hill, HSP/LB Jason Hewlett, LB Hayden Moore, LB Semaj Bridgeman, LB Ernest Hausmann (Tr).

Cincinnati (Princeton HS), OH – 6'4"/220
		247: 6'4/220                     3.50*	3*, 86 #96 ATH, #39 OH
		On3: 6'4/216                     3.12*	3*, 83 #116 ATH, #81 OH
		Rivals: 6'5/204                     3.66*	3*, 5.6 NR ATH, #25 OH
		ESPN: 6'5/200                     3.56*	3*, 76, #93 MW #72 OLB, #30 OH
		Composite       3.60* / 3.47*	3*, #1107/#1203 Ovr #91/58 ATH, #33/37 OH
		MGoAverage                     3.46*	3*, #713/787 Ovr #80/85 Edges since '90
		YMRMFSPA	Jaylen Harrell
Other Suitors	Kentucky, also Cincy, Tenn, WVU, Purdue
Previously On MGoBlog	Hello by Alex Drain.
Notes	Sr season transfer from Hamilton (same div.)
Film:
Midseason 2022: Hudl.

It was Michigan that declared war on the Holy Roman Buckeye Empire, not the other way around, which the longtime masters of the Midwest thought kind of funny. But even after years of fighting, many observers still considered the Blues' confidence little more than Girondin bluster. So when a young Steve Clinkscale marched into Cincinnati and defeated a small army from the Kingdom of Kentucky, nobody—this site included—could have imagined the petit général was on his way to redrawing the map of Midwest recruiting.

Obviously, Clinkscale's conquests could not have happened if not prefaced by a decisive victory in Columbus, the second comprehensive defeat of overconfident Buckeye forces in as many years. But the commitment of Breeon Ishmail before the Kentuckians' allies could intervene was the first sign the empire's own territories might be in jeopardy. Worse, the locals didn't even seem to mind the occupiers from Michigan, admiring their progressive ideas about NFL-style hybridity, economic Herbertization, and meritocratic promotion up the depth chart even for low 3-stars.

Général Clinkscale quickly followed his triumph at Princeton High with a string of commitments in Ohio territory. Jason Hewlett, of Clinkscale's hometown of Youngstown, went to the Blues hours later. Cameron Calhoun overthrew a Cincinnati commitment to join him. Within days, Avon Park's massive citadel of Luke Hamilton declared for Michigan, and Hewlett's teammate DJ Waller, Auroan transfer AJ Barner, and St. Xavier's Ted Hammond were soon in Wolverine hands. Desperate Buckeye defenders cried out for reinforcements, but they were too late to stop Clinkscale from linking up with Mike Hart, and taking the key fortress of Jordan Marshall, opening a path to 2024 #1 Ohio prospect Aaron Scott, and perhaps Columbus itself.

When historians look back on the dissolution of the Holy Buckeye Empire, they note the characteristic corruption and brittleness of ultraconservative governments, contrast the rule of Ryan von Thirdbase with his more august predecessor Emperor Urban I, and cite external factors like harsh winter conditions and illness within the Buckeyestrian ranks. But as much as it pains this historian to adopt a talking point from the largely discredited Great Man Theory, some part of the explanation must also be reserved for the brilliance and audacity of Clinkscale's Cincinnati campaign, which began with the taking of Breeon Ishmail.

Or perhaps they'll just say we got a bon pass rusher.

[After THE JUMP: Potential ramifications for future Ohio Statean passers.]

---------------------

Grow-a-Harrell…from Receiver

In a class defined by athletes Michigan took to throw in the Herbertization chamber for a few years, Ishmail is up there with Jason Hewlett, except I think with Ishmail it seems there's a strong idea of where he has to make it. Such was the tenor on our Signing Day pod with Steve Lorenz, who called Ishmail "Another super high ceiling guy."

Brian: 6’4/220, a guy who played a lot of wide receiver, linebacker, Edge. He could play that Uche role, he could be a hybrid guy, or he could be an offensive player; no one really knows where to protect him, and sometimes that holds a guy’s ranking back.

Lorenz: So Michigan actually, when they tweeted out his letter of intent today said "This Athletic Edge is now a Wolverine" so I think we at least know where they want to start him, or at least where their mind is with him. That’s where I think he has the best chance. …  I think Ishmael is an edge eventually, and he's another Guy: super long, athletic, the type of guy that could really get to the quarterback consistently.

247's Allen Trieu also noted he's played something akin to what Michigan does with Jaylen Harrell, and that Harrell had a similar profile coming out of high school. Maize & Blue Review's Lucas Reimkink agreed the "ideal scheme fit is an OLB in a 3-4 defense." FWIW Ohio State was looking at him as an OLB (meaning hybridish linebacker) as of June 2021. Notre Dame was also looking at Ishmail as a "linebacker or defensive end in time" when Elston was still their line coach.

Michigan also made it clear to Ishmail they expected him to learn Harrell's "OLB" role, via The Wolverine's Zach Libby.

Ishmail is a versatile threat at the linebacker position where he can be set up at the MIKE, SAM, WILL, or drop down to the trenches and blitz off the EDGE. … ”I’m able to get out and cover, blitz, and do everything, for real. Whenever I rush the passer or get an interception are things that I do really well. … [Helow] sees me playing where Jaylen (Harrell) is playing right now, like an outside linebacker.

Touch the Banner even said Ishmail reminds him of the incumbent OLB.

He reminds me a little of Jaylen Harrell because I don’t think he will ever be an elite edge rusher, but he has upside as a guy who can hold the edge, make some plays in the run game, and occasionally apply pressure.

I should note these Harrell comparisons means different things coming from different people. Trieu is channeling the Michigan coaches, and the fact that Harrell is starting at this point in his career, while I think TTB is more in line with my charting of Harrell as an ineffective pass-rusher. The "71" rating is a "meh." On the other hand, Steve Lorenz suggested right before Michigan took a commitment from Ishmail that "there are some on the staff who like him more than others."

Lucas Reimink projected him to the edge, but also listed "pass rush" among Ishmail's weaknesses.

needs a lot of pass-rushing work before he’ll be able to play in passing situations at the next level. His High School team didn’t ask him to rush the passer much and thus he is very raw in that area. He does show good closing speed and bend off the edge, so there’s reason to believe he could eventually be a solid pass rusher in time. Presently, he has marginal hand placement when running the edge which limits his ability to get off blocks. He also has marginal physical strength so if the OT can stay in front of him, they are able to stonewall him from collapsing the pocket. He will need to add significant weight to be able to convert some of that speed into power.

He did credit Ishmail with a good feel for blitzing.

Harbaugh noted a bunch of great high school receivers who became really good edge rushers, and said Ishmail is cut from that cloth. EJ Holland saw versatility and athleticism, and called him "a sleeper and more of a project guy" than a late riser, and a "ball of clay that needs to be molded."

Look, there is no question that Ishmail is extremely raw. He’ll need a lot of technique and development work in Ann Arbor and should be considered a project. From watching his tape, it’s clear Ishmail can run. Michigan values the ability to get sideline-to-sideline in a hurry and be comfortable playing in space. Ishmail is athletic and appears to have above average speed for his size.

On the video review Holland incorrectly reported that Michigan liked Ishmail as a WILL (this might have been badly translated from "Weakside OLB") and mentioned Michigan's been recruiting taller linebackers, then he mentions Brandon Jennings, another edge prospect, and Lander Barton, who was a Micah Pollard-esque WLB who could play DE, plus 2024 commit Mason Curtis. It just comes down to what you mean by "linebacker." In this case it's the OLB/DE hybrid job that Jaylen Harrell plays.

Athletic ATH with Athletic Athleticism

It also comes out in people using all the words that start with A-T-H. Holland:

You like the athletic intangibles—again he's listed as an Athlete. The athleticism is there. The length is there. He moves pretty well for his size. But he's still really raw from a technical standpoint. Right now I would consider him more of a raw athlete … as opposed to a true natural linebacker. I think he's going to need time not only to develop in the S&C program, but he's also going to need time to be coached up against higher competition to just learn and understand what offenses are trying to do.

This came out more contextually when discussing Hayden Moore's talent comparing unfavorably to the "versatile, athletically gifted" Ishmail and Jason Hewlett, however in his video review Holland clarified that Hewlett will probably something while Ishmail just has a long way to go to become the thing.

Allen Trieu also noted Ishmail's background as wide receiver, linebacker and edge pass-rusher.

He would project as a stand-up edge but can also play SAM or MIKE in some cases. As a senior, he played some MIKE for his team. Athletic background allows him to do well in coverage and came away with several interceptions as a senior. Has quickness and agility as a pass rusher. Still filling in and getting stronger as well as developing a technical arsenal of pass rush moves and counters. Trajectory is going up and versatility allows him to fit in a variety of schemes and situational packages.

Trieu made a comp to former UNC edge Tomon Fox, who in college was a 265-pound Josh Uche.

Ishmail is a good athlete with a diverse positional background. There is some rawness here. As a pass rusher he wins with his quickness and athleticism but can still continue to work on pass rush technique. The good thing is, he is going to a place that has done a really good job developing edge players.

The thing they all forgot to mention was Ishmail, like Hewett, is also a D-I capable basketball player.

Well, everyone but Harbaugh.

As you would expect, a very good basketball player. Earned all-conference and an all-county honors. Law, long, athletic, smooth, fluid.

Underrated Size

The scouts who watched Ishmail also laugh at his listed "220" pounds. It sounds like he's maybe already closer to 240? Lorenz:

It was almost fascinating to see that he and Hewlett are listed at the same at the same 6’4/220 when they're they're pretty different players in my opinion when you [watch their film].

Trieu had Ishmail at 205 as a junior—a "big, long prospect who had a nice day" competing as a receiver at the April 2021 Ohio Under Armour Camp. That put the edge on a "good trajectory," with the physics of his size visible when he hit a ball carrier or blocker. Rivals had him an inch bigger:

At 6’5” he is a very long and lanky OLB with a good frame to add weight to at the next level.

…and was noting that 6'5" as much as two years ago, to hear it from their UK guy.

one of Kentucky's top linebacker targets and the 6'5, 204-pound prospect (5.7 RR) has a build that's easy to dream on when you imagine him a couple of years from now.

Harbaugh was all about the measurables this year, but that came out especially with Ishmail:

Well, Breeon is very, I mean you talk about long, athletic, versatile, moving from linebacker up to playing wide receiver and DB. He comes walking through the door and—he’s a wide receiver, you know, super-tall looking, possibly corner.

Back when Ishmail committed Touch the Banner called him a "tall linebacker" and noted "he has begun to fill out."

Edge Who Can Play LB, or LB Who Can Play Edge?

The difference is bend. Back when when Ishmail committed a lot of people supposed he was going to be the WLB of the class. Part of that was what Reimink referred to as a "very vicious tackling style." Alex Drain's Hello Post was not enthused about the prospect, however.

To me it feels like a stab-in-the-dark, but a rather low percentage one at that. If they can't pull off the project at LB, then there is the possibility of moving Ishmail to EDGE and giving it a shot there. His surprising acumen for coverage and taller-than-normal-for-an-LB height means he could be a Jaylen Harrell type EDGE/OLB, though that also requires teaching him pass-rush moves. Either way, a lot of work will have to go into the Ishmail project from the Michigan coaching staff.

Touch the Banner wasn't too excited about it either.

The instincts at linebacker are lacking, which is not surprising, considering his relative lack of experience. He tends to just bounce until the direction of the play is declared, and then he takes off like mad. That made me turn a side eye to early reports that he was being recruited as an inside linebacker, because those instincts for diagnosing plays need to be there.

TTB considered edge rusher, but also didn't see the bendy instincts.

He also has a tendency to narrow his feet and get high when facing ball carriers head on, and he does not have a natural instinct to bend off the edge as a pass rusher. If an offensive lineman gets his hands on him, Ishmail will sometimes slow up and just run past the play rather than selling out to get the runner. … He needs to get stronger, work on his technique, and develop counter moves, as well as improve his ability to finish plays.

Can He Cover Like a Linebacker?

This is no small part of the OLB job, and here the scouts think Ishmail would become a plus. Reimink included ball skills among the strengths in addition to the athleticism to get there.

shows solid foot quickness to be able to drop into his zone quickly and does a good job keeping his eyes on the QB when in zone coverage. He can go out and cover the flats well, and when the ball is thrown his way he shows good, natural ball skills to record PBU’s and INT’s.

Holland was pleasantly "surprised at his comfort level in pass coverage, coming away with a couple of interceptions" and expected him to complement the more inside Bridgeman by covering a lot of ground.

Can He Set an Edge?

In a word, notyet. Reimink:

Breeon has marginal physical strength at the Point of Attack so when teams run at him, they can move him off the ball … marginal hand use in the run game which limits his ability to get off blocks in time to make a play on the ball carrier near the LOS.

If you pictured Harrell getting bonked out of the backfield after reading a puller and setting up in the right spot, I just did too.

Etc. Basketball. Plans to become a grad assistant and head coach eventually.

Why Jaylen Harrell? This is too close of a comp, but depending on your take on Harrell, it's also borderline too pessimistic for this exercise. The version of Ishmail that actually does have incredible bend is Josh Uche, but that would be hitting the tippy top of a very wide projection range. Far more likely the coaching staff believes they can mold another Harrell, which from his playing time alone you know that's the kind of player they appreciate a lot. That is, a marginal pass-rusher with exceptional length and athleticism who doesn't mind throwing his body at things, and can also cover like a linebacker, or even play straight-up linebacker as they shift around their fronts. Harrell is the kind of guy who makes the team better on aggregate but comes out low in individual charting. He's also only half-way through his eligibility, and has a lot more upside to explore as a pass-rusher and run defender as he gains size and technique.

Guru Reliability: Very low. Went to camps but as a receiver, and the tape shows very little of Ishmail doing the things he's going to be doing in college. Plus…

Variance: Huge. Might not yet be aware he has hands. Might be the next Uche. Or Bill Walsh for that matter.

Ceiling: High. If he can put it all together they've got the kind of hybrid that makes this system go. If he ends up 6'5"/265 as well they won't have to worry about bonking in the run game either.

Flight Risk Level: Medium-low. Ishmail himself admits he's a long-term project, and has an outlook so long-term that he's talking about being a grad assistant and learning to coach. There aren't many Rolodexes better than Harbaugh's when it comes to that, either. Ishmail was recruited by George Helow, but Steve Clinkscale was more involved than George Helow from the sound of it. What gives me pause is there was apparently some disagreement on staff, so if Ishmail lost his advocate on staff that could be a blow. Of course, there's a higher risk of things not working out with Ishmail, but if he sticks around through his Jr/Sr season I don't really consider that attrition.

General Excitement Level: Moderate. It's what we gave Harrell.

Projection: I hope Herbert wasn't planning any vacations or 128-page preview magazines in the next few years, because he's got his work cut out for him in this class. I could project Ishmail the class's biggest project, except the next edge prospect we're going to look at is literally from France.

Bend is the thing they can't teach, at least, but I remember a raw, safety-sized Josh Uche coming out of high school and how they said his shoulder could get uncannily close to the ground. It seems the raw attributes they like in Ishmail are his size, speed, attitude, and coverage instincts.

Like TJ Guy in the 2021 class, I don't think we should expect to hear much for a few years (Guy was injured in spring) except a trickle of excitement as various parts of Ishmail's game come online. Hopefully they'll start with the pure pass-rushing, since there's a role in any defense for a platooner who can line up in a Wide-9 and race past a tackle. Look for him to try to break into the lineup in a platoon role in 2025, but if he's a difference-maker that's probably for 2026 and 2027.