Previously: Last year’s profiles, K Adam Samaha, S Brandyn Hillman, CB DJ Waller

#22 – Cincinnati (Winton Woods), Ohio – 6'0"/170
[Patrick Barron]		247: 6'0/170                 4.00*	4*, 90, NR overall #33 CB, #9 OH
		Rivals: 6'2/180                 4.06*	4*, 5.8, NR overall #33 CB, #8 OH
		ESPN: 6'0/170                 3.77*	3*, 78, #53 MW #59 CB, #16 OH
		On3: 5'11.5/167                 3.86*	3*, 89, NR overall #44 CB, #15 OH
		Composites:      3.94* / 3.88*	4*/3*, #395/#421 ovr #41/#46 CB, #12 OH
		MGo Avg:                 3.94*	3.5*, #427/782 Ovr, #39/74 CBs since 1990
		YMRMFSPA	Andre Weathers
Other suitors:	UK, Cincy, WVU, MSU
Previously On MGoBlog	Hello. Committed after 45-23.
Notes	WVU, Cincy decommit. Early enrollee (#22)
Film:
Senior Highlights: Hudl. Last year's semifinal (full game—he's #1 in green). Rivals camp. OMG Shirtless 11W camp interview. OMG Shirtless Tristatefootball interview.

With two starters moving on and Will Johnson likely NFL-bound after 2024, Michigan needed a high floor guy to complement the incredible ceiling of Jyaire Hill and could-be-anything DJ Waller. So it's nice to read the question with Cam Calhoun all along wasn't whether he'll be a decent FBS-caliber cornerback—he may be there already—but whom he'd be doing it for.

Calhoun's sudden changes of direction were alternately appreciated and not by several recruiting staffs along the Ohio River basin. He was expected to commit to Kentucky right up until a feint-out commitment video to West Virginia that prompted UK's Vince Marrow to another of his public temper tantrums.

Calhoun flipped Cincinnati after his visit there, then two days later announced he planned to visit LSU, Michigan, and others. He decommitted from Cincy while visiting Kentucky, and was close to pulling that trigger until Clinkscale convinced Calhoun and his family to take an unofficial for the Illinois game.

He didn't have an Ohio State offer, but they had him up for The Game, which is how everyone saw the kid celebrating on the field with Wolverines with his OSU visitor badge on. He committed to Michigan within the hour. That only sped up the announcement, not the decision, he told On3's Zach Libby:

”I was going to announce the Sunday after the win, but after they beat OSU, everything was built inside of me and I just wanted to let everyone know that Michigan is the best. I was jumping up-and-down with my boy, Will Johnson (laughs). It felt great because I talked to Will a lot even before the game happened. I’ll admit, I did sneak over to the Michigan sideline during pregame (laughs). I told Will before the game to stay locked in and then afterwards, we were going to play ‘Walk In Yo Trap, Take Over Yo Trap.’” … I FaceTimed the coaches and they were having a hell of a time when I told them. It surprised them because I told them I was going to commit that Sunday.

It earned Calhoun a spot on Sportscenter and probably one on OSU's bulletin board next year. Let's see what we get.

[After THE JUMP: Whams: trap. Yams? Trap. Flans: trap! Petametric iams: definitely a trap.]

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Lengthy, not Tall

Calhoun often gets talked about like he's 6'2—and Rivals calls him that—but it's clear from the tape, from photos, and from various camp reports that Calhoun is a "6'0" that really means the upper end of 5'11. To be sure, that's a Jabrill Peppers 5'11, not the kind of "5'11" that they call you if you're 5'9. 247 scout Gabe Brooks puts this in context:

displayed excellent ball skills and impact playmaking ability in 2022, when he used his elite length—verified at almost 6-foot-7 compared to his 5-foot-11 1/2 to 6-foot stature—to get his hands on throws for INTs or breakups.

Brooks's cohort Allen Trieu's mentioned a "longer frame" to match up on outside receivers, plus 170 pounds and "room for him to add to that, as "solid measureables," and later calls him a "productive player with the skill set and size to play in any scheme and conference." Clink Cosgrove of Rivals said Calhoun "has all the tools to be a star at the next level." ESPN's Tom Luginbill likes his length at 6'0/170. TTB says "Calhoun is a long, lanky cornerback."

In their business it's rude to say "wiggly, wavy armed tube man," but that's what they're talking about. Trieu even makes a comparison to Jalen Mills (presumably just on the field), a thin-waisted, not-fast (4.61 at the combine) CB out of LSU who wasn't big enough to be a safety but survived in the SEC and NFL for awhile on long, long arms.

How Agile, How Fast?

If Waller was the high ceiling/low floor cornerback of the class, Calhoun is the converse. Not only did he go to a ton of camps, Winton Woods won the Division 2 state championship in 2021, and didn't lose a game last year until the state semifinal. Five-star Ohio State signee Jermaine Matthews was the boundary cornerback, with Calhoun moving between nickel and field corner.

That inevitably led to comparisons of Mathews's natural athleticism versus Calhoun's polish. The Wolverine's EJ Holland describes a "high-floor take" but "with question marks about his athleticism and speed."

I actually wrote that Michigan should offer Calhoun back in the spring after he put on a terrific performance at the Under Armour camp in Ohio. Calhoun was named DB MVP over several highly touted prospects in attendance and shut down some of the best wide receivers in the Midwest. Again, Calhoun is technically advanced and won the majority of reps thanks to his feet, patience and willingness to get physical. Like Rod Moore, Calhoun could very well be a gem from Ohio.

Allen Trieu describes a turnover machine with "the agility to play man to man on an island" but just "adequate recovery and long speed." Touch the Banner didn't like the agility either, believing Calhoun "lacks … great speed and change of direction skills."

He’s more of a technician than a physical specimen, and he reminds me of Gemon Green in that respect. … Calhoun does not break on short throws particularly quickly, and he needs to work on flipping his hips to react to the ball when it’s in the air.

As Alex Drain already pointed out, Gemon Green speed is very different from Darion Green-Warren speed. Trieu didn't completely disagree, calling the speed "solid" and noting the track/testing numbers aren't, like, terrible.

He is not a straight line 4.3 burner, but has enough make-up speed and excellent change of direction. Getting stronger and more explosive in college will be keys though.

Those track numbers, via 247 scout Gabe Brooks, are from Calhoun's sophomore year, when he…

Qualified for Ohio Division I regionals in the 110-meter hurdles (15.39 PR) and 300-meter hurdles (40.24 PR). Also got reps on Winton Woods' 4x100 and 4x200 relays.

Scouting Ohio lists a 40 time of 4.50 but they tend to give that to everybody. Maize & Blue Review's Lukas Reimink listed "Foot Speed" along with "Hip Fluidity" and related "Slot Coverage" as the only things holding Calhoun back from being a Day 1 draftee.

projects as an outside CB who can play press coverage or off coverage when in either man or zone at the next level due to his good length, good physicality, and really good ball skills. If he can improve upon his foot speed and COD ability when in a D1 Strength & Conditioning program, he could become a Day 1 NFL Draft caliber player. As currently constructed, he projects as a Day 2 or 3 NFL Draft Pick showcasing a good floor as well as a high ceiling.

Ball Magnet

Both Calhoun and Matthews got the "raw" tag when a new head coach moved them to defense as juniors, but their paths diverged over the course of that season, as Matthews demonstrated his elite athleticism and Calhoun showed a Rothfussian knack, rising up the ranks, though no further than the 3-star/4-star border marches.

One of the two sites to put him on the 4-star side of the border was 247. Analyst Gabe Brooks explained that decision that was about "excellent ball skills and impact playmaking ability."

Too many favorable data points to ignore … His awareness and ball-locating skill in the deep portion of the field make him a constant threat to opposing offenses. Calhoun has displayed good suddenness and triggering athleticism in off coverage vs. the short-to-intermediate passing game.

Trieu was also focused on the production, particularly Calhoun's nose for picks (he had 14 of them in the last two seasons).

Former receiver who showed the anticipation and ball skills to intercept a lot of passes during his high school career. Also showed he could turn defense into offense as a senior, scoring on several interception returns.

Harbaugh also jumped right to the numbers:

Very productive player in high school. He just always seems to be around the football. Over 50 tackles as a junior and as a senior he had five-plus interceptions eat each year.”

Cosgrove also gave Calhoun four stars "in recognition of his high school production" then said Calhoun "could be underrated." You do the rating, man.

On3 is mostly having reporter EJ Holland doing his own scouting, but he describes a "a great technical corner on the outside" because he

does a great job of understanding what the opponent is trying to do and has a high football IQ.

Touch the Banner describes "an intelligent, technique-oriented player who does a good job of disguising coverages and reading the development of routes." Reimink chose "processing speed" and "ball skills" among Calhoun's strengths…

He is also good at playing off-coverage when in either man or zone because it allows him to keep his eyes on the QB and allows his good mental processing speed to get him to the right spot at the right time in order to make a play on the ball. It’s clear he’s played some WR in High School as well because he is at his best when the ball is in the air, as he’s always looking to go up and high point the ball whenever it’s possible.

Reimink's editor Josh Henschke thought this more instinctual than technical.

While he has a little bit of a learning curve at the next level, you can't coach natural talent and instincts. Calhoun has both of that in spades.

Ready to play now?

Nature/nurture debate aside, the M&BR guys thought Calhoun was the guy in the class most likely to make an immediate impact.

already possesses a lot of the skills that you want to see in both the pass and rushing game as a defensive back, and doesn't appear to need too much before he is game ready at least in some aspect.

Calhoun's attitude impressed Rivals' Clint Cosgrove so much at their Indianapolis camp that they made up a "Most Boisterous" award for him.

was the life of the party on Sunday. … made himself known during check-in and throughout the day. Calhoun was particularly active during the 1-on-1 period, mixing it up with the very talented and deep group of receivers.

Zach Libby, also in attendance, said Calhoun "reeked with swagger."

clapping back at the fans in attendance whenever they taunted him, and always willing to line up against the top pass catchers during 1v1 competition.

He was also a big supporter for his fellow defensive backs. During the 1v1 session, Calhoun made sure to put his shoulder around others to hand out advice and tips along the way. He was the first one to congratulate others when they made a big play and the first to let tight ends and wide receivers know that they lost.

Not surprisingly the site that ranked Calhoun the lowest thought him the greatest project. ESPN's Tom Luginbill named Calhoun one of two players he was intrigued by in Michigan's class, but also called him "an upside player, not a play right away guy."

TTB also though Calhoun "may need a year or two to physically develop before he’s ready to contribute."

Calhoun enrolled early and participated in bowl practices. That top defensive recruit Jyaire Hill's name was mentioned was expected, but Calhoun kept getting brought up in the same breath. Alejandro Zuniga noted both had made plays and "look like players." Prompted, DJ Turner said "they're ready to work" and are "definitely going to be good." We didn't see much of Calhoun (#22 in blue) in the spring game, but video surfaced of a pick six in spring practice.

Put me in the camp that would like more refinement. I watched Winton Woods's semifinal vs Kings, an area team that likes to throw bombs. Mathews, I'm sad to say, balled out. Calhoun they put at nickel and field corner, and while I blame the safety for a catch on run on Kings's first drive, Calhoun then allowed an interception on a fade to get ripped out of his hands for a completion, and got lost over the wheel route of a Durham combo (about 18:35).

There's also a bad whiff on a perfectly placed post route that Calhoun had good position on (50:01) but a great PBU on a stop-and-go (1:41:25) when playing outside, another at 1:58:10, a great tackle at 1:55:38. You can also get a feel for his athleticism at 2:03:22 when, lined up at punter, he tried to rescue a bad snap from becoming a safety.

No, he's not a great punter.

But he's a tackler.

Chad Murphy, the head coach of Winton Woods, said he's seen a sizeable transformation in the past year.

He's gotten better and better. His film from senior year, looking back to junior year, it's just night and day, the physicality piece.

Was Calhoun an Afterthought?

Gauging Big Ten interest was is difficult because Calhoun was either committed to, or widely expected to attend, one school or another over the cycle. MSU, Rutgers, Pitt, and Maryland offered. There's also Vince Morrow's tantrum, which was basically saying the Kentucky offer was more of an "offer" if you catch his drift.

That also went down over a year ago, IE before the much more physical senior year. Kentucky certainly pursued later, and Calhoun reciprocated interest, which suggests UK told him to hold off and WVU was the response. Trieu called Calhoun "a good player at a position of need in this class."

As with Rod Moore, however, this was clearly a guy Ohio State was only interested in insofar as they didn't want to alienate the friend of a guy they were interested in. For Moore that was 2022 five-star LB CJ Hicks. Here it was Matthews. Also here it was noticed.

The Buckeyes never came to Calhoun with an offer and Calhoun said he feels like Ohio State's program doesn't make a lot of players in Ohio feel like they're a priority or have a chance to play there.

Since then, Michigan has picked up DT Ted Hammond and RB Jordan Marshall out of Cincy, Youngstown's DJ Waller, and Ben Roebuck and Luke Hamilton from the Cleveland area, not to mention Indiana transfer AJ Barner from Aurora.

Etc. Track. Plans to major in biochemical or mechanical engineering. Expect "a lot of energy and a lot of dance moves." Jesse Minter is also from Cincy (Mount St. Joseph).

Why Andre Weathers? Because there's a paucity of available options in this size range as Michigan's historically loaded up on (actually) 6-2 beanpoles or variants of cat quick 5-10 guys. I'm not taking a guy whose calling card is "good ball skills" and comparing him to epitome of an athlete who can stick with anybody then disappear when the ball arrives, so Magnus's Gemon Green comparison is out the door.

But we can go back to Weathers, a "6-1/170" guy right on the 4-star line in 1994 who was either loved by Michigan fans for being an energetic, publicly upbeat starter on the awesome 1997 team, or hated for being the relative weak spot of that defense. Weathers had more length and savvy than height or speed, and was an underrated player in zones for his intelligence. He went in the 6th round of the 1999 draft, earned a nickname ("Nonchalant") for being a loveable character, and made the Giants' rotation for two years until an ACL tear effectively ended his career. Weathers was Michigan's best CB in 1998, and badly missed when he left.

Guru Reliability: Very high. Tons of camps, big-time high school in Ohio playing with or against guys going all over the Big Ten.

Variance: Low. Gurus all point to a high floor and Rivals is the only site suggesting a future 1st rounder. There's always the chance he blows up , or the risk that he's another Cullen Christian, except tackling and focus are considered positives to Calhoun's game, and Steve Clinkscale is the opposite of Tony Gibson.

Ceiling: Fair. You can say "if he gets substantially faster" about literally anybody, but in a class of ridiculous ceilings Calhoun is definitely the "has a great personality" guy.

Flight Risk Assessment: High. Rapid-fire commitments and decommitment suggest that he and his support network are paying close attention to opportunities, and are highly reactive when a good one comes along. Also this isn't a guy getting on the patience train:

”I think about it every day. I think about how they’re going to develop me as soon as I get up there. How I’m just going to work by butt off in the offseason to make a name for myself. Also, to make sure I get on the field as fast as I can in the most efficient way as possible.”

The other factor is Calhoun's relative readiness. Calhoun is probably the closest to the field of anybody they brought in after two NFL departures. He played for a major program in high school, has a training staff behind him, has already put in more development work than most of his class, and enrolled early. That fits the profile of a guy who's going to know sooner rather than later if he's going to be on the field.

Working against that, a mechanical engineering degree that mom is all about, a strong connection to Clinkscale & Minter, and Michigan's steeper learning curve. Proximity helps too, a benefit of getting back into Ohio recruiting.

General Excitement Level: Moderate+. Baseline 5, –1 for questions about his speed, –1 for questions about his agility, +1 for MAKES PLAYS, +1 for Most Boisterous is exactly the right attitude for cornerback, +1 for might already be a replacement-level Big Ten starter right now.

Projection: Calhoun is an important prospect, and could be a very important guy to keep around as long as possible. You need three guys at any one time, and right now the status of the cornerback depth chart is 1.) Will Johnson Woooo!, 2.) a converted WR who may be ready by Penn State, 3.) the backup nickel who looked good in the spring game, 4. ????. RS freshmen Myles Pollard and Kody Jones and walk-on Keshaun Harris are the current competition; Jyaire Hill is the running mate, and Waller, whomever they get in 2024, and 2025's Chris Ewald are the competition from behind. Since Hill has a lot more to learn, and Michigan whiffed on their attempts to grab a corner out of the portal, Calhoun is the 2023 newcomer most likely to challenge McBurrows/Pollard/Jones/Harris for the third quasi-starting spot early.

Odds Calhoun emerges aren't high, but one factor all the gurus seem to have ignored is how technical Michigan's defense can get. This goes for Waller too, but in a switching defense where cornerbacks can become safeties or blitzers or linebackers to confuse coverages, Calhoun's versatility could be a major asset.

Best guess, Calhoun works his way into the rotation by mid-season, in the way we got equal measures of young Jourdan Lewis (the Jyaire Hill of his class) and Channing Stribling in 2013, preferably without ending up on somebody's legendary highlight reel. I get the feeling Calhoun won't redshirt this year, and also suspect attrition, NFL, and whatnot see him starting at corner by 2025. Probably as the "other cornerback" but that's okay.