5 Star Eyabi Anoma - Closer look at his UT-Martin Stats
While I've been enjoying the recent front page stories on position groups at other schools and OT posts about WFH/Quiet Quitting, I've been a bit disappointed that bringing in a former top 5 player and one of the 50 highest rated recruits ever at our biggest position of need, didn't merit a deeper dive. Like the people that write professionally on this site, my football playing career didn't go beyond junior high, so I can't evaluate tape but I can understand #'s. So I thought I'd go through UTM's game by game stats and see if I could learn more and share what I learned during time that I should have been WFH.
I think for most of us when we see 6 sacks and 9.5 TFL in 12 games at an FCS school, we aren't thinking we are looking at a dominant player. However, UFR, this is more impressive than it seems on the surface.
- While he appeared in 12 of the 13 games, he got all of his sacks and TFLs in a 7 game stretch in the middle of the season. He was a true disruptor and dominant player in the middle portion of the season before injury, as speculated, or something else slowed him down the stretch. Also note that he only started 5 of the 13 games, so he was not on the field for a lot of snaps (unfortunately, I couldn't find the # of snaps played)
- Another key thing to understand is that 6 sacks might not sound like a ton - but he led the entire league with 6 sacks in conference games. Not sure what goes on in that league but apparently not a lot of Dr. Blitzes. He also ended up 5th in the league in TFLs. Keep in mind that again he did this while starting less than half the games and only compiling those numbers in half the games.
- While the league as a whole doesn't seem to get after the QB, UT-Martin's defensive system really didn't seem to get after it:
- During the 7 game stretch where he was a force, he posted 6 sacks / 9.5 TFL / 3 QB Hurries. The other 2 guys he shared time with (and started 4 of those 7 games) combined to accumulate 0 sacks / 3 TFL / 2 QBH against the same O-Lines that he was abusing. And the first team all OVC DE on the other end posted 0 sacks / 3.5 TFL / 1 QBH.
- Excluding Anoma, the rest of the team had only 7 sacks during those 7 games. So he was basically a 1 man wrecking crew at the 'Jack' position.
- For the entire season, the rest of the roster had 15 sacks in 13 games. The only other player on the team with more than 2 sacks, was a 5'9 180lb Rover that had 4.
- Another thing you'd like to see from a high end player who is at an FCS school is the ability to take over a game and he did that in one game towards the end of that stretch. Against rival Austin Peay, he had 1.5 sacks, 4.5 TFLs, and with UTM leading by 1, he blocked a field goal at the end of regulation to seal the win. 4.5 TFLs was the most recorded in an OVC game since 2018 and the most at UTM since 2013.
None of this matches the talk of 'replacement level FCS player' and Jordan Whittley comparisons that I've heard so far from the experts on this site who in fairness are spending a lot of time studying UConn's linebacking core and where it ranks among our opponents. Looking at these #'s, I'm encouraged that being reunited with Poggi and coached by Mike Elston that he gets comfortable and could emerge by mid-season as somebody that teams need to worry about as a situational pass rusher and maybe is that type of elite athlete that can cause problems for OSU by the end of the season.
My opinion is that he didn't come here to sit on the bench and play school, he came here to get to the NFL. While he has 2 years of eligibility, he's already way behind schedule, I would guess he wants to flash his potential and get to the league asap. Based on his track record of never lasting anywhere for 2 seasons, I doubt our coaches are counting on stashing him for next year either. If it wasn't the most cringy section of the podcast, my hot take would be that he has the potential to be the biggest story of the year on defense (his #1 HS DE ranking/Alabama transfer could be our football version of Charles Matthews, Kentucky transfer).
August 27th, 2022 at 12:04 AM ^
Excellent job on the thread. Great research and I hope the staff can tap into his potential. The kid definitely had the tools to make some noise. So let's see how it turns out.
Go Blue!
August 27th, 2022 at 12:14 AM ^
That’s the stuff.
August 27th, 2022 at 1:20 AM ^
Thank you for the info and deep dive.
This is the type of content that keeps me coming back to this board every day and unfortunately more days than not we don’t really get.
Speaking of, is it just me or does it feel weird around here lately with the lack of good football info or even discussion? I know they’re in the “sub” or whatever, but it seems like there’s almost nothing on here as we quickly approach the new season as the defending champs with a whole lot coming back (particularly on offense, obviously.)
Anyway, Anoma is certainly an intriguing player and I’m really interested to see if he can find a role, especially once October is here. If we can get a Uche or even Danna type guy who is a threat on 3rd and longs it would be such a great pickup.
August 27th, 2022 at 1:23 AM ^
This exactly. Even if his primary role is on 3rd and long and for a few specific packages every drive, if he can be effective in those roles, he could be a game changer. We don’t have my edge rushers on the team with his elite size / athleticism.
August 27th, 2022 at 1:21 AM ^
I am actually really excited about adding Anoma. I took a look back at some old HS tape and the athleticism on this kid is insane. He basically wasted most of the first 3 years of his career, but in his last season, once he shook off some of the rust and got comfortable, it seems like he was really coming into himself until an injury slowed him down. This is a guy who may take until a few weeks into the season to really click, but with the right coaching (and being reunited with the HS coach under whom he had so much success), my the second half of the season, I could see him having a huge role and turning into a key piece on this defense.
August 27th, 2022 at 1:52 AM ^
Some bonus Anoma content - I was searching for something from the Austin Peay game on YouTube (don't be fooled by the Spring 2021 game like I was) and no luck but did come across 2 things that may give you a sense of who he is as a person:
Looks like he had to create some YouTube videos for a Communications class at UTM and he talks about some interesting topics like mental health and race. Low production value - could possibly use some NIL dollars - but seemed like a thoughtful kid and mentions the NFL so it is clear that remains his focus but thoughtful on other topics. 3 out of 4 of the videos have less than 25 views so apparently the UTMGo crowd must not have found them.
https://www.youtube.com/user/toniceinbball
Here is his interview after the Austin Peay game when he had the best game of his college career. Comes off as a nice kid that is excited and energetic and a good teammate. Also interesting that he mentioned in the Comm videos that he took the class so he would be more composed in interviews. He clearly doesn't have that calm, collected media trained persona that you see with most M players in this interview so you can see why he was working to improve that, although it was refreshing to see someone that didn't have natural energy and excitement coached out of them:
August 27th, 2022 at 2:37 AM ^
Love the energy in the interview he did, made me laugh how excited he was to talk football. You're right, not the most composed but in a positive and very Harbaugh-ian way.
I think it's a lot to ask anyone regardless of pedigree to come in and miss all of camp and jump right in, especially with a huge rise in competition level compared to anything he's seen in three years. But as some are saying perhaps in a situational role he could get up to speed by the end of the year. Lots of potential, I still feel cautious about predicting big things for year one.
One thing that I hadn't previously considered is that this will perhaps be his first access to a world-class training program since his freshman year at Bama. Not to denigrate UTM but they're not ordering custom machines for their version of Mazi Smith. I think a year working with the strength & conditioning program and knowing the defense more thoroughly could mean a star turn for year two.
Either way, I'll be rooting for the kid and it's great we got him!
August 27th, 2022 at 9:26 AM ^
His excitement towards football is likely a big reason UM added him to the team. He is highly athletic and Poggi certainly lowers the off field risk, but Harbaugh likes “football junkies” - especially if they bring a highly competitive spirit. Anoma seems like he has both traits.
August 27th, 2022 at 3:53 AM ^
Damn...that was impressive. Both videos. The way he spoke about his sisters in the first and teammates in the second really stood out.
Will pull for this young man to continue to rewrite the narrative.
Thanks for sharing...
August 27th, 2022 at 11:46 AM ^
Thanks for this! He seems like a great kid!
August 27th, 2022 at 2:37 AM ^
So much potential, in him and for the team.
Here's hoping he flourishes, for the team and for himself.
August 27th, 2022 at 4:56 AM ^
BigVig, this was an excellent deep dive. Thanks for your work. Let me summarize here the primary arguments I’ve heard on the podcast for why not to expect much from Anoma, at least this year:
1) Alabama would’ve found a way to keep him if he could play
2) Middling production at FCS level
3) PFF grade of 72, also pedestrian
4) Arrived in the middle of fall camp
5) Had only one rush move on video review, without speed to power; not seeing a 5* there.
6) Cultural fit is a ? mark
#1 is refutable, as Anoma made the SEC all-freshman team.
The OP has just contextualized #2 and #3, and with that context Anoma looks like a much better player on paper. Even those on the podcast admit that #4 may matter less for a one-job edge rusher.
Presumably #5 can be addressed with coaching, and #6 is mitigated by the St. Frances connections and the fact that he did graduate from UT Martin.
This is new territory for us M fans, who are not used to cheering for players with pre-existing behavior concerns or seeing the program accept them, much less rehabilitate them. Because of that, I can’t blame anyone for being skeptical of Anoma contributing.
Since there are far easier graduate programs than an MSW, I’m inclined to think he may have become a more serious student, even if the NFL is the end goal. As I mentioned in another thread, if he gets a graduate degree and a couple of sacks in limited playing time, that’s a huge win all around. I am here for that redemption story, and seemingly, so is the program.
August 27th, 2022 at 12:39 PM ^
You summed up exactly where I am on this. The list has a lot of circumstantial evidence to suggest we shouldn't expect much... but there are possible mitigating factors that means there's a chance.
So... probably not, but you're saying there's a chance. Yep. I'll take it.
August 27th, 2022 at 7:18 AM ^
I love the effort you put into this post. I do hope he can contribute and that he has another year of eligibility (which I am skeptical he will).
But my question is....why did he only start 5 of 13 games? That seems to be part of the foundation of your optimism, but it could also be used the other way.
I think the Whitley comparisons are relevant because both guys bounced around multiple schools and struggled to make an impact even though they both had flashes of good play. Where he has an advantage over Whitley is that he isn't physically limited by being over weight and it is possible there is more playing time available than there was at DT last year. But it is going to take time to learn the system, impress the coaches, and overcome his reputation.
Part of me hopes he's awesome by late in the year and part of me hopes someone else has already stepped up so we don't need him to be.
August 27th, 2022 at 4:08 PM ^
Completely agree with your question - it is valid and I have the same one. I'd like to think that maybe they were trying to ease the pressure on him and get him up to speed by working him in slowly. But he started the first game (although recorded no stats, so maybe injured?) which hurts that theory, then didn't start game 2, and then sat out game 3. Then in the middle of the season during his good stretch he gets 3 consecutive starts, including his biggest game of the year, but then after being defensive player of the week, he doesn't get the start for the next 2 games. I thought maybe after his big game, he missed class or something but maybe he injured himself in practice and they were managing his snaps? There is a decent chance it also has something to do with their defensive formation as he is always listed as a 'Jack' but in some games they had an extra DT listed as a starter and no Jack.
Here is his game by game participation and stats if you scroll down:
Ihttps://static.utmsports.com/custompages/stats/Football/2021/indgbg.htm#IGBG.PLY
August 27th, 2022 at 7:48 AM ^
BigVig, I appreciate the effort you put into your post. It's been established that a 5-star recruit has a much better chance of playing in the NFL than 4- and 3-star recruits, and you can't teach great body structure and athleticism. Anoma is an intriguing addition. I won't be surprised if he makes an impact. It would a great story. Otherwise:
- 5-star recruits don't always reach their potential. Football requires hard work and dedication. Intangibles matter. Anoma has had some issues at multiple places.
- I'm not saying you aren't trustworthy, but a link to injury speculation would be helpful.
- He was playing at the FCS level, not the FBS level. I have a feeling many of Michigan's current edge players could get decent numbers at the lower level.
- You say he wasn't on the field for many snaps, but you're unsure how many snaps he played. That doesn't compute.
- To the point about the other players on defense, it's interesting, but do you have evidence that he was doubled / tripled as a result?
- I agree that he seems to have taken over one game. Remember Khaleke Hudson's stats against Minnesota? He was a very good player at Michigan and made the NFL, but that single game was a little misleading. Also, "taking over a game" doesn't sound very objective. It's like how Ray Vinopal "made a play" one time by not dropping a wounded-duck pass.
I just reread Seth's piece (https://mgoblog.com/content/report-eyabi-anoma-has-transferred-michigan). I think it's largely fair. I didn't see "Jordan Whitley" or "FCS replacement player" anywhere. Did I miss something?
August 27th, 2022 at 8:45 AM ^
The Jordan Whitley comparison was from the podcast, i believe in the 1st minute or so of 14.0.c.
August 27th, 2022 at 9:48 AM ^
Thanks. I reviewed only the blog post. Even if Anoma is useful on just passing downs that would be a tick up from Whitley-level usage.
August 27th, 2022 at 7:50 AM ^
If his head is in the right place he'll likely make the NFL.
August 27th, 2022 at 8:38 AM ^
Nicely done. This is your classic low risk, high reward situation. Adding an edge guy isn’t going to SUBTRACT depth. He gets an extended soft opening with this schedule to get into gear. Anything he offers is house money. I don’t think anyone is expecting him to be Ojabo or Hutchinson.
August 27th, 2022 at 8:51 AM ^
I could see him having the trajectory of an Objabo, but he doesn't likely have the same impact for Michigan. If you told me he starts from day 1 as a weak side edge or is a 3rd down specialist, revs up during our summer league games, and ends up as a late first round or early second round pick like Objabo, I wouldn't call you insane.
August 27th, 2022 at 10:42 AM ^
I suspect he will get lots of time on the field the first 3 exhibition games. If he doesn't we can probably write him off, 5* or not.
August 28th, 2022 at 2:18 AM ^
After JH's depth chart reveal, it seems we should be more excited about freshmen linemen and the scheme.
August 27th, 2022 at 8:57 AM ^
Thanks for this analysis. Definitely provides some context, but also leaves me a bit more confused about UT Martin lol
August 27th, 2022 at 9:01 AM ^
I believe this is a good fit for all parties involved. It will be interesting to see how this staff employs the talents of this young man. I hope Mr. Anoma has great success here-on all fronts.
A bit OT-regarding interview skills: Yesterday I saw the post game (Thursday night) interview of Amir Herring and Semaj Morgan. OMG...I will be shocked if Amir is not a future captain of Michigan football. This young man's maturity is 17 going on 60. We will see where his physical talents take him but the sky is the limit regarding his thoughtfulness and character traits. And the same goes for those five, recently elected, Michigan captains-what fine, exemplary people.
August 27th, 2022 at 10:47 AM ^
I don't catch player interviews often, but Michigan players are some of the most composed and professional out there. I don't know if they learn it at Michigan or had that coming in. Most of these guys are earning a real living after football, not the NFL, and it seems they are being well prepared. With M degree in hand, I wouldn't be surprised to see ex-football players from Michigan earn well above average regular salaries.
That being said, Haskins interview after the U Dub game last year was my favorite. No polish, just raw feelings.
August 27th, 2022 at 11:23 AM ^
That Amir demonstrates this so well as a 17 year old senior in HS prompts me to believe that this may be a part of the screening process.
August 27th, 2022 at 9:16 AM ^
Has anyone been able to find the film in this guy that Brian references from UT-Martin? Would like to see him with my own eyes, haha
August 27th, 2022 at 9:18 AM ^
Appreciate your deeper dive. One complaint I have of the MGoBlog staff is their player evals. They rely a bit too much on recruiting profiles or camp buzz rather than film.
Last year, I was frustrated at the doom about the corner position. I thought, well, there are quite a few guys who haven’t had their chance yet, and have been in the program for at least a year. Though I’m not a film expert, I looked at the high school tapes of Turner, Perry, and Green-Warren. Turner popped for me as having plus athleticism and nice instincts, and I commented such on the board at the time. Hey, I probably got lucky with that, but it’s good to do your own research sometimes.
August 27th, 2022 at 5:02 PM ^
You don't think they watch film? DJ Turrner was never a question of film but he tested poorly. Scouting does not turn a 4.6 into a 4.3.
August 27th, 2022 at 9:41 AM ^
Without sharing info that shouldn't be shared (and it can be inferred anyway), he has recently started to overcome a pretty serious issue he has had since childhood. It plagued him from HS to his time at Bama to right up to about a year ago.
It's better now, from what I'm told. I also can confirm that this is everyone involved trying to get him back to where he should be right now.
The guy is talented! I don't think he was as good as his ranking out of HS but certainly a top-50 talent. He has natural NFL ability so to not make it would be a loss of potential and a number of factors has kept him away from that potential.
Let's hope he reaches it because if he does it's Michigan suddenly being able to pull out an NFL guy in a few weeks like an ace up their sleeve, a guy nobody expected them to have.
August 27th, 2022 at 9:53 AM ^
Nice report.
August 27th, 2022 at 10:38 AM ^
Honestly, he seems like he can be a great addition to the team. Watching his videos and his press conference, it makes me think coming to Ann Arbor was a great decision for him, and he really has a great shot here to get his playing career back on track at the highest level.
I will be rooting for him now, for sure.
August 27th, 2022 at 11:03 AM ^
Don't know the betting line, but I'll take the over on 4.5 sacks this year.
I think he gets a couple sacks early in the season late in blowouts as he is integrated into the defense.
I think we see him break into rush packages towards the middle of the season (2nd and 13 , 3rd and 8, type scenarios) where he has middling success - maybe picking up a sack or two and a few QB hurries.
I think he rounds into form as we reach the last 3-4 games of the season and becomes the go-to edge rush specialist down the stretch. I foresee another 2-3 sacks here. Ideally he can save them all for The Game.
I think it would be too much to ask for him to be an every down edge given the run responsibilities of setting the edge. As much as DE is plug and play, there are still some very fundamental responsibilities for an every down edge that he may not pick up on in his first year in the system.
August 27th, 2022 at 11:30 AM ^
It's simply a matter whether Elston can get everything out of him.
Speaking of Elston, it's time people realize how well he has done on the recruiting side. Am shocked by the talent he reeled in, the three foreigners (don't forget Beigel), Bahrs, along with transfer Anoma. That is a heck of an offseason and a superb start.
August 27th, 2022 at 11:59 AM ^
This is an Anomaly
August 27th, 2022 at 3:19 PM ^
Nice work! You should prospect potential clients for football agents. Not joking.
August 27th, 2022 at 7:37 PM ^
Tried to find some video of Anoma in action and there is not a lot to work with - unfortunately there is basically nothing from his big game against Austin Peay. Some of the clips I found were from the opponent so not a lot of incentive to show UTM's sacks. I did also find the full game clips from their 2 playoff games and I just looked at one of them briefly and he didn't look as aggressive and he has a large cast on his hand/wrist/forearm so based on his light stats in those games and that initial look, I only grabbed the 2 plays that showed up in the stat sheet in the 1st game. These are mostly uneventful clips but they will still give you a chance to see what he looks like on the field. I put a * next to the ones that he does something and are more worth the watch but I know the MGo community doesn't just want to see highlights so I basically linked almost every play where I could identify him:
Game 4: Murray St
Wearing white gloves, black wrap on left leg
1) Unblocked on the right side but runs past the QB who keeps:
https://youtu.be/bV605saEFdg?t=13
2) Lined up on right side, drops into coverage, runs across field to follow play:
https://youtu.be/bV605saEFdg?t=22
3) Rushing from the left side, is stopped and double teamed as the QB takes off up the middle for a big gain. He runs after the play and gets into frame as the QB goes down:
https://youtu.be/bV605saEFdg?t=75
4) Lined up inside on the right side on a 4th down, he gets some push, but the play goes away from him, he does sprint after the play and looks fast going after it
https://youtu.be/bV605saEFdg?t=85
*5*) Lined up outside on the right, he shoots off the line and goes right around the tackle, gets his hand on the QB, he and a teammate almost wrap him up but he slips out and gets the pass off:
https://youtu.be/bV605saEFdg?t=141
Game 5: Jacksonville St
Wearing Orange Cleats
*1*) Rushing from the right side, doesn’t get much pressure but run all the way around from behind the QB and piles on as the receiver is tackled
https://youtu.be/gov5Ko7GJg4?t=169
2) His pressure on the right side allows another guy to get through and get in the face of the QB as he throws
https://youtu.be/gov5Ko7GJg4?t=380
3) Lined up in the middle of an unusual formation on a key 3rd down. Only 3 guys rushing, he has 2 blockers on him immediately and doesn’t do much but the other 2 rushers coming from the edge get to the QB and force him to throw it away
https://youtu.be/gov5Ko7GJg4?t=500
Game 6: EIU
*1*) Several quick clips in a row that feature him (let it play to the end) – it is EIU’s video so they end up being positive plays for EIU but Anoma is a disruptor in them. He has the bright Orange cleats and #1 jersey.
https://youtu.be/qN6vNPmS1pE?t=73
Playoffs – Missouri State
Full Game:
*1*) On 3rd & long, tackles the runner, has trouble wrapping up with one hand in cast but causes the fumble that UTM recovers:
https://youtu.be/HvSwBD9k5LY?t=280
*2*) Runs across the field to tackle a guy out of bounds:
https://youtu.be/HvSwBD9k5LY?t=7745
August 28th, 2022 at 1:05 PM ^
IMO pass rush depth is an attribute of winning teams. One thing we underestimated last year was that Hutch was so strong and conditioned he last 10+ play drives, and Ojabo didn’t play every down. A big reason MSU succeeded was that our dominant front and pass rush waned inside our own 50. Getting a fresh and explosive rusher to come in on the 6th or 8th play of the drive is HUGE. The starters can truly take effort and motor to 100, and know that the next guy up will do it. I think this is a hidden ingredient Alabama had with their depth. When they don’t get off the field, they can still squeeze you every down like a python because the D line keeps coming.
August 28th, 2022 at 3:26 PM ^
Thanks for the analysis. You've picked up on some interesting context for what would facially appear to be underwhelming stats.
However, the snark about the site's publishing priorities and podcast I could do without. Guys at the blog work hard, and there's a backdrop of Brian's personal difficulties. I think your views on that stuff could've been constructively placed in an e-mail or maybe a separate thread.