cornell wheeler

[David Nasternak]

Aw man, not on Detroit Day!

Michigan’s giant 2020 linebacker class, the one that was supposed to restock the cupboards, is down to just Kalel Mullings and Nikhai Hill-Green, after LB Cornell Wheeler announced this evening he’s entering the portal.

The lowest ranked but highest floored of the class that’s also lost viper William Mohan and ILB Osman Savage, Wheeler’s calling card was playing in the heart of West Bloomfield’s defense, which then-coach Ron Bellamy modeled on Don Brown’s, including in terminology. Wheeler didn’t just dabble his toes in it either—he started four games as a freshman and racked up almost 300 tackles as an upperclassman, serving as team captain both seasons.

While that early familiarity helped fellow 2020 Laker Makari Paige play ahead of two touted New Jersey safeties, it’s moot now, and didn’t help even when Brown was still around. Wheeler did not play last year, and was not threatening the depth chart this spring when true freshman Junior Colson and Wheeler’s remaining classmates all got mention behind starters Josh Ross and Michael Barrett.

Still, we had hopes that all of these friends from high school—including his former head coach—would mean Wheeler would be more patient than most guys in his situation.  With a free transfer year and a lot of easier paths to the field, it’s also highly understandable, especially considering the athletes that Macdonald is targeting, and targeted while with the Ravens. We mournfully hand off this all-time coach quote/prayer to whichever path he chooses:

Ron Bellamy: “[Cornell Wheeler is] a physically intimidating kid, for a high school kid. You know, you’re on the sideline as a coach and, by preparation and game planning, you know when the team’s going to run the screen or going to run the draw, whatever it may be. And he’s on the field screaming out what’s about to happen. And you’re just like, "Oh man. Bless these kids that are about to get hit by Cornell."

Michigan has been active in the portal for DT, LB, and CB help, but hasn’t had any luck with much beyond the former. Even former West Bloomfield LB Lance Dixon couldn’t get past the part where we try to work around Michigan’s byzantine transfer protocols.

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"WHAAAAAARGARBLE" [Patrick Barron]

Previously: The Story. Podcast 12.4A, 12.4B, 12.4C. Quarterback. Running Back. Wide Receiver. Tight End. Interior OL. Offensive Tackle. Defensive End. Defensive Tackle.

Depth Chart
VIPER! Yr.

MIDDLE LB

Yr. WEAKSIDE LB Yr. SAM LB Yr.
Michael Barrett So.* Cam McGrone So.* Josh Ross Jr.* Ben Van Sumeren So.*
Anthony Solomon So. Kalel Mullings Fr. Nikhai Hill-Green Fr. David Ojabo Fr.*
Joey Velazquez Fr.* Cornell Wheeler Fr. ---- -- Jaylen Harrell Fr.

This is awesome! Just don't look past the starters. The starters are a guy who played at an all-conference level in his second year and a guy who almost played at an all-conference level in his second year. Josh Ross is his brother plus 30 pounds. Cam McGrone is Devin Bush* plus four inches. Josh Ross and Cam McGrone are awesome.

Their backups are true freshmen. DO NOT GET COVID.

*[-ish!]

INSIDE LINEBACKER

RATING: 4

49080200187_e55ba0135b_k

balki-ass dancing is a bonus [Patrick Barron]

It was weird watching CAM MCGRONE [recruiting profile] emerge into Michigan's starting middle linebacker midseason. He was supposed to be Devin Bush, and he was a lot like Devin Bush except for one thing. He made mistakes. This isn't a McGrone problem. He was a redshirt freshman tossed into the most complicated spot on defense. It is a people looking at Cam McGrone problem: our expectations have been so warped by Bush that even a guy who did stuff like this in year two…

…gets an owlish glance because he also did stuff like this:

MLB #44

This happened for a few games and then largely stopped. Giddyup.

[After THE JUMP: also there are vipers]

[David Nasternak]

Risers

Downhill thumper

no obstacle course or moguls videos... yet

Ronald Bellamy's achieving all star.

crystal balls, scouting a possible flip, and Shaun Nua doing work 

St. Frances LB and Michigan commit Osman Savage

A slew of 2020 offers and visits from prospects who all seem to already have a former teammate at Michigan

Light on official visits and heavy on scouting reports

Ron Bellamy's high school sends a 2020 LB to M

A little Fresh Prince and Good Times, too