Exit: George Rooks
The future of Michigan's defensive tackle roster took a hit yesterday as RS freshman George Rooks announced he's entering the portal, probably because the present of Michigan's defensive tackle roster is stacked.
— George Rooks (@georgerooks_) December 12, 2022
Rooks was an important recruit for Shaun Nua after several cycles of whiffing on 4-stars and trying to build DTs out of Anchor prospects. Rooks…was an Anchor prospect, but one who seemed likely to grow into a DT, or in the new defense, one of those tackles that plays a little bit of SDE when the Harrell type backs into coverage (IE the role that Kris Jenkins plays).
In limited opportunities in that role Rooks looked like a hit, showing surprising agility and speed for the position in front of his hometown crowd in New Jersey:
#54 the 2nd DL from the bottom
And showing impressive pad level and awareness in his few appearances during the nonconference blowouts.
same spot
same spot
Unfortunately for Rooks he only got to play in late blowouts because Michigan's DT recruiting has been spectacularly successful since his commitment late in the 2021 cycle. True freshman Mason Graham was instant star, Rooks's classmate Rayshaun Benny is trending that direction, and Kenneth Grant, another true freshman, was seeing regular rotation by the end of the season. Even with Mazi Smith expected to move on to the NFL, Michigan has two years left from Jenkins and a solid rotation with Benny, Graham, and Grant. Since Michigan likes to play three DTs at a time they certainly had room to play Rooks, but it's understandable if he would rather not be the fifth banana.
Michigan does have two more developmental DTs from the Rooks/Benny class in Ike Iwunnah and Dominick Giudice. UCF transfer Cam Goode was one spot ahead of Rooks and has a COVID year left, but it's unlikely he'll want to use it. Ike and Dom can probably give them what they got from Goode and Rooks this year, and Michigan's close to adding a potentially playable freshman to a class that already has a Rooks-like in Brooks Bahr, so they probably don't need to look in the portal for a 5th DT. It would have been nice to have Rooks in line when Jenkins departs but that's quite a luxury in the portal era. Good luck Rooks!
December 13th, 2022 at 11:53 AM ^
When I first saw the news, I assumed he was way down the depth chart, and I hadn't realized he was playing his way into rotation.
Too bad M lost him. Wish him well.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:04 PM ^
I just hope he doesn't end up at OSU, which apparently really needs someone like him.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:05 PM ^
The portal giveth, and the portal taketh away. Best of luck to Senor Rooks.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:09 PM ^
yea, likely he doesn't want to be a rotational piece. very good football player who got better in his time in AA. will be a starter somewhere else.
deuces Rooks, i hope you tear it up elsewhere (unless you play us).
December 13th, 2022 at 12:23 PM ^
I remember reading mid-season that Dom was moving to O-line, probably Center. He was recruited by all of the academies as well as Harvard so he's got the brains for the job.
https://michigan.rivals.com/news/why-dominick-giudice-s-move-to-offense-has-jim-harbaugh-excited
Hate to lose Rooks and this makes it slightly tighter, but DT is not a current concern.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:34 PM ^
Could also be for prior Wisconsin DT commit who has been in a Michigan/illinois battle (pierce), who now would be presumed to be a Michigan lean given the departure of Illinois DC.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:47 PM ^
I never know if those switches are going to take so I hesitate to report them until it's made official. Harbaugh likes to cross-train his players.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:25 PM ^
Who is the playable freshman they are close to adding? Either way this makes sense for Rooks even if it sucks for us. The downside of Graham and Grant being instant hits is the pressure it puts on the class ahead of them. Hope he makes the right choice next and has a good and successful career
December 13th, 2022 at 12:41 PM ^
Michigan is in the mix for two former Wisconsin DT commits, one of whom recently received a Sam Webb crystal ball for Michigan. High probability Michigan lands one of them.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:53 PM ^
Gotcha. I know all of our brains have been broken by Graham but find it hard to believe anything other than a five star should be expected to be in the rotation at DT as a true freshman. Feels hyperbolic but actively try not to get too caught up in recruiting before the classes are set. Either way DT is in a good place for the next couple of years, just need to keep recruiting well
December 13th, 2022 at 8:50 PM ^
Grant also played extensively for a true frosh and he didn’t enroll early. Two gifts from the gods.
I think Pierce has the potential to play next fall as much or more than Rooks did this year and equal to Grant. Physically advanced already and rapidly adding DT skill - pretty good combination for spot albeit not a practical starter like Graham.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:27 PM ^
Michigan's close to adding a potentially playable freshman to a class that already has a Rooks-like in Brooks Bahr.
Who is this soon-to-be freshman you speak of?
EDIT: Whoops, ak beat me to it.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:35 PM ^
I believe Dominick Giudice moved to offensive line.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:36 PM ^
Although this is a bummer, I like that he didn't talk shit and trash the program on the way out.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:44 PM ^
I think experienced 5th string DTs are going to be a luxury in the portal era, probably will be freshman going forward (across all teams).
December 13th, 2022 at 12:48 PM ^
Am I missing something? Why not wait until after the season is over to enter the portal?
Why skip out on a national championship?
December 13th, 2022 at 12:49 PM ^
Because it’s hunting season.
Think about an impact CB like Grimes who could come to UofM and be a key starter on a Championship contender next year if Green and Turner both go to the draft. I’m sure so many teams are after him full press right now.
You wonder what types of discussions are being had with coaches and kids. Good communication is a skill.
December 13th, 2022 at 2:31 PM ^
The timing is tight for non-grad transfers with the new portal recruiting timeline. This first window opened on December 5th and closes on January 18th. If you wait until the end of the season with a playoff contender, some prime opportunities could close off to you by then.
Players entering their name in the portal don't have to transfer, and theoretically, I think they could remain part of the team while in the portal if still enrolled. My guess is most coaches would probably have a current player turn in his playbook if he were to enter the portal though.
December 13th, 2022 at 2:50 PM ^
It is just A-Maize-ing that we can suddenly be so sanguine about a top 300 DT bolting before our upcoming cfp game!
My oh my how things have changed since December 2020!
Wish him well, but in this case I feel certain that he felt certain he would not have contributed to the upcoming NC pursuit, and would find his opportunities only diminishing in coming seasons.
Can I get a Go Blue!
December 13th, 2022 at 12:48 PM ^
He would have played a bunch if a future All American didn’t get starting snaps as a true frosh.
December 13th, 2022 at 1:19 PM ^
Yeah, this could turn out to be the Zach Charbonnet of DT transfers. As in, Rooks doesn't seem to be no slouch so he might blow up somewhere and we'll be fine with it because we have Mason Graham.
December 13th, 2022 at 2:10 PM ^
I think Rooks is going to be very good. I think right now Benny, Graham, Jenkins and Smith are all NFL players someday. Benny is super athletic. Rooks is still young for a DT.
December 13th, 2022 at 2:51 PM ^
And Kenneth Grant, and likely one or both of the wiscy decommits!
December 13th, 2022 at 1:21 PM ^
Good luck to George. Sorry to see him go. Showed a lot more grace on the way out than a certain few Captains btw.
December 13th, 2022 at 4:59 PM ^
Are you kidding me? He made a straight line right for the door. Of course, Rooks can only move in a straight line. . .
/ it's a joke
December 14th, 2022 at 6:09 AM ^
Good luck, Mr. Rooks. Hopefully your Michigan experience will stand you in good stead in your future.
December 14th, 2022 at 11:23 AM ^
I love that the kids have options in the portal. But sometimes I really hate the portal as a fan. I like watching kids stay and develop and take their place in the tradition.
Comments