Michigan Friday: Step 1 Starts Today

 Many of us have wondered if today was even possible, the start of Fall/Summer Camp for football that is.   Today is the day and the first step in testing Michigan's COVID protocols and how responsible 18-24 year-olds will be in staying away from other students.   Hopefully, camp shouldn't be a concern but when students get back on campus, who know what's going to happen.  

All Big Ten teams start practicing today and have less then a month to prepare for the start of the new Big Ten season.   All, minus Ohio State who Jimmy believes started on-field practice sometime last week.  OSU breaking or bending the rules is a shocker!  I'm sure it was an honest mistake, like the Big Ten commissioner telling Ohio State that they couldn't start practice until Friday and they heard "Ryan Day" and started sometime in July.   Seems legit to me.  

• Rocco announces on Saturday on CBS Sports Network around 6:00 and still seems like a coin flip with ND having the momentum for his commitment.  It's still ND 53% and Michigan 47% with the latest prediction for ND.   The ND insiders feel very confident about Rocco coming to South Bend.  After practice today, Coach Warinner should head straight to Clarkston.   If you want to see how this is trending, watch the CB predictions on 24/7 today and Saturday.   That should be a clear sign where he is going, if there isn't any movement, both coaching staffs will be nervous Saturday at dinner. Either way, after his announcement he should just "Forget about it!" Update 3:30 Friday: Its now 70% ND - 30% Michigan and seems like a done deal. 😒

• Purdue Star Rondale Moore has opted out of the Big Ten season.  Justin Fields, do you see what is happening here?

• What happens if Rocco goes to ND?  Michigan has been a leader for sometime for MA OG Drew Kendall and some have suggested that he is waiting on Rocco's decision.  If Rocco goes to ND, Michigan chances to land the talented MA OG is much higher.   That sounds like a win/win if it happens.   Losing Rocco, would be a hit to Michigan's board, but there are still 2 more instate big fish with RB Donovan Edwards and DT Rayshaun Benny.  

• If you love tracking freshman numbers and weights hit this link!

• Michigan DE Kwity Paye is expected to stay and play this season.  

Michigan Thursday: The NFL Draft Starts Tonight - Michigan Predictions

Michigan has some talented players in this years draft but only one or two will go in the early rounds. The highest player drafted is expected to be Cesar Ruiz at the end of the first round.   This will also cement that Ed Warinner might be the best coach/coordinator on Jimmy's staff.   

Without further delay, lets get to the Big House Blog NFL Draft Predictions:

Cesar Ruiz - late 1st/early 2nd:  Ruiz is known as a smart talented offensive lineman that can play either Center or Guard.   I expect to hear his name announced tonight.   

Josh Uche - 2nd/3rd Round - Josh lite up the senior bowl and edge rushers are always wanted by NFL teams.   I'm a bit mad at Don Brown because I don't think he used Uche the right way through his Michigan career.   I'm more confident in Josh then I was with Taco rushing the QB in the NFL.  

DPJ - 4th round - Most mock drafts have DPJ as the 13th ranked WR in this class.  NFL GM's will love his upside but concerned about injuries and his lack of production last season.  I think he could of used another year under Gattis offense.   He is an athletic freak that a scout could love. 

Levert Hill - 5th round - Sort of the forgotten man in this draft from Ann Arbor.  I think teams are concerned with his speed but he is physical corner and could be a fit at Nickel in the NFL.  

Josh Metelllus- 5th/6th Round - Same as Hill, Josh is more of hitter then a cover guy.  The deep ball coverage will concern NFL GM's but he will lay the wood and could be a great player on running downs.

Ben Bredeson - 5th/6th round- Could be the steal of the draft.  Ben is a talented offensive lineman that can play Guard or Tackle at the next level.   I see Ben starting very soon for an NFL team.  

Jon Runyan 6th/7th round - This big men approved every year at Michigan under coach Warinner.  He also played well against the #2 pick in draft from OSU.  Jon's dad is an NFL VP and in charge of suspensions, someone will pick him up just for that!

Sean McKeon - 7th/FA - Someone will take a 6'5 TE, but Sean only caught 13 balls last season.  This is another guy that could have used an extra year in A2.  

Mike Danna - 7th Round/FA - Reports are the Giants are looking at Mike on the 3rd day of the draft.  Edge rushers are a always in demand in the NFL.  Someone will take a chance on Mike,  I know his tape was limited at Michigan but I thought he played well when he got them.

Michael Onwenu - 7th Round/FA - Big Mike is huge and strong, but that also means slow.  He will be a guard at the next level and could push over a car.  My guess is someone will take this huge offensive lineman. 

Khaleke Hudson - Free Agent -  Hudson is the classic tweener in the NFL.  He is to small for a LB and to big as a safety.  If he finds the right program, he could make a roster.   The kid can play but it will take a special situation and fit.  

Shea Patterson - Free Agent - After a poor performance at the Senior Bowl, Shea is looking at becoming a free agent and picking a team where maybe he can show out for a back-up role.    I actually think he ends up in the CFL or takes a shot at baseball.  

Jordan Glasgow - Free Agent - Best bet for Jordan is to be a special teams star in the NFL.   I would expect Miami to sign him as a FA. 

Good luck to all the former Wolverines!

Wolverine Wednesday: Goes Barney

barney.wikia.com

Jimmy was asked on Stoney & Wojo/Jamie this morning about Coach Warinner coaching style: "He breaks it down Barney style" what's Barney style? "Barney is the purple dinosaur. He teaches life lessons to the kids they can understand.... Tell me like i'm in the 4th grader so I can understand this" from Angelique's twitter.
"I love the offensive line, you love me , if you use the proper blocking technique, --- we will be one happy family" The above photo is Ed Warinner running a kids camp and showing that holding is a penalty. The green dinosaur is clearly throwing the flag. - There continues to be rumors that Tarik Black is close to be back and playing in games. There were rumors for Wisconsin and now that continues for MSU. The Wolverines have a bye week after MSU and that might be the best guess for a return to the field. -If When Michigan wins the Paul Bunyan Trophy this weekend, I hope they spend a few dollars on it and get it refurbished. The last time I saw the trophy, it was looking pretty rough. - Nick Bosa decided to not return to Ohio State and focus on his recovery and prepare for the NFL Draft. I don't have a problem with it, since he had surgery. If he was healthy, I would have a problem with it. He is also the Buckeyes most talented player, which won't hurt in November. - Rhett Rodriguez, who is the son of RR and was famously named during his opening press conference at Michigan, will start for Arizona on Saturday due to an injury to their starting QB.