Michigan Football: 4-star Julien Simon offers intriguing opportunity for U-M

Michigan football made the top eight list for elite four-star athlete Julien Simon, who is a really unique prospect some see as an eventual first-rounder.

The Michigan football program has been getting more of a presence out on the West Coast and Wednesday, the Wolverines found themselves in the with the mix with a four-star athlete out of Washington that has some real potential.

Julien Simon, a four-star athlete who ranks 101st overall according to the 247 sports composite rankings and fifth among athletes, as well as 99th overall in the 247 specific rankings for 2021, announced his top eight and the Wolverines were included.

https://twitter.com/_JulienSimon/status/1245471006560374785

Along with Michigan football, Simon included Arizona State, Oregon, Cal, Washington, Stanford, USC and Texas. At 6-foot-2, 221 pounds, Simon could play a few different positions, including wide receiver, running and linebacker.

But according to his 247 sports scouting report, linebacker would be his best position in college Brandon Huffman went as far as comparing him to former UCLA linebacker Myles Jack. Here’s the full scouting report:

"Versatile athlete who can play running back, receiver or linebacker but projects to linebacker in college. Quickly diagnoses plays and gets an uncanny break on passes with a nose for the ball and great ball skills. Cleans up broken plays quickly with his ability to run and get to the ball carrier. Excels in coverage but equally adept at stopping the run. Projects as immediate Power 5 starter and future first-round NFL draft pick."

The Wolverines have a bunch of other targets at running back in 2021, so Simon seems ideal as a linebacker and that could be a dynamic possibility for the Wolverines. It’s possible he could even fit into that Viper role, seeing how he has played wide receiver.

That weak-slide linebacker role or even the SAM would be a good fit for him too, but having him on the edge as someone who could cover or pressure the quarterbacks seems like a dream for Don Brown.

But Jay Harbaugh is the primary recruiter so it’s hard to say for sure. He looks more natural playing defense and he reminds of Michael Barrett. He’s very smooth when you watch him in coverage and he has no qualms about being physical in the run game.

Yet, he does catch the ball well and he seems to have potential as a physical, power back. You never know how it will work out, that’s how things went with Barrett, but with a guy like Simon, you want to get him on your roster and figure it out later.

Right now, there are no crystal ball projections.