Michigan Football: 3 Candidates for Wolverines open DT position
The motivation is there
As a 6-foot-5 250-pound defensive end, Donovan Jeter didn’t have trouble busting plays in a field of men much smaller and weaker. It was high school, but the talent and the foundations of an NFL lineman were present. Transiting to college, Donovan Jeter understood he would need time to adjust and would sit and wait for his turn.
“We’re going to be crazy when we get there,” Jeter told a reporter from 247Sports. “We’re going to need that first year to get settled in, but that sophomore year, we’re going to be crazy out there.”
A meniscus is a common area for injury and Jeters didn’t last long. He was still on the sidelines as a freshman, watching his teammates compete and learning as much as he could, but there was very little participation if any.
The learning began as a sophomore and Donovan wasn’t excelling on the field as he had during his previous stop. The college game eluded him and, heading into his senior year, Donovan has three tackles attributed to him.
That’s not where the former four-star from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, though he would be on the back end of his college career.
Looking back, it’s hard to see how he ended up in his current situation.
Ranked 289th nationally, Jeter was an established SDE and had risen to 12th positionally, later making the switch to the interior.
ESPN provided the only evaluation ($):
"Size-Strength-Speed Physically impressive prospect with big frame and nice blend of height and bulk. Carries weight well with room to support additional good mass with time in a college weight program. Displays very good strength with adequate first-step quickness. Versus the Run This is where his strength is as he is a big body that can be a stout presence against the run. When he fires off with pad level and brings his hands he can anchor well versus the run and at times against current competition can just throw blockers aside. Does need to better utilize size and more consistently explode out and into blockers and be more consistent with bringing and using his hands. Displays average ability to redirect, but once on track can cover some ground in pursuit. Pass Rush Skills More strictly a power rusher that is capable of jolting and knocking blockers back when explodes out and stays low. Does look to lack a plan and can attack whole man and get stalled and needs to further develop pass rush arsenal and better utilize size and strength as pass rusher. Toughness/Motor Displays a good motor with some ability to be factor in pursuit on the perimeter and big kid that is capable of rag dolling opponents, but can be inconsistent in those things and can seem set little more to cruise control at times. Needs to work to be sounder tackler and finisher. Bottom Line Jeter is a prospect with very nice size and when he utilizes his strengths can be a stout presence in the trenches. Doesn’t look to be fully maximizing ability at this point and has room to improve. Can play in trenches as 34DE or DT, but room to be more impactful and if he gets most from talents can be a very good Power-5 DL. Underclassman Eval STRENGTHS: Tall with massive frame and great strength. Powerful at the point of attack and is difficult to move off the ball. Possesses good lateral agility and balance in space. Uses length to keep blockers at bay. Reads quickly and can counter Aggressive player with a great motor. … AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: Will need to fill out his ample frame. Not overly sudden and a bit of a long strider. Needs to refine his stacking and shedding. … BOTTOM LINE: Jeter is a strong, aggressive kid with prototypical size and more than enough speed. We believe he has the potential to develop into a well-rounded defensive end at the next level. He has plenty of upside."
Donovan is going to be the veteran option for the line and likely has the upper hand on the other two without spring ball. If the motivation is there, it’s only a matter of time before we see Jeter tearing up opposing defenses.