Michigan Football: Cameron McGrone returning is a big freaking deal

It was reported by Wolverine Digest that Michigan football linebacker Cameron McGrone will return for another season. If true, it’s a big deal.

There is a ton of uncertainty regarding Michigan football and what its roster might look like whenever it plays the 2020-21 season.

But according to a report from Wolverine Digest Thursday, Michigan football will at least have star linebacker Cameron McGrone in the fold for one more season.

This is obviously significant for the Wolverines, who have already lost starting cornerback Ambry Thomas and starting tackle Jalen Mayfield to the NFL draft.

Recently, CBS Sports put together its top-100 NFL draft board and six Wolverines made their way onto the list, including McGrone who checked in at No. 50, behind only Mayfield and Kwity Paye.

While Paye checked in at No. 38 and Mayfield was 43rd, McGrone was the 50th-ranked player on the list ahead of Aidan Hutchinson (67) Nico Collins (68) and Thomas (79).

What it means for Michigan

Some were surprised that McGrone made the list, but I certainly wasn’t and if you watched him closely last year, you would have seen an early-round draft pick budding before your eyes.

When McGrone was inserted into the starting lineup, the defense was instantly better. He wasn’t Devin Bush (who is?) but he was the closest thing and if he could play like that or a full season, I have no doubt that he would be, at worst, a second-round pick.

Despite not starting right away, McGrone finished 2019 with 66 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, five quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one pass breakup.

His athleticism in pass coverage is noticeable and like Bush, McGrone is an exceptional blizter. He just seems to have a knack for finding the ball and in the run game, he’s tough as nails.

NFL teams want a true three-down linebacker, especially someone who can cover. It’s extremely valuable to have a linebacker who doesn’t have to come off the field in passing situations and that’s McGrone. He has a unique skill set.

One question looming in all of this, is whether someone like McGrone, if he played in a winter or spring season for Michigan football, would be eligible for the 2021 NFL draft?

Since McGrone is just a redshirt sophomore, he would be eliglbe after this season, but he would have to declare early and last year, that deadline was in January.

So how will that work for a winter or spring season?

That’s why I don’t necessarily believe this is a slam dunk. What if McGrone learned playing in the winter or spring season, meant he had two stay for two more seasons?

At this point, that could well be the case. If the NFL doesn’t adjust its deadlines, the supplemental draft could be the only option, as opposed to coming back next fall and playing another season.

I’m not saying McGrone and others wouldn’t make the same choice. But that decision will have major consequences, just like McGrone’s will if he does suit up for Michigan football next season.