Michigan Football: Predicting when Junior Colson will start
The old consistency for the Michigan football defense is over. With a new hierarchy here, things are going to change and will open the door for fresh blood.
As the title and the opening paragraph suggest, Junior Colson could end up being that “fresh blood” for the Michigan football program. Colson is coming into the program around 6-2 and weighing 230 pounds. If you are thinking to yourself that these are running back type sizes, you’re not far off. The true freshman played some RB and WR in High School as well as kickoffs.
The Nashville/Haitian native fits the current mold for linebackers as he is tall and lean yet has some speed. He has clocked in somewhere around the 4.5 40 range in the past, making him a very succulent option for Mike Macdonald’s expected 3-4 scheme. With the defense going from a hybrid 4-3 layout to this one, expect the linebacking core to get the most looks over the summer.
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247Sports listed Colson as a 4-star in high school, with his highest-rated skills being his coverage and play in space abilities. Apart from being that sideline to sideline style of players, Junior is a natural blitzer. His senior year at Ravenwood High School, he made 59 tackles, including 7.5 for loss with 3.5 sacks and two fumble returns.
Michigan Football: Predicting how early Junior Colson starts
He is coming into the Michigan program young and hungry, but he has some steady opposition ahead of him.
It feels ok to say that both Michael Barrett and Josh Ross will be on the chart ahead of him, but in a 3-4 layout, there are still two slots left open. Those two slots will most likely open competition between him, Anthony Solomon, and potentially David Ojabo.
Baring any positional moves from hybrid defensive end over to outside linebacker, it feels like Junior Colson has an easy chance at making the lineup Week One.
Sometimes Michigan football has been reluctant to start true freshman Week One; however, there needs to be a shakeup on all things defense, and Mike Macdonald will be looking to make a name and spark for himself.
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It may seem a bit over-optimistic to say he starts Week One against Western Michigan, but that is what my gut says. Colson was close to the best defensive player in this year’s class, so that will automatically give him a leg up. Now, all he has to do is keep on doing what he’s always done and progress to the next level. Look for him to make a big splash this season, starting in Week one.