Breaking down Michigan Football’s latest commitments

LB Aaron Alexander

Size: 6-foot-2 205 lbs

Ranking: Three-star- #78 athlete and #23 player in Michigan via 247 sports

Notable Offers: Marshall and Eastern Illinois

The Player: Some Michigan football fans may scoff at Alexander’s low rankings positionally and in the state of Michigan. However, there is a different number that caught my attention: 4.4.

Yes, that is right, Alexander runs a 4.4 forty while playing linebacker. His speed is what earned him a Michigan offer after he worked at Michigan’s camp last week and it also pops off the screen when you watch his film.

Michigan fans have seen what an advantage it is to have linebackers that can run such as Ian Gold, Shaun Crable, David Harris, and recently with Devin Bush Jr. and Cameron McGrone.

I think Alexander has the potential to develop into a high-level starter. His speed will allow him to roam sideline to sideline, be an asset as a blitzer and in coverage.

At 6-foot-2, Alexander has the length to defend TEs as well, as modern offenses are moving to more spread to emphasize more speed on the field and exploit mismatches, Alexander is the kind that can stay the field on all three downs and hold his own.

Evaluating prospects is an area where the Michigan coaching staff has excelled in. There have been many cases where the coaching staff extended an early offer to a prospect with a profile similar to Alexander only to see them in the rankings before the cycle ends. I think Alexander could be the next example.

The Fit: If Don Brown was still Michigan’s defensive coordinator, it would be easy to slot Alexander as a viper. In fact, my comp is Alexander is current Michigan linebacker, Michael Barrett. Like Barrett, Alexander also plays offense for his high school team. Barrett played quarterback while Alexander plays running back. I think having defenders that played both ways in high school is beneficial because they tend to find their way to the football team and often times take it away.

In Michigan football’s new 3-4 scheme, I project Alexander as an inside linebacker. However, I could see him in a hybrid safety/linebacker role as well. I think Alexander could be a special teams ace early on in his career before earning his place in the starting lineup. That will also give him some time to bulk up, probably to the 230 lb range. The added strength will allow him to hold up better against the run and be a complete linebacker.

Michigan football will lose Josh Ross to graduation. Michael Barrett could move on as well, though he will also have two years of eligibility beyond this season.

Also at inside linebacker, the Wolverines will have Junior Colson in his second year, Kalel Mullings and Nikhai Hill-Green in their third years, and Anthony Solomon in his fourth year. I think Alexander could crack the starting lineup by his junior year if not sooner.

I would expect Michigan to try to add 2-3 more inside linebackers to its class. Top targets at the position include three-star Jeremy Patton and four-star Landers Barton.