Insight on three Michigan commits ascent into the On300 rankings

Charles Power, On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings sat down with The Wolverine to offer insight as to why defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, linebacker Jimmy Rolder and defensive back Kody Jones all rose in the most recent iteration of the On300 rankings

DT Kenneth Grant, Merrillville (Ind.) High 

Ranking: Up from not ranked to No. 129 nationally 

Power stated the ordering of these rankings start on a position-by-position basis before zooming out to assess the overall rankings. In Grant’s case, he is a top 20 defensive tackle, but of the true nose tackles in the cycle, Power believes he’s up there with the best.

“The thing for him is first off just the size combined with the explosion is pretty unique,” Power said. “He’s probably 350 but moves like a much smaller player, which is really the most important thing. I think the movement skills are certainly the most important thing that we look for with these guys. And then how explosive he is. He can kind of combine the quick twitch and body quickness with a lot of explosive power. And he’s not just a big nose tackle. He’s going to eat blocks, he can push the pocket and make plays on the line of scrimmage.”

LB Jimmy Rolder, Chicago (Ill.) Marist 

Ranking: Up from not ranked to No. 154 nationally

Inside linebacker is one of the most loaded position groups in the 2022 cycle which makes Rolder’s late ascent both as a prospect and in the rankings all the more impressive. Rolder didn’t even land his first offer until September of this year and his late ascent is a product of a junior season played in spring and his initial commitment to play baseball.

“The first thing that sticks out with with him is the size and play speed combination,” Power said. “And then you look at how physical he is as a tackler, his striking power. Whenever he hits the ball carrier they’re going backwards. He’s just very physical at the point of attack. And then you look into his athletic background, that guy’s a top baseball player and was going to Illinois to play baseball. Just very coordinated and he’s not just a pure in the box linebacker, he has three interceptions he can drop into coverage, he can play in space he’s really got a complete skill set.”

DB Kody Jones, Germantown (Tenn.) High

Ranking: Up from not ranked to No. 269 nationally

Jones is a prospect Power has liked for some time but his body of work as a senior against top competition in Tennessee led to a rise up the rankings into the On300. The versatile defensive back will likely need some time in the weight room before being able to contribute for the Wolverines but the raw tools are promising.

“The thing that stands out with him is he’s a really versatile two-way athlete who makes plays as a receiver and DB,” Power said. “He has receiver ball skills at DB. He’s instinctive, can cover. If he plays safety, nickel or corner he has pure DB cover skills with receiver ball skills, so that kind of versatility, you can see him in multiple spots”

Where other Michigan commits sit in the On300: Lawndale (Calif.) Leuzinger edge rusher Kevonte Henry (No. 92), Belleville (Mich.) High linebacker Aaron Alexander (No. 295). 

Where remaining Michigan targets sit in the On300: Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei defensive back Domani Jackson (No. 10), Charlestown (Ind.) High offensive tackle Kiyaunta Goodwin (No. 16), Seattle (Wash.) Rainier Beach offensive tackle Josh Conerly (No. 54), Concord (Calif.) De La Salle defensive back Zeke Berry (No. 59), Powder Springs (Ga.) McEachern wide receiver Kaleb Webb (No. 160) and Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech defensive tackle Deone Walker (No. 245)