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One thing that’s become very apparent about Michigan football’s 2021 class is that it’s very close knit.
Yes, we’ve seen instances like that before — Shane Morris and Michael Ferns’ classes come to mind — but led by five-star pledge J.J. McCarthy, this particular group seems even closer than its predecessors.
We’ve seen McCarthy, Xavier Worthy and Andrel Anthony all be vocal recruiters for the Wolverines since they made their commitments. That’s not Brentwood (TN) Ravenwood four-star linebacker Junior Colson’s style, he says, but when a new member joins the class, they’re treated like family, having joined the brotherhood.
“Our class is very tight,” Colson told WolverinesWire. “We all talk to each other. We all Snap. We all make sure we (check in with) each other, especially during this time, because some of us aren’t playing football.
“That’s kind of our thing – we all talk every day (most) days.”
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But, that said, there will be something of a family struggle come Sept. 25, when McCarthy (and center Greg Crippen)’s IMG Academy travels to Brentwood to take on Ravenwood.
Colson is particularly excited for the matchup because he has yet to meet either future Wolverine in-person just yet — since the NCAA dead period due to coronavirus has meant no welcoming in recruits for events like the BBQ at the Big House, as it usually has.
So when that game comes up, Colson is less thinking about strapping on the helmet as much as he is meeting his future teammates — but, yes, he’s still thinking about strapping on the helmet, of course.
“It’ll be amazing to finally meet both of them,” Colson said. “I think it’ll be a great game, it’ll be a great competition – I love competition. And they’re both great athletes. J.J. – he’s a monster. He can do it all with the ball in his hands. And then Greg at center – he’s a big load.”
But what happens when Colson, who’s asked to frequently blitz as an outside linebacker, finds himself with a potentially open lane on McCarthy? Does he go all-in, or does he hold up a little?
Colson didn’t hesitate in his answer. He’s more concerned with his future at Michigan and the success collectively in Ann Arbor than he is making a highlight at the high school-level.
“I will definitely hold back on J.J. if there’s a wide open hit on him!” Colson said. “I’ll pull back – I still need him for college. I wouldn’t want him (to get injured). I’ll definitely pull back if I’m (about to get a big hit on him). But the rest of them, it’s all fair game!”
However, speaking with McCarthy on Tuesday for a future installment of the Michigan football commitment series, the five-star quarterback hopes that Colson lays down some wood if he gets that opportunity.
“Man, if I don’t feel it when he hits me, I’m gonna be very disappointed in him!” McCarthy said. “As long as he doesn’t go for my legs, I better feel something from him. I wanna know! This is football, this is football – I want him to hit me! I want him to get that and show out.
“Once we get to Michigan and he’s on the defense, he’s gonna be coming. So I want him to get out there and just play ball and whatever he needs to do.”
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