Junior Colson
Welcome to Michigan, Junior Colson! 〽️ @JuniorColson hails from Brentwood, Tennessee and is one of the Top 100 players in the country.
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— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 16, 2020
Prep
• Attended Ravenwood High School (2021) coached by Matt Daniels
• Helped Ravenwood to a 7-5 record as a senior
• Finished as Class 6A state runners-up during his junior season with a 13-2 recordKey Statistics
• Made 59 tackles including 7.5 for loss with 3.5 sacks, two fumble returns as a senior
• Named Gateway Tire Player of the Week after an 11-tackle, 2 TFL and 2 fumble recoveries against Franklin; added a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown
• Also scored a 90-yard kick return touchdown and blocked a punt
• Credited with 175 tackles his junior season including 30 TFLs and 14 sacksHonors and Rankings
• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of four stars; the No. 95 overall player nationally, the No. 5 outside linebacker and the No. 2 player in the state of Tennessee
• Named a four-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 99 overall player in the nation, the No. 6 outside linebacker and the No. 3 player in the state of Tennessee
• Member of the ESPN300 as the 142nd overall recruit nationally; rated as a four-star prospect, the No. 16 outside linebacker and the No. 3 player in the state of Tennessee
• Rivals.com four-star prospect, the No. 94 prospect nationally, the No. 5 outside linebacker recruit in the country and the No. 3 player in Tennessee
• Named semifinalist for the 2020 Butkus Award presented to the nation’s top high school linebacker
• Selected to participate in the 2020 All-American BowlPersonal
• Junior Colson was born Dec. 6, 2002
• Born and spent his first 9 years in Haiti before moving to the United States
• Adopted by Steve and Melanie Colson
Formerly slender, athletic linebacker with length that has already begun the process to add mass to support an in-the-box role on the next level. Former wide receiver that brings that kind of athleticism to the linebacker position. Loose hips and a natural in coverage. Good ball skills. Attractive as a nickel linebacker. Comfortable operating in space as a perimeter tackler. Good athlete that checks the combine testing box. Extremely productive on a one of the best teams in Tennessee. Sure tackler but not ferocious. Nothing jarring about point of attack physicality. More equipped to be an uncovered run and chase defender than a downhill box defender but is starting to evolve in that regard. Has flashed pass rush ability as a blitzer. Athletic traits and physical development points to an eventual Power Five impact starter with the potential to be a mid-to-late round NFL Draft talent.
From The Wolverine’s EJ Holland:
At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Colson is built like a tank, having thick upper and lower halves. He’s a punishing inside backer that fills gaps in a hurry and has the instincts to dissect plays almost instantaneously. Colson has a ton of speed, but his lateral quickness and flexibility make his special.
A guy his size should not be able to move the way he does. He can also cover and blitz off the edge. Colson has been recruited for Michigan’s ‘Viper’ spot because of his explosiveness on the defensive side of the ball, but he can make an impact in any of the linebacker roles.
2021 Outlook: Colson might just be able to find his way onto the field as a rookie, at the very least on special teams. He did a little bit of everything for his high school this past season including returning kicks, which is not typical for linebackers. He’s got really good size for today’s brand of college football and can really run. He’s a natural blitzer, a sideline-to-sideline player, he can cover in space and he’s a sure tackler. He’s one of the best overall players in Michigan’s class and might earn early playing time because of it.
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