Tag: Dominick Giudice

Sherrone Moore updates Michigan football injuries, says there could be an OL shakeup

Getting healthier and potentially better. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football went from being one of the more healthy teams in college football to suddenly being without multiple key players.

Of course, Rod Moore has to this point been out for the season as he rehabs his spring ACL tear, but we’ve seen several players miss time in the past few weeks. Though Josaiah Stewart and Will Johnson had missed the Minnesota game in Week 5, both returned at Washington in Week 6. But Myles Hinton, Derrick Moore, and Dominick Giudice were all out that game.

As far as that trio is concerned, head coach Sherrone Moore feels like they could be back for this week’s road trip to Illinois.

“It looks like they’re trending all in the right direction,” Moore said. So feel good about them. I think they’ll all practice today. I feel like we’re in a good place with them all.”

Hinton, he surmises, would reprise his role as the starting left tackle, but Giudice may have a battle on his hands with Greg Crippen performing admirably in Seattle. Likewise, Moore says that with Jeff Persi’s performance, they may also take a look at what they can do at right tackle with Evan Link having been inconsistent to this point.

“If Myles is back then Myles will be the starter at left tackle, and then we’ll see at right tackle,” Moore said. “I thought Crip did a really good job. I think he did a really good job controlling the line of scrimmage with the calls —  especially in that environment — being pretty calm. But he’s been a guy that’s that’s traveled to different places, seen it, so it looks like he’ll cement himself there and continue to work there, but we’ll see what happens with Dom.

“And Persi gave some great experience being an older guy, so it gives us a challenge at the other spot to see what he can do.”

As far as other injuries are concerned, Moore says that Rod Moore is progressing but he can’t give a timeline on his return as of yet.

“Still progressing. Can’t really speak on the exact timeline, on the date, but he’s still progressing in a good way,” Moore said. “We’ll see.”

As far as cornerback Ja’Den McBurrows, who had been working at nickel alongside Zeke Berry, he says his injury does appear to be of a long-term variety.

“It looks like it,” Moore said. “We’ll keep working with the doctors.”

Why two little-known players are surging on the offensive line for Michigan

These guys have really come on strong in fall camp. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Could Michigan football fans be in for a surprise on Saturday when they see the new-look starting offensive line? It’s beginning to feel that way.

Three positions have long been set in left tackle Myles Hinton, left guard Josh Priebe, and right guard Giovanni El-Hadi. But while Greg Crippen was expected to win the center job and either Jeff Persi or Andrew Gentry were expected to win right guard, two new challengers have come forth with converted-defensive tackle-turned-center Dominick Giudice and right tackle Evan Link entering the fold. The hype surrounding both has been so huge that it would surprise no one if either wins the starting job.

“We feel really good about multiple guys both at that center position, that right tackle position,” offensive line coach Grant Newsome said. “We feel like we’ve got — really, truthfully — three guys in each of those positions that we could go out and win a lot of games with. So I’m excited to see how it continues to play out. And I know the guys we trot out there on Saturday are gonna do really good job. I have full confidence, and even the guys behind them. So excited to see how the crew plays.”

Giudice was never really expected to be more than a role or depth player. A three-star recruit in the 2021 recruiting class from Freehold (N.J.) Mater Dei, he was an edge rusher and the second-lowest rated player in the class, ahead of only the punter. He first bulked up and moved to the interior defensive line and served as a backup there. But then he made the switch last year to the interior of the offensive line. And Newsome has appreciated how heady of a player he is — which has allowed him to be in the thick of the competition, if not win the job outright.

“He’s done a great job,” Newsome said. “Obviously not having an extensive O-line background — we really recruited him as technically like an edge. So he’s taken to offensive line in general really, really quickly, and then to center as well.

“Obviously, that’s position is very much mental. You’re the quarterback of the O-line and besides the quarterback, you’re the only person on the field who touches the ball every single play. So it’s as critical a position there is in football. So he’s done a really, really good job putting himself in the mix there. And like I said, he’s one of those three guys at center we feel like we go out and win another national championship with.”

Link is a different story. A redshirt freshman from Washington D.C., he was a four-star recruit who was thought to be a Penn State lean before he surprised by committing to Michigan. He was expected to be a factor sooner or later, but as it turns out, it’s sooner than later.

“He’s made big jumps — not just mentally and playbook-wise and play-wise — but physically from being a freshman,” Newsome said of Link. “And sometimes it’s easy to forget how big the jump that those guys can make from their freshman year to sophomore year can be, especially offensive linemen. So physically, he’s in a really, really good spot, and then he’s embraced the challenge of competing against two older guys who are both very good players in their own right.

“We feel like we’re fortunate. It’s a good problem to have.”

Fans will get an opportunity to see whoever starts at those positions on Saturday when Michigan hosts Fresno State for the 2024 season opener at The Big House. Kickoff is slated for 7:34 p.m. EDT and the game will be broadcast nationally on NBC.

Is there a new leader for Michigan football at center entering 2024?

There could be a shakeup at center and right tackle. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football is making the finishing touches when it comes to the starting lineup for the 2024 season with just five days before the home opener against Fresno State.

There are just a few positions that aren’t decided — quarterback being the big one — but one still being worked out is the player who will get the ball in the QB’s hands every play.

In spring, it was a foregone conclusion that Greg Crippen, a fourth-year player out of IMG Academy, would finally get his chance. But the spring competition ramped up between him and former Detroit (Michigan) Cass Tech center Raheem Anderson.

However, another name entered the fray, and he has a good chance to win the role.

Dominick Giudice from Freehold (N.J.) Mater Dei was the second-lowest-rated commitment in the 2021 recruiting class, ahead of only punter Tommy Doman. Giudice came to Ann Arbor expecting to be an edge rusher before transitioning to the middle of the defense as a tackle. Last year, he made the switch to the offensive side of the ball and he’s in the thick of it as the potential starting center, battling with Crippen.

“Right now, at center, we’ve got a couple guys,” Moore said. “We’ve got Dom Giudice, we’ve got Greg Crippen, and we’ve got Raheem Anderson. Right now, it’s still a competition. So we’ll see who does it. I think Crippen and Dom have been the top two in camp so far. So we’ll see how they compete this week.”

The right tackle battle, likewise, was expected to be an obvious win for either Andrew Gentry or Jeff Persi, but second-year tackle Evan Link has made an imprint there.

“Then our right tackle, Andrew Gentry, Evan Link, have been the top two candidates there,” Moore said. “So we’ll see what happens this week. But I feel like we’ve got a good — we’ll have more insight and cement as we go through the rest of the week.”

So what has allowed Giudice and Link to make such an impact that they very well could end up starting for the Wolverines on the first snap against Fresno State?

Moore said both are talented and both know what they’re supposed to be doing. But really, it’s Michigan’s cross-training that has allowed them to find the positions that work best for them.

“I think just one, from a knowledge of the playbook standpoint, knowing what to do and how to do it, both have the talent, both have the ability, but the toughness and the mental toughness to withstand all the strain,” Moore said. “And as you go through camp and different things happen, be able to be flexible. Play right, play left, play center, play guard, and be one of the best five. Because that’s all we’re going to do is try to find the best five. That’s how we built the line, and that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”

Roundup: Meet Michigan football’s 2021 recruiting class

A full roundup of recruiting evaluations, facts, stats, film and everything else covering Michigan football’s signed 2021 class.

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It wasn’t a perfect signing day for Michigan football, as there were a few unhappy surprises, and a big great one — as well as a couple of smaller ones — so it was mostly good for the Wolverines. It took a minute for the letters of intent to start rolling in, but once they did, they came in with regularity.

We scoured the main sites for breakdowns and intel on all of Michigan football’s newest members, including the new bios from the program itself. Here’s everything you need to know about Michigan football’s 2021 recruiting class, in order of their signing.

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Dominick Giudice

From MGoBlue.com:

Prep
• Attended Mater Dei High School (2021) coached by Dino Mangiero
• Helped Mater Dei finish as the state runner-up after reaching the championship game as a junior
• Played all along the defensive line and offensive tackle in high school
• Selected to the Mater Dei Prep All-Decade Team (2010-19) on defense

Key Statistics
• Credited with 46 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six sacks and 42 quarterback pressures as a senior
• Totaled 43 tackles for loss and 24 sacks as a junior – total was No. 1 in New Jersey and ranked 11th nationally

Honors and Rankings
• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of three stars; the No. 1,958 overall player nationally, the No. 100 weakside defensive end and the No. 42 player in the state of New Jersey
• Three-star prospect according to 247Sports; the No. 111 defensive end nationally and the No. 43 player in the state of New Jersey
• Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 179 defensive end and the No. 35 player in the state of New Jersey
• Rivals.com two-star prospect
• First team All-New Jersey Defensive pick by USA Today as a senior
• Named the division’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a senior; first team defense All-Division selection
• Earned Jersey Sports Zone All-Zone Team as a junior and senior

Personal
• Dominick Giudice was born Sept. 12, 2002
• Son of Anthony and Maryann Giudice

The Wolverine’s EJ Holland:

He plays with a relentless motor and has shown improvement with the way he uses his hands. Giudice doesn’t bend all that well, and a clear lack of athleticism prevents him from going higher in my ranking. He also needs to work on his get off. Giudice fits the cliché billing as a lunch pail recruit with a chip on his shoulder. Overall, you’re getting a big, strong, mean kid that lacks athleticism but will be the hardest worker in the room.

Maize N Brew:

Giudice has said that the coaches plan to play him at the anchor position, which I agree matches his skillset the best right now. He doesn’t have the athleticism to be a pure pass rusher on the weakside, but can definitely take on tight ends and clog up running lanes. However, I think that eventually he’ll pack on 20 or 30 more pounds and slide inside to be a three-tech, where his pass rush skills will be more valuable.

Wolverine Digest:

2021 Outlook: Giudice is an underrated recruit, but does have some upside. At 6-4, 250 pounds, he has the type of frame and athletic ability that will serve him well at the defensive end position. He’s also been described as a kid who is moving fast at all times, making it difficult for offensive lineman to keep him in check. It’s unlikely that Guidice will become an impact player in year one, but the upside is definitely there for him to become one at some point.

Next: Michigan’s tight end of the future

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National Signing Day: Michigan Wolverines sign Dominick Giudice

The longtime Michigan football commit makes his pledge official.

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Ratings

Stars Overall Position State
247Sports 3 – 111 43
Rivals 2 – – –
ESPN 3 – 189 35
247Sports Composite 3 1999 101 42

Vitals

Hometown Middletown (NJ) Mater Dei
Projected Position Weak-side Linebacker
Height 6-foot-4
Weight 250-pounds

Recruitment

With 18 reported offers, Giudice could have played for a school such as Harvard, Princeton or Yale, but surprised many when he committed to Michigan football on the same day as Greg Crippen.

A lifelong Michigan fan, Giudice pulled the trigger the moment he received his offer and never looked back.

Readiness Level

A project player who could take a few years to develop.

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Film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Swl5Z1RfQw

Stories

Dominick Giudice commitment story

Fab Four: Selecting Michigan football’s Mount Rushmore of all-time recruits

 

Michigan gets second commitment of day, adding NJ 3-star DE

The Wolverines procured their second commitment in the 2021 class on Wednesday.

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When it rains, it pours, apparently. At least in terms of the maize and blue and commitments.

While Michigan procured one commitment on Wednesday, thus breaking the 10-month 2021 drought, it turned out it wasn’t quite done pulling in commits.

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday evening, 2021 Freehold (NJ) Mater Dei three-star defensive end Dominick Giudice announced that it was time to end his recruitment, pledging to what he calls his ‘childhood dream school’ in Michigan.

His pledge makes him the fourth commitment of the 2021 class, as he joins offensive tackle Giovanni El-Hadi, quarterback J.J. McCarthy and interior offensive lineman Greg Crippen — who also announced for the Wolverines on Wednesday.

Giudice is rated No. 1146 overall by the 247Sports Composite and is a three-star prospect. He is the 54th-rated weak-side defensive end and the No. 38 recruit in the state of New Jersey in the 2021 class.

Watch his junior film below: