Tag: Eamonn Dennis

Former Michigan football WR transfers to MAC school

Best of luck to him. #GoBlue

When Eamonn Dennis committed, the idea was he would be an inverse copy of Mike Sainristil.

Both players hailed from Massachusetts. Both were three-stars who played both ways. Sainristil started as a wide receiver while Dennis was a defensive back. Then, Sainristil switched to defensive back and Dennis switched to receiver. The latter had unparalleled speed but never cracked the two-deep or became a crucial player on special teams.

As Sainristil moved on to the NFL, Dennis chose a change of scenery, albeit through the transfer portal. And on Tuesday, he announced he had committed to the Ohio Bobcats.

With Dennis gone, Michigan football still has numerous options at wideout. Semaj Morgan, Tyler Morris and Fredrick Moore are expected to start while Amorion Walker, C.J. Charleston, I’Marion Stewart, Peyton O’Leary and Channing Goodwin figure to be a part of the rotation.

Dennis is one of several wide receivers to depart Michigan this offseason. Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson entered the NFL draft. Darrius Clemons transferred to Oregon State. The aforementioned Amorion Walker transferred to Ole Miss and back again. Jake Thaw transferred to Delaware, and Karmello English has yet to announce a transfer destination.

Michigan football wide receiver enters transfer portal

Best of luck to him. #GoBlue

Well before Mike Sainristil became Mike Sainristil, Michigan football hoped it had managed to secure his clone.

Similarly hailing from New England, Eamonn Dennis had many comparables to his Wolverines predecessor: size, skill, ability to play on both sides of the ball and more. Contrasted with Sainristil, Dennis started at defensive back and switched midway through his career to wide receiver. Unlike Sainristil, he never caught on at either position and was mostly relegated to special teams.

With a regime change in Ann Arbor, and on the first day of spring practice, Dennis has decided he would benefit most from a change of scenery, announcing on Instagram that he’s entering the transfer portal.

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Dennis has two years of eligibility remaining and doesn’t have many stats to go with his name. In 2023, he notched one shared tackle — albeit in the national championship game — and he had two tackles in 2022, with one against Colorado State and another at Indiana. All of his production has come on special teams.

Jim Harbaugh confirms two position switches in spring ball

Do you like the changes, #Michigan fans? #GoBlue

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Some of the hullabaloo coming out of spring ball in Ann Arbor is one notable position switch. And on Tuesday, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed it.

The Wolverines have a loaded wide receiver corps, with Ronnie Bell returning this fall, along with Cornelius Johnson, A.J. Henning, Roman Wilson, Andrel Anthony, and others coming back. But one name we didn’t mention here is Mike Sainristil, who really came on in 2021 — because he’s trying his hand at cornerback and at nickel.

Sainristil has that positional flexibility and was listed by recruiting services as a cornerback when he was previously committed to Virginia Tech. Harbaugh says that Sainristil is working with the defensive backs at the moment, but come the season, he could play on both sides of the ball, as well as retain his role on special teams.

“He is right now, yeah,” Harbaugh said. “Mike has been playing corner and nickel corner for the start of the spring ball. Project him as a two-way player, maybe a three-way player.”

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But why make the move, especially after having a strong season in 2021? He was fourth on the team with 22 receptions for 318 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Well, in short, because he has that positional flexibility.

“His skill-set. He’s got the skill-set for it,” Harbaugh said. “He’s got the skill-set for receiver, he’s got the skill-set for corner, for nickel corner. Skill-set reminds me a lot of Jimmy Ward and what he had in college. Yeah, skill-set.”

But he’s not the only one who’s switching positions this spring.

Also coming out of Massachusetts as a recruit, Eamonn Dennis was thought to be quite close to being a Mike Sainristil clone. However, when Dennis arrived in Ann Arbor in 2020, he got his start on defense, where he stayed in the 2021 season.

But now, Dennis is getting a chance to play on offense, Harbaugh says, noting that those are the only two who have made wholesale changes positionally this spring.

“Eamonn Dennis is working on offense,” Harbaugh said. “And I can’t think of anybody else that’s made a direct defense-to-offense change for the spring. There’s some other subtle position within the offense or within the defense that we’re exploring.”

We’ll get an opportunity to see both in action on April 2 when Michigan football hosts the spring game at The Big House.

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Multiple positional moves in Michigan secondary highlights versatility

Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh broke down the depth to both safety and corner, noting multiple position switches.

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Michigan’s secondary is in an odd state heading into the 2020 season opener at Minnesota.

While the safety position returns two starters in Daxton Hill and Brad Hawkins, with Lavert Hill graduating and Ambry Thomas opting out, Michigan will be breaking in two new starters at cornerback.

Speaking to Jon Jansen on the Inside Michigan Football radio program, head coach Jim Harbaugh broke down both positions, starting with the safeties. And with Hill returning, he feels like he has a special player — if not the Wolverines’ best, overall.

“It’s been a high-level, really,” Harbaugh said. “The talent – he might be our most talented player on the team, arguably. Very, very trusted, very good communicator in the backend. Really knows the safety position and also the nickel position. He’s really, really good. Playing both safety and covering in the nickel slot. He’s been really good.

“Brad Hawkins, he is playing his best football since he’s been here, too. He’s a returning starter, so that’s saying something. Doing extremely well. Makari Paige, Hunter Reynolds – those two have been really good.

“Compliment both the Green brothers – German Green playing safety and special teams and Gemon Green is competing for the staring corner position alongside Vince Gray. Been happy with both safeties. Caden Kolesar, also playing safety and special teams. Those are the ones that are right there in the mix at safety and doing a really good job.”

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While that’s a bit of depth at safety, though Harbaugh touched on it, what more does he see at corner?

It’s evident now that third-year in-state defensive back Vincent Gray has secured on position, and while Gemon Green is competing for the other, who else could contend for playing time this season?

Harbaugh notes another player who’s switched positions during fall camp in Sammy Faustin, who’s been drawing rave reviews from defensive coordinator Don Brown the past few months.

“Corners, there’s battles going on,” Harbaugh said. “Vince Gray – who’s starting. Who’s on the other side of Vince? You got Gemon Green — Sammy Faustin has moved from safety to corner. He’s doing a really nice job the last week since he’s been there. Also: I mentioned George Johnson and DJ Turner, Eamonn Dennis, Andre Seldon. All guys that are competing very strongly at the corner position.”

There had been rumblings of Dax Hill moving to corner, but it appears, according to Harbaugh’s Monday night appearance and Don Brown’s the previous Monday, that he’s sticking with safety and nickel back. On Monday, he touched on Faustin’s move as well as George Johnson’s transition from wideout to defensive back. Hunter Reynolds is a former corner who converted to safety last season.

With all that in mind, Harbaugh is enthusiastic about having so many players who can take on multiple roles. With the variable position switches, he says it gives Michigan the best chance to succeed.

“Versatility is always a good thing, no doubt,” Harbaugh said. “The players that are the most talented and give the most effort, the cream rises to the top and I think we’re seeing that. It does allow Coach Zordich and Don Brown the ability to — when a player has versatility to do the best things for our team and get the best matchups, et cetera. I think all those things are a big bonus.”

We’ll get to see just how that versatility pans out in less than two weeks, with Michigan traveling to Minnesota for the Oct. 24 Big Ten season kickoff. The game will be nationally televised in primetime, with ABC putting it in its 7:30 P.M. EDT slot.

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Who will be returning kicks and punts for Michigan football in 2020?

Special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh gave a lengthy update on the major players on both units in the middle of fall camp.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — With the new season just weeks away for Michigan football, one of the big questions is: who will be returning kicks and punts for the Wolverines?

Being a starter the year before doesn’t guarantee they’ll be back in that role again, especially as the younger returners get more acclimated to their roles on offense or defense. Sometimes, there’s changes due to that, or last year, there was the case of Ambry Thomas, the kick returner from 2018. Thomas was solid in that role, but due to his bout with colitis in the offseason, Giles Jackson took up the mantle. He performed admirably, with 24 returns for 622 yards and one taken to the house in a 97-yard return to open the game against Maryland.

As far as kick return is concerned, Jackson has the inside track to be the guy, but like in any other year, he won’t be the sole man back deep. That’s where some new blood may come in, according to special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh.

“Kickoff return: obviously Giles is tremendous,” Harbaugh said. “We’ve really put an emphasis this offseason, not only having Giles improve and getting better, but being able to have a great backup for him and a good dynamic guy back there with him. Mike Barrett did a good job for us last year as the off-returner, but we want to be a little deeper overall if Giles, in a situation, isn’t gonna be back there, then who’s gonna replace him? Love that situation.”

Punt return is a different situation. Donovan Peoples-Jones has handled those duties since 2017, but as he’s now with the Cleveland Browns, Michigan is looking for a new man back deep.

That’s where some really interesting names come in. Ronnie Bell got a few opportunities a year ago, but there’s two freshmen who are making a push, Harbaugh notes, including one cornerback that Don Brown recently said runs a 4.38 40.

“It’s really the same guys in terms of punt return,” Harbaugh said. “It’s still a good competition. Ronnie (Bell) probably is the guy right now. He’s got a lot of reps and everything. Giles has been working at that. Blake Corum is a natural punt catcher. Eamonn Dennis for us is a guy who’s dangerous with the ball in his hands. We like what he does. Mike Sainristil has a good amount of reps stacked from last year.

“It’s a good, deep group. We feel like we could be a very good return team. Just excited to find out who those guys are gonna be with more live punts and getting those guys tracking the ball – especially on some windy days like we’re gonna see this fall. That last part and gauging that consistency will determine who ends up being the guy.”

We’ll know more about who will be back deep on both kicks and punts for Michigan football come Oct. 24, when the Wolverines head to Minneapolis for the season opener at Minnesota.

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Gemon Green ‘leader in the clubhouse’ as Michigan football starting CB

Could Michigan football have a surprise starting at Ambry Thomas’ vacant cornerback spot in 2020?

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While it was no surprise that Michigan got Ambry Thomas to agree to come back for his senior year after the bowl game, what was surprising that he opted out and has chosen not to return to the team after the postponement and then reinstatement of the 2020 football season. Thus, with Lavert Hill having departed after exhausting his eligibility, Michigan is looking to break in a bevy of new cornerbacks.

So who’s in contention?

Wolverines defensive coordinator Don Brown went into even more depth than he did a week ago on Monday when he spoke to Jon Jansen on the Inside Michigan Football radio program on Learfield IMG College.

“Obviously we wish Ambry nothing but success,” Brown said. “But DJ Turner’s been working really hard, Jalen Perry also working really hard. Gemon Green has really played well. He’s a guy that’s been with us for a period of time. Always had the athletic ability. Conceptually, he’s put it all together. So we feel really good about him.

“Young guys – George Johnson, Andre Seldon really doing well. This Keshaun Harris, who’s a former track guy here, he shows that track speed every day. And we got a young guy from Massachusetts, this Eamonn Dennis, that can flat-out fly. Most of his high school play was on the offensive side. Well, he’s learning to play corner. The one thing that shines is his 4.38 40. We’re trying to get him up to speed, but he’s with the best corners coach in the country, so he’ll be just fine.”

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That said, who will be the starters?

Michigan has often platooned at least one cornerback position — you can recall Jeremy Clark/Channing Stribling in 2015-16 or even working in either Brandon Watson or Vincent Gray in the past two years — but at the moment, two are standing out to Brown: the aforementioned Gray and third-year corner Gemon Green.

However, with camp still ongoing, nothing is written in stone at this juncture.

“We challenge those guys everyday,” Brown said. “Vincent Gray is the unquestionable leader and who’s gonna be the second guy? Well, that’s why we call it practice. One day, one guy looks really good. Another day, another guy looks really good. But I also lean on Gemon Green’s done a good job there. I’d say he’s the leader in the clubhouse right now. That challenge is far from over.”

We won’t know for sure whether or not Green can claim that starting role until Oct. 24, when Michigan heads to Minnesota for the Big Ten season opener.

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Michigan’s coordinators share what they like about 2020 class

What the Wolverines coordinators like about their incoming players.

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Now that the bulk of the 2020 class has signed, the coaching staff can finally talk openly about what they like about who they’ve been recruiting all this time.

Michigan didn’t bring in its top-rated class by any stretch, but it’s a class full of ‘go-getters’ as head coach Jim Harbaugh has said, in that it seems like they want to be great more than the average group.

That’s excellent hyperbole, of course, but what can you make of the specific players coming in?

While the Wolverines didn’t bring in a five-star this time around, there was still a ton high-end talent to be excited about if you’re a Michigan fan.

On the offensive side of the ball, the maize and blue brought in a few playmakers that have the look of immediate contributors, seemingly tailor-made for new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis’ ‘speed in space’ schematic attack. Speaking to Jon Jansen on the Inside Michigan Football radio show, Gattis shared which incoming signees really stand out in the 2020 class, and why some of the other position groups are particularly special.

“I think we had a really good skill class as far as when you talk about skill players, we’ve got a dynamic running back in Blake Corum,” Gattis said. “You look at some of our skill perimeter players: A.J. Henning, Roman Wilson, Eamonn Dennis – those guys have a chance with the ball in their hands to put fear into an opposing defense and defensive coordinator. Guys with great ball skills and can run routes. Blake is a guy that’s tough, is versatile, can run routes out of the backfield, can run the ball, can really hit it home, being a home run hitter.

“And also, you look at the tight end position and Matt Hibner. A guy that have versatility, can catch the ball, can block. Everything we need from that standpoint. And also reloading up front, getting some big guys. Big, tough, physical linemen that can really move people up front, but also have the versatility to play inside or outside, whether it’s center-guard or guard-tackle. We feel like we’ve got a really complete class that we were able to sign on offense.”

While this offensive class certainly has its share of playmakers, the 2020 class has the look of being more defensive-oriented.

13 of the 22 signees project to the defensive side of the ball, while there are a handful — like the aforementioned Dennis — who are projected to the offensive side, but could be equally suited for the defensive side.

Defensive coordinator Don Brown also spoke to Jansen about the incoming group, and he seemed particularly pleased with the men he’s bringing in up front along the defensive line when asked about which players stand out in the 2020 class.

“Very athletic. This is the most athletic group we’ve signed on defense and the biggest,” Brown said. “We’re really excited about it. You alluded to up front – Braiden McGregor was the first guy in the door on Wednesday in terms of getting his letter of intent in. He’s a Michigan guy. He’s a big guy. We’re expecting big things from him. Aaron Lewis, Kris Jenkins for sure. We’re fortunate enough to pick up Jaylen Harrell who’s a guy in the mold of a Josh Uche-type, who can really rush the passer, play middle linebacker, but he also has tremendous size. He’s 6-5, 240-pounds.

“Again, athletically, we really feel like we’ve signed four guys that can flat-out play up front, for sure.”

Jim Harbaugh likens 2020 DB haul to Daxton Hill with early playing ability

Why the defensive backs seem like players the Wolverines head coach could see hitting the field early.

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Jim Harbaugh doesn’t often like to compare players to each other as he says it diminishes one or the other. But what if he finds a comparison that’s all upside?

Such seems to be the case when it comes to the incoming defensive backs, as Harbaugh sees a group of signees that could come in and be early impact players for Michigan.

At least that’s what he told Jon Jansen on the In the Trenches podcast on Thursday.

“It’s a really, really good, really good athletic group,” Harbaugh said. “You saw Dax Hill come in and make a big impact as a freshman. There’s gonna be all four really with the license and ability to make the same kind of impact in our secondary. Very excited about that.”

Getting more specific — though he didn’t speak about safety Makari Paige from West Bloomfield (MI) — Harbaugh broke down what he likes about some of the incoming players, starting with Michigan’s first commit in the 2020 class.

Andre Seldon

Michigan signee Andre Seldon

“Andre is a tough competitor,” Harbaugh said. “Watched him over at camps, watched him over at Belleville. Watched him run track and lead his team. Those are the kinds of guys you want playing in your secondary.”

Jordan morant and R.J. Moten

Michigan signee Jordan Morant

“Jordan Morant – he’s a Dax Hill-type of safety. He’s got that kind of special ability,” Harbaugh noted, before moving on to Moten. “R.J. Moten’s another one. Big, strong athlete that – he’s even got the ability to be a corner. But he’s also got the strength and physicality to be a safety and cover people. It’s a really dynamic group.”

Eamonn dennis

The next player he touched on is one we project to wide receiver, but Harbaugh also says could play on the defensive side of the ball.

“Eamonn Dennis has the ability to be both a defensive player or an offensive player,” Harbaugh said. “Could be a corner or could be a receiver. Kind of like a Mike Sainristil – another really good Mike Sainristil.”

“Pretty simple – Eamonn Dennis is a really good receiver and he’s a really good defensive back. If you think Mike Sainristil, if you watched Eamonn’s tape, you’re gonna think of Mike Sainristil. That’s who I thought of when I first watched Eamonn Dennis play football. He could be a corner, he could be a slot receiver. He could be a return person.”

William Mohan

The final player he mentioned isn’t a defensive back, per se, in that he’s projected to VIPER, which is technically a linebacker position.

But Harbaugh raved about how versatile Brooklyn (NY) Erasmus Hall’s William Mohan is, and why he could be a guy you see all over the field once his time comes.

“The other person to mention is William Mohan, who is the type of athlete where he could be a corner, he could be a safety, he could be an outside linebacker,” Harbaugh said. “Sounds a lot like a VIPER, I know as I say it. He’s another youngster who is so versatile, so good and athletic. Really another youngster on this group that was recruited by everybody. He’s really gonna be fun to watch. The way he runs and hits, it’s special. It really pops off the screen.”

“Wiliam is a long, really athletic player that could cover,” Harbaugh later continued. “His ability to blitz off the edge is special. Track down ball carriers. He loves to hit. Take a look at some of his highlights of special teams or defense. He’s a very, very physical. Can get ‘em down and can also make a lot of big hits. We’ll see exactly what position when it says athlete, but that’s just really saying this guy has the ability to play corner, safety, VIPER, and that’s a good thing.”

Signed: Eamonn Dennis

Everything you need to know about new Wolverines signee Eamonn Dennis.

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Stars Overall Position State
247Sports 3 536 #31 ATH #5
Rivals 3 – #78 WR #5
ESPN 3 – #38 ATH #4
247Sports Composite 3 508 #24 ATH #5

Vitals

Hometown Worchester (MA) St. John’s
Projected Position Wide Receiver
Height 5-foot-10
Weight 173-pounds

Recruitment

A versatile player from an under-recruited region of the country where Michigan has gotten a lot of talent, Dennis got his offer from the Wolverines in Jan. 2019.

He committed on June 23 along with William Mohan, Aaron Lewis Jordan Morant and Reece Atteberry.

Readiness Level

Given that he’s an early-enrollee, should he opt to play on the offensive side of the ball, likely won’t redshirt, should he acclimate quickly like some of his counterparts on the offense. Contributor status early, potential starter down the line.

Early Enrollee?

Yes

Notes (via MGoBlue.com)

Prep
• Attended St. John’s High School (2020) coached by John Andreoli
• Helped St. John’s to a Division II/III Central/Western Massachusetts District Championship and Division III State Championship in 2017 and 2018
• Four-year varsity performer who played running back, wide receiver, cornerback and was a kick returner

Key Statistics
• All-Time leader in kick returns for a touchdown in Central Massachusetts history
• Scored 19 touchdowns as senior
• Carried the ball 39 times for 448 yards and scored six touchdowns and caught 30 passes for 751 yards and seven scores during senior year; had three kickoff return touchdowns
• Rushed for 444 yards on 54 carries and scored three touchdowns and caught 28 passes for 379 yards and six touchdowns as a junior
• Scored 16 touchdowns as a junior, including three on special teams

Honors and Rankings
• 247Sports Composite ranking of three-stars, the fifth-best prospect in Massachusetts, the No. 24 athlete nationally and the 508th overall recruit in the country
• Three-star prospect according to 247Sports, the No. 5 player in Massachusetts, the 31st-best athlete in the country and the 508th overall recruit nationally
• Three-star performer according to Rivals.com, the fifth-best prospect in Massachusetts and the No. 78 receiver in the country
• Three-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 4 overall player in Massachusetts and the 38th overall athlete nationally
• PrepStar Magazine All-East Region; fifth-ranked player in Massachusetts and the 21st overall athlete in the country
• Central Massachusetts Offensive Most Valuable Player in 2019
• Telegram and Gazette Super Team All-Star as a senior
• First-team All-State senior year

Personal
• Eamonn Gus Dennis was born February 25, 2002
• Son of Augustine Dennis and Felecia Kegbeh

Film

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More

From Jim Harbaugh on the In the Trenches podcast:

“Eamonn Dennis has the ability to be both a defensive player or an offensive player,” Harbaugh said. “Could be a corner or could be a receiver. Kind of like a Mike Sainristil – another really good Mike Sainristil.

“Pretty simple – Eamonn Dennis is a really good receiver and he’s a really good defensive back. If you think Mike Sainristil, if you watched Eamonn’s tape, you’re gonna think of Mike Sainristil. That’s who I thought of when I first watched Eamonn Dennis play football. He could be a corner, he could be a slot receiver. He could be a return person.