Tag: George Rooks

Former Michigan football DT chooses transfer destination

Best of luck to him.

It was a short-lived career in Ann Arbor for George Rooks, but we now know where he’ll continue his college football career.

After choosing the Wolverines just before national signing day proper in 2021, the two-year Michigan football defensive tackle didn’t see much playing time for the maize and blue. After a first-half fumble recovery in Week 3 against UConn, it seemed to be an omen that he would be seeing more and more playing time, but it never came to fruition. He ended up being passed on the depth chart by two true freshmen — Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant.

He opted to transfer, and on Tuesday night, Rooks announced he’ll be continuing his career at Boston College.

Originally a four-star from the state of New Jersey, it appeared that he wanted to move closer to home. He’ll have three years of eligibility remaining with the Eagles.

Rooks is one of four former Michigan players who have opted to transfer — the others being QB Cade McNamara, TE Erick All, and QB Alan Bowman. McNamara and All ended up at Iowa, while Bowman intends to remain with the team until after its College Football Playoff run.

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Michigan football loses defensive lineman to NCAA transfer portal

Had big hopes for him. #GoBlue

Even when things are going well, sometimes, not everyone is going to feel the same way.

In 2021, Michigan football closed strongly in its recruiting class by nabbing, not just one, but two defensive linemen in the late period before national signing day. One of those players was New Jersey-based defensive tackle George Rooks.

Rooks redshirted his freshman year and appeared poised for a bigger role in 2022, especially given early playing time. In fact, he recovered a fumble in Week 3 early in the game, indicating he was positioned for bigger things. Since then, however, we’ve seen quite little of Rooks. Freshman defensive tackle Mason Graham and second-year tackle Rayshaun Benny were more firmly in rotation.

On Monday, Rooks announced he is entering the NCAA transfer portal.

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Rooks will have three years of eligibility remaining at his new school. Without him in the room, the Wolverines certainly hope Kris Jenkins will return for his senior year, while other younger players, such as Benny, fellow second-year tackle Ike Iwunnah, Graham and first-year behemoth Kenneth Grant, take the mantle.

Rooks joins quarterback Cade McNamara, tight end Erick All and tight end Louis Hansen as transfer portal losses for the Wolverines. Thus far, Michigan has gained one commitment via the portal in former Arizona State offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson.

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Michigan football players whose fathers have NFL pedigrees

NFL blood is in their veins! #GoBlue

One thing you can often point to when it comes to a college football player having success is ‘it’s in their blood.’ for eight Michigan football players, that’s certainly true.

While Michigan football sends a ton of players to the NFL on a yearly basis, often times, there are players in Ann Arbor who have descended from former NFL players. Though it’s rare that the NFL legacies are also Wolverine legacies, having grown up with someone having had pro experience can often be an indicator of future success.

With that in mind, here are the eight Michigan Wolverines who are on the 2022 team who have had fathers who played in the NFL.

Michigan secures commitment from 4-star 2021 DT

Michigan football finally lands a defensive tackle in the 2021 class after previously striking out.

Michigan football has been desperate to secure a defensive tackle as of late. After getting none in 2020, and Dominick Giudice – a New Jersey defensive end who Jim Harbaugh said could potentially be a tackle at the next level – the Wolverines were desperate to add a true tackle in 2021.

Rayshaun Benny from Oak Park(MI) seemed like a strong option until he ended up committing to Michigan State in October. Fellow New Jersey defensive lineman, four-star George Rooks, appeared to be long-trending elsewhere.

But on Wednesday, that changed. With consistency coaching the defensive line position under a new-look defense -led by new coordinator Mike Macdonald – Rooks ended up making the call, announcing that he’s committing to Michigan.

With his commitment, Rooks becomes the first post-early signing day commitment for the maize and blue. The Wolverines are also targeting Central Michigan defensive tackle Mohamed Diallo, who is in the NCAA transfer portal as a grad transfer.