Daily Brews: Michigan offers 2020 QB projected to go to Ohio State

Michigan football was dealt a bit of a curveball on the recruiting trail last week when JD Johnson, the team’s 2020 quarterback commit, was forced to retire from the game of football due to a heart issue. That leaves the Wolverines with an open slot for a quarterback late in the game for the 2020 cycle and they are, at the very least, throwing out more offers to see if there’s any interest.

The latest goes out to four-star signal-caller CJ Stroud (Rancho Cucamonga, California), who is the nation’s fourth-ranked pro style quarterback and the No. 137 overall player in the country, per the 247Sports composite rankings.

Stroud currently has five 247 Crystal Ball picks that have him projected join the Ohio State Buckeyes. Below is the scouting report from 247’s Greg Biggins.

“Stroud has a solid frame and will have no problem packing on good weight and filling out when he gets to college. He has one of the strongest arms in the country, a smooth, tight release and shows the athleticism to make plays outside the pocket. He throws the deep ball with touch and accuracy, plays with poise and calmness in the pocket and is only scratching the surface of how good he can be. He’s a late bloomer, and his junior year was his first as a starting varsity quarterback. He’s a two-sport athlete and is a talented basketball player. Once he can focus on just football in college, his game should take off to another level. Projects as an impact upper tier Power 5 starter and future mid-to-high round NFL draft pick.”

The Wolverines do not necessarily need to take a quarterback in this cycle with Dylan McCaffrey, Joe Milton and Cade McNamara set to be on the roster for the 2020 season and five-star JJ McCarthy on the way in 2021. However, they have taken one in every cycle since Harbaugh arrived at Michigan. We’ll see what happens here.

Midseason hardware for a pair of Wolverines

Two Michigan defenders were given some praise for their play this season. The first came in the form of linebacker Jordan Glasgow, who has been named as one of the 12 semifinalists for the Dick Butkus Award, which goes to the best linebacker in college football. Michigan State’s Joe Bachie is also on the list, but for obvious reasons will not be in the running for the award.

Safety Josh Metellus was also singled out for his play over the weekend, being named the Reese’s Senior Bowl’s senior of the week after his performance at Maryland over the weekend.

Metellus being on the Senior Bowl’s radar bodes well for his chances to get an invite to the pre-draft event following the conclusion of the season. The ingredients might be there for a late-round flyer from an NFL team if he continues to play as he has.

Other Brews

• Florida State might already have its next head coach picked out. According to local television reports, the Seminoles may announce Bob Stoops as their new head coach as soon as this week.
• With the college coaching searches set to start heating up soon, that also means raises for prospective hires and their agents. It looks like PJ Fleck might be a getting a bit of a pay bump from Minnesota to keep him happy for the time being.
• Add Indiana coach Tom Allen to the list of guys who also might be getting a pay raise heading into 2020.
• Alabama might be making preparations for President Donald Trump to attend its game vs. LSU this weekend at home.