*** I was in Nashville last night and had an opportunity to watch Rivals100 Brentwood (Tenn.) Ravenwood linebacker and Michigan commit Junior Colson in game action last night. After a two-hour rain delay and six minutes of straight offense to open up the game, Colson and the defense finally got on the field. It wasn't the best night to see Colson make plays. After all, Franklin (Tenn.) Centennial was pretty awful and did whatever it took to completely avoid Colson.
*** Still, Colson made an impact when he could, recording three tackles for loss, four tackles overall and a couple of quarterback hurries. Two of Colson's three tackles for loss came back side as he rushed off the edge and got to the ball carrier on the opposite end with ease. Colson looked like a man amongst boys on the field last night and didn't have to do much to justify everything I've written about him. Colson is a teammate of Clemson tight end commit Jake Briningstool, and I don't think there is a question about who the better prospect is. Colson is that impressive.
*** And that's the thing with Colson. He didn't have to be ultra productive to impress. He had such an impact on the game with his mere presence. What impressed me the most about Colson was his speed at his size. It's rare to find a linebacker in high school that weighs 225 and can chase down backs and get to the quarterback as fast as Colson did. On top of that, Colson looked extremely fluid. He has great hips, is explosive and can change direction better than some high level safeties I've evaluated. Colson is the total package at linebacker. By the way, he was back to return the game's opening kickoff, but Centennial kicked away from him.
*** This was actually my second time seeing Colson live in-game and fourth time seeing him live overall — I also watched him at a private workout session and a 7v7 tournament. I thought Colson was great last year, but man, he's made great strides. He's faster, leaner and has added more muscle. I'm not sure that he's gotten taller, but he looks longer, which could be a product of his leaner frame. He can continue to add some good weight, but to be honest, Michigan's strength and conditioning program won't have to do much with him from a development standpoint.
*** Colson was a terror coming off the edge. At one point during the game, I thought to myself: 'This dude can legit play the Josh Uche role.' Last year, I was sold on Colson as an inside backer. But with the way he's elevated his overall game, I can see why Michigan likes him at the Viper position. Colson has the ability to play any spot and is a perfect fit for Don Brown's defense. I could see him moving around based on opponent. Everyone knows how much I love JJ McCarthy, but I'm not so sure Colson isn't the best recruit in Michigan's 2021 class. I feel like he's a Top 40 guy nationally.
*** Colson is completely locked in with Michigan. I know there were some concerns that SEC teams would get involved, especially with the Big Ten moving the season. However, Colson is set to graduate early and enroll at Michigan in January. He has continued to have great conversations with head coach Jim Harbaugh, defensive coordinator Don Brown and linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary. All have told him he can come in and make an immediate impact, which is very appealing to Colson, who is looking to get on the field right away.
*** In fact, Michigan having a spring season is something that Colson finds very intriguing. As an early enrollee, he would be eligible to play right away. Colson believes he can get on the field as soon as he steps foot on campus, and I have no reason to doubt him. I also spoke to Colson's mother, Melanie, who grew up a U-M fan, and she told me the same. She loves that Colson could potentially play in real games a month or two after enrolling.
*** Both Melanie and Colson's father, Steve, told me they are in a group text with other parents of Michigan commits and are active everyday. They are all looking to get on campus together soon even if the dead period isn't lifted. They added that Harbaugh and Director of Recruiting Matty Dudek have been great with communication during a time with so many question marks. Colson's parents are all in on Michigan and said the Big Ten's decision had no affect on the family.
*** Lastly, I've made it pretty clear that Colson is one of my favorite kids in the class. Harbaugh has made it a point to go after smart, high character kids this cycle, and Colson obviously fits the mold. He has perhaps the best story in recruiting this year and has all the intangibles to be a leader on and off the field during his time at Michigan. Colson has a magnetic personality and is a guy his teammates look up to. And he gets it done in the classroom. Simply put, Colson is a dude you want to root for.
*** Still, Colson made an impact when he could, recording three tackles for loss, four tackles overall and a couple of quarterback hurries. Two of Colson's three tackles for loss came back side as he rushed off the edge and got to the ball carrier on the opposite end with ease. Colson looked like a man amongst boys on the field last night and didn't have to do much to justify everything I've written about him. Colson is a teammate of Clemson tight end commit Jake Briningstool, and I don't think there is a question about who the better prospect is. Colson is that impressive.
*** And that's the thing with Colson. He didn't have to be ultra productive to impress. He had such an impact on the game with his mere presence. What impressed me the most about Colson was his speed at his size. It's rare to find a linebacker in high school that weighs 225 and can chase down backs and get to the quarterback as fast as Colson did. On top of that, Colson looked extremely fluid. He has great hips, is explosive and can change direction better than some high level safeties I've evaluated. Colson is the total package at linebacker. By the way, he was back to return the game's opening kickoff, but Centennial kicked away from him.
*** This was actually my second time seeing Colson live in-game and fourth time seeing him live overall — I also watched him at a private workout session and a 7v7 tournament. I thought Colson was great last year, but man, he's made great strides. He's faster, leaner and has added more muscle. I'm not sure that he's gotten taller, but he looks longer, which could be a product of his leaner frame. He can continue to add some good weight, but to be honest, Michigan's strength and conditioning program won't have to do much with him from a development standpoint.
*** Colson was a terror coming off the edge. At one point during the game, I thought to myself: 'This dude can legit play the Josh Uche role.' Last year, I was sold on Colson as an inside backer. But with the way he's elevated his overall game, I can see why Michigan likes him at the Viper position. Colson has the ability to play any spot and is a perfect fit for Don Brown's defense. I could see him moving around based on opponent. Everyone knows how much I love JJ McCarthy, but I'm not so sure Colson isn't the best recruit in Michigan's 2021 class. I feel like he's a Top 40 guy nationally.
*** Colson is completely locked in with Michigan. I know there were some concerns that SEC teams would get involved, especially with the Big Ten moving the season. However, Colson is set to graduate early and enroll at Michigan in January. He has continued to have great conversations with head coach Jim Harbaugh, defensive coordinator Don Brown and linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary. All have told him he can come in and make an immediate impact, which is very appealing to Colson, who is looking to get on the field right away.
*** In fact, Michigan having a spring season is something that Colson finds very intriguing. As an early enrollee, he would be eligible to play right away. Colson believes he can get on the field as soon as he steps foot on campus, and I have no reason to doubt him. I also spoke to Colson's mother, Melanie, who grew up a U-M fan, and she told me the same. She loves that Colson could potentially play in real games a month or two after enrolling.
*** Both Melanie and Colson's father, Steve, told me they are in a group text with other parents of Michigan commits and are active everyday. They are all looking to get on campus together soon even if the dead period isn't lifted. They added that Harbaugh and Director of Recruiting Matty Dudek have been great with communication during a time with so many question marks. Colson's parents are all in on Michigan and said the Big Ten's decision had no affect on the family.
*** Lastly, I've made it pretty clear that Colson is one of my favorite kids in the class. Harbaugh has made it a point to go after smart, high character kids this cycle, and Colson obviously fits the mold. He has perhaps the best story in recruiting this year and has all the intangibles to be a leader on and off the field during his time at Michigan. Colson has a magnetic personality and is a guy his teammates look up to. And he gets it done in the classroom. Simply put, Colson is a dude you want to root for.
