Previously: Last year’s profiles. S Damani Dent, S/Nk Zeke Berry, S/HSP Keon Sabb, CB Myles Pollard, CB/Nk Kody Jones, CB Will Johnson, LB Deuce Spurlock, LB Jimmy Rolder, DE/LB Micah Pollard, DE Derrick Moore, DT Mason Graham, DT Kenneth Grant, DT Cam Goode, OT Andrew Gentry.

Monument, CO – 6'7”, 285
Via Twitter		247: 6'7/285         3.57*	3*, 85 #123 OT, #5 CO
		Rivals: 6'7/285         3.60*	3*, 5.6 no ranking
		ESPN: 6'7/285         3.53*	3*, 76, #189 Midlands #82 OT, #5 CO
		On3:         3.70	3*, 87 #52 OT, #3 CO
		Composite:         3.56*	3*, 0.8559, #1022 ovr #90 OT, #6 CO
		Other Suitors	Oreg St, NW, IU
		YMRMFSPA	Mark Ortmann or Trevor Keegan
Previously On MGoBlog	Hello from the Future by Me.
Notes	Twitter. Six-Zero Academy.
Film:
Senior Highlights: Hudl. May 2021 camp. Game tape. Six Zero workout. Another. Another.

There are three categories of three-stars Michigan recruits.

Type I we refer to as "3.5" stars but more accurately they're 3.75 to 3.95. They're your Kenneth Grants, Colston Lovelands, Gemon Greens, Mike Harts, Chase Winoviches, Roman Wilsons, Tom Bradys: guys one site might rate four stars and the others were tempted to but were worried because they have an obvious flaw (e.g. Hart: too short), or played somewhere nobody can scout (Wilson in Hawaii, Loveland in Idaho.)

Type II are the underrated. They're the "finds," the guys who floated out of sight of the scouting industry by avoiding camps and playing in lower divisions or Massachusetts high schools with names that sound like law firms. This is your DJ Turner, Rob Renes, Glen Steele, Rod Moore, Andrew Stueber, Andrel Anthony, Kwity Paye, Josh Uche, Josh Metellus, Deuce Spurlock, Patrick Omameh, Ronnie Bell, or Hassan Haskins. Lately the sites have been getting better about following clues outside of their scouting, for example when Michigan pulls a camp guy out of the South and has to fend off attempts by Miami or Auburn to flip him at the end of the cycle.

Type III are what silly people assume all 3-stars are. They're Plan B or Plan C guys. Occasionally they're pulled in late over MAC commitments late in the cycle, or right after Michigan loses a drawn-out battle with their top target. They're almost* without exception high-academic dudes. But usually they're ra-ra Michigan guys who commit on the offer super early in the cycle, go dark to the sites, and then either meet some secret target of development the Michigan coaches set for them, or drift off. Davonte Miles (Bowling Green) and Aaron Alexander (UMass) were that in this class. Those who signed and went on to contribute meaningfully include Mark Huyge, Rondell Biggs, Rueben Riley, Shawn Lazarus, Drake Johnson, JT Floyd, Thomas Gordon, Jon Runyan Jr., Desmond Morgan, Troy Woolfolk, Brandon Watson, Vincent Gray, and David Harris. A large portion of those that stick depart with a degree and eligibility remaining, having only barely contributed. Of those who didn't make it in the class, only Rashad Weaver was ever regretted. I can say "Sir Patrick Scott" and over half of you probably can't remember who that is.

Connor Jones would be our type specimen for Type III in every way. He committed on Christmas Even 2020. He never wavered or visited other schools. There was zero scouting after that, either, and he was ignored by recruiting reporters but for two visits to Michigan, or when an adult associated with him had to clarify he still exists. The guy's even listed at a weight well below what he'll eventually have to be, and was seen running up and down his street with a Michigan flag after 42-27 (Same).

. Except one thing: before the ink on the NIL was dry, Michigan's coaches, publicly and even more so privately, were raising glasses like they just pulled off an intelligence coup.

* [Tay'shawn Trent, but that was on his school blowing their remote learning program during COVID.]

---------------------

Medicine

Jones committed in December 2020, and in the year and a half since there have been zero (ZERO!) scouting updates from the sites. On3 launched and only mentioned Jones at the bottom of an article predicting what happens to the early enrollees, and a note that he signed an NIL deal with a sports medicine company. Usually a football player's plans for after college doesn't lead, but Jones's laser-focused interest in becoming the next Kyle Anderson (Lions' team doctor) is the one thing the three sites that care to write anything can agree on.

With anyone at 4 stars or close 24/7 will write a scouting report, but Jones wasn't close, so he got to write his own (via Brice Marich) and focused on how the brain translates to the brainiest (save QB) position in sports:

“I would definitely like to say I’m fundamentally sound technique wise," Jones said. "I’m a very smart player and I like to break down defenses when I’m down in my stance. I have a really high football IQ, so I’m able to spot out blitzes before they come and see little things like if the defensive lineman will stunt or not.

History

 

A lack of primary sources isn't going to stop this Michigan history major, or at least not when we know the dates and shapes of certain events that have many precedents.

On our podcast, Lorenz laid out his case that Michigan definitely saw some upside here and why the scouts missed it:

[With a] guy who commits early, who was very under-ranked to begin with, and stays solid—there's no drama in his recruitment—a lot of times [his ranking] stays static throughout his recruitment. … he originally committed when Warinner was still here; there was plenty of time and opportunities for Michigan to maybe cool if Sherrone Moore didn't feel the same way, and they didn't. They made sure to keep that one solidified immediately when Moore took that job, and I think that says a lot about where he could possibly be down the road on the outside.

Touch the Banner adds that Michigan offered the first day they could, which likely shooed away the Colorado States and whatnot.

Architecture

The other thing they agree on is Michigan is probably looking at a frame to grow into a tackle. He measured 6'6.5" and 283 at a UA camp in Phoenix in June last year:

"Michigan wants me in that 285-295 range," said Jones.  "With how my body is, I could get a touch above that."

EJ Holland called Jones "one of the most undervalued members" of the class:

…quickly proving that he is need of a rankings bump. The three-star offensive tackle is a high ceiling prospect, plays with a mean streak and has served up plenty of pancakes over his first two games.

The ratings bump never came. Holland also spoke to former Denver Broncos lineman Matt McChesney, whose Six Zero training camp produces all of the Colorado OL these days, and expects his latest student to grow into a "smash mouth" tackle next to Reece Atteberry:

He’s really good in space. He uses his length well rather than just having it. There is a huge difference. He’s really consistent on that and playing on the inside of his feet rather than on his toes or his heels. He’s far from perfect, … He can block 1-on-1 all day. He understands the inside out concepts. He’s not a double hand puncher. He understands independent hand concepts.

Civil Engineering

The aforementioned Anthony Broome article on what happens to the early enrollees says "redshirt" and "it will be all about getting him physically developed and up to speed."

Michigan had Jones up to visit as soon as COVID restrictions lifted in the summer of 2021. Those camps are usually as much about evaluating the player as recruiting him, for example Michigan told high 4-star Justice Finkley after the same camp that he's more of an interior prospect and lost him because of it. Nobody reported what Michigan saw in Jones, except if you managed to corner someone they talk to—say, if Steve Lorenz came on your podcast—he'd admit Michigan "intensified" at that point. He also might admit it will be some time:

Not a Day 1 guy, definitely. I think he's going to have a little ways to go.

Marich called Jones an "emerging tackle that will provide great size, strength, and physicality." Blair Angulo, who scouts the Midlands for 24/7, noted Jones was at a UA qualifying camp in Phoenix, but didn't report back what he saw there, though it seems Jones didn't get to show him much. Jones was coming off a broken hand, and hadn't played in some time, admitting "It would have been nice to get some more reps but I'm happy because I got through it and felt comfortable."

Holland, when calling for the ratings bump, added his voice to those saying Jones is a package to unwrap in a few years:

At 6-foot-7, 285 pounds, Jones is technically sound but like Tristan Bounds last cycle, he is in need of physical development. Enrolling early should help him reach his ceiling much quicker.

Even McChesney admits however that Jones has a ways to go.

The opportunity is there for Harbaugh and Ed to build. People need to take a deep breath and understand that college football is not like it was in the 80s and 90s. You have to give people time to build.

His head coach Tom Pulford seems certain Jones will get to his ceiling because of "all the God given ability and work ethic and the mindset of a champion," though talk like that suggests he's got a very long way to go, and that (as of last fall) footwork was a work in progress.

As to the question of guard or tackle, Jones replied “I'm not picky, and neither are they” but that Moore said he'll start at guard.

Physics

The player Pulford thinks that could be a is a mauler, "violent with his hands … very physical run blocker and always been very demanding of himself. He punishes people and finishes blocks." Jones agrees his greatest strength is "that finish piece."

Whenever I engage in a block, my goal is to finish until the whistle whether that guys ends up on the ground with me on top of him or ends up on the ground in general."

McChesney told Holland his latest student is a "like-minded dude" to the last one he sent to Ann Arbor:

I would expect the physicality and prick to come out in both of them, especially if they get to play next to each other.

Andrew Gentry, though on his mission and signed to Virginia when that quote was given, was a Six Zero guy too, by the way, so we could end up with three starting together. But where Magnus loved the energy in Gentry's film, he kind of saw the opposite here:

There’s a saying that “pass pro isn’t passive,” and that’s something that comes to mind when watching Jones’s highlights. He’s too passive in his sets and does not punch well or, in general, show as much aggression as I would like. He talks about being a finisher, but I don’t see that on film.

Theater

However, Jones's trainer may have admitted here that he's a little stiff, with his answer to what Jones is working on:

With every single kid, it starts with hip flexibility and core strength. Functional core strength not just doing sit-ups. Actual football movement. I try to build these kids from the ground up. I call them lateral athletes. You have to train them on playing on the inside of their feet rather than being false steppers. I want them to kick. I don’t want his base to be overextended. There are a lot of little things he has to fix going to Michigan…

Even Jones told Webb the "road grader" thing was just an 'I was fat last year' thing:

“I think I'm performing very well, especially compared to last year,” he later added. “I stepped it up from my sophomore season to junior year quite a bit. Came in 40 pounds heavier and came in with a chip on my shoulder. Senior year, it's a whole different Connor out there. I got to spend a lot of time going over my footwork and technique, especially back in January when I had that broken hand.

Sam Webb was yet another interested party to appoint himself scout when those who were supposed to be doing it were delinquent. He watched last year's season opener versus Pueblo East and saw some interpretive dance:

If Connor Jones has his way, “big-man ballet” will be a phrase Michigan fans become very familiar with once he arrives on campus. That would likely mean nimbleness on the offensive line was shining through in Ann Arbor the way it is now.

Pulford told Brice Marich that this part of Jones's game only recently came around:

“His most significant improvement throughout the season and I’ll even go back to last season and this wasn’t necessarily a weakness, but a point of improvement was his footwork in pass-pro. It really got better and moving lateral with quickness. ... I think his lateral speed, quickness and violent hands in pass-pro have really gotten better.”

But TTB (and I) "see a lineman who is somewhat lumbering."

He has heavy feet and his base gets too narrow. His turnover is not ideal in the run game. … Overall, Jones has good size, but I don’t see him being able to do much more than wall off a side and make someone run around him. His lack of athleticism makes him unlikely to be able to reach a C-gap player without help or do a whole lot to be able to climb to the second level. I think his upside is that of a Juwann Bushell-Beatty, someone who could potentially become a late-career starter but without much of an NFL future.

Adding to that take was the spring game, when Jones came in late and gave up instant pressure to Kris Jenkins.

Psychology

On our podcast Lorenz called Jones "one of those guys overly passionate about being a part of the class" who'd be a fan favorite if he pans out. Marich emphasizes that Jones "comes in with a great mindset and ability." Connor also bonded with 5* Josh Conerly, Michigan's top target on the OL, which could mean the coaches liked having Jones around in part because he helps them in recruiting.

The "I can't keep his ass out of the gym" personality comes out in every article.

Marine Engineering

Pulford mangling "a rising tide lifts all ships":

“You think about the old saying in when the water harbor is higher, everyone benefits from it and everyone’s boat is floating a little bit higher. He’s a guy that puts water in the harbor.

Etc.

Celebrating in the streets from Monument CO!!! #GoBlue 〽️ #B1GChampionship @UMichFootball @CoachJim4UM @Coach_SMoore @KyleDeVan68 @grant_newsome @PRFBOfficial @SixZeroAcademy pic.twitter.com/rIeJKocJNr

— Connor Jones (@77ConnorJones) December 5, 2021

Same. Hard same.

Why Mark Ortmann or Trevor Keegan? Not highly rated Midlands guy who needed three years to fill out, by which time he won the unenviable job of holding down the left tackle job between Jake Long and Taylor Lewan. He did so admirably, and was not at fault for 2008 (that would be Dorrestein getting hurt and the guards—oh the guards). In 2009 Ortmann was team captain and spokesman, but got hurt himself during the season, clearing the path for Lewan. Ortmann was also a guy recruited for Power who had to play stretch zone, but was able to pull it off. On a better line he might have moved inside, but at 6'7"/315 he was fine for tackle, and used his length well. He didn't have the athleticism for a pro career.

Keegan is our guard comp. He was rated way higher—a solid 4-star out of Chicago—but also ranked as a tackle because of his height, and if Jones lived near a region's analysts maybe he'd be better known. They have similar body shapes, and Keegan's game is made out of good technique, maximizing his length, and above all intelligence, with some muddy feet keeping him inside.

Guru Reliability: Absolutely, Positively Zero. They sat this one out, even when they were at the very camps Jones went to; his coach, his trainer, Michigan recruiting reporters, and Jones himself provided all the scouting above. The Rockies, like the upper reaches of the Midwest, tend to get under-scouted—24/7 leaves Colorado to Blair Angulo, who's got all of California to scout, and other sites leave these areas to people who rarely venture out of Texas. Rivals recently hired a guy to scout Michigan film, so things should improve next cycle. Rivals never ranked him. On3 and ESPN gave ratings similar to the consensus and never explained them. 24/7 gave him that score based on sophomore tape and never evaluated him further. None of them have the faintest idea.

Variance: Huge. It could be the sites ignored Jones because they knew they could, and Michigan needed bodies and took a chance on a kid they liked. It could be Michigan found a gem they'll mold into a draft pick and nobody noticed because they last looked when he was 15.

Ceiling: Moderate. You don't count out 6'7" guys, but if he had crazy super awesome athletic feet they'd be talking about it.

General Excitement Level: Meh. A lot of signs that they took him to have some depth in a few years. Will also be a few years.

Projection: Jones probably isn't as physically gifted as some of the guys coming and going around him, but having a guy you developed and isn't looking to jump in the portal could be a huge deal when you consider depth in a few years. I don't think he's going to leave Ann Arbor unless you pry him out, at least not without a degree. Jones is also a guy who should reach his ceiling. Hopefully, unless they've been severely underrating his foot speed, Michigan won't need him at tackle, but the versatility is more value. He could be a pretty good guard down the line, however, and given Michigan has a lot of young guys with NFL potential in the room, a security blanket for early pro departures is something only an idiot would sneer at.