Days after the Michigan football team won the national championship, linebacker Junior Colson announced his intention to enter the NFL draft. Colson, who was ranked among the top 100 prospects in the 2021 class, led the Wolverines with ninety-five tackles this season. During his three seasons at Ann Arbor, the Tennessee native from Brentwood played a significant role in the team and amassed 256 total tackles, five pass breakups, and two and a half sacks.
Regardless of class, Colson is among Michigan’s 2023 team’s most alluring NFL prospects. Colson isn’t far behind Will Johnson, J.J. McCarthy, and Kenneth Grant, who could be the first names discussed. According to the Michigan website, he is larger than typical NFL linebackers in both height and weight at 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds. In fact, Colson and Cowboys edge defender Micah Parsons (6-foot-3, 245 pounds), who was selected 12th overall in the 2021 draft, are about the same size. Although the individual skill sets are very different, Colson’s physical profile is more like to that of certain edge defenders than linebackers.
Colson’s quickness and explosiveness are what catch people’s attention the most. He’s big for a linebacker, as I just indicated, but it doesn’t limit his movement in the slightest. He can stick with tight ends or running backs in man coverage, blow up screens, and make tackles sideline-to-sideline. He is useful in backside pursuit and as a QB spy versus dual threats. In summary, he possesses a keen sense of football and can create plays anywhere on the field.
When it comes to coverage, this is where Colson shines. He can reverse direction in zone coverage and twist to make tackles in confined areas because to his exceptionally flexible hips for his position. His long arms and excellent direction-changing skills enable him to intercept passes and enter throwing lanes. Being long for his height and towering for an off-ball linebacker, he offers a unique chance to defend NFL tight ends one-on-one without giving up a large body in the run game. Up front, football is a numbers game, and Colson’s flexibility offers the defense a clear edge.
When it comes to coverage, this is where Colson thrives. His hips are incredibly flexible for his position, allowing him to rotate to make tackles in tight spaces and reverse direction during zone coverage. His ability to change directions quickly and his long arms allow him to intercept passes and get into throwing lanes. He provides a rare opportunity to cover NFL tight ends one-on-one without giving up a big body in the run game since he is tall for his height and towering for an off-ball linebacker. Football is a numbers game up front, and the defense clearly benefits from Colson’s versatility..
In addition, Colson possesses the unique tenacity that comes with playing middle linebacker. Throughout his Michigan career, he has sustained multiple injuries, yet he seldom misses games or sits out because of pain. Fans of Wolverine will likely recall that, due to a broken right hand, No. 25 was forced to play with a huge cast for the most of the season. Many people are unaware that Colson played the majority of the Ohio State game and the whole postseason with both hands fractured. The child is, to put it simply, tough as nails.
Colson’s slide should be limited to the second round. It’s difficult to envision him being a first-round choice given his poor positional value unless Dallas or Buffalo manage to make a deep playoff run and choose in the late 20s. Tennessee, with an overall score of 38, is the place I would circle. Colson would get to play professionally in his hometown, and the Titans could use a boost in the center of the field. I see a win-win here. Colson is probably going to be an NFL starter with long-term effect. He is immediately one of the top linebackers in the NFL since he can routinely complete 100 tackles or more and is a plus in coverage.
