Blogging The Boys
Every week here at Blogging the Boys, we’ll spotlight the biggest college matchups and the players who could soon wear the Star. If you want to get a jump on who might help America’s Team in the years to come, this is your weekly college football guide.
This matchup features two iconic programs with newfound offensive weapons. Oklahoma is riding the wave of QB John Mateer’s record-setting debut, and Michigan is showcasing a promising freshman quarterback of their own alongside a powerful rushing duo. With College GameDay on-site, national spotlight, and implications for College Football Playoff positioning, it’s one of the marquee games of Week 2.
Michigan:
Derrick Moore, DE
Moore is the embodiment of raw speed fused with explosive power off the edge. At 6′3″ and around 256 pounds, he bursts into gaps with athleticism that routinely leaves linemen trailing. The main critique against Moore is not effort, it’s polish. His burst is elite, but when he’s met with a well-anchored blocker, his pass rush often stalls.
Think of Moore as a live wire that’s unstoppable at times, electric by nature, and captivating to watch. He brings an energy to the Michigan defense that’s infectious, setting the tone from the first whistle. There’s an impatient beast within him, ready to attack, chase, and dismantle. If he sharpens his craft, adds technical counters, refines hand usage, and layers in brute strength, he could evolve into much more than just a spark plug.
Justice Haynes, RB
Haynes brings an electrifying blend of burst, power, and vision to Michigan’s backfield. A transfer from Alabama with a pedigree as a high school five-star standout, he lit up his Michigan debut by rushing for 159 yards and three touchdowns on just 16 carries. Beyond the box score, Haynes thrives in space, his low center of gravity, physicality, and open-field agility make him dangerous every time he touches the ball. His issues lay in pass protection and route concepts as a receiver. While his physical tools and yards production are evident, offensive coaches will want to see growth in his blocking technique and ability to read blitzes, critical for three-down responsibilities.
Oklahoma:
R Mason Thomas, DE
Thomas emerged as a dominant force for Oklahoma’s defense last season. Featuring in all 13 games, he led the team with nine sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and added two forced fumbles and two recoveries, cementing his presence as a game-wrecking edge rusher. He possesses elite explosiveness off the edge (clocking a 4.62-second 40-yard dash), which highlights his rare twitch and burst for his size. Though explosive and high-motor, Thomas plays with a compact, but...
