The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2018 THE WOLVERINE 71 COMMITMENT PROFILE A t 5-9 and 154 pounds, Belleville (Mich.) High three-star Andre Seldon is considerably shorter than the cornerbacks Michigan has re- cruited over the last two cycles — but it shouldn't worry anyone. Seldon can really cover and is as fast as any defensive back in the country. He also plays with a chip on his shoulder because he's been over- looked and is beyond grateful that his favorite team gave him a chance. "Michigan has been my dream school ever since I was in diapers," Seldon said. "Michigan, Coach [Don] Brown, Coach [Jim] Harbaugh, they showed that they actually believe in what I can do and my ability. "That's an honor to me, and there weren't a lot of schools that did that. That's why I committed." One reason Brown, Harbaugh and cornerbacks coach Mike Zordich aren't worried about Sel- don's size is because of how they plan on using him. The rising junior corner broke down what the staff told him and that also made his decision to commit easier. "The plan for them is to play me at nickel because I'm a fast guy, 4.3 [In the 40-yard dash], and I'm aggres- sive. I like to come up and hit," Seldon said. "The nickel is a pretty significant piece of the defense, and that defense is one of the best in the nation so it's big." Belleville head coach Jermain Crow- ell also isn't worried about Seldon's size. Crowell has coached several big- time corners who ended up at Michi- gan, including Jourdan Lewis, Lavert Hill and Terry Richardson. "I'm not a college guy, but even in high school, you worry about match- ups. You get those big receivers on the small DB — that's what you try to do," Crowell explained. "However, I've seen him compete against much bigger receivers and win. He's been taught enough to know to play through the hands and to get that ball out. "He's so competitive that I don't really think it's going to affect him." Rivals.com Midwest analyst Josh Helmholdt agrees. He has always be- lieved that height isn't as important in defensive backs as it's made out to be and definitely believes that when analyzing Seldon's game. "I've often made the case that height at cornerback is over- rated," Helmholdt said. "It's not that height has no value at the position, but coaches who will not recruit cornerbacks under a certain height are ignorant and often waste scholarships on future safeties who are too stiff to play the position. Seldon can play cornerback at the Power Five level, and kudos to Michigan for recognizing it, despite his height." Crowell is fond of Michigan and has sent several of his defensive backs to Ann Arbor and is really ex- cited for Seldon to be up next. As soon as the offer came through for Seldon, Crowell was pretty sure he knew what was going to happen. "When Dre got that offer I was pretty sure that he would commit," Crowell said with a smile. "Dre's dad is a super Michigan fan. His uncle is a big-time fan. His cousin here [at Belleville] is a Michigan fan. Dre is a Michigan fan. "You know the people around who are Michigan fans. The only reason he didn't commit on the spot is be- cause he wanted to share that with his mom, and she wasn't there when he was offered." Seldon has two years left to im- prove, grow and continue his physi- cal development. As a sophomore, he had two interceptions, seven passes broken up, a defensive touchdown and a punt return for a touchdown. He also won the defensive back MVP for the Rivals Camp in Chicago. Heading into his junior season, Sel- don is considered the No. 12 player in Michigan and the No. 26 corner- back nationally. With more impres- sive performances, he could be in line for a rankings bump. — Brandon Brown U-M Fans Need Not Worry About Cornerback Andre Seldon's Height FILM EVALUATION Strengths: Despite being small, Andre Seldon is a very physical cornerback. He is strong, competitive and extremely fast. If he were a bit taller, he'd probably be viewed as one of the top cornerbacks in the entire country. Areas Of Improvement: Because he is on the short side, Seldon is going to have to trust his technique more and be more disciplined with his eyes. He gets away with gambling and being fooled in high school because he's faster than everyone, but in college that won't work against top level receivers. Michigan Player Comparison: Boubacar Cissoko's career at Michigan was a flop, but coming out of high school he was coveted and ranked highly as the No. 44 player in the nation. At 5-8, 171 pounds and muscle-bound as a senior, Cissoko looked a lot like Seldon does as a rising senior. He was physical, sticky and fast as a prospect, even though he couldn't put it all together at U-M. — Analysis from TheWolverine.com Rivals.com ranks the 5-9, 154-pound Seldon as the No. 12 player in Michigan and the No. 26 cornerback in the class of 2020. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN Belleville (Mich.) High head coach Jermain Crowell on Seldon "I've seen him compete against much bigger receivers and win. He's been taught enough to know to play through the hands and to get that ball out. He's so competitive that I don't really think it's going to affect him."