Cameron

McGrone

McGrone has been slow to recover from a November torn ACL. He’ll be 10 months removed from surgery for Week 1, but coach Bill Belichick is “prepared to not have him available” this year. The Patriots may redshirt McGrone as a rookie before letting him compete for a role in 2022.

The rookie wasn’t able to hold a Pro Day because of the ACL injury. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said “we’re prepared certainly to not have him available this year” after news of McGrone’s injury broke. McGrone, 20, had 91 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, and a forced fumble in 16 total games. Belichick in his Monday comments seemed committed to keeping McGrone onboard for the 2022 season.

McGrone (6’1/234) is a former five-star prospect from Indianapolis, IN who was rated as the seventh-best outside linebacker and 118th recruit in the nation from the 2018 class according to 247Sports. He didn’t see much game action as a freshman before breaking out in 2019 with 65 tackles, 9.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks while receiving honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition. He started five games last season and again was named as an All-Big Ten performer, but had his season cut short when he tore the ACL in his left knee. McGrone breaks down well in run support, squaring up ball carriers efficiently while successfully converting all 26 of his tackle opportunities in 2020. His athleticism shows up well on tape and he displays a relentless motor that gives him the juice to attack rush lanes. His short stature means his strength profile has likely reached its max capacity, but he still packs enough punch to dislodge from blocks. He has trouble staying with tight ends and running backs in coverage, as his career 128.4 passer-rating against indicates. Unfortunately, McGrone’s ACL injury snuffed his ability to hold a Pro Day workout, leaving his athletic traits up for some debate. McGrone’s profile reminds us of Malik Jefferson. McGrone is just 20 years old at the time of the draft and goes to a team that has a history of developing high-end defensive talent. He could contribute as a run-stopper in his rookie season but will likely spend most of his time on the bench.

McGrone is fitting to be a top-75 pick, if not a top-50 pick, this spring. For him to not leave, with all the coaching changes Michigan are about to endure, would have been a shock. At 6-foot-1 and 232-pounds, McGrone has fantastic size for the position and has all the athletic tools you want to see from a young Day 2 linebacker. McGrone played in all but one of Michigan’s six games this year, racking up 26 tackles and a half-sack. Much of that production came after an upper body injury he suffered on Halloween, though, so it’s possible scouts may be looking more at his healthy 2019 tape for his projection.

McGrone (6'1/232) appeared to hit his head on the Michigan Stadium turf while making a tackle, and he remained down on the field for a couple minutes. The junior linebacker was able to walk off the field under his own power, with team trainers taking him directly to the locker room for further evaluation. With the injury having occurred late in the second quarter, McGrone’s status will likely be updated during the intermission.

At the end of the VRBO Citrus Bowl, Alabama had the ball with a two-score lead and fewer than 30 seconds left on the clock. It would be impossible to lose the game from their position. Rather than kneel out the clock, Alabama HC Nick Saban decided to call a legitimate run play that resulted in a touchdown. McGrone, one of Michigan’s top defenders, said the play call was a smack in the face. McGrone (6'1/232) then shrugged it off with an “it is what it is,” but he and the rest of the Wolverines didn’t seem pleased that the Tide felt the need to roll one last time in that game.

McGrone (6'1/232) did not open the season in the starting 11, but he’s made the most of his opportunity to play over the past couple weeks. After an injury to LB Josh Ross in the Wisconsin game, McGrone stepped in for the Wolverines defense and they have not missed a beat. McGrone got the start in Michigan’s last game against Rutgers and looks to maintain that spot until Ross comes back. In about two games of major action, McGrone has seven tackles and one QB hurry.

Michigan might have been last man in on this list, as they only offered to him after he visited on June 22. Rivals analyst Josh Helmholdt also draws attention to Vanderbilt, noting that McGrone (6'1/210) had not spoken about them much previously during his recruitment. He figures to take his five official visits this fall before he makes his final commitment. McGrone ranks as Rivals’ No. 16 outside linebacking prospect in the 2018 class.

McGrone ranked at the top of 247 Sports list of outside linebackers, and 24th overall. In other words, he’s good. At 6-foot-1, 215-pounds, he clearly will have to add mass to play at the highest level, but reports rave about his quick first step and ability to disengage from blocks, and reports indicate he’s a quality coverage linebacker as well. It was a disappointing class for Michigan compared to their previous efforts, but McGrone gives them an elite potential defender.