After a really strong 2024 season, TJ Guy was seen as a potential breakout star for the Michigan Wolverines with a starter role expected after the departure of some big names. Instead, Jaishawn Barham moved to more of a pass rusher role from a traditional middle linebacker spot, and took snaps away from Guy, causing a production dip.
Not receiving an invite to the NFL Combine, Guy had to prove his worth at his Pro Day in Ann Arbor. But as a former three-star recruit that barely cracked the top-1000
recruits in 2020, he’s used to being the underdog.
Quick Facts
- Height: 6-foot-3 3/8”
- Weight: 240 lbs
- Arm length: 31 3/8”
- Hands: 9 3/4”
- Vertical: 28 ½”
- Short-shuttle: 4.65s
- Three-cone: 7.27s
- Draft Day Age: 23 years old
- Career Stats: 48 games (6 starts), 10 career sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, 1 INT, 66 total tackles
Strengths
- High-motor player
- Experience dropping back in coverage
- Can play out of a two or three point stance
- Adequate athleticism and speed
- Good first step off the snap
- Uses length well in run game
- Flashed really impressive moments
Weaknesses
- Already 23 years old
- Concerns about his ceiling after five years in Ann Arbor
- Wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine
- Took a step back after a good 2024 season
- Lower production than many of his peers
- Never a consistent starter for Michigan
- No elite traits
- Long stretches where he had little impact
Summary
There was a lot of hope for TJ Guy in 2025. Some even thought he could surpass Derrick Moore for the best edge rusher on the team, projecting him to potentially finish the season with double-digit sacks. Instead, he went from 5.5 as a very rotational piece as a redshirt junior to just 2.5 sacks in his final season with the maize and blue.
So why the hype? Limited snaps, teammate and coach praise, and solid production in his penultimate season. He passed the eye test as a player who could break out. But the coaching staff decided to move Barham to the position after no one, including Guy, had taken that next step to be a consistent starter opposite of Moore. That meant less opportunity for Guy after Barham played really well and the depth of the linebacker group stepped up in his stead.
Thankfully for Guy, his defense line coach Lou Esposito is respected in NFL circles for developing prospects, and there is a long list of lineman from Michigan who are on NFL rosters today. That includes Josaiah Stewart, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Kris Jenkins, and Mazi Smith. His relationship with Jim Harbaugh, Mike MacDonald, and Jesse Minter in Ann Arbor certainly will also not hurt his prospects of finding his way onto a roster this summer.
My best guess is he won’t be drafted, but crazier things have happened. He’s in that late Day 3 to UDFA range where dozens of players typically fall. Either way, he’ll have a camp invite somewhere and a chance to make a team this offseason.
