Wolverine analyzes the Michigan football team’s offensive line
Michigan Wolverines Football He is tasked with replacing three defensive backfield starters from last season at the cornerback position. Josh Wallace (NFL), nickel back Mike Sainristil and safety of the elderly Rod Moore (injury). Junior cornerback Will Johnson and graduate safety Makari Paige These are two cornerstones on which to build, but there is uncertainty as to who will take on the roles that replace them.
In the corner, sophomore Jyaire Hill —a 6-foot-11, 180-pound player who logged 56 defensive snaps in four games last season—has been the most talked about standout this spring. The Wolverines also added Albany transfer Aamir Hall and transfer from UNLV Ricky Johnson this summer, but Hill is right there in the mix.
“If you just focus on the guys that were here this spring and competed really well, Jyaire,” Michigan defensive backs coach said. The Morgan Sea said in the Podcast ‘In the trenches’ with Jon Jansen“I think he’s a unique player. I think he loves football. I think he’s growing up. He has a goofy personality, but it’s a good thing. He can have fun in the hallway, clown around and stuff like that. His parents have done a great job with him. And all of a sudden, when it comes to football, he’s just playing; he’s not playing.”
“I think he’s a kid who took a big step this spring and I’m excited this fall to see where he’s at.
“We brought in two veteran players that I haven’t seen, so I can’t compare them to the players we had in our squad. I don’t like to do that.”
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Graduate Keshaun Harrisa non-scholarship player returns for a sixth season and is a senior player. Ja’Den McBurrows He has experience as both an outside cornerback and nickel with 15 career appearances.
“We had a lot of young players playing, with Keshaun, who played a lot last year, J-Mac, who played a little bit on the outside last year along with the nickel. Those guys did a really good job this spring.”
Morgan mentioned that Michigan was mixing and matching players at all different positions during spring practice.
“But we try to get guys to play left and right, not just in the field and on the boundary,” the coach continued. “And if you play just nickel, like J-Mac, we try to get him to play reps on the outside as well. A guy like (freshman) Jacob Oden Who arrived this spring, played everywhere.
“We need to fine-tune the cornerback position a little bit more to see what these guys can do to help us win games, and I think it’s going to be a combination of a lot of different players. I think that’s going to be good for us.”
While speaking to the media during spring practice, Morgan singled out junior safety Zeke Berry as the leader to replace Sainristil at nickel back, and once again named the 5-foot-11, 192-pounder as a standout player.
“As far as the safety position, I think Zeke Berry had a really good spring,” Morgan said. “He played a lot of nickel and high safety, and I think he’s a unique player. I feel confident in saying that if you look at the stats, he played 40 snaps last year, but he had a really good spring, and I’m excited for him to take the next step. We’ll be better if he takes the next step.”
Michigan had a revolving door at safety in spring practice due to multiple injuries, including one to a sophomore. Brandyn Hillman (undisclosed) and graduated Quinten Johnson (hamstring).
“A lot of the other guys came in and out of the spring season,” Morgan explained. “Different people got hurt. (Junior) Kody Jones“Those guys were in and out from time to time. I haven’t seen a lot of B-Hillman and Quinten and those guys. I haven’t seen that much, but I’ve seen a lot of tape on them. It’s going to be interesting.”
Michigan also added a pair of safeties through the transfer portal at the junior level. Jaden Mangham (state of michigan) and graduate Wesley Walker (Tennessee).
“I think everyone knows we brought in a couple of players and our group has done a good job of welcoming them,” Morgan said. “I think we’ll be better when we have a highly competitive roster. Competition always makes you do your best and that’s what I believe in. There will be no favorites; we’re going to play the best players.”
“Those are probably some of the highlights. I would say those guys had a spectacular spring. I’m excited to see them continue to do so.”
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