Michigan opens the season a week from Saturday against Middle Tennessee State. Here’s what we’ve picked up behind the scenes heading into prep week.
Today’s practice begins MTSU prep week. They’ll do a trial run for the following game week … they do a walkthrough every Friday before a game, but Saturday will be situational scrimmaging (like last week) and then camp breaks.
It's the time of year when guys separate themselves as starters and contributors come to light. There were only a few tight position battles — as most know, one was at right tackle before redshirt sophomore Andrew Stueber got hurt. He’ll be out for quite some time, and those close to it say it very well could be a season-ender.
Offensive line coach Ed Warinner said the reps between Stueber and redshirt freshman Jalen Mayfield were to have been split 60-40, most likely, though he wouldn’t mention who was slated to get the 60 vs. the 40. One close to it said Stueber probably would have been that guy, though Mayfield was definitely pushing him.
Until recently, redshirt frosh tackle Ryan Hayes was the only tackle outside of Stueber slowed by an injury. Freshman Trente Jones slid up one spot and has done very well behind Hayes. Guard Nolan Rumler is still the most prepared and ready to play (per two sources, including one who knows offensive line play as well as anyone. He believes Rumler is an All-Big Ten lineman sooner than later). Center Zach Carpenter is assured his four games, too, though he’s been dinged up a bit and has missed some time.
The strategy as of now, according to a source, is to play the young linemen early in the year. They will do what they can to preserve their redshirts.
Senior right guard Mike Onwenu has stood out the entire camp. He is ready to go and moving much better. Senior left guard Ben Bredeson and junior center Cesar Ruiz are All-Big Ten caliber linemen and playing like it. Fifth-year senior Jon Runyan Jr. is banged up … with Stueber out, he’ll probably come back sooner than he might have (per one source), though they would never put his health in jeopardy. It could just involve playing through some pain.
Quarterback play has been the best since Harbaugh has been here. Senior Shea Patterson's camp evaluations are supposedly the highest of any quarterback Harbaugh has in his five years, and redshirt sophomore Dylan McCaffrey is right behind. Patterson has been elite moving around in the pocket and finding open receivers, while McCaffrey can flat out run. He knows when to tuck and go, and he’s flat out fast and gaining a lot of yardage with his feet.
We told you about the six receivers standing out recently. Since then, freshmen Giles Jackson has made a move and vying for playing time. He’s unbelievably quick and making plays. Donovan Peoples-Jones has really picked it up recently and is now about 90 to 95 percent and making play. Junior Nico Collins and redshirt sophomore Tarik Black have both been very good, while sophomore Ronnie Bell is killing it. Two different sources say he’s had the best camp of any of the receivers, and frosh Cornelius Johnson is a lock to play his four frosh games and will probably play more.
“Some catches that Bell and Cornelius have made were made for Sundays,” said a source.
The tight ends have been really solid and are blocking much better. Sean McKeon and and Nick Eubanks are still 1-2, Mustapha Muhammad will play and freshman Erick All is guaranteed to play in at least four games.
Running back is coming along very nicely with the three backs having separated from the pack. Senior Tru Wilson brings the consistency and pass blocking, redshirt frosh Christian Turner brings the speed and one insists frosh Zach Charbonnet is in a category by himself …. “the best of the bunch, and it is only a matter of time before he steals the show.”
Others say he’s still coming along and needs to continue to improve his pass blocking before he’s fully trusted.
The defensive line has been very good, and redshirt frosh Taylor Upshaw has made a move to provide depth at end. Hype around redshirt sophomore tackle Donovan Jeter has died down a bit, only because they expect it from him now … senior Carlo Kemp, junior Kwity Paye sophomore Aidan Hutchinson have all exceeded high expectations, and any fear about this position has diminished greatly. Fifth-year senior Danna will play a lot. He’s faster than expected and makes plays because of his technique. Redshirt junior Mike Dwumfour has been spotted with a soft cast on his hand but should be okay.
At linebacker, seniors Khaleke Hudson and Josh Uche have been consistent the entire camp. They have really, really improved against O.C. Josh Gattis’ up-tempo offense. Junior Josh Ross is still the best linebacker on the inside (some believe on the team. Redshirt junior Devin Gil was slowed a little by injury, but he's the No. 1 weakside ‘backer for now.
Redshirt frosh Cam McGrone has made a move late in camp. He's running with the twos and should be a fixture on package plays. Redshirt sophomore Jordan Anthony and McGrone are the future and will be very, very good in time. Fifth-year senior Jordan Glasgow continues to back-up at Viper and WILL. Redshirt frosh Michael Barrett is only behind because of the experience of Hudson/Glasgow. No knock on him. He is next year's starter and he knows it.
Cornerback is the question mark. Senior Lavert Hill is a stud, but they still need more consistency across from him. Flat out, they need Ambry Thomas back, and he’s practicing … it looks as though he’ll be back earlier than expected, some hope by the beginning of Big Ten season. The Sept. 28 Rutgers game had been the initial hope.
Freshman D.J. Turner tested so well he was only barely behind frosh safety Dax Hill on the “athlete” scale. He’ll play. Redshirt frosh Vince Gray will likely start, and junior Jaylen-Kelly Powell has also gotten time with the ones. Redshirt frosh Gemon Green is a year away.
The starting safeties are better than last year. Junior Brad Hawkins has been the best safety in camp, and his cover skills are better than last year’s group. Senior Josh Metellus is the leader of the group, but Hawkins has really played well. Hill, meanwhile, is still learning.
****
To a bit of football recruiting (look for EJ Holland's football recruiting version of ITF, “Into The Blue,” on Monday) …
The state of Colorado has produced a few outstanding prospects for Michigan on the recruiting trail in recent years, with senior defensive tackle Carlo Kemp and redshirt sophomore quarterback Dylan McCaffrey being the two best examples The Wolverines also have a commitment from Centennial (Colo.) Eaglecrest three-star offensive tackle Reece Atteberry in the 2020 class, and are in hot pursuit of Littleton (Colo.) Columbine four-star offensive tackle Andrew Gentry as well, who is rated as a top 60 prospect nationally.
Legacy High School (located in Broomfield, Colo.) head coach Corey Heinz faced off against Atteberry and Eaglecrest last year (Eaglecrest won, 33-14), and spoke about both Atteberry and the prospects Michigan has been pulling out of the state as of late.
“No, it wasn’t surprising [when Atteberry pledged to U-M],” Heinz said. “This will be their third kid from here, along with Carlo Kemp and Dylan McCaffrey. I was very familiar with those two, having coached against both of them in high school. I always thought Carlo was a very strong d-lineman, having the ability to disrupt a game in a number of ways. He was so strong as a kid, and I thought he’d be an interior lineman once he got to Michigan and put on some weight — I’m not surprised that’s where he’s playing now. Dylan sure has the bloodlines, so what’s not to like? His two parents were spectacular athletes, and his brother should’ve won the Heisman and will be an all-pro player for years to come. He also had another brother who made the league, so what’s not to like about that family? Their genes are ridiculous.
“U-M’s success here though isn’t a surprise because Colorado is growing nationally as a whole — we have more nationally ranked quarterbacks coming out of here than in recent memory. We always have a good lineman coming out, evidenced by the Gentry kid at Columbine, who is one of the best tackles in the country. He’s a big ole boy and a heck of a player — I’m sure he’ll be successful wherever he goes, and he’s already won a lot of games over at Columbine. Reece is just the next in line of great prospects who is showcasing what Colorado football can be.”
Heinz was also asked if he felt Atteberry was under recruited in a sense nationally, seeing as how he’s rated as just a three-star prospect by Rivals.
“Everybody has a different opinion of kids,” the Legacy head coach said. “It’s rare when successful schools like Michigan miss on kids who they came to Colorado to see. Schools better have a reason to come out here, and Reece obviously has some redeeming qualities about him, which allowed him to be recruited at such a high level. Coach Harbaugh and Michigan’s offensive line coach obviously thought Reece was good enough to play in the Big Ten.
"I know he works hard in the offseason here, and goes above and beyond what his high school program has asked him to do. Colleges often recruit on potential, so they don’t ever want a finished product — that means he’ll have to continue to work, grow and increase his IQ. He’ll face plenty of competition in college, and Michigan will always be trying to recruit someone better than him. He’ll be successful there if he eats and lives right.
****
Finally, a bit of basketball and recruiting …
The summer was a great one from a strength and conditioning standpoint. Most of the team stayed voluntarily for both terms and all who did benefited by working with coach Jon Sanderson. To a man, every player improved dramatically, and sophomore Colin Castleton set a new record by hitting the 12-foot mark during his vertical jump.
On the recruiting trail, Sept. 5 weekend is shaping up to the be really big one. Add big man Hunter Dickinson (7-1, 260, Rivals.com’s No. 28 senior nationally) to the list that includes three-star, 6-7 forward Jace Howard, five-star combo guard Nimari Burnett of Napa (Calif.) Prolific Prep and four-star (and climbing) wing Lance Ware of Camden, N.J. He’s Rivals.com’s No. 34 senior nationally.
Michigan has climbed with all of these targets in the last several weeks, and while we don’t expect the Wolverines to get all of them, they are in the top two or three with each. Who knows how they’ll react visiting together?
Howard was always shooting for a big haul in the 2020 class, passing on potential 2019s because he wanted to save room to woo the big fish in 2020. He’s going to have his chance.
Today’s practice begins MTSU prep week. They’ll do a trial run for the following game week … they do a walkthrough every Friday before a game, but Saturday will be situational scrimmaging (like last week) and then camp breaks.
It's the time of year when guys separate themselves as starters and contributors come to light. There were only a few tight position battles — as most know, one was at right tackle before redshirt sophomore Andrew Stueber got hurt. He’ll be out for quite some time, and those close to it say it very well could be a season-ender.
Offensive line coach Ed Warinner said the reps between Stueber and redshirt freshman Jalen Mayfield were to have been split 60-40, most likely, though he wouldn’t mention who was slated to get the 60 vs. the 40. One close to it said Stueber probably would have been that guy, though Mayfield was definitely pushing him.
Until recently, redshirt frosh tackle Ryan Hayes was the only tackle outside of Stueber slowed by an injury. Freshman Trente Jones slid up one spot and has done very well behind Hayes. Guard Nolan Rumler is still the most prepared and ready to play (per two sources, including one who knows offensive line play as well as anyone. He believes Rumler is an All-Big Ten lineman sooner than later). Center Zach Carpenter is assured his four games, too, though he’s been dinged up a bit and has missed some time.
The strategy as of now, according to a source, is to play the young linemen early in the year. They will do what they can to preserve their redshirts.
Senior right guard Mike Onwenu has stood out the entire camp. He is ready to go and moving much better. Senior left guard Ben Bredeson and junior center Cesar Ruiz are All-Big Ten caliber linemen and playing like it. Fifth-year senior Jon Runyan Jr. is banged up … with Stueber out, he’ll probably come back sooner than he might have (per one source), though they would never put his health in jeopardy. It could just involve playing through some pain.
Quarterback play has been the best since Harbaugh has been here. Senior Shea Patterson's camp evaluations are supposedly the highest of any quarterback Harbaugh has in his five years, and redshirt sophomore Dylan McCaffrey is right behind. Patterson has been elite moving around in the pocket and finding open receivers, while McCaffrey can flat out run. He knows when to tuck and go, and he’s flat out fast and gaining a lot of yardage with his feet.
We told you about the six receivers standing out recently. Since then, freshmen Giles Jackson has made a move and vying for playing time. He’s unbelievably quick and making plays. Donovan Peoples-Jones has really picked it up recently and is now about 90 to 95 percent and making play. Junior Nico Collins and redshirt sophomore Tarik Black have both been very good, while sophomore Ronnie Bell is killing it. Two different sources say he’s had the best camp of any of the receivers, and frosh Cornelius Johnson is a lock to play his four frosh games and will probably play more.
“Some catches that Bell and Cornelius have made were made for Sundays,” said a source.
The tight ends have been really solid and are blocking much better. Sean McKeon and and Nick Eubanks are still 1-2, Mustapha Muhammad will play and freshman Erick All is guaranteed to play in at least four games.
Running back is coming along very nicely with the three backs having separated from the pack. Senior Tru Wilson brings the consistency and pass blocking, redshirt frosh Christian Turner brings the speed and one insists frosh Zach Charbonnet is in a category by himself …. “the best of the bunch, and it is only a matter of time before he steals the show.”
Others say he’s still coming along and needs to continue to improve his pass blocking before he’s fully trusted.
The defensive line has been very good, and redshirt frosh Taylor Upshaw has made a move to provide depth at end. Hype around redshirt sophomore tackle Donovan Jeter has died down a bit, only because they expect it from him now … senior Carlo Kemp, junior Kwity Paye sophomore Aidan Hutchinson have all exceeded high expectations, and any fear about this position has diminished greatly. Fifth-year senior Danna will play a lot. He’s faster than expected and makes plays because of his technique. Redshirt junior Mike Dwumfour has been spotted with a soft cast on his hand but should be okay.
At linebacker, seniors Khaleke Hudson and Josh Uche have been consistent the entire camp. They have really, really improved against O.C. Josh Gattis’ up-tempo offense. Junior Josh Ross is still the best linebacker on the inside (some believe on the team. Redshirt junior Devin Gil was slowed a little by injury, but he's the No. 1 weakside ‘backer for now.
Redshirt frosh Cam McGrone has made a move late in camp. He's running with the twos and should be a fixture on package plays. Redshirt sophomore Jordan Anthony and McGrone are the future and will be very, very good in time. Fifth-year senior Jordan Glasgow continues to back-up at Viper and WILL. Redshirt frosh Michael Barrett is only behind because of the experience of Hudson/Glasgow. No knock on him. He is next year's starter and he knows it.
Cornerback is the question mark. Senior Lavert Hill is a stud, but they still need more consistency across from him. Flat out, they need Ambry Thomas back, and he’s practicing … it looks as though he’ll be back earlier than expected, some hope by the beginning of Big Ten season. The Sept. 28 Rutgers game had been the initial hope.
Freshman D.J. Turner tested so well he was only barely behind frosh safety Dax Hill on the “athlete” scale. He’ll play. Redshirt frosh Vince Gray will likely start, and junior Jaylen-Kelly Powell has also gotten time with the ones. Redshirt frosh Gemon Green is a year away.
The starting safeties are better than last year. Junior Brad Hawkins has been the best safety in camp, and his cover skills are better than last year’s group. Senior Josh Metellus is the leader of the group, but Hawkins has really played well. Hill, meanwhile, is still learning.
****
To a bit of football recruiting (look for EJ Holland's football recruiting version of ITF, “Into The Blue,” on Monday) …
The state of Colorado has produced a few outstanding prospects for Michigan on the recruiting trail in recent years, with senior defensive tackle Carlo Kemp and redshirt sophomore quarterback Dylan McCaffrey being the two best examples The Wolverines also have a commitment from Centennial (Colo.) Eaglecrest three-star offensive tackle Reece Atteberry in the 2020 class, and are in hot pursuit of Littleton (Colo.) Columbine four-star offensive tackle Andrew Gentry as well, who is rated as a top 60 prospect nationally.
Legacy High School (located in Broomfield, Colo.) head coach Corey Heinz faced off against Atteberry and Eaglecrest last year (Eaglecrest won, 33-14), and spoke about both Atteberry and the prospects Michigan has been pulling out of the state as of late.
“No, it wasn’t surprising [when Atteberry pledged to U-M],” Heinz said. “This will be their third kid from here, along with Carlo Kemp and Dylan McCaffrey. I was very familiar with those two, having coached against both of them in high school. I always thought Carlo was a very strong d-lineman, having the ability to disrupt a game in a number of ways. He was so strong as a kid, and I thought he’d be an interior lineman once he got to Michigan and put on some weight — I’m not surprised that’s where he’s playing now. Dylan sure has the bloodlines, so what’s not to like? His two parents were spectacular athletes, and his brother should’ve won the Heisman and will be an all-pro player for years to come. He also had another brother who made the league, so what’s not to like about that family? Their genes are ridiculous.
“U-M’s success here though isn’t a surprise because Colorado is growing nationally as a whole — we have more nationally ranked quarterbacks coming out of here than in recent memory. We always have a good lineman coming out, evidenced by the Gentry kid at Columbine, who is one of the best tackles in the country. He’s a big ole boy and a heck of a player — I’m sure he’ll be successful wherever he goes, and he’s already won a lot of games over at Columbine. Reece is just the next in line of great prospects who is showcasing what Colorado football can be.”
Heinz was also asked if he felt Atteberry was under recruited in a sense nationally, seeing as how he’s rated as just a three-star prospect by Rivals.
“Everybody has a different opinion of kids,” the Legacy head coach said. “It’s rare when successful schools like Michigan miss on kids who they came to Colorado to see. Schools better have a reason to come out here, and Reece obviously has some redeeming qualities about him, which allowed him to be recruited at such a high level. Coach Harbaugh and Michigan’s offensive line coach obviously thought Reece was good enough to play in the Big Ten.
"I know he works hard in the offseason here, and goes above and beyond what his high school program has asked him to do. Colleges often recruit on potential, so they don’t ever want a finished product — that means he’ll have to continue to work, grow and increase his IQ. He’ll face plenty of competition in college, and Michigan will always be trying to recruit someone better than him. He’ll be successful there if he eats and lives right.
****
Finally, a bit of basketball and recruiting …
The summer was a great one from a strength and conditioning standpoint. Most of the team stayed voluntarily for both terms and all who did benefited by working with coach Jon Sanderson. To a man, every player improved dramatically, and sophomore Colin Castleton set a new record by hitting the 12-foot mark during his vertical jump.
On the recruiting trail, Sept. 5 weekend is shaping up to the be really big one. Add big man Hunter Dickinson (7-1, 260, Rivals.com’s No. 28 senior nationally) to the list that includes three-star, 6-7 forward Jace Howard, five-star combo guard Nimari Burnett of Napa (Calif.) Prolific Prep and four-star (and climbing) wing Lance Ware of Camden, N.J. He’s Rivals.com’s No. 34 senior nationally.
Michigan has climbed with all of these targets in the last several weeks, and while we don’t expect the Wolverines to get all of them, they are in the top two or three with each. Who knows how they’ll react visiting together?
Howard was always shooting for a big haul in the 2020 class, passing on potential 2019s because he wanted to save room to woo the big fish in 2020. He’s going to have his chance.
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