Michigan trotted out three players to meet the media following Friday's practice in Orlando – corners Ambry Thomas and Lavert Hill and sophomore end Aidan Hutchinson. All three had plenty to say about the upcoming game with Alabama and much more.
The senior Hill and the junior Thomas both talked about the excitement of covering some of the nation's best receivers, noting they were ready to see how they stacked up. Thomas noted he played against Jerry Jeudy, a projected first round pick, during Nike's The Opening when they were in high school.
"You know how it went," he said to one reporter who was there, noting he fared well.
Receiver DeVonta Smith, he added, reminded him of Penn State's K.J. Hamler.
Hill said he was excited, as well, to see how he stacked up. He was also asked if he had given Thomas any advice when it came to staying or leaving for the NFL, and he admitted he had. Thomas, when asked, said, 'I"m here now, right?' Yeah, I'm back.'
Later he waffled a bit on that, half-jokingly saying if he showed really well against Bama's big three receivers he'd have to consider it. But as we reported last week, folks in Detroit told us Thomas was "100 percent coming back," and we strongly believe that will be the case.
Hill broke the news that George Johnson is now working at corner. The frosh athlete, a three-star out of Florida, had initially been working at wide receiver. He mentioned DJ Turner again as a frosh who has stood out.
Hutchinson singled out David Ojabo as one who has really come on strong. Asked for comparisons to Josh Uche, he said both were good pass rushers but they're "different."
Ojaba is a "strider," he said, and a "100-(dash)" guy, so his style is different. But as raw as he was when he got here (and Hutchinson said it was noticeable that he hadn't played much football), he's really come on and should make an impact, Hutchinson said.
The sophomore also said he likes the way Mazi Smith and Chris Hinton have progressed. Asked for a young lineman he's gone against who has impressed him, he singled out frosh Karsen Barnhart.
Hutchinson said he saw Kwity Paye's graphic last week ... the one he tweeted yesterday indicating he was staying. He smiled and tried not to let the cat out of the bag on Carlo Kemp getting a fifth year and coming back next season, but he didn't do a very good job of it. As we've reported, we expect Kemp back next year.
Hutchinson called him the "foundation" of the defense and noted his return would be huge for the defensive line.
All three of the defensive players had a bounce in their steps and seemed legitimately excited about playing Alabama. They're anxious to see how they stack up against one of the nation's top programs.
The senior Hill and the junior Thomas both talked about the excitement of covering some of the nation's best receivers, noting they were ready to see how they stacked up. Thomas noted he played against Jerry Jeudy, a projected first round pick, during Nike's The Opening when they were in high school.
"You know how it went," he said to one reporter who was there, noting he fared well.
Receiver DeVonta Smith, he added, reminded him of Penn State's K.J. Hamler.
Hill said he was excited, as well, to see how he stacked up. He was also asked if he had given Thomas any advice when it came to staying or leaving for the NFL, and he admitted he had. Thomas, when asked, said, 'I"m here now, right?' Yeah, I'm back.'
Later he waffled a bit on that, half-jokingly saying if he showed really well against Bama's big three receivers he'd have to consider it. But as we reported last week, folks in Detroit told us Thomas was "100 percent coming back," and we strongly believe that will be the case.
Hill broke the news that George Johnson is now working at corner. The frosh athlete, a three-star out of Florida, had initially been working at wide receiver. He mentioned DJ Turner again as a frosh who has stood out.
Hutchinson singled out David Ojabo as one who has really come on strong. Asked for comparisons to Josh Uche, he said both were good pass rushers but they're "different."
Ojaba is a "strider," he said, and a "100-(dash)" guy, so his style is different. But as raw as he was when he got here (and Hutchinson said it was noticeable that he hadn't played much football), he's really come on and should make an impact, Hutchinson said.
The sophomore also said he likes the way Mazi Smith and Chris Hinton have progressed. Asked for a young lineman he's gone against who has impressed him, he singled out frosh Karsen Barnhart.
Hutchinson said he saw Kwity Paye's graphic last week ... the one he tweeted yesterday indicating he was staying. He smiled and tried not to let the cat out of the bag on Carlo Kemp getting a fifth year and coming back next season, but he didn't do a very good job of it. As we've reported, we expect Kemp back next year.
Hutchinson called him the "foundation" of the defense and noted his return would be huge for the defensive line.
All three of the defensive players had a bounce in their steps and seemed legitimately excited about playing Alabama. They're anxious to see how they stack up against one of the nation's top programs.
