Jim Harbaugh’s 2019 Michigan Wolverines football team is off and running, having gotten off to a great start in a number of areas. Here’s the latest …
First, some notes from yesterday’s practice …
Both of the top two quarterbacks are outstanding, but senior Shea Patterson has elevated his game tremendously. Harbaugh said a few times this summer he envisioned both of his top two quarterbacks playing in every game this year, but Patterson has been really, really sharp. One of the young linebackers (the No. 1 offense played against the No. 2 defense yesterday and immediately drove down for a score) said Patterson is impossible to stop when he gets out of the pocket after a play breaks down.
“He always finds an open receiver.”
Yesterday’s impressive plays included a 70-yard TD bomb to junior Donovan Peoples-Jones, who had gotten behind the defense. Peoples-Jones didn’t practice the whole time, still shaking off some rust, but he made the most of his limited plays.
Tarik Black and Nico Collins were both very limited with (minor) injuries, but some on defense say they are the best two receivers going right now. Keep in mind, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis said the other day that sophomore Ronnie Bell had been one of the best receivers in the early going.
Perhaps it’s because he’d participated in every practice. While he had some nice moments yesterday, he also dropped some passes. “Inconsistent” is the word we’ve heard there. Freshman Mike Sanirisitil, meanwhile, seems a lock to start in the slot. He’s really, really good.
Redshirt sophomore Dylan McCaffrey has also been sharp, and he can really run with the ball ... fast and smart. There will definitely be a role for both quarterbacks, and they are excited about the future of this position. There’s a big gap between the top two and redshirt frosh Joe Milton (and frosh Cade McNamara), but those guys are going to be good, too.
Milton went out to leadership training (military service style) with about 20 other quarterbacks from around the country, we’re told, and was the “alpha male” of the group. The guy has a lot of great qualities, and while he’s not in the mix right now, he continues to work hard … as though he’s going to be the starter. That’s worked out (down the line) for some other Michigan quarterbacks in the past.
The offensive line has been outstanding. Four of the five have first-team All-Big Ten potential, at least — there could be an All-American or two in there — and all four returning starters have elevated their games. As we mentioned the other day, senior guard Mike Onwenu is moving better and his stamina has improved dramatically. Gattis called him “370 pounds,” but he’s lighter than that and moving really well. The emphasis for all of them will be maintaining their great shape throughout the year. They know what’s at stake, and senior left guard Ben Bredeson has been a great leader in that respect.
As for right tackle — still too close to call, though redshirt freshman Jalen Mayfield was working with the ones yesterday. Redshirt sophomore Andrew Stueber is right on his heels, is huge and playing really well, too. This bodes well for the future of the position, especially with how good the freshmen guards have looked and guys like redshirt frosh Ryan Hayes still adding good weight.
They are to the point now where their two-deep is where they want it to be — and, frankly, where it hasn’t been in a long, long time. Redshirt sophomore Chuck Filiaga and Joel Honigford are playing well as backup guards, while Stephen Spanellis is the No. 2 center.
Senior tight end Sean McKeon has been lights out, and backup Nick Eubanks has had his moments. Yet more praise for frosh Erick All and his “great hands.” He’s going to play, and (prediction) there will be times he gets the ball in pressure situations as a mismatch.
There have been several varied opinions on the running backs. From one player’s standpoint, freshman Zach Charbonnet is “the real deal,” but veteran Tru Wilson is playing well and still considered No. 1 in his eyes. Yesterday, those close to it relayed that redshirt frosh Christian Turner was No. 1, Charbonnet a close second and Wilson very much in the mix.
We’ll have to see how that plays out as they continue in pads.
****
On defense, senior Khaleke Hudson is having a great camp. Some expressed concern the other day when defensive coordinator Don Brown didn’t mention him along with the other linebackers, but it’s only because it’s taken for granted he’s going to be good. He’s been the top leader on the defense and is a shoo-in as a captain.
Digressing a moment and speaking of captains — don’t be surprised if the coaches are involved in picking them this year, though the players will still have a say. Harbaugh wants guys who are going to be 100 percent committed through the last game of the season, whenever that may be, and (strong opinion) there could be some vetting in this respect before captains are announced.
Hudson and Bredeson are locks to be captains. The other defensive captain will likely be one of Jordan Glasgow or Josh Metellus. We like senior Carlo Kemp, too, and the fact that he might be running fourth on the defensive list indicates how much leadership there is on that side of the ball.
Offense remains unclear at this point, according to some very informed insiders. Patterson, Wilson, McKeon … it’s up in the air.
Back to the defense …
The Donovan Jeter hype is real. Per one close to it, he is by far the most improved on defense. His size, technique, and effort … the OL is not pushing him off the ball or taking him out of plays. He has really stepped and stymied the ones and most often shuts down the twos and threes. Right now he’s a backup, too, though as Brown said he essentially has eight starters.
Aidan Hutchinson and Kwity Paye would be the starting ends today, Carlo Kemp and Mike Dwumfour (who has a non-serious injury) the tackles. Jeter and Ben Mason are working with the twos inside, Mike Danna and Taylor Upshaw coming on at end, with Danna able to play both positions. Senior Josh Uche is playing primarily at linebacker but lining up all over the field.
Junior linebacker Josh Ross is the one inside linebacker entrenched in the starting lineup (viper Hudson, of course, has that spot locked down), but the other four have legitimately been very, very good. They feel great about that position. There’s a lot of versatility there.
Senior Metellus and junior Brad Hawkins, as Brown said yesterday, are neck-and-neck with how well they’ve played. They’d be the No. 1 guys as of today. Frosh Dax Hill is a freak athlete who still needs to learn the position, but they have high hopes for him as the year progresses.
Corners … it’s thin. They need junior Ambry Thomas back, though they obviously like senior Lavert Hill and redshirt frosh Vincent Gray a lot.
Finally, special teams — redshirt junior Quinn Nordin and sophomore Jake Moody are both kicking really, really well. Nordin seems to have gotten his mojo back. Redshirt sophomore Brad Robbins is back punting very well after returning from a back injury and giving incumbent Will Hart all he can handle. They feel great about both of those positions.
Kick return … expect Turner and Sainristil to be the guys back there, with Peoples-Jones continuing to handle punt return.
Watch for more ITF, recruiting and more, this afternoon.
First, some notes from yesterday’s practice …
Both of the top two quarterbacks are outstanding, but senior Shea Patterson has elevated his game tremendously. Harbaugh said a few times this summer he envisioned both of his top two quarterbacks playing in every game this year, but Patterson has been really, really sharp. One of the young linebackers (the No. 1 offense played against the No. 2 defense yesterday and immediately drove down for a score) said Patterson is impossible to stop when he gets out of the pocket after a play breaks down.
“He always finds an open receiver.”
Yesterday’s impressive plays included a 70-yard TD bomb to junior Donovan Peoples-Jones, who had gotten behind the defense. Peoples-Jones didn’t practice the whole time, still shaking off some rust, but he made the most of his limited plays.
Tarik Black and Nico Collins were both very limited with (minor) injuries, but some on defense say they are the best two receivers going right now. Keep in mind, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis said the other day that sophomore Ronnie Bell had been one of the best receivers in the early going.
Perhaps it’s because he’d participated in every practice. While he had some nice moments yesterday, he also dropped some passes. “Inconsistent” is the word we’ve heard there. Freshman Mike Sanirisitil, meanwhile, seems a lock to start in the slot. He’s really, really good.
Redshirt sophomore Dylan McCaffrey has also been sharp, and he can really run with the ball ... fast and smart. There will definitely be a role for both quarterbacks, and they are excited about the future of this position. There’s a big gap between the top two and redshirt frosh Joe Milton (and frosh Cade McNamara), but those guys are going to be good, too.
Milton went out to leadership training (military service style) with about 20 other quarterbacks from around the country, we’re told, and was the “alpha male” of the group. The guy has a lot of great qualities, and while he’s not in the mix right now, he continues to work hard … as though he’s going to be the starter. That’s worked out (down the line) for some other Michigan quarterbacks in the past.
The offensive line has been outstanding. Four of the five have first-team All-Big Ten potential, at least — there could be an All-American or two in there — and all four returning starters have elevated their games. As we mentioned the other day, senior guard Mike Onwenu is moving better and his stamina has improved dramatically. Gattis called him “370 pounds,” but he’s lighter than that and moving really well. The emphasis for all of them will be maintaining their great shape throughout the year. They know what’s at stake, and senior left guard Ben Bredeson has been a great leader in that respect.
As for right tackle — still too close to call, though redshirt freshman Jalen Mayfield was working with the ones yesterday. Redshirt sophomore Andrew Stueber is right on his heels, is huge and playing really well, too. This bodes well for the future of the position, especially with how good the freshmen guards have looked and guys like redshirt frosh Ryan Hayes still adding good weight.
They are to the point now where their two-deep is where they want it to be — and, frankly, where it hasn’t been in a long, long time. Redshirt sophomore Chuck Filiaga and Joel Honigford are playing well as backup guards, while Stephen Spanellis is the No. 2 center.
Senior tight end Sean McKeon has been lights out, and backup Nick Eubanks has had his moments. Yet more praise for frosh Erick All and his “great hands.” He’s going to play, and (prediction) there will be times he gets the ball in pressure situations as a mismatch.
There have been several varied opinions on the running backs. From one player’s standpoint, freshman Zach Charbonnet is “the real deal,” but veteran Tru Wilson is playing well and still considered No. 1 in his eyes. Yesterday, those close to it relayed that redshirt frosh Christian Turner was No. 1, Charbonnet a close second and Wilson very much in the mix.
We’ll have to see how that plays out as they continue in pads.
****
On defense, senior Khaleke Hudson is having a great camp. Some expressed concern the other day when defensive coordinator Don Brown didn’t mention him along with the other linebackers, but it’s only because it’s taken for granted he’s going to be good. He’s been the top leader on the defense and is a shoo-in as a captain.
Digressing a moment and speaking of captains — don’t be surprised if the coaches are involved in picking them this year, though the players will still have a say. Harbaugh wants guys who are going to be 100 percent committed through the last game of the season, whenever that may be, and (strong opinion) there could be some vetting in this respect before captains are announced.
Hudson and Bredeson are locks to be captains. The other defensive captain will likely be one of Jordan Glasgow or Josh Metellus. We like senior Carlo Kemp, too, and the fact that he might be running fourth on the defensive list indicates how much leadership there is on that side of the ball.
Offense remains unclear at this point, according to some very informed insiders. Patterson, Wilson, McKeon … it’s up in the air.
Back to the defense …
The Donovan Jeter hype is real. Per one close to it, he is by far the most improved on defense. His size, technique, and effort … the OL is not pushing him off the ball or taking him out of plays. He has really stepped and stymied the ones and most often shuts down the twos and threes. Right now he’s a backup, too, though as Brown said he essentially has eight starters.
Aidan Hutchinson and Kwity Paye would be the starting ends today, Carlo Kemp and Mike Dwumfour (who has a non-serious injury) the tackles. Jeter and Ben Mason are working with the twos inside, Mike Danna and Taylor Upshaw coming on at end, with Danna able to play both positions. Senior Josh Uche is playing primarily at linebacker but lining up all over the field.
Junior linebacker Josh Ross is the one inside linebacker entrenched in the starting lineup (viper Hudson, of course, has that spot locked down), but the other four have legitimately been very, very good. They feel great about that position. There’s a lot of versatility there.
Senior Metellus and junior Brad Hawkins, as Brown said yesterday, are neck-and-neck with how well they’ve played. They’d be the No. 1 guys as of today. Frosh Dax Hill is a freak athlete who still needs to learn the position, but they have high hopes for him as the year progresses.
Corners … it’s thin. They need junior Ambry Thomas back, though they obviously like senior Lavert Hill and redshirt frosh Vincent Gray a lot.
Finally, special teams — redshirt junior Quinn Nordin and sophomore Jake Moody are both kicking really, really well. Nordin seems to have gotten his mojo back. Redshirt sophomore Brad Robbins is back punting very well after returning from a back injury and giving incumbent Will Hart all he can handle. They feel great about both of those positions.
Kick return … expect Turner and Sainristil to be the guys back there, with Peoples-Jones continuing to handle punt return.
Watch for more ITF, recruiting and more, this afternoon.
Last edited:
