Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines football team Is favored by many to win the Big Ten this year, and camp seems to have gotten off to a great start. Here’s more of what we picked up after the weekend …
First off, still no timetable on junior corner Ambry Thomas’ return. Thomas needs to continue to add good weight back and is being monitored closely, so it’s up to others to make a move in his absence.
One who has gotten mixed reviews this fall — Jaylen Kelly-Powell. We wouldn’t read too much into this given that coaches experiment with many different lineups in camp (strategically), but Kelly-Powell was working with the ones opposite senior Lavert Hill yesterday — redshirt frosh Vincent Gray was working in with him — and he played well, holding his own.
Kelly-Powell is going to have to get some run at corner, it appears, but the hope is that Thomas will be back 100 percent sooner than later.
Speaking of Hill — he’s gone from question mark attitude-wise to absolute leader this year. He’s all about it this season, fully engaged at meetings and setting a great example for the younger guys. He’s 100 percent and has been out there every day killing it.
This defense has plenty of leaders, and it’s going to be hard to choose only two captains. Senior linebacker Khaleke Hudson has had a lights-out camp and is almost a shoo-in for captain, while senior Josh Uche is right behind him in terms of taking ownership of the team. We’ve already told you about senior safety Josh Metellus — he’s been great — and senior defensive tackle Carlo Kemp, too, would be a great choice (in our opinion).
Even grad transfer defensive end Mike Danna has shown great leadership skills.
Uche was playing “all over” with the ones this weekend and remains a force as a pass rusher. He’s stronger, too, and it’s really started to click where they could play him more than situationally. You’re going to see a lot of him this fall in many different areas.
Redshirt junior Devin Gil has been slowed a bit by injury … fifth-year senior Jordan Glasgow was working with the ones Sunday, and he’s not the typical former walk-on. The guy is a player, and those who would be concerned about him being out there because he’s a former walk-on — well, look no further than both of his brothers (now in the NFL) and former safety Jordan Kovacs as guys who excelled in the past in similar roles.
They are very happy with the linebackers, led by elite play from Josh Ross. He’ll be a first-team All-Big Ten candidate.
Danna has added 22 pounds from 240 to 262, but it’s his strength that’s really improved. They do a drill in which they have to lift a certain amount of weight with each arm; he was doing three or four reps with the allotted weight when he arrived, and now he’s up to 23 or 24. He’s going to be one of the first three defensive ends in the rotation and has the skills to really help.
On offense, senior quarterback Shea Patterson continues to tear it up. Junior receivers Tarik Black and Nico Collins were working with the ones at outside receiver while junior Donovan Peoples-Jones took a day off, and both played extremely well. Freshman slot Mike Sainristil does something every day to impress.
We told you the other day about fellow slot Giles Jackson and his incredibly quick feet. He got open yesterday but dropped a few balls, and guys who screw up in practice are now taking some laps when they do (so he ran the field a few times). Even Patterson, if he is slow to the line and it results in a delay of game, will be running a few laps.
Running backs … too early to tell. All four have had their moments. On leadership, it’s clear senior guard Ben Bredeson is the man on offense. Guys have been following his lead, and he’s been outstanding. The strength gains for this group, too, have been off the charts. Some have been concerned about their collective strength given weight loss, but junior center Cesar Ruiz, for example … they have a drill in which they are asked to move 870 pounds (or so) 10 yards as fast as they can. It took him 40 seconds in the spring; this fall he did it in under 10.
Redshirt sophomore Dylan McCaffrey continues to impress in every way. He’s a master at knowing when to run with the ball, and in a “take what the defense gives you” offense, that’s been quite a lot. He’s a great athlete and extremely fast, has been outrunning some guys with angles on him. It may not look like he’s moving as fast as he is at times, but he’s got the long legs and can motor.
Some have also said, “he’s a lock for two-time captain.” Everybody on the team loves and respects him, and he’s going to be a great one when he gets his opportunity. He has the ‘it’ factor.
Finally, they aren’t looking past MTSU, but they are certainly preparing for Army’s triple option, as well. Without going into too much detail, they’ve got an analyst on staff right now brought in who is very familiar with Army’s offense and trying to stop it. D.C. Don Brown, too, has been working since January on this.
First off, still no timetable on junior corner Ambry Thomas’ return. Thomas needs to continue to add good weight back and is being monitored closely, so it’s up to others to make a move in his absence.
One who has gotten mixed reviews this fall — Jaylen Kelly-Powell. We wouldn’t read too much into this given that coaches experiment with many different lineups in camp (strategically), but Kelly-Powell was working with the ones opposite senior Lavert Hill yesterday — redshirt frosh Vincent Gray was working in with him — and he played well, holding his own.
Kelly-Powell is going to have to get some run at corner, it appears, but the hope is that Thomas will be back 100 percent sooner than later.
Speaking of Hill — he’s gone from question mark attitude-wise to absolute leader this year. He’s all about it this season, fully engaged at meetings and setting a great example for the younger guys. He’s 100 percent and has been out there every day killing it.
This defense has plenty of leaders, and it’s going to be hard to choose only two captains. Senior linebacker Khaleke Hudson has had a lights-out camp and is almost a shoo-in for captain, while senior Josh Uche is right behind him in terms of taking ownership of the team. We’ve already told you about senior safety Josh Metellus — he’s been great — and senior defensive tackle Carlo Kemp, too, would be a great choice (in our opinion).
Even grad transfer defensive end Mike Danna has shown great leadership skills.
Uche was playing “all over” with the ones this weekend and remains a force as a pass rusher. He’s stronger, too, and it’s really started to click where they could play him more than situationally. You’re going to see a lot of him this fall in many different areas.
Redshirt junior Devin Gil has been slowed a bit by injury … fifth-year senior Jordan Glasgow was working with the ones Sunday, and he’s not the typical former walk-on. The guy is a player, and those who would be concerned about him being out there because he’s a former walk-on — well, look no further than both of his brothers (now in the NFL) and former safety Jordan Kovacs as guys who excelled in the past in similar roles.
They are very happy with the linebackers, led by elite play from Josh Ross. He’ll be a first-team All-Big Ten candidate.
Danna has added 22 pounds from 240 to 262, but it’s his strength that’s really improved. They do a drill in which they have to lift a certain amount of weight with each arm; he was doing three or four reps with the allotted weight when he arrived, and now he’s up to 23 or 24. He’s going to be one of the first three defensive ends in the rotation and has the skills to really help.
On offense, senior quarterback Shea Patterson continues to tear it up. Junior receivers Tarik Black and Nico Collins were working with the ones at outside receiver while junior Donovan Peoples-Jones took a day off, and both played extremely well. Freshman slot Mike Sainristil does something every day to impress.
We told you the other day about fellow slot Giles Jackson and his incredibly quick feet. He got open yesterday but dropped a few balls, and guys who screw up in practice are now taking some laps when they do (so he ran the field a few times). Even Patterson, if he is slow to the line and it results in a delay of game, will be running a few laps.
Running backs … too early to tell. All four have had their moments. On leadership, it’s clear senior guard Ben Bredeson is the man on offense. Guys have been following his lead, and he’s been outstanding. The strength gains for this group, too, have been off the charts. Some have been concerned about their collective strength given weight loss, but junior center Cesar Ruiz, for example … they have a drill in which they are asked to move 870 pounds (or so) 10 yards as fast as they can. It took him 40 seconds in the spring; this fall he did it in under 10.
Redshirt sophomore Dylan McCaffrey continues to impress in every way. He’s a master at knowing when to run with the ball, and in a “take what the defense gives you” offense, that’s been quite a lot. He’s a great athlete and extremely fast, has been outrunning some guys with angles on him. It may not look like he’s moving as fast as he is at times, but he’s got the long legs and can motor.
Some have also said, “he’s a lock for two-time captain.” Everybody on the team loves and respects him, and he’s going to be a great one when he gets his opportunity. He has the ‘it’ factor.
Finally, they aren’t looking past MTSU, but they are certainly preparing for Army’s triple option, as well. Without going into too much detail, they’ve got an analyst on staff right now brought in who is very familiar with Army’s offense and trying to stop it. D.C. Don Brown, too, has been working since January on this.
