Michigan has a number of 2020 positions up for grabs, including the most important — quarterback. Here’s a look at several of the key position battles, where things stand and how they might shake out this spring.
QUARTERBACK
This is a two-man race, of course, between redshirt junior Dylan McCaffrey and Joe Milton, and word has it both guys are off to great starts, taking winter conditioning seriously. Both are great leaders and command the respect of their teammates, and while McCaffrey would be considered the frontrunner in this competition heading into spring ball, Milton’s close enough that he could emerge as the starter.
McCaffrey can throw, but the knock on him is he tends to pull it down too quickly (even in practice), somewhat similar to John O’Korn in that sense a few years back (and yes, he’s much better than O’Korn). Milton, meanwhile, is just the opposite, trying to force the ball into tight spaces with his big arm.
Either way, don’t expect these guys to be doing a lot of golfing this summer. They both want the job … badly.
OFFENSIVE LINE
There are options here, and only one or two guys who seem to be locks for starting job — maybe even just one in redshirt sophomore tackle Jalen Mayfield. We expect him to play on the left side, and for redshirt junior Andrew Stueber (who would have started at right tackle this year, though Mayfield would have played and might have passed him up eventually the way he played) to start if he’s completely healthy … and he’s well on his way.
Stueber might move to guard given that U-M has more tackle candidates now. Those close to it really like redshirt frosh Karsen Barnhart, but redshirt sophomore Ryan Hayes showed he belonged. This is a huge spring for redshirt junior guard Chuck Filiaga (now or never), and there are several good, young guards behind him.
“I don’t know how it will shake out, but Hayes could play some guard,” one close to it said. “Either way, it’s good to finally have options.”
And there are plenty. This line will be young, but there’s a lot of talent here.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Carlo Kemp will be back for a fifth year, and while a portion of the fan base won’t appreciate its importance, his return is huge. He’s a leader, has demonstrated what it means to go hard on every possession and was a major plus most of the year.
They need more here, though, and Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith are expected to have huge springs on the way to becoming stalwarts in the lineup. Hinton played too high this year and got pushed around a bit as a result, but they love his potential. Smith has some minor medical issues to work through that have affected his stamina, but he’s already one of the strongest guys on the team.
This is a huge spring for redshirt junior Donovan Jeter, whose practice habits and every-play mentality need to improve if he’s going to contribute. He had a very good spring last year, but it’s now or never.
QUARTERBACK
This is a two-man race, of course, between redshirt junior Dylan McCaffrey and Joe Milton, and word has it both guys are off to great starts, taking winter conditioning seriously. Both are great leaders and command the respect of their teammates, and while McCaffrey would be considered the frontrunner in this competition heading into spring ball, Milton’s close enough that he could emerge as the starter.
McCaffrey can throw, but the knock on him is he tends to pull it down too quickly (even in practice), somewhat similar to John O’Korn in that sense a few years back (and yes, he’s much better than O’Korn). Milton, meanwhile, is just the opposite, trying to force the ball into tight spaces with his big arm.
Either way, don’t expect these guys to be doing a lot of golfing this summer. They both want the job … badly.
OFFENSIVE LINE
There are options here, and only one or two guys who seem to be locks for starting job — maybe even just one in redshirt sophomore tackle Jalen Mayfield. We expect him to play on the left side, and for redshirt junior Andrew Stueber (who would have started at right tackle this year, though Mayfield would have played and might have passed him up eventually the way he played) to start if he’s completely healthy … and he’s well on his way.
Stueber might move to guard given that U-M has more tackle candidates now. Those close to it really like redshirt frosh Karsen Barnhart, but redshirt sophomore Ryan Hayes showed he belonged. This is a huge spring for redshirt junior guard Chuck Filiaga (now or never), and there are several good, young guards behind him.
“I don’t know how it will shake out, but Hayes could play some guard,” one close to it said. “Either way, it’s good to finally have options.”
And there are plenty. This line will be young, but there’s a lot of talent here.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Carlo Kemp will be back for a fifth year, and while a portion of the fan base won’t appreciate its importance, his return is huge. He’s a leader, has demonstrated what it means to go hard on every possession and was a major plus most of the year.
They need more here, though, and Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith are expected to have huge springs on the way to becoming stalwarts in the lineup. Hinton played too high this year and got pushed around a bit as a result, but they love his potential. Smith has some minor medical issues to work through that have affected his stamina, but he’s already one of the strongest guys on the team.
This is a huge spring for redshirt junior Donovan Jeter, whose practice habits and every-play mentality need to improve if he’s going to contribute. He had a very good spring last year, but it’s now or never.
