One of the guys that I talk to was back in Ann Arbor for Michigan's pro day and the start of spring practice. Based on his observations and conversations with the staff, players, etc. Here is what he has shared with me regarding the football team.
The Michigan staff is confident that as many as six (maybe seven) Wolverines will sign NFL contracts.
Players seem to really like the new additions to the coaching staff. I asked who made the biggest impression on him so far - he replied, Ben Herbert. Then Sherrone Moore. I mentioned reports of McElwain being the most vocal and he said the entire staff is vocal. He said, it isn't uncommon though for people to notice the new guy(s) more because that is who they have been waiting to see in action.
At quarterback - he said, WHEN the NCAA rules Shea Patterson eligible, it will be like Michigan winning the lottery. Patterson is special with or without the pads on. Another kid he says just has the 'it' factor is Dylan McCaffery. He thinks McCaffery is special, good enough to push Patterson, but adds, there is a reason Shea was brought to Ann Arbor. Brandon Peters is throwing the ball well but no pads, means no contact. Peters problem was mental - shell shock - and they won't know if he gets past that until he starts taking some hits again. As for Joe Milton - he looks the part of a college quarterback, but he's a freshman who needs to work on fundamentals. He will earn a lot of praise in practice reports but will still likely redshirt.
Running back - is Karan Higdon and then a considerable gap to the second and third guy. The staff still wants to have 2 or 3 guys they can trust to carry the ball, they don't want one guy getting beaten up too early in the season, but they have also recognized that they didn't ride the 'hot hand' enough last year, specifically with Higdon. The staff still really likes Chris Evans but Higdon is starting to separate himself. As mentioned in other threads, Kareem Walker is banged up and while it isn't a significant injury, it is yet another setback. Walker's issue has been how he reacts to setbacks (in class and on the field). He is still earning his way back and can't afford any more slip ups. No mention of Samuels so I asked and he said, he seems to be adjusting to the level of competition still. One thing, he noted, that Christian Turner won't have to adjust to as much. He thinks Turner is going to surprise a lot of people once he gets on campus.
Fullback - Ben Mason. Maybe Harbaugh's favorite player on the team. He's going to move around on offense and MAYBE on defense. He will get a look at linebacker in the spring and there may be a package for him come fall, but with the depth at linebacker and Mason's role in the offense, don't expect to see a lot of defense. Depth at fullback is a concern until the coaches see how well Ben VanSumeren adjusts to college football. Look for tight ends in the back field as well.
Tight End - pretty bummed about Tyrone Wheatley Jr. He said the kid just can't catch a break with injuries but added that he will be back in the fall. McKeon is the #1 guy but there are going to be packages for Gentry and Eubanks in the passing game.
Receivers - expects big, big things from this group. Said McElwain will get a lot of credit but also said, fans need to remember 3 of the 4 freshmen were dealing with injuries last fall. All four are healthy now and adding them to Perry and Crawford gives Michigan a lot of depth and playmakers in the passing game. Perry is injured, but like Wheatley, is expected to be back in the fall. The one guy he thinks is going to explode this year is Nico Collins. But added both he and DPJ need to stop fighting the ball.
Offensive Line - much too early to know just how much this group will improve but he's confident they will be better. He said the focus right now is on technique, technique and technique. Players are hearing one terminology and focusing on one position. He said there isn't a top five on the OL and likely won't be until fall. The staff believes they have a Rimington caliber center in Ruiz. He would be surprised if Bredeson and Onwenu were not the starting guards, but added Spanellis could easily be a starter on this line and adds quality depth - something Michigan hasn't had in a long time. He is much more confident about the tackle position than most of us. He said JBB realizes this is his last chance - a chance he almost didn't get - and is preparing like it. Also Filiaga, Hudson and Steuber are further along than most think. All three benefited from a redshirt year but all three have some things to get better at. Another guy he mentioned was Ulizio. He said, a lot of people have given up on him after the start of last season, but credit the kid for not giving up. He will continue to compete and gives the staff another experienced backup.
Specialists - Nordin will be the kicker but he has no idea who will punt. Said it may be one of the biggest question marks on this team. Robbins was much better in practice last year than in games and seems to be letting the pressure get to him. He's shown he can punt, he just needs to execute.
Def. Line - without a doubt, the strength of this team. Like others he has noted the S&C change has been good for Mone. But added, that doesn't mean he starts. He still has to show up in great shape in the fall and beat out Dwumfour. Solomon will be the anchor they build around. We know what we are getting from Gary and Winovich, but look for them to get moved around a lot creating mismatches and confusion. Kwity Paye is getting a lot of attention from Mattison. He's going to impact a game or two. And despite being injured now, Vilain seems to be his carbon copy and another guy that Mattison is excited about. Did I mention Dwumfour?
Linebacker - a lot of talent here for just three positions. Khaleke Hudson will be the viper again, with Noah Furbush playing in certain situations. Devin Bush Jr. is going to get challenged, but he said, he is the defensive captain on the field and will start. After that there is a list of guys looking to contribute, Gil, Uche, Anthony, Singleton, and Ross. My guy says right now he'd pick Gil to start, but based on potential wouldn't be surprised to see Singleton win the job. Another guy he really likes is Joshua Ross.
Cornerbacks - with two returning starters who were arguably the best duo cornerback duo against the pass last season, it's hard to imagine one of them not starting but as good as Lavert Hill and David Long were last year, they are going to be pushed hard by Ambry Thomas. Last year, I was told that Thomas was the best cover corner on the team. He's gotten better. No matter what happens, this is a talented group that should be able to match up well with 3 and 4 receiver sets.
A forgotten name here is Watson, not that he will start, but he will continue to contribute. When I asked about St. Juste, he said the coaches love his size, but he is still learning how to play the position consistently. He also said he wouldn't be surprised if Sims played as a true freshman. There is an expectation by some in AA that Hill and/or Long will be gone after this season.
Safety - after punter, this may be the biggest unknown. My guy says he expects Metellus and Kinnel to start again, despite letting up some big plays, they played the position better than some are giving them credit for, especially considering they were first year starters. But he also concedes there is some significant competition from JKP and Brad Hawkins. What will help the latter two will be focusing entirely on safety. The guy he seemed to get most excited about was Hawkins. Said he is a hitter that is going to arrive at the receiver with bad intentions. Another guy he mentioned was a hitter last year was Woods, but he has some work to do, mainly not getting caught looking in the backfield.
Final observation - he said last fall and during bowl game practices that the team had lost some of its swagger. He said there were a lot of distractions (players knew changes were coming). But the few days he was back in AA, he felt like the confidence and focus was back. He also said, one coach told him this is the best team from a talent and depth standpoint that they have had in four seasons.
The Michigan staff is confident that as many as six (maybe seven) Wolverines will sign NFL contracts.
Players seem to really like the new additions to the coaching staff. I asked who made the biggest impression on him so far - he replied, Ben Herbert. Then Sherrone Moore. I mentioned reports of McElwain being the most vocal and he said the entire staff is vocal. He said, it isn't uncommon though for people to notice the new guy(s) more because that is who they have been waiting to see in action.
At quarterback - he said, WHEN the NCAA rules Shea Patterson eligible, it will be like Michigan winning the lottery. Patterson is special with or without the pads on. Another kid he says just has the 'it' factor is Dylan McCaffery. He thinks McCaffery is special, good enough to push Patterson, but adds, there is a reason Shea was brought to Ann Arbor. Brandon Peters is throwing the ball well but no pads, means no contact. Peters problem was mental - shell shock - and they won't know if he gets past that until he starts taking some hits again. As for Joe Milton - he looks the part of a college quarterback, but he's a freshman who needs to work on fundamentals. He will earn a lot of praise in practice reports but will still likely redshirt.
Running back - is Karan Higdon and then a considerable gap to the second and third guy. The staff still wants to have 2 or 3 guys they can trust to carry the ball, they don't want one guy getting beaten up too early in the season, but they have also recognized that they didn't ride the 'hot hand' enough last year, specifically with Higdon. The staff still really likes Chris Evans but Higdon is starting to separate himself. As mentioned in other threads, Kareem Walker is banged up and while it isn't a significant injury, it is yet another setback. Walker's issue has been how he reacts to setbacks (in class and on the field). He is still earning his way back and can't afford any more slip ups. No mention of Samuels so I asked and he said, he seems to be adjusting to the level of competition still. One thing, he noted, that Christian Turner won't have to adjust to as much. He thinks Turner is going to surprise a lot of people once he gets on campus.
Fullback - Ben Mason. Maybe Harbaugh's favorite player on the team. He's going to move around on offense and MAYBE on defense. He will get a look at linebacker in the spring and there may be a package for him come fall, but with the depth at linebacker and Mason's role in the offense, don't expect to see a lot of defense. Depth at fullback is a concern until the coaches see how well Ben VanSumeren adjusts to college football. Look for tight ends in the back field as well.
Tight End - pretty bummed about Tyrone Wheatley Jr. He said the kid just can't catch a break with injuries but added that he will be back in the fall. McKeon is the #1 guy but there are going to be packages for Gentry and Eubanks in the passing game.
Receivers - expects big, big things from this group. Said McElwain will get a lot of credit but also said, fans need to remember 3 of the 4 freshmen were dealing with injuries last fall. All four are healthy now and adding them to Perry and Crawford gives Michigan a lot of depth and playmakers in the passing game. Perry is injured, but like Wheatley, is expected to be back in the fall. The one guy he thinks is going to explode this year is Nico Collins. But added both he and DPJ need to stop fighting the ball.
Offensive Line - much too early to know just how much this group will improve but he's confident they will be better. He said the focus right now is on technique, technique and technique. Players are hearing one terminology and focusing on one position. He said there isn't a top five on the OL and likely won't be until fall. The staff believes they have a Rimington caliber center in Ruiz. He would be surprised if Bredeson and Onwenu were not the starting guards, but added Spanellis could easily be a starter on this line and adds quality depth - something Michigan hasn't had in a long time. He is much more confident about the tackle position than most of us. He said JBB realizes this is his last chance - a chance he almost didn't get - and is preparing like it. Also Filiaga, Hudson and Steuber are further along than most think. All three benefited from a redshirt year but all three have some things to get better at. Another guy he mentioned was Ulizio. He said, a lot of people have given up on him after the start of last season, but credit the kid for not giving up. He will continue to compete and gives the staff another experienced backup.
Specialists - Nordin will be the kicker but he has no idea who will punt. Said it may be one of the biggest question marks on this team. Robbins was much better in practice last year than in games and seems to be letting the pressure get to him. He's shown he can punt, he just needs to execute.
Def. Line - without a doubt, the strength of this team. Like others he has noted the S&C change has been good for Mone. But added, that doesn't mean he starts. He still has to show up in great shape in the fall and beat out Dwumfour. Solomon will be the anchor they build around. We know what we are getting from Gary and Winovich, but look for them to get moved around a lot creating mismatches and confusion. Kwity Paye is getting a lot of attention from Mattison. He's going to impact a game or two. And despite being injured now, Vilain seems to be his carbon copy and another guy that Mattison is excited about. Did I mention Dwumfour?
Linebacker - a lot of talent here for just three positions. Khaleke Hudson will be the viper again, with Noah Furbush playing in certain situations. Devin Bush Jr. is going to get challenged, but he said, he is the defensive captain on the field and will start. After that there is a list of guys looking to contribute, Gil, Uche, Anthony, Singleton, and Ross. My guy says right now he'd pick Gil to start, but based on potential wouldn't be surprised to see Singleton win the job. Another guy he really likes is Joshua Ross.
Cornerbacks - with two returning starters who were arguably the best duo cornerback duo against the pass last season, it's hard to imagine one of them not starting but as good as Lavert Hill and David Long were last year, they are going to be pushed hard by Ambry Thomas. Last year, I was told that Thomas was the best cover corner on the team. He's gotten better. No matter what happens, this is a talented group that should be able to match up well with 3 and 4 receiver sets.
A forgotten name here is Watson, not that he will start, but he will continue to contribute. When I asked about St. Juste, he said the coaches love his size, but he is still learning how to play the position consistently. He also said he wouldn't be surprised if Sims played as a true freshman. There is an expectation by some in AA that Hill and/or Long will be gone after this season.
Safety - after punter, this may be the biggest unknown. My guy says he expects Metellus and Kinnel to start again, despite letting up some big plays, they played the position better than some are giving them credit for, especially considering they were first year starters. But he also concedes there is some significant competition from JKP and Brad Hawkins. What will help the latter two will be focusing entirely on safety. The guy he seemed to get most excited about was Hawkins. Said he is a hitter that is going to arrive at the receiver with bad intentions. Another guy he mentioned was a hitter last year was Woods, but he has some work to do, mainly not getting caught looking in the backfield.
Final observation - he said last fall and during bowl game practices that the team had lost some of its swagger. He said there were a lot of distractions (players knew changes were coming). But the few days he was back in AA, he felt like the confidence and focus was back. He also said, one coach told him this is the best team from a talent and depth standpoint that they have had in four seasons.
