The spring game will be shown on the Big Ten Network on Saturday, April 2, at 12:00 p.m.
Here are a few things I'll be curious to watch:
WHO TAKES OVER FOR HASSAN HASKINS?
Michigan needs to replace its leading rusher and toughest back in Hassan Haskins, a 6'1", 220-pounder who is off to the NFL after rushing for 1,327 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2021. The Wolverines have two very talented running backs left, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, but neither one has proven to be a bruiser or short yardage back. They have home run speed but were listed at 200 and 202 pounds, respectively, last season. Redshirt freshman Tavierre Dunlap (6'0", 222) might be able to step into the role as a big back, but does he have the instincts and power that Haskins showed? Michigan doesn't need a leading rusher - that will be Corum or Edwards - but they need someone who can pound the ball inside.
Hit the jump for more.
WHO CAN PROVIDE A PASS RUSH?
The defense loses 25 sacks from its edge rushers last year, Aidan Hutchinson (14 sacks and a possible #1 overall pick) and David Ojabo (11 sacks and a potential 1st round pick before tearing his Achilles). That's a ton of production to find from a group consisting of players whose highest individual total was 2.5 by Taylor Upshaw. Of Michigan's 34 total sacks in 2021, only 6 of those sacks were made by returning players. Front-runners to take over are Upshaw, Mike Morris (0.5 sacks in 2021), Braiden McGregor (0 sacks), Jaylen Harrell (0 sacks), and T.J. Guy (1 sack). One possible dark horse candidate is fifth year senior Julius Welschof (0.5 sacks), who has reportedly moved from tackle to end to provide some more competition.
WHAT WILL THE DEFENSIVE BACKS LOOK LIKE?
This may not be a point of focus for many - it's always the quarterbacks - but I am very interested to see what happens in the defensive backfield. Michigan lost three starters from 2021 in safety Daxton Hill, safety Brad Hawkins, and cornerback Vincent Gray. Cornerback D.J. Turner II is the only true starter returning, though cornerback Gemon Green started in 2020 and R.J. Moten got a lot of run at safety in 2021. Rod Moore seems certain to start at one safety position, but what of the cornerbacks and the nickel position? It seems like Green will get the nod on the outside, but converted wide receiver Mike Sainristil has been impressing at nickel in the spring and early enrollee freshman Will Johnson has earned rave reviews.
WHO TAKES OVER FOR HASSAN HASKINS?
ReplyDeleteAfter 1Q, nobody? If Dunlap is the guy, it'll be in a very limited role (more like our old use of FB). Corum can get past contact, and is a HR threat in space; Edwards is still lethal as a receiver, but doesn't get past arm tackles
WHO CAN PROVIDE A PASS RUSH?
Spread it out? I like that TJ Guy is all over the place, but this looks like a year where DBrown would create havoc with creative blitzing. Maxi has a ton of hype, but didn't command a double team
WHAT WILL THE DEFENSIVE BACKS LOOK LIKE?
So far, so good! With all the talk of WR depth, and the concern of limited pass rush, our secondary kept guys covered. Saint was impressive on a breakup against Anthony
How about Davis Warren? Not a starter, but if we didn't know anyone on the roster, he held up well compared to the scholarship guys. Needs to come off his first look, but the zip & accuracy was a pleasant surprise
*of course, this is only after the 1Q
Lots of depth getting PT in the 2Q, so not much more to learn
ReplyDeleteJust glad to have the boys back out there!
Sat unmolested in my favorite seat in the house, aisle 56 dead between the goal posts in the student's end zone. It was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWe have two, solid, big RBs.
Dunlap found the holes and broke some tackles. He's the guy most likely to be the guy.
But, Mullings can play and is an honest to goodness Power 5 RB, although his biggest gain was on a play where one of the Tenessee freshman corners looked pretty bad ... both lost and scared. A full grown BIG corner is likely gonna take him down for a 5, maybe 6 yard gain rather than the 15 or so plus he got on that play. Still he ran hard, showed some more than adequate speed for a big back at this level and was hard to get to the ground.
Clemons made a very tough catch laying out for a TD. Enjoy that kid while you can, I don't see us getting four seasons out of him. Maybe not three.
Mason Graham can play, Eddie VD or no. He's very big and stout at the point of attack. He doesn't like getting blocked at this level any more than he did at the last.
Kris Jennings had a really nice sack coming from inside.
Sainristil was tried and came up with a very nice PBU.
The walk-on QB has a very big and surprisingly accurate arm.
I hate to damn the kid on one outing, but Orji looks far more like an RB and a good one at that, than he does a QB.
Then, I am very pleased to be able to say that The Gandy Dancer hasn't lost a step either. Both the Salmon and the Sea Bass were outstanding, as were the Escargot and the Lobster Bisque. The Creme Broule' was to die for. The cocktails were both a little different, and delicious. Four stars. I'd give them 5 stars, but I'm afraid they'd move to Columbus.
Kris Jenkins.
DeleteChris Jennings is an assistant township assessor. With a lousy first step.
I agree on Mullings. He's a little rough around the edges, but given enough reps, I think he could play at the Big Ten level.
DeleteMan, The Gandy Dancer mention brings up good memories. I haven't been there in a while.
I didn't even know Mullings had moved. Is this necessary? At the risk of "questioning the coaches," I don't see much benefit. Corum is our clear #1. Edwards is an absolute threat as a receiving option, and will improve as a ball carrier. Dunlap can grind, though clearly a step down from the other two
DeleteIs Mullings at RB just a spring experiment?
A walk-on QB with a cannon arm is not what one expects. Good to hear.
DeleteMullings will benefit as a LB from his time at RB even if it doesn't last.
He had a tackle. he also had four carries for about 9 a carry and a contested reception for a yard.
DeleteHe was a real solid high school RB as a redzone guy, with maybe 400 or so yards but 20 + touchdowns.
Also played outside receiver some with 15 ish yards per reception and some more touchdowns. Has some hands. Pretty sure he averaged multiple catches per game.
Just a really good all round football player.
I think Mullings had more than 9 yards. He had a big chunk run around the left side at one point that went for 15-20 yards by itself.
Delete@ je93 1:41 p.m.
DeleteMichigan only has 3 scholarship running backs, and the one guy built for short yardage (Tavierre Dunlap) is a redshirt freshman who is a little suspect, in my opinion. He does not have much burst, and it remains to be seen whether he has a knack for being that bruising power back.
If Mullings isn't in the top 3 of inside linebackers, then he should probably be getting a look at running back.
Though I agree it's optimal if Dunlop or Stokes take the role, I don't see much reason to doubt Corum's effectiveness as a short-yardage option. He's strong and compact.
DeleteI think Blake will change some perceptions this fall and embrace being a more all-around back with Haskins gone.
If not - Michigan can also get a bit more creative use more QB runs and RB leaks.
I do share Thunder's concern about Dunlap, though it's probably understandable we didn't hear much about him with how good the top 3 were.
RB - I think the Haskins replacement is pretty obvious - Corum. 1B becomes 1A. Edwards is next (3 moves up to 2). They'll need a 3rd guy and right now that's really Dunlop by default so we won't answer that question till fall.
ReplyDeleteDE - The short answer to who replaces the departed pass rushers is nobody. You don't replace the best DE duo in school history. That aside the hype so far has been Morris and Upshaw which tells me it's going to have to be a team effort and more blitzes to generate pressure.
DB - This is the most interesting question though with Moore out it's not clear how meaningful the spring stuff is. Is he at nickel or at safety? Lots of Sainristil talk but he's playing both ways?
From the bits of spring game I saw lots of walk-ons involved as usual. I'm always dubious of takeaways extending into fall but Thunder has pointed out some occassions where what we've heard matters in the season.