This has got to be our last one right? Here’s the offense, but I have some late-breaking bits to add. Some of that was from Steve Lorenz and Brice Marich on their recent podcast. The rest was from Harbaugh, either speaking to the Detroit Athletic Club, or when sharing the same information on Jansen’s pod that only us bits reporters listen to, and you don’t have to because one of those reporters is tireless transcriber Isaiah Hole of WolverinesWire. I left 90% of it at the link because you should be reading him.

• QB: Via the DAC, Harbaugh seems legit excited for Cade. Villari’s playing some special teams. Harbaugh mentioned a special Run QB package for him.
• RB: Corum and Haskins are co-starters, expect some Edwards packages. (via both Pod, DAC)
• WR: Roman Wilson was banged up this spring, via the 24/7 podcast.
• TE: Just gonna quote the DAC guy: “Erick All has really elevated himself.  He’s a great catcher.  Specifically said that he would be disappointed if he didn’t get 70-75 targets this year.  Also mentioned he could really block.”
• OL: This is all from the pod: Zinter, Hayes, and Stueber have locked in OL jobs. Barnhart, Keegan, Filiaga, Vastardis, Rumler, and Trente Jones are the others in the mix, and Crippen got himself on the two-deep then Atteberry asserted himself. Lorenz said it felt like to him that Zinter’s heading towards starting there, and that Keegan is probably the leader at left guard. He too heard Willie Allen leaving was about getting passed by Trente Jones($), something I was guessing at earlier. Harbaugh admitted they have a scoring system for the OL and the versatility means they think they’ll end up going with the five highest scores.
• In general: A lot of players missed time for contact tracing, some quite a lot of it. Nothing to be done.

The most interesting bit is Andrew Vastardis isn’t among the locks (and presumably not one of the top five scores). I agree with Lorenz: that can only mean they really want Zinter to pick up center. Gun to my head, the starters against WMU are (L->R) Hayes-Keegan-Zinter-Stueber-Barnhart, with Jones a darkhorse to pass Barnhart.

The parts about All are nice but probably just mean he’s still the starter. The stuff about Villari garners attention because he’s a quarterback, but it’s not hard to read this one: 1) Harbaugh likes how Villari practices and wants to reward it, and 2) They had three scholarship QBs this spring, two teams in the spring game, and most of the family members who saw practice couldn’t tell you much more of what they saw than who was under center.

Let’s do the D.

[After THE JUMP]

Defense Overall

What we want to hear:

closing off this childrens' playground until i am done filming parkour montage which i will use as psychological warfare against my landlord

— wint (@dril) September 5, 2012

What we’re hearing: My practice observer said they’re a LONG way from that. There was a lot of confusion on both teams on where they were trying to get lined up. The Blue team (coached by Gattis and Macdonald) was burning clock between snaps, possibly to let the defense figure it out.

He said what stood out to him is Macdonald is featuring his best player’s skills. This (my fault—I made an ass of ume) turned into a conversation about Dax Hill and things the Ravens wanted to do with Earl Thomas, but then he came back to this and said really he meant if you squint at the “OLB” position and imagine Aidan Hutchinson back there, that’s what he meant.

The only valuable thing I got from the insulting spring video is a tiny bit more evidence that “Multiple” means they’re a 3-4.

Mike Morris (#90), previously an SDE, and Caden Kolesar (#35), a safety, are on the wings, with Jaylen Harrell (#32), an OLB/DE next to him (his arm is behind Kolesar in the still). Then Harrell comes.

What it means: It would have been nice to see the whole coverage but this is what they’re talking about with the “multiple” approach. Like the Ravens have for most of the last decade, I think Michigan wants to start with a lot of beef on the line of scrimmage. Most of the time that will mean three guys at 300 pounds or more lined up somewhere from one offensive tackle’s outside shoulder to the other’s. One of the more common alignments will be this:

In some nickel situations the nose will come out for what’s technically a 2-4-5, like Wisconsin does. Since the two “outside linebackers” are indiscernible from 4-3 defensive ends, you can just call it a nickel. In other nickel situations they’ll remove an inside linebacker, and you’ll get the 5-1-5. They’ll also have a dime where two of the big heavies are lifted, and we’ll call it a 1-5-5 even if it’s the same exact people Don Brown had on the field for his 3-3-5.

Defensive Tackle

Local bear Mazi Smith had the right defense come to him. [Patrick Barron]

What we want to hear:

" And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. " pic.twitter.com/CUq8FtiQ3s

— wint (@dril) December 19, 2017

What we’re hearing: Michigan offered Illinois State transfer DT who chose Arkansas a few days later. It’s of interest only because this was the first name Michigan’s been associated with in the DT portal since making at run at PSU’s Antonio Shelton, but shows they still very much want help. I’m not going to get angry about the fact that Minnesota, Northwestern, and USC, all excellent academic institutions, don’t seem to have a problem with transferring credits from Clemson, Old Dominion, and Alabama, which are academic institutions.

Okay I am.

Sam Webb collated his defensive line notes($) into one insider article that focuses on Mazi Smith (had a solid spring), Hinton, and Jeter as the only scholarship DTs getting discussed, with walk-ons Jess Speight and Joey George apparently ahead of the rest. ITF agrees re: Smith:

This source was really impressed with defensive tackle Mazi Smith, too, saying he did a really nice job plugging the holes on the interior gaps. He also felt the Blue team had the more experienced guys up front, one of the reasons Cade McNamara had a better day Saturday.

The name not getting much mention all spring was Julius Welschof, at least until Harbaugh went on the Jansen pod:

“There’s guys like Mazi Smith – you talk about ascending really, really doing well. Mazi, Chris Hinton, Julius Welschof, Kris Jenkins, Jess Speight, Joey George had a heckuva good spring. And Donovan Jeter – veteran guy, staring at defensive tackle. That interior defensive line is really, really coming along. As I said, Mazi had a heckuva spring, and so did Chris and then the young players like Julius Welschof, Jenkins, to go along with Donovan Jeter. Feel like we’re getting stouter in the middle as well.”

Jack Stewart hasn’t been heard from since moving from guard.

What it means: It’s nice to hear Kris Jenkins has grown enough that he’s mentioned with the tackles, since that’s where his upside’s up, and we weren’t hoping for more than that this year. Welschof was coming along in Don Brown’s system, and you’d think a guy who was on the field as a 3-tech in that defense would translate to an off-tackle spot in this one. It makes more sense when you consider the Ravens have had a 350-pound dude as their off-tackle the last five years.

Clearly they’re worried about this position, especially regarding depth. They’ll keep working the transfer market, but if any of the freshmen can play they’ll be on the field.

Projected depth chart: I’ll make a box.

Defensive End/OLB

Butts wanted. [Barron]

What we want to hear:

there is no such thing as a baby animal. they are all adults from birth. sorry if my opinion offends you

— wint (@dril) July 10, 2015

What we’re hearing: Aidan Hutchinson has been out this spring with last year’s broken ankle, so that’s why we’re not hearing much from him. Nobody on the yellow team (Morris, Harrell) got to McNamara in the spring game but David Ojabo and Taylor Upshaw “made things uncomfortable”($) for JJ McCarthy, though against mostly 2nd string OL. Upshaw got a few bat-downs my guy said.

Jaylen Harrell stood out to Sam Webb’s insider($):

The player I heard the most about in the front seven was Jaylen Harrell. He had a good day from his OLB spot. Really physical. He can rush the passer, but is comfortable standing up.

The other guy he’s hearing about a lot is Mike Morris at DE. It seems he was responsible for batting as many as four of McNamara’s passes. Rivals says Morris is OMG shirtless($)-ripped.

Jansen said on his podcast that he was “seeing” David Ojabo. It’s more interesting to me that Harbaugh mentioned the defensive ends first when asked about young guys stepping up: about young guys stepping up:

“Taylor Upshaw, Mike Morris, David Ojabo, Gabe Newburg, Jaylen Harrell and Braiden McGregor – those are players that were defensive ends that now are stand-up outside linebackers. Really, it fits their ability, fits their talent and I saw them make huge strides. Talk about their energy, talk about the fun of those guys – all young players, all ascending players in a new role that all really had good springs. That’s probably the best example.

What it means:

i have trained my two fat identical sons to sit outside of my office and protect my brain from mindfreaks by meditating intensely

— wint (@dril) November 15, 2013

Harbaugh mentioned everybody. Upshaw, Morris and Newburg were guys Don Brown meant to grow into Anchor types once they grew some butts. Ojabo, Harrell, and McGregor were the more hybrid OLB/DE types who stood to benefit most from the move to a 3-4. The emergence of Mike Morris here was unexpected because I thought of that guy as a potential Chris Wormley.

I have a guess why we’re hearing more about big guys, and it goes back to those Ravens fronts. Baltimore’s method of moneyballing the salary cap has been to skimp on elite pass rushers:

While the Ravens allowed their productive pass-rushers to hit the open market, PFF’s Research and Development team was finalizing their thoughts on the actual value of pass-rushers, especially when compared to coverage players. Depending how much you were taught that football is won in the trenches, the results may have been counterintuitive, as strength on the back end proved to be more valuable than getting after the quarterback, and the Ravens’ team-building effort appeared to be following a similar blueprint.

The short version is the OLBs have to be excellent run-stopping edge defenders first, because they’re already positioned so that a B-level pass rusher can pick up plenty of sacks. My HTTV article gets into the why and what for, but I want you to start envisioning in your mind players like Aidan Hutchinson and Kwity Paye, not Jake Ryan or Josh Uche, as the ideal “OLB” in the new Michigan defense.

Projected depth chart: In order (side doesn’t matter yet): Hutchinson, Upshaw, Morris, a tie between Harrell/Ojabo, McGregor, Newburg, but in reality this is like a classic American League pennant race where the Yankees and Red Sox are locks to take the AL East and Wild Card berths, and there are five other teams going into September within three games of the other two division titles.

Linebacker

Who says hybrids aren’t in fashion anymore? [Bryan Fuller]

What we want to hear:

eating 1/2 lb of beef boulougnase and getting roid rage from it

— wint (@dril) December 6, 2016

What we’re hearing: Sam Webb wrote ten days ago that Michigan was “giving chase” in the hunt for Tennessee transfer LB Henry To’oto’o, but looks like they’ll finish third behind Ohio State and Alabama. The 24/7 staff believe Junior Colson “could be a star in the making” after a spring, with one of Sam Webb’s sources predicting All-American before he leaves.

Harbaugh had praise for his senior on the Jansen pod:

“Before we leave the defense, Josh Ross is also that kind of class, I would put him in there up with Aidan Hutchinson. Mike Barrett had an extremely good spring. Some real good, young linebackers came to the floor: Nikhai Hill-Green, Kalel Mullings and then mid-year freshman Junior Colson stood out.

That list does not include Cornell Wheeler or erstwhile viper Anthony Solomon. Also 2021 LB recruit Tyler McLaurin, whose season just wrapped up, is hearing there’s a chance he could contribute early this fall.

What it means:

pissing in to the toilet without getting over 10% of it on the floor and legs is Suad goals

— wint (@dril) April 25, 2021

This is about as bad as the talk can be without actually saying anything bad. Josh Ross really came apart last year and not acknowledging it makes me fear that’s because they don’t see a substantially different player. It’s clear he’s locked down his starting spot though, so they don’t much like what else they have. Barrett was the natural WLB candidate as last year’s Viper starter, but this is a much less straightforward role. It’s good that Colson is competing early, but when you read a true freshman’s on the two-deep before he’s supposed to be out of high school, that’s not great for anyone behind him. Also when the program thinks it has something to offer over two programs that can promise to be in the playoff, what else can that something be but a starting spot?

Projected depth chart: Again, an order because the positions are interchangeable: Josh Ross, Michael Barrett, please send help, Junior Colson, Nikhai Hill-Green, please help, Kalel Mullings, re-reading Jaydon Hood’s profile, watching Tyler McLaurin games, and the hope that this was a normal cost of this specific transition.

Safety & Nickel

Preparing for takeoff. [Bryan Fuller]

What we want to hear:

the games they're putting out these dsys. Damn. Theyre so good that you never even see gamers with depression anymore

— wint (@dril) July 26, 2018

What we’re hearing: Sam Webb’s been hearing Dax Hill’s been all over the place($).

What was most interesting was his usage. He played a lot of nickel today. I’m told he made five or six plays all from the nickel spot. It makes sense to use him there to take advantage of his outstanding versatility and the abundant talent in the safety room as a whole.

Multiple observers mentioned he jumped a route but dropped the INT. My friend said Dax has been doing “Peppers things.” That seems to track with ITF’s observation:

Dax Hill is going to be a stud. He was used in so many different ways, be it in the slot, or in nickel formations, setting the edge and making hits in the run game, and coming up in run support.

Brad Hawkins missed a bit of practice with an injury so RJ Moten got some opportunity to earn a spot in the rotation with Makari Paige. ITF notes the emergence of these guys is what’s allowing Dax to play more nickel.

Harbaugh in the Jansen pod:

“Dax Hill and Brad Hawkins – other guys that lead by example, had extremely good springs. Young safeties really asserted themselves. RJ Moten and Jordan Morant and Caden Kolesar and Makari Paige are all ascending as well on that defensive side.

What it means: There’s less nothing than the usual nothing being said here, but RJ Moten coming along enough that they’re comfortable playing three safeties is good news for him. Names not mentioned when Johnny Kolesar’s kid made this bits twice are probably not happening anytime soon.

Projected depth chart: Dax Hill and Brad Hawkins, with Paige and Moten the guys coming in when they play three safeties.

Cornerback

What we want to hear:

they should make dunce caps that have positive reaffirming words on them, like "speed demon" or "Wolf"

— wint (@dril) July 3, 2014

What we’re hearing:

i try to have fun on here, i try to post something nice, and all of you freaks brutally piss all over me. Im done

— wint (@dril) March 31, 2018

Sam says Gemon Green has been the best corner in camp($), to the point where they’re pulling him to give younger guys more reps. Further evidence that he’s #1 with a bullet: Green got to represent the defense to the media, said the new coaches expect different things, that Linguist is teaching more NFL skills. There’s usually not much to learn from these, but Gemon is clearly new to it, which unintentionally created the most genuine five minutes from the program all offseason:

More Gemon please.

Meanwhile DJ Turner is coming for Vincent Gray’s job—from everybody it’s been neck and neck with the advantage Turner. Those three are clearly the top three corners. Isaiah Hole’s editorial thoughts on why he chose Gray over Turner on his depth chart are a good rundown of the battle in general:

Gray’s return as a starter isn’t as set as Green’s, especially with reports DJ Turner has really stepped up his game this spring. But Gray also improved in 2020, though it wasn’t nearly as apparent as it was for Green. The turnover in coaching doesn’t help Gray’s case either, as there are fresh eyes both at his position as well as at defensive coordinator.

There’s also this from Marich’s depth chart:

And then there's Turner, who has a blend of speed, technique and tenacity that make him a genuine candidate to start. It sounds like he missed some time during fall camp last year that may have cost him the starting job. If he can string together a few strong practices, he can make up some ground.

Gemon also mentioned his brother German Green has been moved to cornerback. Safety/viper Quinten Johnson was seen at cornerback($), getting beat on a fade to Cornelius Johnson. Jalen Perry has moved to safety, and I haven’t heard Sammy Faustin’s name since last year’s preseason hype. There were some rumors that Andre Seldon was considering entering the portal, but those got definitively squashed by Seldon’s dad. Balas said Seldon’s “had a nice spring.”($)

What it means:

im bad at running and moving around but my upper body speed is incredile

— wint (@dril) March 30, 2014

Projected depth chart: Gemon Green