The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1111798
22 THE WOLVERINE MAY 2019 runs and goes and gets the football. I'm really excited about him." RIGHT TACKLE GOES TO THE WIRE One of the biggest plusses for Gat- tis, Patterson, McCaffrey and every- one on the offensive side of the ball involves an offensive line return- ing four starters. Fifth-year senior left tackle Jon Runyan Jr., senior left guard Ben Bredeson, junior center Cesar Ruiz and senior right guard Michael Onwenu represent 80 per- cent of a potentially formidable front. Anyone expecting a starting right tackle named out of spring ball will just have to wait. The Wolverines feature a couple of contenders for whom the battle could go well into fall training camp. Redshirt sophomore Andrew Stue- ber (6-7, 323) out of Darien, Conn., gets the experience nod. He appeared on special teams in the opener against Florida two years ago, and got into all 13 contests last year, 11 at right tackle. He even started a pair of games there, against Ohio State and then Florida in the Peach Bowl. His challenger, 6-5, 296-pound red- shirt freshman Jalen Mayfield from Grand Rapids, Mich., isn't conced- ing anything. He is a hugely talented blocker with a mean streak on the field. He performed in three games at left tackle last season, and will make a strong push for the job. "I feel like I've been playing the best I've ever played, so hopefully it continues," Mayfield said. "I'm a lot more confident in myself, getting the playbook down." He's split repetitions at right tackle with Stueber, and insists he's in it for the long haul. He didn't expect any- thing to be decided in spring ball, in terms of the open spot. "Last year, I don't think I was ready," Mayfield said. "I talked to [offensive line] Coach [Ed] Warinner, and we thought it was best I redshirt, not be thrown in the fire right away. Now I have an opportunity, and I need to take advantage of it." Stueber no doubt feels the same, and it's game on in preparation throughout the summer and into the fall. TBDS ARE HUGE ON OFFENSE Ongoing competition remains at all positions on the Michigan offense. A The advent of early entry freshman performers has stolen away a little of the mystery in rookie playing projections. With more than 120 days to go before the start of the sea- son, a couple of frosh have already drawn the head coach's stamp of approval, as well as that of others. They've moved up, having already demonstrated capa- bility against performers at the college level. Others are soon to follow, in summer workouts and into fall camp. Here's a revised projection on Michigan's top five rookie contributors heading into the fall of 2019: 1. WR Mike Sainristil — From the quarterbacks, to the tight ends, to even some offensive linemen, the Wol- verines are saying the fleet wideout from Massachusetts showed up to play. He's re- ceived perhaps a greater op- portunity than normal, due to Michigan's injuries this spring at wide receiver. A door cracked open is one thing. Kicking it aside at full stride is another, and Sain- ristil didn't slow down all spring long. 2. TE Erick All — All pro- vides new offensive coordi- nator Josh Gattis the oppor- tunity to prove he's got plenty of work for versatile, flexible tight ends that can move. All fits that bill, with a toughness that backs down to nobody. He'll find the field in some capacity this fall, or leave a wake in his path trying. 3. RB Zach Charbonnet — The 6-1, 222-pounder proved hugely disappointed that he couldn't participate in spring ball, given the job out there to be won. His size and ability will keep him in good stead when he returns, though. The mental reps he's taking will soon turn into physical ones, and there's always room for another running back once the season hits. 4. S Daxton Hill — Unlike the others on this list, Hill hasn't even stepped onto a college campus yet as a student. Also unlike others on this list, he's a consensus five-star prep athlete who many say is as close to a can't-miss prospect as they come. Exceptional speed should, at the very least, provide Hill with situational opportuni- ties early. He's also said to be a quick learner, but safety is a tough spot, so it remains to be seen, how much, how soon? 5. DT Mazi Smith — Com- bine a 6-3, 303-pound early entry frosh with a clear op- portunity in the 2019 two- deep inside on the defensive line, and Smith has all the motivation he could want. He's still learning condition- ing at the college level, but a winter, spring and summer with U-M strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert ought to take care of that, making Smith another to watch in the fall. — John Borton Although wideout Mike Sainristil was listed as only a three-star ath- lete by Rivals.com coming out of high school, he may have made the biggest impression among the early enrollees this spring. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Top Five Freshman Contributors, Revised