The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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36 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2019 The right guard is yet another Michigan offensive lineman from 2018 who garnered All-Big Ten notice, grabbing third-team honors from the coaches. He would like to move up, and has put in the work to do so. Listed at 6-3, 350, Onwenu has refined the bulk that can move people, while building his stamina for the up-tempo game to come. "We don't huddle," Onwenu said with a smile. "It's cool. Change is inevitable." The biggest change of all he wants to see is an even higher level of success in his final season. Others have noticed the seriousness with which he's approach- ing everything, and Onwenu shared some insight into his approach. "It's a maturity level," he said. "I played my freshman year. I played my sophomore year. But I was just filling a role. "Now it's like, this is my position. I'm getting more comfortable. These are the things I need to do to take it to the next step, for profes- sional [football]. I'm just doing those things." Onwenu insists the offensive line as a whole is ready to make a collective move to a higher level. "We want to be held to a higher stan- dard," he said. "Third-and-two, third- and-three, we're begging to run it. We want to be what we're supposed to be — a powerhouse team." It says something about the strength of the 2019 recruiting class that a pair of true freshmen appear in the overall top-25 player listing. They still must live up to that billing, but getting there heading into fall camp means they have shown enough physical talent to be special. Here are the projected top five rookies for the 2019 campaign: 1. DB Daxton Hill — The unanimous five-star recruit is simply the complete physical package. With the size (6-0, 190) to play safety combined with speed clocked at 4.3 in the 40, he is a coach's dream on the measurables. It doesn't end there, though. Hill brings a ferocity to his play that should serve him well, not only in competing for playing time, but also in the big-time battles ahead against Michigan opponents. He has the speed and versatility to play some nickel, but wherever he ends us, he will be noticed. 2. RB Zach Charbonnet — The most anticipated rookie in the class of 2019 might be Charbonnet, in part because the consen- sus four-star prospect — ranked among the nation's top 101 by all three major recruiting services — enrolled early at a position of need. However, he couldn't participate in spring ball. The running back out of Westlake Village, Calif., was frustrated the minor knee surgery kept him out, but nothing is holding him back now. With plenty of carries available to earn in fall camp, he will be looking to secure time right from the start. 3. WR Mike Sainristil — For a veteran offense with a new coordinator, senior quarterback, etc., it's amazing that perhaps the most talked-about spring practice performer was a rookie wideout who hasn't caught a pass for the Wolverines. If Sainristil keeps it up, though, that's about to change. He turned heads right and left in the spring, and figured to carry a lot of momentum into fall camp. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Dylan McCaffrey proved ef- fusive about the 5-10, 183-pound receiver after the spring game. "He's awesome," McCaffrey said. "He's playing great. I love the energy he brings to practice, too. Coming in as an early enrollee, a lot of guys don't think they can make an impact. "He's a guy who walked in here and started making an impact. Came in, bright eyes, smile on his face and played like it, too. He's been a great receiver for us." Senior running back Tru Wilson agreed. Michigan's Top Five Rookies For 2019 15. MICHAEL ONWENU, SR., OG PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN 16. CARLO KEMP, SR., DT For those questioning the interior of Michigan's defensive line this season, Kemp is one of many aiming to pro- vide a rock-solid response. He stepped up to deliver 17 tackles and 2.5 tack- les for loss in 2018. Kemp spoke in the spring about his deep personal motiva- tion to avenge U-M's late-season defen- sive struggles, and will be in position to do something about it. 17. WILL HART, R-JR., P Hart went from a walk-on in the shadows to a key component last year, a Sports Illustrated second-team All- American, semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award given to the nation's best at his position and the Big Ten Eddleman- Fields Punter of the Year. He averaged an eye-popping 47.0 yards per punt — a new school record by nearly two yards — on 43 attempts last season, with 19 that traveled 50 yards or more. Gattis hopes to keep him more rested this year, but Hart's a good weapon to possess. 18. TRU WILSON, SR., RB Here's another former walk-on mak- ing it big in Ann Arbor. He stepped up last season to become a reliable running back (5.9-yard average on 62 totes), and U-M's best pass protector since Mike Hart fought off the behemoths. Wilson entered fall camp as U-M's No. 1 back, albeit with no lack of chal- lengers. At the very least, he'll provide a trustworthy cog in the Wolverines' new attack.