The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1222671
APRIL 2020 THE WOLVERINE 31 offense. Joe and Cade really don't know anything other than what they've learned from Josh Gattis. So there are no preconceived notions, no 'We did it this way before, and it worked.' They've completely bought in. "With Dylan, he's smart enough and his football IQ is such that he un- derstands what Josh is trying to do. He understands the whole concept of the offense. I like year two of all of these quarterbacks in this system." One or more will be working be- hind an almost completely revamped offensive line. Redshirt sophomore Jalen Mayfield does return as a starter at right tackle, following im- pressive season-end performances. "Every position is open," Jansen observed. "The only one we know that is probably going to be on the field is Jalen Mayfield. The way he played last year, especially at the end of the year, confirms it. The way he played against Ohio State and [unan- imous All-American defensive end] Chase Young, that was a man's game, and he played a man's game. "We didn't hear Chase Young's name a whole lot, and a lot of that was due to the way Jalen Mayfield played him. I like him in big games, I like his development, I like his focus, I like his aggressiveness." Jansen likes Michigan's talent across the rest of the front, veteran hopefuls getting challenged by younger, eager competitors. Redshirt sophomore Ryan Hayes plugged in for an injured Runyan at left tackle to start the first two games last season, and figures to snag that spot before next fall. Left guard projects as a battle be- tween redshirt junior Chuck Filiaga, redshirt junior Andrew Stueber — who missed 2019 with a knee injury — and redshirt freshman Nolan Rumler, all of whom tip the scales at over 320. "You've got a guy like Chuck Fili- aga," Jansen said. "In bowl practices and toward the end of the year, you could see the light bulb really go on, and his confidence went straight through the roof. I really like his devel- opment. I like what he's doing in the weight room, how he's been training. "I think he's a guy who is going to be a major contributor this year." If Stueber is healthy enough, he could also challenge at center, where redshirt freshman Zach Carpenter will soon be special, Jansen noted. "He played behind Cesar last year, and anybody that was battling for time there really is not here any- more," Jansen said. "I like Zach's awareness inside, his ability to snap and then get his hands ready to pass block or come off the ball … "I like what I've seen from Zach so far. If he progresses like I think he will in the spring, get the reps and the experience, he'll do a great job at that position." There could be a free-for-all at right guard, but Jansen notes the class of 2019 supplies competition across the board. "Then you start talking about that class that we brought in last year, with Karsen Barnhart and Trente Jones, and Zach Carpenter and Trevor Keegan," he noted. "All of those guys are going to be battling for positions." Fifth-year senior tight end Nick Eubanks leads the way at that spot, backed ably by sophomore Erick All and redshirt sophomore Luke Schoonmaker. "Nick Eubanks — what a weapon," Jansen said. "This year, I'd like to see him setting the edge in the run game, a little more push up front. He gives such an additional element as to where our offense can attack down the field. "One of the things I love about him and the example he's setting for those other two young guys is when [junior wideout] Ronnie Bell catches the ball, or [sophomore Mike] Sain- ristil, or [sophomore] Giles Jackson, whoever, he's looking for somebody to hit. That turns those 10-yard plays into 80-yard touchdowns." The Wolverines are rich in running backs, with fifth-year senior Chris Evans rejoining the program. Sopho- more Zach Charbonnet and redshirt sophomore Hassan Haskins split the starts last year, combining for more than 1,300 yards rushing. "What a great opportunity in the backfield," Jansen said. "You've got the two young guys in Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet, who got experience last year. "When you've got a guy like Chris Evans, he can line up in the slot, he can line up in the backfield. Same thing with [redshirt sophomore] Christian Turner. "Hassan Haskins is as physical a running back as we've seen in a number of years. Zach Charbonnet has got some wiggle in the open field and can make some guys miss. You throw in some of the speed that's coming in, in this freshman class, and there are a lot of different looks that you can give defenses, just with the personnel group you can put out there with your running backs." Big names Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black are missing from the wideouts this year. But Jansen sees steps forward, not back. With senior Nico Collins, junior Ron- nie Bell and sophomore wideouts Jack- son, Sainristil and Cornelius Johnson, Jansen projects a more effective crew. "We're going to be a lot more dy- namic at that position," he insisted. "We'll be a lot faster at that position. When it comes to that position, we've just got to be a lot more reliable. "We've got to catch the balls that are in our hands, especially in the big games. Nico Collins obviously gives us that big target to throw the ball to. I love the way that Ronnie Bell plays the game of football. He's going to be a leader on the field for this team, in a number of areas. He can make acrobatic catches, some tough runs and yards after the catch. "Then you throw in the speed of Sainristil and Giles Jackson. Some of the speed we're getting in this fresh- man class, we're going to be faster." Will they be better than a unit that averaged 401.5 yards per game and 31.7 points in Gattis' first year call- ing the shots? It's impossible to say, at this point. But again, Jansen isn't looking for a step back. "Josh Gattis can put on film and show the guys that are wearing the winged helmet, this is what it looked like when things went right," Jansen said. "Remember how it looks. Re- member how it feels. "They can replay that in their head when they're out on the field. All of that will lead to a much better second year." ❑ Michigan All-American Jon Jansen "Josh Gattis can put on film and show the guys … this is what it looked like when things went right."