The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1361683
34 THE WOLVERINE MAY 2021 Michigan sideline reporter Doug Karsch asserted — in the last issue of The Wolverine — that Edwards gave him a bit of a Tyrone Wheatley feel while watching him run in high school. Edwards might not have that level of sprinter's speed, but there's a gear and a shiftiness that has drawn observers' attention in a big way. Both Edwards and freshman run- ning back Blake Corum were noted for their "explosiveness" by onlook- ers this spring. That's not to diminish redshirt sophomore tailback Hassan Haskins, who led the Wolverines in rushing during the truncated 2020 season and may be the toughest run- ner U-M can field. There's no question, though, that Edwards has many excited. He car- ries perhaps the greatest potential to be Michigan's next truly outstanding tailback, if he stays healthy and con- tinues to show what he has early on. "Obviously, Donovan has displayed some unique talent," Gattis acknowl- edged. "I think it's pretty evident the kind of talent that he has through his recruitment. Those types of plays have shown up on the field. He's an exceptional player with explosive play ability, and he's so versatile in everything that he does. He can run the ball and he can catch the ball." Michigan's staff took some criticism for spreading out the carries among running backs last year to the extent it did. Gattis pointed out there will al- ways be that talk — especially in a non- winning season — whether it's running back by committee or a go-to back. It doesn't look like there will be a one-player approach under new posi- tion coach Mike Hart, although he'll show his hand there once the season rolls around. Haskins is the known entity, and Corum gained confidence last season by his many appearances. Edwards made it obvious this spring, though. He's going to be very tough to ignore, rookie or not. WHO STANDS OUT AMONG THE YOUNG OFFENSIVE LINEMEN? Michigan's offensive line features some very solid talent, and an inter- esting mix of veterans and strong younger players. There's no better example of that than at center, where many believe freshman Reece Atte- berry is the future (if not the pres- ent) while former walk-on Andrew Vastardis is actually back for a sixth season after breaking into the lineup last year. Under new offensive line coach Sherrone Moore, who took on the en- tire line this year after coaching tight ends for the Wolverines, there could be some shakeups. But there's little doubt about one interior offensive lineman clearly on the rise. Freshman Zak Zinter, at 6-6, 334 pounds, is going to be tough to move. That not only goes for opposing de- fensive linemen, it applies to challeng- ers at whichever of the guard posi- tions Zinter patrols. He's seen by observers as someone to watch at this level and beyond, af- ter playing in all six Michigan games last season and starting four games at right guard. He's been tagged by one close observer as a future first-round NFL Draft pick. That's high praise for someone only a half-dozen games into his Michigan career. That's also the impression he's left so far, giving the Wolverines an- other building block up front. Moore noted on the "In The Trenches" podcast with former U-M All-American offensive lineman Jon Jansen that Zinter demonstrated "flashes of how good he can be in his first year." Moore expects those flashes to increase, and be supplemented by veterans such as Vastardis, redshirt junior Andrew Stueber, redshirt soph- omore Ryan Hayes, redshirt freshman Karsen Barnhart, Atteberry and sev- eral others. But he made it clear this spring the top five are going to nail down the starting positions, and the eyes rendering judgment on the top five have now changed. "I told them when I first got there, it doesn't matter who started last year or the year before or whatever it was — it's who the best five are when we walk out there next fall," Moore said. "Those guys have had an open op- portunity to take advantage of it, and a lot of those guys have stepped up." From what multiple observers are The move of assistant coach Sherrone Moore (above) from tight ends coach to offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator has been met with enthusiasm from many, including offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, who said the two have "tremendous chemistry." PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis "The one area that I think we did not do a great job at least year was starting the game off fast. Even in the games we had success, we didn't have opening-drive success. … We've got to do a better job of establishing early success on the first drive."