The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2021 THE WOLVERINE 39 Trevor Keegan OL After redshirting in 2019, he played in five games on special teams and two contests on the offensive line in 2020. Harbaugh said he came out of the spring on top at left guard, and is in a competition with returning starter and redshirt junior Chuck Fili- aga for the spot this season. Quintel Kent WR A medical condition ended his playing career before it got going, but U-M still honored his scholar- ship. Cade McNamara QB Did not see game action during his freshman campaign, before mak- ing four appearances with one start in 2020, when he completed 43 of 71 pass attempts for 425 yards and five touchdowns with zero intercep- tions and also rushed for one score. His signature game came at Rutgers, when he entered the game with the Wolverines 17 points down and led them to a triple-overtime victory. Mike Morris DE Did not see game action his first year, and played in only one clash in 2020. Appears to be making a move on the depth chart in Michigan's new defensive system ahead of the 2021 campaign, though, and may crack the rotation. Gabe Newburg DE Participated in his first four career games in 2020, making three tackles. He weighed 265 pounds last season but shed some weight and is down to 251 this year, with the Wolverines' defensive ends set to play more of an outside linebacker role. David Ojabo LB Named the team's Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year as a freshman when he redshirted and did not see game action. The Scotland product ap- peared in all six games in 2020, play- ing linebacker in three while contribut- ing on special teams and totaling one tackle. He's battling for playing time at the edge rusher spot this season. Jalen Perry S Made a minimal impact his first two seasons, appearing in three games on special teams and two in the secondary in 2020 after not play- ing in 2019, and has since moved to safety, where he's currently battling for backup snaps behind Hill and fifth-year senior Brad Hawkins. Nolan Rumler OL His only game action came on spe- cial teams against Penn State in 2020, but he has a chance to earn backup snaps at right guard this season. Mike Sainristil WR Started once and appeared in 13 games during his freshman year, catching eight passes for 145 yards and one touchdown, before starting three contests and appearing in all six in 2020, when he racked up seven catches for 82 yards and two scores. He's the favorite to start at the slot receiver position this fall. Mazi Smith DL Had an underwhelming begin- ning to his collegiate career, with the 326-pounder having just seven ap- pearances, three tackles and one stop for loss to his name, but Harbaugh, defensive coordinator Mike Macdon- ald and line coach Shaun Nua have all alluded to the 326-pounder taking over as the top guy at the nose tackle position in U-M's 3-4 attack. Anthony Solomon LB Like Michigan's other former vi- pers, he is transitioning from the safety/outside linebacker hybrid po- sition to inside linebacker. He made 11 special teams appearances as a freshman and posted one solo tackle, before playing viper in four games and special teams in five in 2020, when he recorded five tackles. Jack Stewart DL/OL Has no game experience during his Michigan career and made the switch this offseason from offensive line to defensive tackle. Charles Thomas LB Appeared in two games on special teams in 2019 and was buried on the depth chart heading into 2020. He entered the transfer portal just before the latter campaign began, but has not yet landed at another school. DJ Turner CB Redshirted and played in four tilts in 2019, before making another four appearances, including one at cornerback, in 2020. This may be his breakout season, though, with Harbaugh having said he and red- shirt sophomore Vincent Gray are in a competition to earn the team's starting cornerback job opposite of redshirt sophomore Gemon Green. Joey Velazquez LB A two-sport athlete who also plays outfield for the U-M baseball team, Velazquez is known as one of the hardest-working players on the squad. He played in one game on special teams in 2019 but no contests in 2020, and he appears to be on the outside looking in to the rotation once again in 2021. ❏ TOP CONTRIBUTOR TO DATE S Daxton Hill: A former five-star recruit, Hill has been described as "the most talented player on the team," by his head coach. His flashes of brilliance were one of the few bright spots in a dismal 2020 season, and he has a big chance to shine in the team's new defensive system this year. UNSUNG HERO WR Cornelius Johnson: The headliner in the Michigan receiving corps has been Ronnie Bell, but it was Johnson who led the squad in touchdown receptions last season with three. His coaches have said he's taken a big step forward this offseason as well. READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT THIS FALL DT Mazi Smith: The former top- 150 recruit hasn't seen the field much to date, but the Wolverines' new defensive system might fit him perfectly, with the nose tackle spot carrying a lot of responsibility. He gained weight this offseason and is more prepared than ever. REPORT CARD Players In Class: 26 Rivals.com Team Rank- ing: No. 10 Players Still At Michigan: 22 This class has a fairly high reten- tion rate in this day and age of player movement, 84.6 percent of the sign- ees remain at U-M, which is nearly identical right now to the 2020 class that followed. The haul has had its mo- ments at Michigan, and can poten- tially break out in its third year in the program. There is plenty of opportu- nity for this grade to continue to climb. B