The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2021 THE WOLVERINE 41 job at slot receiver and, whether he earns that role or not, will play a sig- nificant amount this fall. Matthew Hibner TE Did not see game action in 2020, but had a great offseason and has put himself in position to receive backup snaps at tight end, with Harbaugh saying the 6-4, 244-pounder (up from 233 pounds last season) "came out of nowhere," ahead of the 2021 season. Nikhai Hill-Green LB Played in three games on special teams last season but made a huge move during the offseason and is a breakout candidate this year. He is fighting for the right to start at inside linebacker in the Wolverines' new scheme, and will make an impact re- gardless. Kris Jenkins DL Competed in one contest on the de- fensive line in 2020 and is expected to play a reserve role once again this fall. Aaron Lewis DL Enrolled early in the spring but de- cided to transfer last summer ahead of his first collegiate season. He landed at Rutgers, which is near his home- town of Williamstown, N.J., and said proximity to family was a major factor in his decision. Braiden McGregor DE Went down with an injury during his prep senior season and underwent surgery, which hindered him early on in his Michigan career. He did not play in 2020 but is fully healthy and competing for playing time at the edge rusher position. William Mohan LB Notched one tackle in one appear- ance last year before transferring to Tennessee this offseason. Jordan Morant S Missed the majority of his high school senior season with a foot in- jury, then did not play during his freshman campaign in 2020. Will be in a backup role this season and could earn some special teams duties. RJ Moten S Played special teams in one game last season but has been one of the biggest surprises this offseason. Now up to 221 pounds (from 213 last sea- son), he's made a move into the two- deep of the depth chart and will re- ceive snaps at safety, which will allow the Wolverines to move sophomore star Daxton Hill to nickel or corner when needed. Kalel Mullings LB Saw action in all six games on spe- cial teams and played in four contests at linebacker. He made one solo tackle and one pass breakup on the year. He suffered an arm injury this offseason but is expected to play this fall, more than likely as a backup once again. Makari Paige S Competed in all six games at safety and on special teams last season, and made six tackles. It's anticipated he'll remain in the two-deep and receive significant playing time again this season. Jeffrey Persi OL Did not see the field last year and is trying to work his way into the two- deep this season. Osman Savage LB Last September, before the delayed and shortened 2020 season began, Savage announced his intention to transfer. He has since landed at Ala- bama A&M and is eligible to play this fall. Andre Seldon CB Played in one game last season but — despite the team's struggles at cornerback — didn't earn significant playing time. His name has been men- tioned as one who has improved this offseason, but he's still behind several others at his position. Dan Villari QB A late addition to the class after quarterback JD Johnson, who is now a student assistant, was forced to medi- cally retire, Villari did not play dur- ing his freshman season. He's fourth on the quarterback depth chart, but Harbaugh has openly discussed the possibility that — "like [New Orleans Saints signal-caller and utility man] Taysom Hill" — the 6-4, 235-pounder will move around and play different positions. Roman Wilson WR The speedster appeared in all six games last season and caught nine passes for 122 yards with one touch- down. Harbaugh said he's one of six wideouts who will play a big role this fall, and he can really stretch the field. Cornell Wheeler LB Did not play last season and was one of five linebackers to hit the trans- fer portal this offseason. He opted for the move in the spring, with the Wol- verines having transitioned to a new scheme under first-year defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, and wound up at Kansas. Zak Zinter OL Played in all six games last year, starting four at right guard and also contributing on special teams. He's taking reps at both right guard and center this year, and is a lock to start at one of the positions, with offensive coordinator Josh Gattis having called him perhaps the team's best offensive player. ❏ REPORT CARD Players In Class: 23 R i v a l s . c o m Te a m Ranking: No. 11 Players Still At Michigan: 20 Very few from this group saw sig- nificant playing time last season, but that's expected to change this fall. A- TOP CONTRIBUTOR TO DATE OL Zak Zinter: The Massachusetts native came to Michigan ahead of schedule and played a significant amount during his true freshman season. Now, he's one of the best players on the team and a major key to any offensive line success this fall. UNSUNG HERO WR Roman Wilson: After Nico Col- lins opted out last year, U-M needed young wide receivers, like the Hawai'i native, to step in. He answered the bell, playing in all six games and mak- ing an impact. He can take the top off a defense with his high-level speed. READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT THIS FALL LB Nik hai Hill- Green: Just a three-star recruit out of high school, Hill-Green only played on special teams last season but received com- pliments from his teammates and coaches on how he was performing in practice. This fall, he'll more than likely have the chance to show what he's got on Saturdays, with the Pitts- burgh native having climbed the depth chart this offseason.