The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1404875
SEPTEMBER 2021 THE WOLVERINE 45 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL 96 Julius Welschof 6-6 288 R-So./3 Note: Jeter is, once again, earning praise for his offseason, having upped his game. He needs to show the same consis- tency on the field this fall. Welschof is an athletic 'freak' who continues to improve. Nose Tackle No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 58 Mazi Smith 6-3 326 R-Fr./4 67 Jess Speight 6-5 310 R-Jr./2 Note: Smith gained 21 pounds and had a great spring, came back this fall in great shape and is expected to be a stalwart in the middle. He still needs to be more consistent and bring it on every play. Speight also added 20 pounds and is a worker. The former walk-on will be in the rotation. Defensive Tackle No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 15 Chris Hinton 6-4 310 So./3 94 Kris Jenkins 6-3 275 Fr./4 Note: Hinton showed flashes last year but was inconsistent in the spring and still needs to step up this fall. They need more from the former five-star. Jenkins earned praise last year for his work ethic and has added some weight to move into contention for playing time. Sam/Buck No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 55 David Ojabo 6-5 250 R-Fr./4 90 Mike Morris 6-6 278 R-Fr./4 Note: Ojabo was disruptive at times in the spring game and is coming on as a pass rusher. Morris is another of the spring standouts and will battle to start, having been im- pressive in the fall per practice observers. Mike Linebacker No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 41 Nikhai Hill-Green 6-1 220 Fr./4 23 Michael Barrett 6-0 227 R-So./3 Note: Barrett slid over from the now defunct viper (hybrid safety/linebacker) position and hasn't been as productive. Hill-Green has moved past him on the depth chart and earned praise from Harbaugh as "everything you look for in a linebacker." He could be a great one. Will Linebacker No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 12 Josh Ross 6-2 224 R-Jr./2 25 Junior Colson 6-2 225 Fr./4 OR 20 Kalel Mullings 6-1 236 Fr./4 Note: True freshman Colson has impressed since arriv- ing on campus as an early enrollee, and he is as athletic as advertised. He's going to be a "beast" per Hutchinson. But Ross is playing his best football, having lost weight and returning in good shape. Colson has been banged up and missed time, but Mullings has stepped up in a big way after a spotty spring. Cornerback No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 5 DJ Turner 6-0 181 R-Fr./4 4 Vincent Gray 6-2 192 R-So./3 Note: Gray struggled in coverage as the No. 1 corner last year but will likely be playing much more in zone coverage this season; still, Turner appears to have moved past him on the depth chart after great spring and summer sessions. Cornerback No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 22 Gemon Green 6-2 181 R-So./3 24 George Johnson 6-0 186 R-Fr./4 Note: Green was a pleasant surprise and had some solid moments last year, though he struggled at times in coverage. Johnson has emerged after an impressive summer, but he still has work to do to play regularly. Strong Safety No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 2 Brad Hawkins 6-1 221 5th-Sr./1 6 R.J. Moten 6-0 221 Fr./4 Note: Hawkins was one of the spring standouts on de- fense. He'll be the quarterback of the secondary, while Moten is one of the up-and-comers in a talented young secondary. Free Safety No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 30 Daxton Hill 6-0 192 So./3 7 Makari Paige 6-3 192 Fr./4 Note: Hill will play safety, nickel and corner, and is being moved around to take advantage of his elite skill set. Paige played as a freshman, had a great spring and summer, and is ready to see more action in 2021. SPECIAL TEAMS Kicker No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 13 Jake Moody 6-1 211 Jr./2 19 Tommy Doman 6-5 190 Fr./4 Note: Moody had a nice freshman year but has been incon- sistent since, while true freshman Doman will compete for both kicking and punting duties this fall. Punter No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 91 Brad Robbins 6-1 203 R-Jr./2 19 Tommy Doman 6-5 190 Fr./4 Note: Robbins averaged 45.3 yards per punt last year and has proven his big leg — he just needs to be consistent. Doman will likely be the backup here after Will Hart trans- ferred out after last season. Long Snapper No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 49 William Wagner 6-1 247 R-Fr./4 45 Greg Tarr 6-2 207 Fr./4 Note: Wagner, who played when Camaron Cheeseman opted out last year, was solid in his first taste of action. Kick Returner No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 3 A.J. Henning 5-10 185 Fr./4 2 Blake Corum 5-8 200 Fr./4 Note: The two speedsters will try to make up for the loss of Giles Jackson, who transferred to Washington. Punt Returner No. Player Ht. Wt. Cl./Elig. 5 Mike Sainristil 5-10 185 So./3 8 Ronnie Bell 6-0 192 Jr./2 Note: Sainristil will likely get first crack, but the veteran Bell is there as a dependable option if needed. — Chris Balas