The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MAY 2022 THE WOLVERINE 21 tion at nickel corner and more after im- pressing with his cover skills. He'll also continue to see time at receiver. "Mikey's a dog. I really like Mikey," secondary coach Steve Clinkscale said. "Mikey is very instinctual. The learning curve has been very minimal. He's been a pleasant surprise. "He's a physical player. He under- stands the game, understands his re- sponsibilities. And I think playing on offense has helped him understand how they're going to attack that position … because then we go to the offensive side, he's playing pretty much the same posi- tion. So, then we line him up over the nickel as a receiver, he knows how to at- tack the nickel. "He's getting the best of both worlds, and he's done a great job." Sophomore R.J. Moten had a great spring at safety after diving in headfirst last year, while the depth behind him continues to develop. All in all, there are some question marks. There's also plenty of talent, and reason to believe this group can be very good again in 2021 under first-year co- ordinator Jesse Minter. ❏ Sophomore linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green was extremely active this spring after emerging last year as a spring breakout player. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Michigan stayed relatively healthy this spring, but there were a few casualties. Redshirt junior Ronnie Bell, of course, was limited while recovering from a knee injury suffered in last year's opener against Western Michigan. He's expected to make a full recovery and be ready for fall camp. "He's on track," head coach Jim Harbaugh said at the begin- ning of spring, noting Bell had been running in drills in which he ran "straight ahead" and was helping the young receivers. Bell got off to a great start last year with a 76-yard touch- down and a 31-yard punt return on which he got hurt against Western Michigan. Sophomore Rod Moore, who became a starter late in the year (four games, played in 11) had surgery for an undis- closed injury suffered last season and missed all of spring. He also contributed on special teams and notched 32 tackles with one pass breakup. Redshirt freshman cornerback Ja'Den McBurrows also missed the spring after having surgery, reportedly on his knee. He's hopeful to return by fall camp after playing in four games last season, notching two tackles and recording one pass breakup. He was coming on strong and earning praise for his cover ability last year before getting hurt. "I'm pretty sure they are," secondary coach Steve Clinkscale said when asked if he'd have the two back for fall camp. "I'm not exactly sure the dates, but I definitely plan on getting them back for the season, of course. "Rod showed everybody what he can do [last year], and McBurrows, we're always trying to get him out there on the field. That one year of maturing and understanding the ex- pectations here … I think you'll see he'll be a bright player, as well." Sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy, meanwhile, was limited this spring with soreness in his throwing shoulder that started late last year. He opted for rest to try to heal it on the advice of doctors and has told people he should be back throwing by the third week in April. "That's the goal, to have J.J. back 100 percent as soon as we can get him back, whenever that is," quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss said in March. "If that's by fall camp, great. If that's by the end of spring, even better. "[But] he's doing great. He's rehabbing, he's doing what he's supposed to do. I think discretion is the better part of valor in this case. We're being very cautious, which is the smart thing to do — make sure that a small problem doesn't become a big problem. We'll do everything we can, give him every single resource so that he can get back to 100 percent for next season." Finally, sophomore offensive guard Reece Atteberry went down late in spring with an undisclosed injury that will likely keep him out several weeks. There's hope, however, he'll re- turn healthy in time for fall camp. The Colorado native made strides this spring playing guard after seeing action in eight games last season, including four appearances at right guard. — Chris Balas Several Expected To Return From Injury This Summer