The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 107 [ D E F E N S I V E B AC K S ] away in the Northwestern game, the Maryland game … and he's exciting with the ball in his hands, too. You expect to see it again. I feel like DJ Turner with an inter- ception return is something we see multiple times this coming year." The other side, though, remains up for grabs. As much as everyone loves to talk about the new guys, history has proven that most play their best football in their later years. The Michigan contingent hopes grad student Gemon Green (6-2, 181) can follow his lead in 2022, and he has the potential. Though he's had his ups and downs since his first taste of significant action in 2020, he's played some good football. He's started 12 of the 29 games in which he's appeared at corner, including six of 12 last year (missing two with injury). He recorded 24 tackles, broke up 2 passes and picked off one. "He's a guy the coaches said last year would sniff something out in the film room, and you saw it in one of the road games," Karsch recalled. "It was a next-level read of a formation to know where the ball was going. Unfortunately, he didn't make the catch, but he was in the right place. "He's one of those guys that wouldn't surprise me if he turned it on and got some All-Big Ten mention this year. When you've been around that long and been through that many battles, you just get better and better. If he puts in the time, I think he can be All-Big Ten." The No. 3 corner, meanwhile, might not be third for long. Johnson, son of former Michigan defensive back Deon Johnson (1990-94), is simply "special," according to observers. U-M means a lot to him given his roots, and he has all the characteristics to be one of the next Michigan greats. It's no coincidence he's wearing former Heisman winner Charles Woodson's No. 2. He has the size (6-3, 190) and same traits to excel, and though he was limited by a lower body injury this spring, he's expected back at full strength in the fall. "When I saw him this spring, he didn't look like a freshman," Karsch said. "I've heard this about a lot of them — they are ready made for college football physically. Will Johnson has that look. I'd look out and say, 'Who's the big corner over there?' Wait — that's Will Johnson. "All the big-time recruits stand out physically in high school. You put them on a college roster, and they look like pipsqueaks. Will Johnson looked the part — he was physically ready for college football. How quickly he can learn the game is a whole other deal, but the scuttlebutt out of the building is they seem to like him a lot." He could be used as a corner, maybe at nickel the way they used Hill his first year. There's no doubt, however, that he's got a great shot to play. Two to watch closely behind the big three are senior Jalen Perry and sophomore Ja'Den McBurrows. Perry (6-0, 187) has moved between corner and safety in his first three years, but he surprised with an impressive spring game performance. He was around the ball in coverage and broke up a pass, looking the part after notching only 4 tackles in 11 games so far in his career. McBurrows (5-11, 197) suffered a season-ending knee injury last year, one PRESEASON ANALYSIS: STARTERS Make no mistake — the three lost start- ers will be missed. Daxton Hill was one of the better athletes Michigan has had in the secondary in years, and Brad Hawkins was an outstanding and underrated veteran. But it's possible this group of starters could be as good by the end of the year. DJ Turner was one of the Big Ten's best starters by the end of last fall. Rod Moore at safety, Will Johnson at corner — these guys are young and should be outstanding by year-end. Also, Gemon Green and R.J. Moten have played a lot of football, with 17 combined starts between them. DEPTH Senior Mike Sainristil was a revelation as a nickel back, one of the finds of the spring after spending his first three seasons at receiver. He looked like he'd been playing the position his whole career, and he could start several games. But there isn't a lot of experience behind the starters. Makari Paige had a great spring at safety, but he needs to finally show it on the field. The Wolverines only have two corners with experience in Green and Turner. OVERALL There's a lot of talent and potential here, in- cluding future NFL players and guys who have been in the program for a long time. That blend of talent and experience should make this group more than solid. At the same time, more could be asked of this position this year without elite pass rushers Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo to lean on up front. Whether they're more active in the blitz game or asked to cover a bit longer, it's going to be different for these guys this year. [ D E F E N S I V E B AC K S ] THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 107 YEAR-BY-YEAR PASSING EFFICIENCY DEFENSE Yards per TDs Year Yards Game Allowed 2012 2,203 169.5 16 2013 3,007 231.3 23 2014 2,324 193.7 14 2015 2,060 158.5 8 2016 1,853 142.5 11 2017 1,951 150.1 11 2018 1,921 147.8 14 2019 2,412 185.5 16 2020* 1,533 255.5 12 2021 2,862 204.4 17 *Only played six games due to COVID-19 No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 10 Zeke Berry S 6-0 195 Fr. 9 Damani Dent S 6-0 190 Fr. 22 Gemon Green CB 6-2 181 Gr. 33 German Green CB 6-2 190 Gr. 18 Keshaun Harris* DB 5-11 186 Sr. 2 Will Johnson CB 6-3 190 Fr. 14 Quinten Johnson S 5-11 200 Sr. 12 Kody Jones S 5-11 175 Fr. 35 Caden Kolesar S 5-10 196 Sr. 44 Joshua Luther* DB 5-9 184 Sr. No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 1 Ja'Den McBurrows CB 5-11 197 So. 19 Rod Moore S 6-0 173 So. 6 R.J. Moten S 6-0 221 Jr. 7 Makari Paige S 6-3 192 Jr. 16 Jalen Perry CB 6-0 187 Sr. 24 Myles Pollard CB 6-2 185 Fr. 3 Keon Sabb CB 6-2 200 Fr. 0 Mike Sainristil# WR/NB 5-10 185 Sr. 5 DJ Turner CB 6-0 181 Sr. * Walk-on; # Two-way player ROSTER