The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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[ D E F E N S I V E B AC K S ] As a sophomore, Paige played in only nine games after seeing action in all six con- tests during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, getting time at safety and special teams. But he made only 2 tackles last fall and got passed on the depth chart by Moore and Moten. The 2022 spring was his best yet, how- ever, and Harbaugh praised him for his play and added strength. "If he can continue and capitalize on the strength he has, the toughness that's really developed to go along with the athleticism …" Harbaugh said. "He's a smart, savvy player. If he can take that into fall camp, stay healthy, he should be a starter." The coach noted he has said that before, and it hasn't panned out. He hopes that changes, and it wouldn't be the first time the light went on for a kid later in his career. "I like guys who have been around for a few years, and it feels like they suddenly appear," Karsch added. "The reality is it's been happening slowly behind the scenes for a long time." U-M lost two defensive backs to the transfer portal in Sammy Faustin (Massa- chusetts) and Jordan Morant (Mississippi State), creating opportunity for others, as well. Senior Quinten Johnson (5-11, 200) seemed to take advantage and shined in the spring game. He notched 7 tackles (6 solo) to lead the Maize team. Though he played 14 games on special teams last year, Johnson has only 3 career tackles. He's put himself in position to add to that this fall. Former walk-on and senior Caden Kole- sar (5-10, 196) is another who has excelled on special teams. He also played in six games at safety, notching 9 total tackles (1 for loss), 2 pass break-ups and an intercep- tion. He'll vie for more time in the defen- sive backfield, as will 6-2, 181-pound grad student German Green. Freshman safety and early enrollee Keon Sabb (6-2, 200) showed off his athleticism at times this spring, and much is expected of four-star California frosh Zeke Berry, too. The 6-0, 195-pounder was an All-American Bowl honoree and selected by the bowl as the national Defensive Player of the Year. Three-star corner Myles Pollard (6-2, 185) out of Brentwood, Tenn., and four-star safety Kody Jones (5-11, 175) will try to push the veterans, while 6-0, 190-pound three-star Damani Dent of Jacksonville, Fla., is versatile enough to play anywhere in the secondary. It's a talented group overall, Karsch ex- plained, but there are big shoes to fill. "The concerns are always how quickly people can get up to speed," Karsch said. "The [easier non-conference] schedule should cut them some slack and allow them to figure some things out. "I still don't expect great play right out of the gate. It's not going to look anything like last year's defense — elite defensive ends, veterans in the secondary." But there's plenty of talent, and lots of guys willing to put in the time to get it there. That's a good start, and something to build upon. ❏ X-FACTOR X-FACTOR There are former four-stars in the program like JALEN PERRY and Quinten Johnson who have yet to make their mark, and either of them could surprise this year. Both had great spring performances and looked the part. Sophomore Ja'Den McBurrows, too, could be one to watch coming back from knee surgery. Someone usually emerges. Per Pro Football Focus, DJ Turner allowed the fourth-lowest catch rate in the Power Five during his time as a starter (from Week 7 versus Northwestern through the end of the year) at only 43.1 percent. He finished with an impressive 83.3 coverage grade. Michigan finished 16th nationally in pass defense rating (118.35) and 27th in yards passing allowed per game (204.4) in 2021, both vast improvements from the prior year. The Wolverines ranked 65th (136.96) in rating and 90th with 250.5 yards al- lowed in 2020 during a COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. There have been secondary ties to head coach Jim Harbaugh's teams of the 1980s every year but one since 2016. Tyler Cochran, son of former All-American cornerback Brad Cochran, played for Harbaugh from 2016-2019. Former 1980s safety Doug Mallory joined Harbaugh's staff as a defensive analyst last year after spending five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. He'd been coaching in college since 1988 prior to that, starting as a graduate assistant at Indiana in 1988. A point of emphasis for this year's secondary is interceptions. The Wolverines fin- ished tied for 93rd nationally out of 130 teams in that category last fall, logging only 8 picks, including 7 from the secondary. Five of them were notched by returning players in the defensive backfield, however, led by DJ Turner (2). [ F Y I ] QUICK FACTS Position Coaches: Steve Clinkscale (2nd year), Jay Harbaugh (1st coaching safeties, 8th overall). Returning Starters: CB Gemon Green (12 career starts), CB DJ Turner (8), S R.J. Moten (5), S Rod Moore (4). Departing Starters: S Brad Hawkins (31), S Daxton Hill (23), CB Vincent Gray (21). Projected New Starter: Nickel back Mike Sainristil. Top Reserves: S Makari Paige, S Quinten Johnson, CB Jalen Perry. Wait Until 2023: CB Ja'Den McBurrows. Newcomers: CB Will Johnson, CB Kody Jones, CB Myles Pollard, S Zeke Berry, S Keon Sabb, S Damani Dent. Moved In: Sainristil (from WR). Moved Out: CB Darion Green-Warren (transferred to Nevada), S Sammy Faustin (Massachusetts), S Jordan Morant (Mississippi), CB Andre Seldon (New Mexico State). Rookie Impact: Johnson. Most Improved Player: Paige. Best Pro Prospects: Turner, Johnson. THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 109 PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND