The Wolverine

2022 Michigan Football Preview

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 85 That's the versatility that makes him so dangerous, new Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston said this spring. "Mike's getting really comfortable on the edge and understanding what his strengths are, understanding that his length and power are his biggest assets," Elston, a former U-M linebacker (1994-96), said. "Whether it's a speed angle to a power, or whether it's a power angle to speed — I like his ability to put it all together and create the production. "He's had a really good spring and got better every practice with building that plan." He spent most of March playing as a stand-up end, Morris said, working on se- curing the edge and on his pass rushing moves. At times, though, he'd move his tall frame inside and work with senior tackle Mazi Smith on the nuances of the tackle position. Staying low and hand work were the two focuses, and the former wasn't always easy for a guy measuring 6-6. But he proved hard to move, and if he is called upon to play on the interior on third downs, he insists he'll be ready. "I just want to raise my game and be an absolute monster," he said, noting he was in the best shape of his life in June. "I'm not going to say how much I weigh now, but I've never weighed this much or ever felt this good body-wise. I feel great, and the coaches say I look great." And he's ready to be great. He still has another gear or two he hasn't reached. But his goals are team related. He wants to do what he can to be part of the best defense in the country, and one of the best college football has ever seen. He's excited to use his skill set to help, but more than anything feels blessed to be a Wolverine and representing his teammates and his family … even his dad, a proud Seminole for life. Mike Morris Sr. may not live his life for his son, but he now lives vicariously through him, undoubtedly proud of who and what he's become. "I didn't know a thing about Michigan growing up," Morris Jr. said. "All I knew was my dad used to talk about playing Michigan when they played in the '90s [a 51-31 FSU win in 1991]. "If you get him on that road, on that topic, he will not shut up. But he's a Michigander now." At least temporarily. He'll likely put on his son's NFL jersey, as well, wherever he ends up. Morris Jr. is starting to show up on draft boards, and he's got a big year ahead. He'll probably always have a place in his heart for Michigan, too, even if FSU is in his blood. But allowing his son to make his own de- cision put him in the position he is now, and for that, his namesake —and the Michigan fan base — will be forever grateful. ❏ Michigan has had a number of outstanding defensive ends over the years, but the Wolverines really started churning out the NFL talent in the Lloyd Carr era. Even then, only two players — LaMarr Woodley in 2007 and Brandon Graham in 2010 (brought in by Carr, coached also by Rich Rodriguez) went in the first four rounds of the draft, Woodley in the second round (No. 46 overall) to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Graham in the first (No. 13) to Philadelphia. It's risen to another level since Jim Harbaugh arrived at Michigan in 2015. Frank Clark left in 2015 as Harbaugh took over and was selected by Seattle in the second round (No. 63 overall). Since then, notable draftees at the position include Taco Charlton (1st round, No. 28, Dallas) and Chris Wormley (3rd, No. 74, Baltimore) in 2017; Rashan Gary (1st, No. 12, Green Bay) and Chase Winovich (3rd, No. 77, New England) in 2019; Michael Danna (5th, No. 177, Kansas City) in 2020; Kwity Paye (1st, No. 21, Indianapolis) in 2021; and Aidan Hutchinson (1st, No. 2, Detroit) and David Ojabo (2nd, No. 45, Baltimore) this year. Not only have all of them made it to the league, but they've all had at least some success. "It's not that he's just putting a defensive end in the league each year — he's putting two in the league," longtime Michigan sideline reporter and new radio play-by-play man Doug Karsch noted. "Whether it's Rashan Gary and Chase Winovich, Kwity Paye, and this last year Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. That's a credit to Harbaugh and his defensive staff. "And it goes back further. Look at Chris Wormley and Taco Charlton [in 2017]. That's one of the positions you want to dominate in, and it is impressive how much playing time they get in the league. I think they should market it better." He's not privy to what they're showing recruits behind closed doors, Karsch admitted, but he'd like to see even more of it publicly. "They should have it on shirts and posters at the stadium," he said. "Pass rushers come to Michigan and end up in the league if they have talent. Social media, whatever it is they can do, they should do it. It's a great marketing tool. "Michigan basketball, depending on what happens with the guys this year, will have about twice as many first-round picks as any other Big Ten school. Not just the most — twice as many. "These are things that deserve attention." Recruits have noticed. In the 2022 class, Baltimore St. Frances edge Der- rick Moore decommitted from Oklahoma to play for the Wolverines after Harbaugh's pitch to him. The Michigan coach sold the school as well as the football, and it resonated. "I'll make sure that I leave graduating with a degree," Moore said. "Hope- fully, I'll be the best defensive end in the NFL Draft and in college football, and hopefully be a first-round pick." Moore turned heads as an early enrollee this spring and is now being coached by a man who has a history of sending defensive ends to the NFL in Mike Elston. The former U-M linebacker, now the Wolverines' defensive line coach, coached 12 NFL draftees in 12 seasons at Notre Dame, five from 2019 on, many of them edge rushers. There are no sure-fire first-round picks this year, but several will have the opportunity to impress. They've been waiting in the wings, senior end Mike Morris said, and they're ready to prove themselves. "We couldn't show it because we had two first-round draft picks in front of us last year," he said. "What would you want us to do, take Hutch and Ojabo out and put someone else in? No. "But I feel like we are ready. I know people will have their opin- ions, but I feel like we are going to be perfectly fine." — Chris Balas U-M DEFENSIVE ENDS IN THE NFL DRAFT UNDER JIM HARBAUGH Player Year Round Overall Pick Team Taco Charlton 2017 1st 28th Dallas Cowboys Chris Wormley 2017 3rd 74th Baltimore Ravens Rashan Gary 2019 1st 12th Green Bay Packers Chase Winovich 2019 3rd 77th New England Patriots Michael Danna 2020 5th 177th Kansas City Chiefs Kwity Paye 2021 1st 21st Indianapolis Colts Aidan Hutchinson 2022 1st 2nd Detroit Lions David Ojabo 2022 2nd 45th Baltimore Ravens Michigan Football Has Become Defensive End U. Under Jim Harbaugh "I just want to raise my game and be an absolute monster." MORRIS

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