The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1477128
SEPTEMBER 2022 THE WOLVERINE 33 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL coaching out there. I love Ja'Den. He's really grown up a lot for us. He'll stand on one sideline while I'm on the other sideline, and he'll help the young guys to make sure they line up correctly … [that] they know they're assignment, they're communicating. "He has worked out a little bit with the training staff — not with us — and I think he's right there where he needs to be. We look forward to getting him back when he's able to be back." Whether or not that's this year re- mains to be seen, Clinkscale said. But he was "physical, super quick and fast" before the injury, he added, and expects him to help when he returns. — Chris Balas U-M ADDS FORMER FIVE-STAR RECRUIT THROUGH TRANSFER PORTAL The Wolverines got a surprise addi- tion to their roster Aug. 18, with former five-star edge prospect Eyabi Anoma joining the program. He is immediately eligible to play and has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Anoma — who has spent time at Alabama, Houston and the University of Tennessee at Martin — entered the transfer portal Aug. 15. Michigan was involved in his recruiting during the 2018 cycle, and he played for associ- ate head coach Biff Poggi at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. Michigan fans will recognize that as the school that produced junior running back Blake Corum and junior linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green and freshman edge Derrick Moore, among others. Anoma (6-5, 244) was the No. 3 overall player in the 2018 class and an On3 Consensus Five-Star Plus recruit, meaning he was listed as five-star by each of the primary recruiting services. After receiving little playing time at Al- abama, he was dismissed for a violation of team rules and academic issues. Anoma transferred to Houston in 2019 but was let go from the program after a redshirt season. He transferred to UT Martin and sat out in 2020 due to NCAA rules. Last season, he was an All-Ohio Val- ley Conference pick and earned a spot on the OVC All-Newcomer Team. He notched 36 tackles, 9.5 stops for loss and 6 sacks while playing the Jack position. He did enough last season with the Skyhawks to warrant a shoutout this summer from Pro Football Focus, which ranked him as the No. 10 edge rusher in next season's draft class. The Athletic's Dane Brugler currently has a top-20 se- nior prospect grade on him at edge. Anoma turned things around and graduated from UT Martin this summer. He is expected to start low on the depth chart at U-M and see if he can work his way into a contributing role. — Anthony Broome SEVERAL FRESHMEN 'POPPING' IN FALL CAMP Michigan started fall camp Aug. 3 in preparation for its season opener against Colorado State Sept. 3, and several play- ers impressed in the early going. Head coach Jim Harbaugh joined former U-M All-American Jon Jansen on his "In the Trenches" podcast a week into practice, sharing intel on some of the new faces making an impression in the early going. In addition to the three receivers he called the "freak show" in the spring for their uncanny athletic ability — Darrius Clemons, Tyler Morris, and Amorion Walker — he listed several others who were also excelling. The offensive line class is going to be a good one, he began. "Good, young guys," Harbaugh said of the Michigan freshmen offensive line- men. "Andrew Gentry's really the one that pops the most right now. He's one offensive lineman that could get a lot of play as a true freshman. And Connor Jones, who was here in the spring as a mid-year freshman, he's really popped the last couple days. You can see the improvement from him, as well. "Alessandro Lorenzetti is doing a re- ally good job. You want to talk about the athleticism — he kind of reminds me of [former Wolverine] Jon Runyan when Jon was first here those first couple years. Super athletic. It's going to take a little bit of time to put on the strength and the bulk, but just like Jon — maybe even a little better than Jon was when Jon was a freshman. It remains to be seen." Another " big guy," walk-on Daniel Taraboi, is a "big, big, big guy, but then he ran really well," Harbaugh continued. "He passed the conditioning test, and he's out there swimming a little bit for an offensive lineman who wasn't in spring ball," the coach said. "But he's got a chance to be good down the road, as well. "The offensive line is in nice shape." Colston Loveland "is going to be re- ally good" at tight end, he noted, "and Marlin Klein." On defense, true freshman defensive tackle Mason Graham impressed in the Eyabi Anoma joined the Wolverines as a grad transfer from UT Martin. The 6-5, 244-pound edge player was the No. 3 overall player in the 2018 class and an On3 Consensus Five-Star Plus recruit who originally went to Alabama. PHOTO COURTESY UT MARTIN ATHLETICS