The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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APRIL 2023 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 27 more Mason Graham, junior Rayshaun Benny — there will be eyes on all of them, along with the other edges (senior Jaylen Harrell, et al.). 2. How has quarterback J.J. McCar- thy improved, and who's No. 2 behind him? The junior is bigger, having added 10 to 15 pounds, and he's "slinging it," ac- cording to his teammates, and doing "J.J. things" senior edge Jaylen Harrell said in comparing him to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in his es- capability. He's not being irresponsible, though — in fact, like Harbaugh when the coach played (1984-86), he's simply playing with more confidence. "I can't plan for it. That's what I'll say," McCarthy said with a grin. "Just un- orthodox, but within the system. Some- thing that I've had to learn over the years is playing within the system and letting those abilities come out when they need to." There were times, too, when he could have scrambled more, and he started to at the end of last season. He had key runs against both Ohio State and TCU, a weapon that he will likely use more this year — but probably not in the spring game, where he'll be off limits to hit. Still, you can tell a lot about decision- making, which was visible last spring when McCarthy really closed the gap on then-starter Cade McNamara. Frankly, so did former walk-on Davis Warren, who might have been the best of the bunch on that Saturday. He's got everything you want minus experience. Warren is competing with former In- diana quarterback Jack Tuttle for No. 2. Word is that battle is neck-and-neck, with Tuttle a "pleasant surprise." Given that the backup is only a play away from meaningful snaps in 2023, fans will be anxious to see what they show April 1 at 3 p.m. on Big Ten Network. 1. Who will step up as the "other corner" opposite sophomore Will Johnson? Johnson, of course, is a rising star, and he's expected to dominate at the position in 2023. Pro Football Focus gave him an 84.5 grade in press coverage, the second- best showing among Power Five defensive backs in 2022. Johnson has been sidelined this spring with what appears to be a leg injury — he's been photographed in uniform but using a crutch — giving others the opportunity to play in his absence. Sophomore Amorion Walker, who moved over from receiver, took the early lead, Harbaugh said, and has the ability to be special in time. "I went up against him a couple times, and I watch a lot of his film when we're all watching film," senior receiver Roman Wilson said. "I think he looks really good. He's really athletic. "Right now, he's really raw. He's close to getting the technique down, and I think when he becomes a technician at corner, he's going to be one of the best." Grad student Mike Sainristil has been playing there, too, moving over from nickel (at which point junior safety Rod Moore takes over at nickel). But they'll need others to emerge, too. Junior Ja'Den McBurrows has made strides, per team- mates, and sophomore Myles Pollard is also in the mix. Don't sleep on walk-on Keshaun Harris, either. He's gotten a lot of run, as well. TWO PLAYERS TO WATCH APRIL 1 2. Tyler Morris. The sophomore receiver has the "quick twitch" suited for the slot and is having an impressive spring. He's fully recovered from the knee injury he suffered in high school that lim- ited him until early summer a year ago, and he's ready to make an impact. "I feel like it's going good. For me, it's just a lot more comfortable," Morris said. "Last year, my freshman year, you're try- ing to figure everything out and get to know the offense. You don't really know just how the program works completely, and I was still trying to come back from my knee [injury] a little bit. "This year I feel more comfortable, used to things, knowing how it goes. There's not as much trying to figure ev- erything out." He'll be in the rotation this fall, and expect him to get a lot of reps in the spring game along with fellow sopho- more Darrius Clemons, a bigger receiver and another one to keep an eye on. 1. Kenneth Grant. Michigan is going to need interior line depth to emerge with Mazi Smith graduating. Senior Kris Jenkins is the leader here, now up to 300 pounds, and sophomore Mason Graham figures to be the other starter inside af- ter an incredibly impressive freshman season. Junior Rayshaun Benny, too, has also made huge strides. Harbaugh deemed Grant a "gift from the football gods" last year after arriv- ing at Michigan and running a sub-5.0- second 40-yard-dash. He moves ex- tremely well for his size, and is a great kid and teammate. Now, it's time for him to put it all together and take steps toward becoming the elite defensive tackle he should be. "Kenneth is a big athlete," graduating center Olu Oluwatimi said at Michigan's Pro Day. "Any time we did stuff over the summer, he was always at the top of ei- ther times or output or whatever … and he's like 350 pounds. "From that standpoint, he just has all the physical traits. Obviously, you just have to put it together. But even going against him last year, I saw con- stant growth. If he keeps his head down, I'm confident he'll be a good player for Michigan next year." A bonus pick here — Coastal Caro- lina edge transfer Josaiah Stewart. At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, he's got a very quick first step and he has made an im- pression this spring. ONE FRESHMAN EARLY ENROLLEE TO WATCH Benjamin Hall. The running back out of Acworth, Ga., arrived without much fanfare, some even calling it a "stretch" that Michigan recruited him. He's absolutely built, however — he's 5-foot-11, 235 pounds with huge thighs — and has the potential to be a very good Big Ten back. Hall has outplayed his On3.com Con- sensus three-star ranking in the early going. "He's physical," sophomore wide re- ceiver Tyler Morris reported. "He's big, solid. … Just from what I've seen, he's not easy to tackle. I think he's going to be a good player." He's likely to get a lot of carries in the spring game with starters Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards still recuperating from their injuries. Freshman defensive backs Jyaire Hill and Cameron Calhoun also are making good early impressions. ❏