The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1503142
[ D E F E N S I V E B A C K S ] THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 107 I think everybody knew he was really tal- ented. He trusted the process and played his best ball when we needed him to play his best ball. "I'm just excited to see him evolve and go into Year 2 now with real confidence. When you come in as a freshman, you can think, 'I'm this highly recruited guy.' Will was always pretty humble, but now he has tangible evidence that he can cover." It's covering the other position that has everyone's attention, including that of the defensive coordinator. Minter readily admits that — despite early re- turns — the spot remains up for grabs. "The other spot, that's the big ques- tion mark right now," Minter said. "We had a lot of guys battle for that spot throughout spring. Amorion certainly has the traits, the skills to be able to play the position. He hasn't played the posi- tion enough to be comfortable yet." He wasn't comfortable in the spring game, surrendering several receptions, including to former walk-on wideout Peyton O'Leary, who emerged as one of the most talked-about Wolverines fol- lowing that contest. "He might not like me saying this, but I think one of the best things to happen to him was the spring game and going through a little bit of adversity, having guys make plays," Minter said. "The toughest part about being an elite corner is the mental side of it, the down-after-down, locked-in mindset that it requires. "It's good that it happened now. We've got a lot of time between now and Sep- tember to continue to work with him. He's really got a chance to get a lot better between now and then." The potential two-way performer — cornerback and wideout — will work to do just that. Meanwhile, other options can make their mark and look to secure the spot in fall camp. PRESEASON ANALYSIS STARTERS ★★★★ There's no question one-half of the starting cornerbacks role rests in very good hands. Sophomore Will Johnson got his hands on the football twice for interceptions in the Big Ten Champion- ship Game alone last year. The question involves the other spot. Sophomore Amorion Johnson appeared the early fa- vorite, until some spring game struggles put that projection into doubt. The Wolverines feature a handful of talented contestants, but this one won't fully shake out until the fall. Meanwhile, ju- nior safety Rod Moore and senior safety Makari Paige are aces, along with grad nickel Mike Sainristil, proven a year ago. There's plenty of talent and experience back there. DEPTH ★★★ The transfer of safety R.J. Moten and the uncertainty at one cornerback will cause concern leading into the fall, but likely only by those who haven't seen the situation up close. Watch out for sophomore defensive backs Keon Sabb and Zeke Berry, we're told. Both were performing at a level in spring ball that indicates there's depth, albeit limited on the field. Plus, the cornerbacks sweepstakes will push others to come to the fore. Junior Ja'Den McBurrows and freshman Jyaire Hill are among the top contestants there. OVERALL ★★★★ Cornerback questions at one spot notwithstanding, this should be an extremely solid group. The fact that they'll be playing behind a strong and experienced front seven certainly won't hurt. But even on their own, there's star power in Johnson and Moore, along with players like Sainristil and Paige who got it done in as tough an environment as Co- lumbus. All of the Wolverine DBs will get chances of their own in the days ahead. ❱ Sophomore Will Johnson was the highest-graded cornerback nationally in man coverage last sea- son, according to Pro Football Focus (91.1). Targeted 24 times in that setting, Johnson allowed just 12 receptions for 197 yards and 1 touchdown, registering 3 pass breakups and 2 intercep- tions. ❱ Junior Rod Moore was one of two Power Five safeties last season to earn 80-plus Pro Football Focus grades in both coverage (81.4) and run defense (84.2). The other is former Alabama de- fensive back Brian Branch, the No. 45 overall pick in this past spring's NFL Draft. Moore notched 4 interceptions in 2022 — the most by a U-M defender in a season since cornerback Channing Stribling posted an identical number in 2016 and the highest amount by a Wolverine safety since DeWayne Patmon also had 4 in 1998. ❱ U-M's 14 interceptions last season were the most by a Wolverine team since accumulating 17 in 2013. Eleven of the 14 picks were made by players who are still on the roster. In addition to Moore and Johnson, the other six returners with pick-offs are linebacker Michael Barrett (2), nickel back Mike Sainristil (1) and safety Makari Paige (1). ❱ In terms of yards per pass attempt allowed, U-M has drastically improved under the tutelage of co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Steve Clinkscale. The Wolverines gave up 7.2 yards per pass in 2020, the year before he was hired, but improved their mark to 6.3 in 2021 and 5.9 in 2022. ❱ Lindy's Sports' preseason player ratings tabbed Johnson as the preseason No. 6 cornerback and U-M as the No. 2 defensive backs unit in the nation, behind only Georgia. ❱ Athlon Sports projects Johnson as a third-team All-America cornerback and one of its top 13 "Breakout Players" in 2023, and it also listed U-M as the No. 4 defensive back unit nationally. ❱ U-M added a late transfer June 7 in UMass cornerback Josh Wallace, a three-time captain for the Minutemen and four-year starter with 140 tackles (7 for loss), 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recover- ies and 28 passes broken up in his career. [ F Y I ]