The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1503142
[ S P E C I A L T E A M S ] THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 113 competition, and I think he could do it. "I don't think, ideally, the coaches want him to have to do it, because they want him to focus on punting. But they want the best guys out there. If they can manage the reps well enough, he could be the guy on kickoffs. That re- mains to be seen, how it will play out." Samaha, meanwhile, enjoyed an ex- cellent senior season at Ann Arbor Hu- ron. He went 11-for-14 on field goals, nailing a school-record 49-yarder and later matching that distance in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He also was perfect on extra points as a junior and senior. Samaha went 7-for-9 on field goals his junior season, with the only misses coming from 53 and 56 yards out. "On field goals, Samaha certainly has the ability you're looking for at the position," noted Kornblue, who has worked extensively with both Doman and Samaha. "Whether he can come right in and play as a true freshman, that's tough. That's tough to do. Jake didn't do it, [Quinn] Nordin didn't do it, Kenny Allen didn't do it. True freshmen don't typically come in and start on field goals. It's just a re- ally tough thing to do, mak- ing that transition from high school to the college game. "That's where I think the transfer situation can be a little buffer for a year. Turner can come in and bring some stability to that position. They're certainly going to need to make field goals the way Jake did, if they're going to make a run." Moody set Michigan's all- time record with a 59-yard field goal in the College Foot- ball Playoff semifinal against TCU. He made 4 kicks of 50 or more yards over the course of his career. Kornblue isn't sure the Wolverines feature that sort of leg strength on the roster this year, but he also isn't convinced that's a big deal. "The comparison of Nor- din and Moody, they're two of the strongest guys that Michigan has ever had," Kornblue said. "Hayden Epstein and Jay Feely were guys that had that kind of leg strength as well, and they went to the NFL. "I don't know if we have that right now. All those guys on the roster can hit from 50 plus. But can you do it in colder weather, with the pressure and all that kind of stuff, consistently? But I don't think that's going to be the dif- ference for a successful season. "From 45 and in, if they can be con- sistent there, when you need those points, that is the key. That's not as much of an issue as the kickoffs and field goals within that 45- to 50-yard range. As far as who is going to help the team win, it's who is consistent with those 50-and-in field goals, with punting and the same with kickoffs. Even if it's not back of the end zone, if it's 4.0-plus hang time and putting it in the left or right corner, we have the athletes and the special teams schemes to pin teams." With Michigan's offense — a vet- eran line, a returning quarterback, and loaded at the other skill positions — PRESEASON ANALYSIS STARTERS ★★★ The talent is obviously there. Grad transfer James Turner nailed 20 of 22 field goal at- tempts at Louisville last year, and Michigan features other kickers more sought-after than most in the sorting-out process. But ask any- one if there are guarantees when it comes to performing in front of 110,000 at home and they'll caution you to wait and see. It's not just the kickers, either. With A.J. Henning hitting the transfer portal in the offseason, Michigan lost its top return man as well. Again, there's no shortage of talent to step in and get the job done, but U-M will rely on new legs in 2023. DEPTH ★★★★ Getting Turner onto the roster certainly in- creases Michigan's depth and opportunity to spread the kicking duties out. Tommy Doman's specialty is punting, although he can serve in any of the three functions of the kicking game. That versatility alone gives the Wolverines good depth. Michigan also features young kick- ers and return men aplenty, and it shouldn't have any issues in fielding a well-backed crew of performers on special teams. OVERALL ★★★ The three stars here have nothing to do with a perceived paucity of talent, or an assessment of it as average. It's simply a matter of kickers in particular making the transition to starters, or the conversion from high school to college in the case of a freshman. Finding someone to safely field punts will obviously be a prior- ity in the months to come. The sense is, all will be well, especially given proven special teams coaching. But the proof comes when the weather turns brisk in Ann Arbor. QUICK FACTS Position Coach: Jay Harbaugh (9th at U-M, 4th co- ordinating special teams) Returning Starters: LS William Wagner Departing Starters: K Jake Moody, P Brad Robbins Projected New Starters: K James Turner, P Tommy Doman Top Reserves: LS Greg Tarr Wait Until 2024: K Adam Samaha Newcomers: Samaha Moved In: Turner Moved Out: KR/PR A.J. Henning Rookie Impact: KR Cole Cabana Most Improved Player: Doman Best Pro Prospect: Turner YEAR-BY-YEAR KICKING LEADERS PUNTING Year Player Att. Avg. Long 2022 Brad Robbins 43 42.3 64 2021 Brad Robbins 45 46.3 65 2020 Brad Robbins 23 45.3 66 2019 Will Hart 51 44.2 61 2018 Will Hart 43 47.0 65 2017 Brad Robbins 64 40.4 58 2016 Kenny Allen 54 43.3 67 2015 Blake O'Neill 53 41.3 80 2014 Will Hagerup 53 42.9 63 2013 Matt Wile 61 40.6 69 FIELD GOALS Year Player Att. Made Long 2022 Jake Moody 35 29 59 2021 Jake Moody 25 23 52 2020 Quinn Nordin 5 2 46 2019 Quinn Nordin 13 10 57 2018 Quinn Nordin 16 11 50 2017 Quinn Nordin 24 19 55 2016 Kenny Allen 23 19 51 2015 Kenny Allen 22 18 47 2014 Matt Wile 21 15 48 2013 Brendan Gibbons 20 15 47