The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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24 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JUNE/JULY 2024 senior back carried 5 times for 33 yards in the spring game, looked patient and stron- ger between the tackles after adding 10 more pounds to his frame. He also emerged as a leader this spring, according to his coaches. "We're in a really good spot," Edwards said. "We're just go- ing to continue to do better. I'm glad that it's almost the end of April. That means we have a lot more time to fine- tune our details — and that's what we pride ourselves on." The offense overall spent the spring behind the defense, which isn't surprising given that Michigan returns just one full-time starter on that side of the ball in junior tight end Colston Loveland. "We've done well at a lot of things — running the ball, making plays when plays need to be made," Edwards said. "Of course, there are always things that we need to work on. We definitely will get better at the small details and the things that have made us great." There's "really good depth" in the running back room, Moore added. Grad student Kalel Mullings moves piles, and he should get many more opportunities this year "If we listed them right now, it would be Donovan, Kalel, and then [sopho- more] Ben Hall," Moore said. "[Senior] Tavi [Dunlap] had a really good game [15 carries, 61 yards]. He's pushing for that third spot. It's really healthy competi- tion." As for pass catchers, there's not much experience, but one huge piece in Love- land. Many project the junior tight end as a first-round pick in next year's NFL Draft, and Moore and Campbell both said they'd devise an offense to get him the ball. "We'll be super multiple, create a lot of issues for defenses, especially with number 18," Moore said. "He's special in every single way. "Those guys behind him are really good, too. I'm super excited for [junior] Marlin Klein's progression and what he's done. Breddy [senior Max Bredeson] is a special player in his own right with what he does. "All those guys are really good. A guy that's stepped up a little bit and done a really nice job — we are looking for that fourth guy — is [sophomore] Deakon Tonielli." The offensive line was shorthanded, missing projected starters in guard Josh Priebe, a grad transfer from Northwest- ern, and senior Giovanni El-Hadi, but it was still physical. Both centers, senior Greg Crippen and grad student Raheem Anderson, played well, while junior right tackle Andrew Gentry stood out. Finally, Michigan's wide receivers did some good things in the spring game, led by second-year wideout Fredrick Moore. He had 2 catches for 76 yards, including a 48-yard catch and run on a short com- pletion that he turned into a touchdown. He still needs to add strength, but he has great potential and speed. Classmate Kendrick Bell also notched a long touchdown reception. It's fair to question this room head- ing into the 2024 season, and for several reasons. There's very little game experi- ence — sophomore Semaj Morgan is the leading returning receiver, and he only caught 22 passes for 204 yards and 2 scores last season. Junior Tyler Morris might be the popular choice to lead the team in receiving this year. He finished last season with 13 passes for 197 yards, includ- ing a 38-yard catch-and-run touchdown for his first career score in the Rose Bowl win over Alabama. He has the wiggle, and he's gotten stronger. He managed 2 grabs for 14 yards in the spring game, though he didn't play a whole lot. The Wolverines emerged from the spring game looking to add more depth to the room from the portal, and Campbell made no secret of it. "We've got some explosive guys, but I think it's a top- loaded room," Campbell said. "We need to get some guys to help out there. We probably will look at some guys in that position — how many, I'm not sure. "We just don't have numbers. Ham- string and quad injuries are going to happen. We just have to make sure we have enough guys to fill the roster." DEFENSE REMAINS LOADED AND READY TO ATTACK On the other side of the ball, Michi- gan returns several difference-makers on a defense that should be capable of carrying the team for much of the year. First-year coordinator Wink Martindale has promised to be more aggressive while keeping the defense similar to what the Wolverines ran the last few years. Having that experience in the building has been "huge," Moore said. "He's been in every situation in ev- ery type of place. He brings a wealth of knowledge, but he's also very humble. He takes critiques; he takes coaching from people. He doesn't think he's per- fect. … He asks questions." Martindale inherited an elite defensive line, one that should make his job eas- ier this fall. Juniors Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant are forces in the middle that have proven themselves as run stop- pers and pass rushers both. Senior Ray- shaun Benny, meanwhile, made progress Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale inherited an elite defensive line, led by All-America tackle Mason Graham. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL