The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 27 RUNNING BACKS Senior Donovan Edwards has been waiting his turn, and he's had a great fall camp so far. The hope is that he'll return to his form from two years ago, when he rushed for 991 yards and averaged 7.1 per carry. Last year, he managed 497 yards (4.2 per rush). "I think any offensive coordinator tailors their offense to their players," Campbell said. "Donovan Edwards — different running style than Blake Co- rum. He's still going to be asked to do the same things, but we've also got to get him in open field, get him in space one-on-one with linebackers. That's what he does really well." Graduate Kalel Mullings, meanwhile, is a player Moore said isn't getting enough attention. He's in elite shape and ready to increase his role. "He is a really good downhill runner. We have to tailor the run game around what our offensive line does well and what our running backs do well, as well," Campbell said. "It could be a little bit different, but it could be the same at some point in time." Sophomore Benjamin Hall and freshman Jordan Marshall will also be in the mix. OFFENSIVE LINEMEN The offensive line has been one of the pleasant surprises of fall camp. "They're coming together great," Moore said. "You can ask the defensive guys; they're giving them a run for their money. I know that as long as I'm here, we'll be good up front. We'll be violent; we'll be physical. We'll be tough, relent- less … all the things you want." Moore raved about senior left guard Giovanni El-Hadi, but the starting five has yet to be set. "We have a couple guys that have ce- mented themselves as ones, but not a whole first group yet," Moore said. "I think we've got a lot of battles still go- ing. Kind of like last year, Myles Hinton started the first four, five games then didn't start after that but still played. Competition is just going to continue to go into the season as we keep going. I'm excited to see who rolls out in Week 1." The offensive line remains extremely deep, he added. "I think we're in a good place, nine or 10 guys competing on a daily basis," Moore said. "I'm excited about that group." We expect an initial lineup of Hin- ton at left tackle, El-Hadi at left guard, Greg Crippen at center, Josh Priebe at right guard and Andrew Gentry at right tackle. Jeff Persi and Evan Link will con- tinue to battle at tackle, Raheem An- derson at center, and Dom Giudice and Nathan Efobi at guard. WIDE RECEIVERS Junior Tyler Morris is the go-to guy in this group, and he's ready for an expanded role after catching 13 passes for 197 yards, adding a key touchdown in the Rose Bowl. He's got all the tools to be a very good No. 1. Sophomore Semaj Morgan returns af- ter catching 22 passes for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns, and sophomore Fredrick Moore seems set for a bigger role, too. "Tyler Morris … it's kind of his time," Campbell said. "We view him as a starter because he started last year if we were in 11 personnel. He needs to step up in that role. "… Semaj Morgan has been outstand- ing. We're moving him around, not just keeping him as a slot guy or ball-in- hand guy. Fred Moore, Kendrick Bell … had really good summers." The Wolverines also added key depth in transfers Amorion Walker and C.J. Charleston, while Moore said frosh Channing Goodwin had been impressive. TIGHT ENDS Junior Colston Loveland is one of the nation's best, proving it last year in catching 45 passes for 649 yards and 4 touchdowns. He'll be one of the primary targets for whichever quarterback wins the job, a big, reliable target at 6-5, 245 pounds. It's not unfathomable that he leads the team in receiving this season. A.J. Barner was his complement last year, but he's moved on. That's opened the door for junior Marlin Klein, who team- mates (and The Athletic's Bruce Feldman) call a "freak" athlete ready for a breakout season. There could be several "12" pack- ages featuring two tight ends this season, in fact, given how he's emerged. "I think I'm ready for it," Klein said. "It's been kind of a rough two years for me. It's not so rough winning the national championship and Big Ten championship, but I think I've waited my turn. I think it's paid off so far. … I'm super excited for the season to start." Ve te ra n t i g h t e n d /f u l l ba c k M a x Bredeson, too, will play a huge role as a blocker, and possibly more. ❑ U-M Offense At A Glance TOP THREE STORYLINES Do The Wolverines Have A Capable Quarterback? This is going to make or break the offense, most likely, given the talent at all other positions. We trust the running game with the backs, but is there someone who can get the outstanding tight ends and talented receivers the ball? How Will The Running Back Carries Be Allocated? Edwards figures to be the leading rusher, but Mullings, Hall, and Marshall are all very capable. The Don needs to produce if he's going to be the team's bell cow. All four, though, could get carries this year. Is There A Go-To Receiver On The Team? Who is the guy to step up, like Roman Wilson did last year, when the Wolverines need a play? Morris and Loveland are the two obvious candidates, but they'll draw a lot of attention from defenses. TOP THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH • TE Colston Loveland — The big tight end will likely be a first-round NFL Draft pick after this season, and he should see more than his share of passes thrown his way. He could be used as a big 'X' receiver and split out at times, too, to create match-up issues for defenses. • RB Donovan Edwards — The senior has been waiting for his opportunity as a No. 1 back after play- ing behind Corum, and now he'll get it. Can he be that every-down guy? He struggled at times last year before breaking out in the national championship game. • WR Tyler Morris — The Ronnie Bell comparisons are legit, per practice observers. Morris is an outstanding athlete who has been waiting his turn. It's his time to shine. FRESHMAN TO WATCH • RB Jordan Marshall — The "Blake Corum type" back has a chance to be "special," Moore said Aug. 13. Words like "dynamic" and "electric" have also been used to describe the 5-foot-11 rookie standout from Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller. There are great backs in front of him, but keep an eye peeled for him this year. — Chris Balas