The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MAY 2019 THE WOLVERINE 23 couple of those spots, though, moved through the spring game with ques- tion marks bigger than Shaquille O'Neal on a pizza bender. Two of Michigan's presumed top three receivers — juniors Donovan Peoples-Jones and Nico Collins — sat out with injuries. Peoples-Jones' set- back involves a non-specified soft- tissue issue that could keep him out for an extended period. That means plenty of other receiv- ers got extended time in the spring. As noted, Sainristil made excellent use of his, and so did sophomore Ron- nie Bell. Certainly, though, the Wolverines will go through the summer and en- ter fall with some uncertainty about how they'll line up when the sea- son opener rolls around. Even if it's Collins, Peoples-Jones and redshirt sophomore Tarik Black to start, the others mentioned and more — red- shirt sophomore Oliver Martin comes to mind — will look to break through as well. "Our receivers have done a really good job," McCaffrey said. "Mike, I've been really impressed with him. Oliver Martin, too. He's stepping up, big time. He's always been a solid, skillful guy, and he's done really well with his opportunity." Meanwhile, senior tailback Tru Wil- son came out of spring the team's top rusher. His biggest competition sat on the sidelines as well at the end of spring, leaving that key spot up in the air through the summer. Early entry freshman Zach Char- bonnet didn't get the benefit of spring practice, despite showing up to Michi- gan in January. That's because of a relatively routine knee surgery he needed to pursue, one that won't slow him in the latter part of summer and into the fall. Also, redshirt freshman Christian Turner is looking to make the start- ing tailback spot his own, but he was slowed in the spring as well. He'll be back come fall, when the real battle to become Michigan's No. 1 tailback ensues. SECONDARY IS A PRIMARY FOCUS The defensive backfield heads to- ward the summer with no lack of TBDs as well. Senior All-Big Ten cor- nerback Lavert Hill sat out the spring with an injury, but he should lock back into one cornerback position. Junior Ambry Thomas could secure the other, but nothing's being given there. Redshirt freshman Vincent Gray has looked very good at times, and redshirt frosh Gemon Green is pushing as well, along with relocated junior Jaylen Kelly-Powell. "I guess you could say I'm pleas- antly happy," cornerbacks coach Mike Zordich said at the end of spring ball. "That Vincent has come along, that Jaylen Kelly-Powell has come along, and Ambry — sky's the limit with that guy. He's just had a great spring. "I'm happy for those guys, and cer- tainly happy for us as a defense that they're playing well." Zordich has a constant in Hill, who always seems nicked up in the spring but ready to go once fall comes about. "I think he's going to be lights out," Zordich said. "I think he's going to pick up where he left off. I really do. I think he sees what his future can be, and he sees what he can do to help this team win a Big Ten champion- ship. He's all in. He's all about the team." At safety, senior Josh Metellus has one spot locked down, following a strong junior campaign and an as- sertive spring. The other spot will also likely go well into the fall, with juniors Brad Hawkins and J'Marick Woods battling hard, and five-star freshman Daxton Hill showing up this summer. "Brad Hawkins has had a helluva spring," Zordich said. "Josh Metellus has taken a leadership role. He's do- ing a helluva job covering in the back end, communicating in the back end. J'Marick Woods is going to have some opportunities to do some jobs out there — tough kid." Speaking of tough, it's not easy to get a handle on the Wolverines, some four months away from the start of the season. But they dropped a lot of hints, and those will continue right up until Aug. 31. ❏ Returning All-Big Ten honoree Lavert Hill presumably has one cornerback position locked down, but the spot opposite him is wide open among several players, including junior Ambry Thomas (above). Assistant Mike Zordich said this spring the "sky's the limit" for Thomas. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN