The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/873137
OCTOBER 2017 THE WOLVERINE 33 said in the days leading to the game with Air Force Sept. 16 that he hoped to have him back soon, and seemed optimistic he would. Defensive coordinator Don Brown knew three days in that Vilain and Paye both might be able to help his defense this year. "I watched pass rush [on day three]," Brown said. "Pretty good … very good start. Luiji, he's extremely explosive, comes off the rock. I was really impressed with how well … not only does he come off the rock, but how well Kwity used his hands. "Those guys are very talented guys as [Harbaugh] has alluded to, and we're going to give them every op- portunity possible to get on the field in some roles." Of the three freshman linebackers — Jordan Anthony, Drew Singleton and Josh Ross — Ross was the lowest rated of the bunch, a four star ranked No. 222 nationally. Harbaugh quipped that he accidentally called his fresh- man James, mixing him up with his alum brother, another former Michi- gan linebacker. He did it again in a press conference days before the opener. On the prac- tice field, however, the younger Ross has made an impact, and Harbaugh knows who he is. "James Ross is really playing well," Harbaugh said. "I call him James half the time, to his face. He laughs. He's a real hitter. It's hard to imagine what he was like in high school. He's hitting guys in the college game like that." Those who have yet to play are ex- pected to contribute down the road, with the exception of defensive end Corey Malone-Hatcher, whose career was ended by injury before it started. There have also been other moves, like Hawkins to safety from wide receiver and James Hudson from defensive line to offensive line. "Coach Harbaugh does what a great head coach always is going to do," defensive line coach Greg Mattison said on local radio. "Whatever is best for the team, that's what's going to happen. "If a young man is not in the two- deep in one place but could be in the two-deep with some reps and that in another place, he's going to go there. That's what you have to do in college. You can't go out and buy a guy like you can in the NFL. So, young men like James Hudson are very key guys because they can do both. That's up to Jim." There could be more shuffling, too, if necessary, either this year or in the future. Regardless of how everything shakes out, it looks like the 2017 class will be yet another outstanding haul for Harbaugh and his coaching staff. ❏ Top Five Freshman Contributors Through Two Games Several of Michigan's first-year players have already made an impact. Here are the top five early contributors: 1. K Quinn Nordin: The redshirt freshman went 4 of 6 in his first game, the 33-17 win over Florida, and was 2 of 2 the following week against Cin- cinnati. In his debut, he became the first kicker in Michigan history to make two field goals from 50 yards or more in the same game, converting from 55 and 50 against the Gators. 2. WR Tarik Black: The freshman receiver was said to be every bit as good as his roommate, five-star prep Donovan Peoples-Jones, and it appears he is. He was the team's second-leading receiver through two games with six catches for 94 yards. 3. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones: The Detroit Cass Tech product made an impact as a punt returner in the opener with five runbacks for 40 yards, in- cluding an 18-yarder, and he saw more run at receiver in the second game. His 44-yard end-around against Cincinnati was one of the game's big plays in a 36-14 win. Only fifth-year senior running back Ty Isaac has a longer run (53) after the first two tilts. 4. DB Ambry Thomas: Thomas notched four tackles in two games and was looking comfortable at both nickel and corner. His biggest play came on special teams, when he forced and recovered a fumble at a key juncture to set up a field goal in the win over Florida. 5. DT Aubrey Solomon: The five-star defensive tackle played late against Florida, and he certainly didn't seem out of place. He got some penetration up front against the Gators' line and he looks especially strong in the lower body, critical for his tackle position. He'll continue to get more playing time to build off of his two stops in the first two contests. — Chris Balas In the season opener, redshirt freshman Quinn Nordin became the first U-M kicker to make multiple field goals from 50 yards or more in the same game. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN