4 Positive developments for Michigan football during spring practice

We are 19 days away from the Michigan football spring game. But the Wolverines have been practicing for the past couple of weeks and we have started to learn about the 2024 squad.

There are still some concerns about quarterback. There have been positive rumblings. The players have said positive things and we did see a highlight of Alex Orji dropping a dime to Colston Loveland.

No one should expect miracles. But Orji was good enough to play last season, even when Michigan football had J.J. McCarthy, so as a runner, the dude has something. If he can develop into a passing threat, watch out.

Yet, I’d like to address some of the other positive developments this spring for Michigan football and we’ll start with the cornerback position.

Young Michigan football corners are turning heads

One position some fans thought might need to be reinforced in the transfer portal was cornerback. The Wolverines lost Josh Wallace and Mike Sainristil to the NFL, Rod Moore to injury, and Keon Sabb to the portal.

Moore was a candidate to take over that nickel job for Mikey or at least play more snaps there. Now, it feels like Ja’Den McBurrows job to lose. He’s more than capable but that means another cornerback needs to step up to start on the outside.

The good news is that multiple guys are stepping up. Sherrone Moore mentioned DJ Waller and Jyaire Hill and they have been mentioned frequently as standouts this spring. Waller played in 11 games last season on defense and special teams. He notched 12 tackles and a pass breakup. He’s also 6-foot-3, 205 pounds.

Hill redshirted last season but saw action in four games. Both have turned heads this spring. Hill is 6-foot-2, 181 pounds, and having two long, athletic corners to pair with Will Johnson is exciting.

The leadership of Donovan Edwards

A bunch of Michigan football players have stepped into leadership roles such as Will Johnson, Mason Graham, Colston Loveland, Kenneth Grant, but also Donovan Edwards.

His growth as a leader has been fun to watch. He feels like a team captain and seems like he’s in a really good place going into his senior season. Edwards is also 100 percent healthy. That wasn’t the case last season at this time and he’s been hampered much of his career with nagging issues.

We saw what Edwards was capable of in the national title game and down the stretch last season. Now, it will be his show. I hope he gets more passes thrown his way this season, but I feel a huge season coming for Edwards.

Young D-line players progress

Michigan football is loaded on the defensive line. The front four might be the best in college football. But it takes more than four guys. At defensive tackle, Rayshaun Benny is another elite player. I’m confident he could start for anyone in the Big Ten.

Yet, some younger players are also emerging for the Wolverines such as Enow Etta and T.J. Guy. Etta was a top-200 recruit coming out of high school. He’s listed at 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, and has been getting reps at defensive tackle. Etta is listed as an EDGE on the Michigan roster and like Mike Morris, he’ll probably see snaps at both spots.

T.J. Guy is another guy that’s emerged in spring ball. He has played in 21 games over the past two seasons. Last year, he had 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a sack against Michigan State. Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore will be one of the best EDGE tandems in college football. Yet, depth is required and Guy has the potential to be a stellar third option.

Jaishawn Barham is a star

Michigan football knew it was getting a good player in Jaishawn Barham from Maryland in the transfer portal, but I don’t know that the Wolverines realized how impactful he could be in their scheme.

At 6-foot-3, 248 pounds, Barham is a superb athlete. He was also highly productive last season for the Terps with 37 tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, three pass breakups, and three hurries.

After the departures of Junior Colson and Michael Barrett to the NFL, there was reason to be worried about the inside linebacker spots, but with Ernest Hausmann and now Barham, with the insanely good returns early in spring ball, Michigan football should be just fine. Better than fine actually.

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