We’re going to do one thing slightly completely different by doing a Michigan mailbag. I went to Twitter and requested for any Wolverines’ soccer, basketball, or any Michigan-related questions.
I’m hoping to do that increasingly more all through the summer season months and into the season. If you need to take part and get your questions answered, comply with me on Twitter and get the questions in once I name for them. My DM’s are all the time open as properly for those who would somewhat do it that approach.
There are undoubtedly loads of speaking factors proper now for Michigan. The Wolverines are killing it on the recruiting path, the soccer staff is seeking to make a run at the entire thing this yr, and the basketball staff is, properly, a piece in progress.
What ought to we search for within the 4 dwelling video games to open the season that may make us imagine this staff can duplicate or exceed the successes of the previous two years?
— Perry Mitchell (@perrymitchell08) May 16, 2023
Michigan has a somewhat simple nonconference schedule for the second-straight season. East Carolina went 8-5 final season and Bowling Inexperienced made it to a bowl sport, so it’s arguably slightly harder, however the maize and blue shouldn’t have difficulties with any of them. Then within the fourth sport, Michigan performs Rutgers at dwelling, one other sport the Wolverines ought to have the ability to deal with with ease — though early-season Rutgers is tougher than late-season Rutgers.
My reply is fairly easy: dominate. Final yr, Michigan outscored its nonconference schedule 166-17. If the Wolverines can do the identical factor throughout the first three video games and deal with the Scarlet Knights in Week 4, then I believe you need to really feel assured going into the center of the schedule. The Wolverines offense returns most of their playmakers from final season and the protection needs to be simply pretty much as good, if not higher, than 2022. There shouldn’t be timing points like we’ve seen earlier than since J.J. McCarthy is coming into his second yr as a starter and has been wholesome in spring ball. If the offense sputters in opposition to these lower-level groups or the protection struggles to carry them, then that’s not a great signal. But when Michigan dominates the road of scrimmage and factors up loads of factors, then that’s a fantastic signal.
Which defensive place group will take the most important step ahead this yr?
— KRT (@pharmerk84) May 17, 2023
I had a tough time selecting between the line of defense and the linebackers, however I search for the linebackers to take the most important step ahead.
The protection was fairly sound as an entire final season, so it’s not like me saying the linebackers imply that group was dangerous final yr, as a result of it wasn’t. Even with Nikhai Hill-Inexperienced transferring on and going to Charlotte, I like this group a ton with the addition of Ernest Hausmann from Nebraska. As a freshman final season, Hausmann began seven video games for the Huskers and made 54 tackles — he was one of many extra productive freshman linebackers within the nation.
Michigan in fact returns Junior Colson who recorded a team-high 101 tackles, Michael Barrett is again for an additional yr who was second on the staff with 72 tackles. The Wolverines additionally return sophomore Jimmy Rolder who noticed important enjoying time as a freshman final yr, and Michah Pollard appeared good within the spring sport.
It feels just like the Wolverines are as proficient and as deep as anybody within the Large Ten and so long as accidents don’t get in the best way, I believe individuals shall be hyping the Wolverines’ linebackers up all season.
Does Taylor Tatum have OV arrange in June for Michigan ? And for those who might put a proportion on it what are the percentages Michigan lands Brandon Baker ?
— Miami Winners 🎲 (@Miami_Winners) May 21, 2023
Taylor Tatum formally made it identified he could be visiting Ann Arbor on June 23. Tatum shall be joined by linebacker Aaron Chiles and edge defender Darien Mayo on that go to and Michigan seems to be trending for all three of them — big go to weekend.
Switching to Brandon Baker, I’m unsure to be utterly trustworthy. I do know Michigan has to take Baker if he needs to come back to Ann Arbor, however the Wolverines have already got 5 offensive linemen dedicated to them for 2024. I really feel like plenty of it comes all the way down to when is Baker’s timeline? Does he decide ahead of later, or does he take his recruitment out previous the season and the Michigan class might be virtually full, if not full by then. To lastly reply your query, I might say 40% as of now. I believe there’s a likelihood, however I wouldn’t throw my fists down saying ‘he’s coming to Michigan.’
We Have A Nice Shot At Rayj And Oliver?
— johngeiger (@johngeiger9) May 21, 2023
I believe Michigan has a greater likelihood of touchdown Rayj Dennis at this second. The Wolverines hosted him just lately on an official go to and with Michigan shedding Caleb Love, there’s a spot broad open. Dennis would greater than doubtless begin immediately and Michigan would have a great trio of Dug McDaniel, Dennis, and Jaelin Llewellyn to rotate on the ‘1’ and ‘2’.
If Olivier Nkamhoua finally decides to come back again to school, I believe Michigan is true within the combine. The Tennessee switch didn’t obtain a mix invite, so it’s exhausting to think about him staying within the draft and there was a connection between him and Michigan for a while. There was a report just lately that stated he was taking an official go to to West Virginia, so Nkamhoua is exploring his choices, however he’s precisely what Michigan wants. Somebody that may play the ‘3’ or ‘4’. Everyone knows Michigan struggled to get constant minutes from the ‘4’ final yr.
Who’s QB2 in your opinion? #2 what are the deepest place teams in opinion?
— Jimmy Whitner (@JimmyWhitner1) May 21, 2023
I really like what I’ve seen from Alex Orji. From the spring sport alone, he seems to have discovered higher mechanics of throwing the soccer and everyone knows he can run the ball. I hope Jim Harbaugh does some issues with him this fall in his personal little package deal, however I don’t assume he could be the backup. I might say No. 2 is Jack Tuttle. Tuttle began throughout the spring sport and he brings over a ton of expertise from Indiana. Davis Warren would most likely be 2B as a result of I believe he has extra skill than Tuttle, however I believe Harbaugh likes what Tuttle brings to the desk.
The deepest needs to be the offensive line. There are most likely 10 guys which have an opportunity to begin or might begin on 90 different groups on the market. It’s superb the Wolverines didn’t lose gamers on the road to the switch portal after touchdown La’Darius Henderson, Drake Nugent, and Myles Hinton through the portal. Michigan has a legit likelihood to win the Joe Moore Award for the third consecutive yr.
I additionally need to convey up the operating backs. Michigan has the most effective one-two punch within the nation with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. The employees loves CJ Stokes, Kalel Mullings, and true freshman Ben Corridor seems to be a wrecking ball. The Wolverines have some actual good operating backs at their disposal and Michigan will get phenomenal manufacturing from that group this yr.
Observe your whole favourite Michigan groups at Wolverines Wire, Lions Wire and get the most recent Detroit information on the Detroit Free Press!
