CAMP KICKOFF SERIES:
Fall Depth Chart
Position Battles
Five Freshmen to Watch

This is a position battle that will bleed into the season, no doubt. But what Michigan does with this group at the start of the season will be determined by how players perform in fall camp.

Michigan knows two things, Will Johnson is starting at CB1 and Mike Sainristil is the second corner. What they need to work to figure out is whether Michigan's best option is to keep Sainristil at nickel or if he should move outside and another player takes over at nickel.

Some of this is semantics. Johnson, Sainristil, and Rod Moore can all line up outside or in the nickel. Many of the players competing to be part of the cornerback rotation can line up at multiple spots, that is the point of the Amoeba defense. Michigan has recruited and developed versatile players, they simply need to scheme to take advantage.

On the outside, there are three leaders heading to fall camp, Amorion Walker, Josh Wallace, and Ja'Den McBurrows. An argument can be made for each player, and each player has a strength that could create situational fits. But today, is there a scenario where Sainristil comes off the field but one of them stays on? Maybe, but not likely.

Something to watch is what if the answer rises at nickel. Zeke Berry and Kody Jones are sophomores coming off strong spring camps and hoping to duplicate this fall. Berry and Jones can play nickel, outside, and safety. There will at least be packages that feature Johnson, Sainristil, Moore, Paige, and Berry/Jones because the scenarios are endless. 5 players in the secondary who can line up anywhere. An offense looking to create mismatches will be looking for a long time.

The offense is entering the Sherrone Moore era as he takes over as the sole offensive coordinator. You are not going to find any crazy predictions here. The offense has been a group effort for the last two seasons, and that will continue to be the case. Moore is simply the play caller for an offense that has been created with input from the entire offensive staff.

Mike Hart, run game coordinator, and Moore will continue to work on the run game plans. New quarterback coach Kirk Campbell and wide receiver coach Ron Bellamy will game plan the passing game, with Grant Newsome obviously having input and head coach Jim Harbaugh as well.

Still, what Michigan has done so well is scheme to its strengths. The run game will always lead the way, especially in 2023 where Michigan's offensive line could be even better and Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards return in the backfield. But, this offense has some serious weapons in the passing game, including Corum and Edwards. The coaching staff hasn't hidden the fact this offseason that they would like to get Corum and especially Edwards more involved creatively in the passing game.

JJ McCarthy returns as starting quarterback, and his arm talent is as good as any in college football. At receiver, Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson return, either capable of taking a big leap with Ronnie Bell now in the NFL. The WR3 battle in fall camp is likely to be between Tyler Morris, Darrius Clemons, and Peyton O'Leary. Morris and Clemons particularly have been called "freak show" since committing to Michigan and could give Michigan something it was lacking last season. While Michigan has always had receiving threats at tight end, Colston Loveland and AJ Barner might be the best duo Michigan has had during this resurgence, which is saying a lot.

So, is Michigan going to start throwing the ball all over the field? No, but Jim Harbaugh has said he wants the team to have a 50/50 split in terms of run to pass. For comparison's sake, Michigan was close to 60/40 favoring the run the last two seasons.

I believe Michigan will look to add new elements to the passing game, to take advantage of weapons like Edwards and Loveland. The passing game could optically look like a bigger factor simply with better execution as well. The underrated part to watch with the offense is Kirk Campbell.

It seems likely that Moore will stay on the sidelines so he can continue to work with the offensive line. Campbell, could be his eyes in the sky from the booth. While Campbell does not have the pass game coordinator title currently, he has play-calling experience from his time as offensive coordinator at Old Dominion. Campbell could not only bring something new to the offense, but could be the perfect partner for Moore in his first year.

It arguably hasn't gotten enough attention this offseason, but Michigan has to completely overhaul its special teams unit in 2023.

Longtime kicker and punter Jake Moody and Brad Robbins are in the NFL. Robbins was also Moody's holder on field goals. Each has been one of the best at their position for multiple years in Ann Arbor. In the return game, specialist AJ Henning has transferred to Northwestern.

Michigan added a superstar kicker in the 2023 class with Adam Samaha. It wouldn't have been ideal for a freshman to handle the duties, so the Wolverines added James Turner from Louisville in the transfer portal. Turner is expected to take handle field goal-kicking duties, while Mississippi State transfer Hudson Hollenbeck could handle kickoffs.

Turner handling kicking duties likely mean Tommy Doman will be allowed to focus on just punting. There was a chance Doman was going to handle all kicking duties like Kenny Allen in 2016. A lot to ask of a first-time starter. Doman is a former top punting recruit, and Harbaugh recently said he has one of the best legs he's ever seen, incredible praise.

In the return game, there are lots of options. Roman Wilson is the most experienced returner on the roster and has enough speed to potentially break loose on a return. Michigan may hope another player rises so Wilson doesn't need to be exposed on kicks, and that player could be a freshman.

Semaj Morgan and Cole Cabana are simply playmakers. Each are speedsters who can do incredible things in space when they have the ball. However, just like the kicker, is Michigan prepared to trust a freshman with a potentially game-deciding role?

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