Michigan Football: Harbaugh Says Two Quarterbacks Have Separated

Michigan’s quarterback battle continues through fall camp, and two quarterbacks have separated from the pack.

Fifth-year senior John O’Korn and redshirt junior Wilton Speight, the incumbent, have made moves, head coach Jim Harbaugh reported Friday night.

“John and Wilton have really stepped up,” Harbaugh said. “They’ve created a little separation. They’re battling now, one with the ones … the next day the other is with the ones, the other with the twos. We’re keeping a very close eye on it, and it’s progressing well.”

It’s about command, he said.

“Just a process of knowing where all your players are, then figuring out what the defense is trying to do to you, give you, or where they’re more vulnerable," he added. "Being able to move the team in and out of the huddle … he’ll give other guys reminders to the running backs, wide receivers and tight end when he’s got it on the tip of his tongue and knows the call.”

Redshirt freshman Brandon Peters continues to work hard, he added.

“It’s just a process for him. He’s competing hard and doing good, and it’s not to say it’s set in stone right now. I just think those two guys have created a little bit of separation.”

Speight’s entered the season with the same demeanor as last year, Harbaugh added.

“Really from last training camp he’s been very even keeled,” he said. “Just his personality. He has emotional moments in a good way, and I think since last year at this time, I think he’s been a steady guy.”

NOTES

The right side of the line has been a battle between three players, Harbaugh said.

• It’s been good. Mike Onwenu, Jon Runyan, and Juwann Bushell-Beatty are rotating with the ones,” he said. “Ben Bredeson has been a mainstay [at left guard], Mason Cole a mainstay [at left tackle] and Pat Kugler has had a nice camp. He’s giving us a lot of confidence there [at center].”

They continue to work against a defense that challenges them every day.

“We just continue to pick up the enormous variety of blitzes we see from our own defense. It only makes us better, which I love,” Harbaugh said. “But it’s not the normal practice sessions. There’s a lot of chaos. It will only make us better.”

Harbaugh laughed when told Mo Hurst called the O-line the most improved position group.

“We can’t even block Mo Hurst,” he said. “It’s been tough to block Mo Hurst and Rashan Gary, Bryan Mone, Chase Winovich. The battle has really now been raging between the young guys. Luiji Vilian, James Hudson, Lawrence Marshall, Michael Dwumfour. Deron Irvin-Bey.

“There are a lot of young guys. The backups on the D-line are going to be some young guys.”

This weekend will be big in shaping the two-deep, he added.

• The receivers are doing really well, Harbaugh said … especially the freshmen.

“DPJ [Donovan Peoples-Jones], Oliver Martin and Tarik Black are making a lot of plays … superb, athletic types of plays,” he said. “I’ve never seen freshmen do it the way they’re doing it.

“Nico [Collins] just got out there. Half the guys we kept all through summer school, came out this week and they have finals on Monday and Tuesday.

• Harbaugh called frosh linebacker Josh Ross ‘James’ for his brother before catching himself.

“Josh Ross is really playing will. I call him James half the time to his face,” Harbaugh said. He’s a real hitter. It’s hard to imagine … what was he like in high school? He’s out here hitting guys in the college game like that.

“The other guy giving everybody a run for their money is Ben Mason. He’s just a wonderful, wonderful physical football player. He’ll help us win games. He’s climbing up the depth chart at the fullback position. He’s made to be a fullback. I’m real excited watching him play.”