Michigan will be leaning on at least two freshmen receivers to help them this year, but head coach Jim Harbaugh doesn’t seem concerned. Two of them are among the more mature freshmen he’s had, he said Tuesday during the Big Ten teleconference.
Former five-star prep Donovan Peoples-Jones and four-star Tarik Black became fast friends and have grown through spring and fall. Both will see the field in Saturday’s opener vs. Florida in Arlington.
“They’ve been really good, right from the beginning,” Harbaugh said. “They've been fast friends, roomed together when they first got here in the winter. They’ve remained close, and they've also pushed each other. I notice that. They both strive to be as good as they can be and make each other good and better.
“Those are two guys mature beyond their years in terms of talent and effort and focus, really … that’s also a key ingredient there and why they've been so successful. That's just good home training. They’re outstanding players and youngsters to be around, two of my personal favorites on the team.”
Harbaugh also had high praise for his captains, fifth-year senior linebacker Mike McCray and senior left tackle Mason Cole.
“Mike McCray battled some shoulder injuries ... he had grueling rehab at times, you could tell,” Harbaugh said. “When he got healthy he was really good and really durable. He's a by-example type of leader, which is always the most genuine and the best kind. He is somebody who has always taken coaching extremely well. He’s been a stalwart ... probably the best word to describe him.
“Mason Cole is character at the highest level. He's developed into a coach on the field. He is one of the most versatile offensive linemen I’ve ever been around. When you can play tackle, start there, last season moved to center, was one of the best in the conference, now back to tackle. He could be an outstanding guard, as well. Intellect, character and ability at the highest level.”
NOTES
• Michigan and Florida are each guaranteed $6 million for Saturday’s game in Texas.
The game is USA Today’s No. 2 game of the week, behind Florida State vs. Alabama.
It’s a great game on paper. In terms of name value, at least, the matchup is an intriguing one: Michigan, entering its third year under Jim Harbaugh, and Florida, the two-time defending champion of the SEC East. That alone earns this the second spot on the list. But is this will be a good game? Depends. Do you like 17-13 scores?
Harbaugh said today they’d have a good idea where they stand after the contest, noting they’d have to be prepared for anything. Florida could start any of three quarterbacks, including Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire.
“You go on information that you know, that you've seen and you try to anticipate not just the quarterback position, but all positions when you’re playing in college football that first game,” Harbaugh said. “There's no exact tape to look at or have an understanding, so you try to predict and anticipate, build a game plan around that knowing you'll have to improvise and adjust as the game unfolds.”
• Harbaugh is starting his own podcast. Attack Each Day: The Harbaugh’s Podcast, starts Sept. 5 on PodcastOne Sports.
“I’m looking forward to joining my dad and my other family members for our weekly podcast on PodcastOne,” Harbaugh told Sports Illustrated. “A lot of people who I respect have been doing podcasts for years, and the Attack Each Day: The Harbaugh’s Podcast should be a fun experience for our show’s guests and for our listeners.”
The podcast will include regular visits from family and friends, including his brother, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh; his father, longtime college coach Jack Harbaugh; and former University of San Diego player J.T. Rogan.
“Family, football, talk about sports … I’ll have my dad on it, be able to talk to other members of the family, talk to friends,” he said. “It seemed like a good idea, so we're going to give it a shot.”
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