Observations on the Michigan Football Spring Game 2023

Michigan football completed it Spring Scrimmage on April 1, 2023; the game was broadcast by the Big Ten Network.

Offense

The game was a low scoring affair until the 4th quarter when each team scored twice to create some late game heroics and drama. J.J. McCarthy was 7 of 10 for 84 yards and a TD to Jake Thaw for the Maize squad in first half action. Warren Davis played most of the second half, and led the Maize Team to victory; he was 8 of 13 for 163 yards, and his favorite target was Peyton O'Leary with 6 receptions for 126 yards plus the winning 2 point conversion reception. A.J. Barner was impressive at Tight End with 3 catches for 30 yards for a TD; Matt Hibner was also impressive at Tight End for the Maize with 2 catches for 62 yards. Colston Loveland had one catch for 14 yards. Jack Tuttle ran 9 times for 16 yards after sacks were deducted, and was 6 of 12 for 57 yards; Alex Orji was 4 of 6 for 47 yards, and ran 5 times for 18 yards. The competition for backup between Tuttle, Warren, and Orji is wonderful; each have great skills, and each can lead the team if McCarthy can't play. Freshman Benjamin Hall was magnificent; he ran 13 times for 96 yards and a TD for the Blue Team. Kalel Mullings carried 9 times for 35 yards and a TD also for the Blue crew. Leon Franklin carried 12 times for 30 yards and 2 TDs for the Maize squad plus 2 receptions for 14 yards. It looked like the starters for the Maize Offensive Line included Trente Jones at Right Tackle, Reece Atteberry at Right Guard, Greg Crippen at Center, Andrew Gentry at Left Guard, and Tristan Bounds at Left Tackle; the Blue Team had Jeffrey Persi at Right Tackle, Amir Herring at Right Guard, Raheem Anderson at Center, Giovanni El-Hadi at Left Guard, and Karsen Barnhart at Left Tackle. Overall, the blocking looked pretty solid for the run game as well as pass blocking.

After observing the offense on Saturday, it looks like the competition for 3rd and 4th backs behind Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards will be between Benjamin Hall and Kalel Mullings; C.J. Stokes didn't play, but Taviere Dunlap, Leon Franklin and Isaiah Gash did play. Dunlap had 6 carries for 20 yards, and Gash had 2 carries for 10 yards. Freshman Cole Cabana didn't play due to injury. Max Bredeson didn't play at Tight End, and neither Marlin Klein nor Zach Marshall didn't show much while involved in the action; hopefully, Deakon Tonielli, will help the team in June when Freshmen report. The center battle between Raheem Anderson and Greg Crippen will be interesting for backup; Drake Nugent should be the starter when he joins the team. Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan will again man the guard positions, but Giovanni El-Hadi is very impressive, Reece Atteberry also has experience. Amir Herring could be a factor in case of injuries. Myles Hinton will battle Karsen Barnhart for Left Tackle in the Summer, and Trente Jones will battle Jeff Persi and LaDarius Henderson for the starter at Right Tackle. We should have a very deep offensive line for 2023. Cornelius Johnson, Roman Wilson, and Darrius Clemons will start at the three receiver positions; Clemons had 2 catches for 11 yards, and Johnson caught a 22 yarder. Peyton O'Leary will definitely be a factor at receiver; both O'Leary and Benjamin Hall were the two most impressive offensive players on Saturday. Frederick Moore looks like he'll be in the receiver rotation; he had 4 receptions for 62 yards. Semaj Morgan had a jet sweep for 4 yards; neither A.J. Henning nor Tyler Morris played on Saturday, but both will be in the Fall rotation at receiver. Karmello English is another possibility at receiver when he arrives in June.

Defense

The Blue Team dominated much of the game statistically with almost twice the time of possession than the Maize Team with nearly a 15 minute advantage giving them 11 more offensive plays; however, even though the Maize squad allowed 12 rushing first downs with 180 rushing yards, they were able prevail in the scrimmage. The Blue squad converted 9 of 15 3rd and 4th down conversions compared to only 5 of 12 for the Maize Team. The most impressive players defensively were Jaydon Hood and Josaiah Stewart for the Blue Team, and Ernest Hausmann and Derrick Moore for the Maize Team; Hood had 7 tackles, Stewart had 5 tackles plus a sack, Hausmann had 8 tackles and forced a fumble, and Moore had 7 tackles including 2 for loss. Other players who stood out from my observations included Rayshaun Benny, Zeke Berry, Jyaire Hill, Kenneth Grant, and Nikhai Hill-Green. Benny had 6 tackles, Berry, Hill and Hill-Green had 4 tackles each. The competition at defensive back is definitely heating up; Amorion Walker, Ja'Den McBurrows, and Myles Pollard are probably ahead of Jyaire Hill so far. My perception of Walker is that he is very athletic and quick; however, he lacks upper body strength, and that will be critical in coverage with fast, quick, and strong receivers. I was most impressed of the four competitors with Jyaire Hill; he has the best anticipation skills, and intercepted a pass that was called back due to penalty. Hill is quick, fast and athletic with the best anticipation and coverage skills in my estimation; hopefully, Steve Clinksdale will coach all four up this Summer, and improve their skills for the tough season ahead. I also think Keshaun Harris could also emerge as the other cornerback starter opposite Will Johnson; he had a tackle and two pass break ups on Saturday. Kody Jones could also be a contributor, but he seems to be behind the five guys previously mentioned at cornerback. Damani Dent didn't play. Zeke Berry also has great anticipation skills, and he should give Makari Paige competition at Strong Safety for playing time. At Safety, Rod Moore and Makari Paige will be backed up by Zeke Berry, R.J. Moten, and Keon Sabb. Four defensive back starters will be Rod Moore, Will Johnson, Mike Sainristil and Makari Paige, but the fifth back and rotation is yet to be determined. A real potential factor at Safety could be the addition of Brandyn Hillman; if the coaches feel that there is enough talent at Safety, Hillman could be moved to receiver. Caden Kolesar is on the roster, but didn't play in the Spring Game. At Linebacker, Ernest Hausmann will be hard to keep off the field; he is tough, fast, quick and athletic. Michael Barrett is also a solid veteran starter. Junior Colson didn't play due to injury, but he is also very athletic. Jimmy Rolder looked good with 5 tackles including a fumble recovery. As mentioned previously, Jaydon Hood was a pleasant surprise; the competition for playing time should really up the level of this team, particulary with tackling which has been an "achilles heal" of Michigan Football for several seasons. It looks like the Linebacking rotation will be Ernest Hausmann, Michael Barrett, Junior Colson, Nikhai Hill-Green, Jimmy Rolder, Jaydon Hood, and Micah Pollard; expect all seven to see action with R.J. Moten rotating between Strong Safety and Linebacker depending on the defensive strategies. Pollard quietly had 6 tackles in the scrimmage. Semaj Bridgeman and Hayden Moore will also be available in case of injuries, but both may need to redshirt.

On the Defensive Line, the #1 Draft Choice for the Spring Game was Nose Tackle Kenneth Grant; he will be hard for opposing defenses to move, and will be a solid anchor. Cam Goode and Mason Graham will back him up with Ike Iwunnah available if injuries occur. Kris Jenkins has a chance for an All-American season at Defensive Tackle; he will be backed up by Rayshaun Benny and Mason Graham. Dominick Giudice could also see playing time as he's moved back to defense from offensive line; both Brooks Bahr and Rod Pierce could also impress once they arrive in June. On the Edge, Braiden McGregor didn't play, but he is expected to be the starter at the Anchor End position. T.J. Guy also didn't play, and he could back up McGregor along with Derrick Moore, Kechaun Bennett, and Tyler McLaurin. At the Rush End position, it looks like Josaiah Stewart may unseat Jaylen Harrell as the starter, but both will see plenty of action. Newcomers Cameron Brandt and Enow Etta are "wild cards" along with Aymeric Koumba coming into the Summer.

Special Teams

If Michigan fans have a worry with this year's team, it will be on special teams. The loss of Jake Moody, the leading scorer in Wolverine Football History, will be a problem. The addition of Adam Samaha and Cordell Jones-McNally will factor largely in both field goals and kickoffs; this would leave Tommy Doman to only handle punting duties. If the coaches are unsatisfied in the Summer, they could look to the transfer portal. In either case, the use of a True Freshman for game on the line situations late in the 4th quarter should give fans cause for anxiety. Adam Samaha and Cordell Jones-McNally will join the team in June. A.J. Henning is expected to continue to handle kickoffs and punt returns. Joe Taylor, Roman Wilson, Mike Sainristil, and newcomers including Semaj Morgan, Fredrick Moore and Karmello English will vie for kickoff and punt return duties as well.

First Half Second Half Mike Hart Peyton O'Leary and Trevor Keegan Box Score

Spring Scrimmage 2022

Spring Scrimmage April 10, 2021, 22-10

Spring Game Cancelled in 2020

Spring Game 2019

Spring Game Cancelled in 2018

Spring Scrimmage 2017

Spring Scrimmage 2016

Spring Scrimmage 2015

Spring Scrimmage 2014

Spring Scrimmage 2012

Spring Scrimmage 2011

Wolverine Devotee's Cloudy History of the Spring Game, 1925-2016