Michigan will enter 2024 fall football camp with some starting positions still up for grabs. We offer our opinions on three of those, give thoughts on , and offer one prediction in this week’s 3-2-1 column after re-watching the film of the spring game.
Thoughts on three Michigan football position battles — our picks
3. Right tackle — Andrew Gentry over Jeff Persi. Both guys can play, and whoever doesn’t earn the starting nod will be quality depth for the Wolverines … but Gentry appeared stronger and looked the part in the spring. It took the former top 100 recruit to get back to form after a two-year mission, but seeing him up close, he appears to be in better shape than we’ve ever seen him, and it’s clear how badly he wants it.
Gentry was engaging and moving his feet well, getting plenty of push, and was solid in pass protection. We envision a line of Myles Hinton, Giovanni El-Hadi, Greg Crippen, Josh Priebe, and Gentry to start the Aug. 31 opener with Fresno State.
2. Cornerback (No. 2) — Jyaire Hill over Kody Jones and Myles Pollard … but keep an eye on FCS All-America transfer Aamir Hall. Like Josh Wallace a year ago, Hall appears to have the skillset to play at a high level in FBS, too, a confident guy with great instincts. He seems to be leaning Michigan and will visit.
But with DJ Waller, the former favorite here, opting to transfer to Kentucky for whatever reason, all eyes now turn to Hill. Hill is the more talented player, but Waller was the guy with his nose in the playbook last year — and the maturity to go after what he wanted. If Hill becomes that guy, he could live up to head coach Sherrone Moore’s high expectations.
“That kid’s got immense talent to be as good as anybody,” he said. “… He’s got everything you want in a corner.”
1. Quarterback — Alex Orji over Jack Tuttle and Davis Warren … at least to start the opener. It wouldn’t stun at all if Tuttle eventually won the job here, and we aren’t the only ones saying it. Many of those closest to the program believe he’s got a great shot.
Many want Orji to win the job because of the athleticism and upside, and we get it. Everyone wants the next Cam Newton. Sometimes, though, it doesn’t pan out as hoped, and the underdog is the better choice (see: Cade McNamara vs. Joe Milton). Fall camp will play a huge part here, but we almost expect to see Orji and Tuttle to play in game one when it’s still in doubt.
Two players who have to emerge in 2024
… if Michigan is going to exceed expectations.
2. Tyler Morris, WR — Wide receiver doesn’t appear to be a position of strength for the Wolverines, but Morris could help here if he becomes the receiver everyone thinks he can be. There are times he “looked like Ronnie Bell” in the No. 8, per his coaches, and now he’ll get his opportunity to be that No. 1 receiver. We saw his extra gear in the Rose Bowl with a catch and run for touchdown, but now he needs to be a Roman Wilson-type go-to for the quarterbacks.
Morris is a quieter guy, but he has the talent and the ability. He needs to emerge as one of the Big Ten’s better receivers.
1. Greg Crippen, C — Now, Raheem Anderson came on at the end of spring and could have a say here, but there’s no grad transfer bailout this year. Crippen has patiently waited his turn, and now he’s expected to start at one of the team’s most important positions.
Everything on offense starts here, from making the calls to adjustments, etc. Is he ready for that challenge? If not … is Anderson?
One noteworthy response to a head-scratching tweet
On3’s Jesse Simonton ranked the nation’s top defensive fronts, and he put Ohio State — not Michigan — at No. 1 overall. Oregon and Penn State are also on his list at No. 4 and No. 10, respectively, but the Buckeyes over the Wolverines?
Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, one of two projected first-round picks, doesn’t think so …
We don’t, either.
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